MH-53 mission - FLIR image

[Ravage]

2008 saw the final combat missions of the MH-53 in USAF operational use. This is one of those missions.
In September 2008, the Pave Low was retired after nearly 40 years of service to the Air Force.

don't worry about the information, just clik on the vid title.

 

[7point62]

I loved the 53s. Flew off an assault ship on a vertical envelopment and the pilot flared the nose up so high on landing we almost fell out the ramp. I think he did it intentionally.

I rode in so many Phrogs and Hueys over the years, but the 53s were the beasts.

 

[Charlie]

must have been a secure area....

I loved riding in them also.

 

[7point62]

must have been a secure area....

I loved riding in them also.

That particular LZ was pretty secure. Somewhere to the west of Virginia Beach.

 

[Charlie]

oh I thought they said it was the last combat mission!

 

[Ravage]

Bikini babes is combat

 

[7point62]

I'm talkin about this big boy here, back in the day

 

[Nasty]

I loved the 53s. Flew off an assault ship on a vertical envelopment and the pilot flared the nose up so high on landing we almost fell out the ramp. I think he did it intentionally.

I rode in so many Phrogs and Hueys over the years, but the 53s were the beasts.

He did, but for reasons unknown to most PAX. The pilots on that pig can't see the ground from the cockpit on approach. The Gunners/Engineers on the ramp & the doors are calling out Alt., ie, "Ramp 10ft, Right 15ft, Left 15ft". Scary, ain't it? I loved that pig too, many hours them.

 

[Pete S]

I loved the 53s. Flew off an assault ship on a vertical envelopment and the pilot flared the nose up so high on landing we almost fell out the ramp. I think he did it intentionally.

I rode in so many Phrogs and Hueys over the years, but the 53s were the beasts.

Supposedly the 53 airframe can do a loop-de-loop... but I've never seen it, and I wouldn't want to be inside when it happened.

 

[formerBrat]

Wow, a loop? That would be impressive, what are you defining as a loop? (not a call out, I've just heard it defined differently) I have seen video and heard that 53's, the CH- variety flown by the Navy and Marines and also the Pave Lows can do what basically mimics an aileron roll. The only helos I know of today that can do a "loop" (think over the vertical axis rather than rolling horizontally) as I know it are the Apache and the Lynx flown by the British military I believe. ( I couldn't tell you which branches, someone in the know please jump in if I am mistaken )

Apache doing a loop:

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Lynx doing some acrobatics (roll and a loop)

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[shadoload]

I know that the 53 pilots are nuts. They would do a lot of crazy shit behind the "Poppa" waiting to refuel. Most pilots I know said that it could do a "barrel roll" type maneuver, not a nose over tail move.

 

[Pete S]

Most pilots I know said that it could do a "barrel roll" type maneuver, not a nose over tail move.

There we go, that's what I meant.

Gimme a break, I didn't get to learn all the cool lingo.

 

[shadoload]

No worries

 

[mikemolzahn]

MH-53 Mission--FLIR Image

Sad to see the ol war horses put out to pasture. They truly were warriors.

Long Live the Pave.

Pavelow Leads,
Engine Mike