(OC) Massive CH-53K King Stallion
Posted by Pickles-n-Lizards@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 16 comments
I never really grasped the sheer size of this beast. Google says this is a Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion. It was parked off the I-5 at Camp Pendleton so I had to take a picture. I was about 100yards off and still felt like it was towering over everything.
Straight-Knowledge83@reddit
How does it compare next to a Mi-26?
kx885@reddit
The CH-53E/K is smaller than a Mi-26, but it is the largest helicopter operated by the United States. Bigger than a CH-47.
RandomObserver13@reddit
Nice! I’ve been up close to one a few times, they are huge. I used to commute to OC every day on that route for over a year, was always fun to see what the Marines were up to. Lots of LCAC and load training. I always wonder if the sheep are still there…
Pickles-n-Lizards@reddit (OP)
Yea I see them occasionally still. But not like when we were kids.
a_berdeen@reddit
Some regular CH-53s came to Jamaica to help out with the Hurricane Melissa relief. I thought black hawks and chinooks were huge. LMFAO, these things are monsters.
MapleMapleHockeyStk@reddit
I've gotten close to the blackhawk but not one of these yet!
lovt16@reddit
That’s a 53E K is even bigger
Pickles-n-Lizards@reddit (OP)
Amazing!
theaviationhistorian@reddit
I expected it to be pudgier. But I guess it looks far different seeing it live versus a small picture.
X-02@reddit
This is still my favorite image to put their size in perspective
Kom4K@reddit
Every CH-53 I rode in felt like an off-balance ceiling fan. A bit unnerving.
SmallRocks@reddit
Yeah landing is gnarly when it tilts and you can see the ground from the back ramp while you’re still in the air.
Spacebotzero@reddit
I've heard they leak like crazy inside and they are like riding in malfunctioning elevator.
Also, what is the difference between the Super Stallion and the King Stallion?
Enricoisagirlsname@reddit
My brother is on a 53 crew and he says they'd start to worry if their heli stopped leaking.
Ok_Mathematician6075@reddit
Ok this comment has me spinning to the ground.
avboden@reddit
There are certain flying vehicles that just don’t look like they should be able to fly