2008 NAS Oceana Airshow - MH-53E Sea Dragon

[MegaApples123456]

its actually called the super stallion not sea dragon

[treetopflyer10]

@MegaApples123456 This particular model of the H-53 is indeed called the MH-53E Sea Dragon, and is a naval aircraft. You can distinguish the Sea Dragon from the Marines' CH-53E Super Stallion by the enlarged sponsons on this aircraft which allow for an increased fuel payload, just for future reference.

[ringer454]

My mom used to work on these! :@

[cortes1988]

one of my favorite choppers!

[FPVsean]

agusta aw139 for me :P

[Obinjess]

@cortes1988 You can say that because you don't work on them. They're the helicopter version of a crappy old truck made from junkyard parts.

[cortes1988]

@Obinjess No shit I don't work on them. I can say that because the Sea Dragon is one of my favorite choppers not because I don't work on them. If you don't like working on the Sea Dragon then too bad . Maybe you should of picked a different job then saying the chopper is a version of a crappy old truck made from junkyard parts.

[Obinjess]

@cortes1988 I've worked on plenty of different fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The MH-53E is by far the most half-assed design. The third engine was wedged into the H53 airframe and all four hydraulic systems are terribly placed. Structural repairs are difficult due to awkward placement of critical components. There are corrosion-prone areas buried behind panels which are difficult to inspect and clean. It's only because of hard work by maintainers like myself that these things are still flying.

[cortes1988]

@Obinjess What other aircraft have you worked on besides the MH-53E ?

[Obinjess]

@cortes1988 I've extensively worked on F/A-18 A+, B, C, and D models. I also have experience doing light maintenance on UH-1B, CH-37, CH-54, OH-23, TH-55, CH-21, and U-8D.

[cortes1988]

@Obinjess So you in the Navy then ?

[Obinjess]

@cortes1988 Yes I am.

[cortes1988]

@Obinjess I lost my interest in the Navy after the F-14 was retired. Big mistake in my opinion.

[VicariousRider]

@cortes1988 Except you would not believe the maintenance costs involved in operating the F-14, also known as your tax dollars spent fixing the plane versus flying the plane.

I spoke with a fighter pilot who started with the F-14 and then transitioned to the F/A-18, he said the F/A-18 was a superior aircraft in terms of maneuverability.

Certainly, the F-14 Tomcat was and always will be a remarkable aircraft, as were the RA-5 Vigilante, the A-1 Skyraider, and so on; however technology moves on.