Academy 12575 1/72 USMC CH-53D Operation Frequent Wind

The Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion is a heavy, American-made transport helicopter with a metal structure in a classic layout with a main rotor and a tail rotor on the beam. The drive is provided by two General Electric T-64-GE-413 engines with a capacity of 3925 KM each. The flight of the first prototype took place in 1964, and serial production continued in 1966-1978. It is estimated that about 510 copies of this helicopter were built.

The Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion was created in response to a tender for a new transport helicopter launched by the Marine Corps in 1959. The new machine was to be able to launch freely, have a loading ramp at the rear of the hull and carry about 50-60 soldiers. All these criteria were met by the machine of the Sikorsky concern. Many development versions of this very solid helicopter were created in the course of serial production. One of them was the CH-53D version with a stronger hull structure, better performance and higher lifting capacity. Another was the search and rescue version, designated CH-53GE. There were also versions dedicated to foreign recipients with changed avionics or engines (e.g. CH-53G created for the needs of German aviation of land forces). The CH-53 helicopter took an active part in the Vietnam War (1964 / 1965-1975). It has also been exported to several countries, including Austria, Germany, Israel and Mexico.