A workhorse if there ever was one, the CH-53 is a long overdue addition to the JE line-up. The Sea Stallion was developed in the early 1960s for the U.S. Marine Corps, which needed a larger and more powerful replacement for earlier transport helicopters. The prototype first flew in 1964 and entered service later in 1966. The CH-53A was powered by two turboshaft engines and featured a large rear-loading cargo ramp, six-blade main rotor, external cargo hook capability, and folding rotor/tail features for shipboard use. It saw heavy combat during the Vietnam War, where its lifting power and range made it valuable for assault support, recovery missions, logistics, and aircraft retrieval. The CH-53A established the basic Sea Stallion design that led to improved variants such as the CH-53D, specialized Air Force HH/MH-53 rescue and special operations helicopters, and eventually the larger three-engine Super Stallion family.
JETs Vol. 26-20 has been cut from sponsons removed from 2 different CH-53As. Both sponsons were found at aircraft boneyards.
The first was fitted to BuNo: 151699, a USMC CH-53A. This primarily grey sponson was painted in a 3-tone camouflage. It is offered in 4 variants: Grey, Black, Camo, Stencil. All variants contain tags that feature rivets and additional aircraft structure. Fulfillment is random. All tags cut from this sponson are preceded with "151699."
The second sponson featured original green USMC paint and a black low-vis/subdued roundel and the modex (side number) "12." It is offered in 5 variants: Green, Black (cut from the roundel), Roundel (Green/Black), Roundel Riveted (Green/Black with rivets), and Structured (heavily structed tags). The Structured tags are a mix of different colors. All tags cut from this sponson are preceded with "12."
This release includes the option to customize your tag art. Choose your tag color/variant and then choose the art you'd like. See the Custom Shop photo for examples.
To commemorate this release falling on our nation's 250th birthday, we've limited this run 250 total tags.
PLEASE NOTE: Photos represent examples of each variant. Paint colors, rivet holes, and other features are different for every tag.
