Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon – serial 540, HM-14 Vanguard, US Navy, NAS Norfolk, VA, 2022

Panzerkampf Aircraft 1/72 scale 14040PA 540: Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon serial 540 of HM-14 Vanguard, US Navy, NAS Norfolk, VA, 2022. Constructed of a mixture of diecast metal and plastic, with fixed lowered undercarriage and display stand. As with most diecast helicopter models some parts will need to be assembled in order to display the model.

Length 16.5 inches Rotorspan 13.25 inches

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14) is a United States Navy helicopter squadron established in 1978 based at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Nicknamed the Vanguard and flying the MH-53E Sea Dragon, it comprises both active duty and reserve personnel. HM-14’s mission is to stand ready to deploy anywhere in the world within 72 hours via US Air Force C-5 Galaxy to provide airborne mine countermeasures and vertical onboard delivery support. Additionally, humanitarian and disaster relief tasking has been increasing in recent years. Recognizing the capabilities of the MH-53E, the squadron can also provide platforms for United States Navy EOD and Force Recon paratroopers. The squadron has 17 MH-53E Sea Dragon aircraft and 700 total members including pilots, aircrew, maintainers, and administrative personnel.

Designed to meet a US Marine Corps requirement for a heavy-lift transport helicopter to replace the CH-37 Mojave, the CH-53 was first flown on October 14th, 1964. The MH-53E Sea Dragon is the U.S. Navy’s primary aerial mine countermeasures aircraft. A variant of the CH-53 Sea Stallion, the MH-53E is heavier and has a greater fuel capacity than its ancestor. The MH-53 can operate from carriers and other warships and is capable of towing a variety of mine hunting/sweeping countermeasures systems, including the Mk 105 magnetic minesweeping sled, the AQS-14A side-scan sonar, and the Mk 103 mechanical minesweeping system. When performing the assault support mission, the MH-53E can be fitted with the GAU-21 .50-cal. machine gun ramp-mounted weapon system.

The MH-53E Sea Dragon incorporates GPS, Doppler radar, Approach/Hover/Tow Coupler . UHF/VHF/HF radios, secure comm. capability, IFF. Communications include UHF/VHF/HF radios, secure comm. capability, and IFF. Currently out of production, the MH-53E’s service life issues are under study due to a poor accident record; 14 of the 46 purchased by the US Navy have been written off.