This package is a set of 28 USMC CH-53E repaints for Nemeth’s CH-53E Super Stallion, which also is included in Prepar3d version 4.2 and later.
The purpose of this repaint set was to provide multiple aircraft in any given operational squadron for those that might enjoy simulating USMC aviation in multiplayer scenarios.
Obviously I am a big fan of US Marine Corps aviation, the very definition of a global expeditionary force operating from both amphibious ships and land bases around the world.
CH-53E Repaints for USMC HMH Squadrons
At the time when I created this package, in April 2020, the Marine Corps had 8 active Heavy Helicopter (HMH) squadrons that flew the CH-53E Super Stallion. Two of them have been decommissioned: HMH-366 Hammerheads and HMH-463 Pegasus. A third squadron, HMH-462 Heavy Haulers, is slated to be decommissioned in 2030 as part of USMC reorganization.
Heavy helicopter squadrons were first formed in 1966 when the Marine Corps began flying the heavy lift CH-53 Sea Stallion.
I have included 3 low-vis paints for each USMC HMH squadron that were currently active (8 squadrons x 3 paints). In addition, I did 2 low-vis paints for the reserve squadron HMH-772 and 2 more for the Fleet Replacement Training Squadron HMHT-302. All of these squadrons, along with their home bases and tail codes are listed below:
| HMH-361 | Flying Tigers | YN | MCAS Miramar | |
| HMH-366 | Hammerheads | HH | MCAS New River | |
| HMH-461 | Iron Horse | CJ | MCAS New River | |
| HMH-462 | Heavy Haulers | YF | MCAS Miramar | |
| HMH-463 | Pegasus | YH | MCAS Kaneohe Bay | |
| HMH-464 | Condors | EN | MCAS New River | |
| HMH-465 | Warhorse | YJ | MCAS Miramar | |
| HMH-466 | Wolfpack | YK | MCAS Miramar | |
| HMH-772 | Hustler | MT | McGuire AFB | Reserve |
| HMHT-302 | Phoenix | UT | MCAS New River | RAG |
Specific BuNo references were used based on relatively recent photos.
A list of the Bureau numbers painted follow here, just for reference:
| HMH-361 | Flying Tigers | YN | 164781 | _03 |
| HMH-361 | Flying Tigers | YN | 164365 | _05 |
| HMH-361 | Flying Tigers | YN | 162009 | _14 |
| HMH-366 | Hammerheads | HH | 161183 | _01 |
| HMH-366 | Hammerheads | HH | 162012 | _16 |
| HMH-366 | Hammerheads | HH | 163075 | _06 |
| HMH-461 | Iron Horse | CJ | 161533 | _07 |
| HMH-461 | Iron Horse | CJ | 165344 | _12 |
| HMH-461 | Iron Horse | CJ | 162520 | _20 |
| HMH-462 | Heavy Haulers | YF | 163080 | _28 |
| HMH-462 | Heavy Haulers | YF | 164779 | _31 |
| HMH-462 | Heavy Haulers | YF | 163079 | _33 |
| HMH-463 | Pegasus | YH | 164786 | _04 |
| HMH-463 | Pegasus | YH | 162005 | _08 |
| HMH-463 | Pegasus | YH | 161542 | _10 |
| HMH-464 | Condors | EN | 161534 | _ 45 |
| HMH-464 | Condors | EN | 162517 | _ 47 |
| HMH-464 | Condors | EN | 162010 | _ 49 |
| HMH-465 | Warhorse | YJ | 162003 | _24 |
| HMH-465 | Warhorse | YJ | 163076 | _41 |
| HMH-465 | Warhorse | YJ | 161387 | _45 |
| HMH-466 | Wolfpack | YK | 162488 | _04 |
| HMH-466 | Wolfpack | YK | 164360 | _05 |
| HMH-466 | Wolfpack | YK | 163080 | _08 |
| HMH-772 | Hustler | MT | 165345 | _00 |
| HMH-772 | Hustler | MT | 165346 | _01 |
| HMHT-302 | Phoenix | UT | 161386 | _02 |
| HMHT-302 | Phoenix | UT | 165251 | _18 |
Some might ask what is the point of doing multiple versions, or multiple repaints for the same squadron. My thought at the time was to build some some basic scenarios for multiplayer flights, and allow player pilots to fly together – naturally some will want to fly as part of the same squadron but still fly different aircraft. I think there is still yet a lot that can be done here in this space within Prepar3d, but I will talk more about that below.
Here I wanted to share some simple in-game screen shots for views of one repaint per HMH squadron.
So there you have it. Downlinks at the end of the article. Super easy to install, instructions provided if needed.
Go get them and load up your virtual Marines and start putting hauling them over the beach.
Flying the CH-53E in Prepar3d
The case for Marine Corps aviation is strong in Prepar3d, and the CH-53E is certainly a big part of that. My opinion is that flying the CH-53E in Prepar3d has a lot of offer for those of us that appreciate military aviation sims.
The CH-53E Sea Stallion is often referred to as the workhorse of the Marine Corps aviation element, in that so much of what the Marines do is go ashore and project power in remote corners of the world – often in far-flung places where more developed facilities do not exist.
It moves Marines, with their gear and equipment, simply put, from ship to shore and back, and from point to point, wherever they go. As a combat force, half the battle is showing up. Forward logistics are a critical element of an expeditionary force, such as the US Marine Corps.
For combat engagements, Prepared is obviously not the simulator we prefer (big fan of DCS for that), but for just the scale and scope of all the places we can operate worldwide, Prepar3d is really limitless. Fly in arctic conditions in Norway, fly in the Australia or the South China Sea, fly in Japan or wherever Marines go.
Move gear, fly sling loads, operate from remote landing zones or forward air bases. Think logistics. Get your heavy lift creative juice flowing.
Fly Marines.
Download USMC CH-53E Repaints
Get the USMC CH-53E repaint set at one of these sites:
| AVSIM | usmc_ch-53e_heavy_helo_paint_set.zip |
| Flightsim.com | FSX/P3D USMC CH-53E Super Stallion |
| Sim Outhouse | USMC CH-53E Repaint set |
See more USMC and other repaints in our repaints section.
