Originally Posted by
Evalu8ter
Ken V, Indeed - The gearbox/head of the -53K weighs the same as a UH60. That's what power folding complexity costs you. The K is designed to float about in a maritime environment. The RAF has successfully operated the -47 off carriers for years. Yes there is a maintenance penalty - but it's a small price to pay. The Chinook is only "unwieldy" in terms of storage. The power and tandem rotor layout make ship ops very straightforward (I've landed one downwind with the boat doing 25+kts with no issue whatsoever - aside from landing in my own spray...)
Indeed. USN operated the -47's little brother, the CH-46 "Phrog" for decades and loved it. Good performance and very forgiving. And cross wind performance was unmatchable. So unless that folding capability is REALLY needed, or the high slung load capability REALLY required, the -53K would be an unnecessarily very expensive choice.