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In-Box Review
172
Sikorski SH-3D Sea King
Sikorski SH-3D Sea King
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by: Richard Tonge [ TINBANGER ]

History
The Sikorsky Sea King was developed as a twin engine turbine powered amphibious anti-submarine helicopter for the US Navy beginning in 1957. The prototype XHSS-2 first flew in 1959, and the type entered service in 1961. Although it was developed for antisubmarine work, the Sea King was soon found to be adaptable to other roles and subsequently modified to serve in Search and Rescue, Utility Transport, VIP Transport, Minesweeping, and experimental roles. The Sea King was selected to serve in the Armed Forces of many different NATO and Western-alligned nations and was built under license by Canada, Italy, Japan and the UK. In addition, Sikorsky adapted a lengthened version into two different Civil models.

First Impressions
The kit comprises 130 light grey parts on 6 sprues plus 15 clear parts on 1 sprue.
The mouldings are clean and the details crisp. The parts fit will be tested when I do the build review. At this time it looks like there should be no problems in the assembly.

Fuselage
Four parts make up the main fuselage, with details moulded to the interior cabin walls.
Seating is provided for the aircrew and 20 seats for marines. This is interesting because the SH-3 is an antisubmarine aircraft, and so should have an antisubmarine interior, not the troop seats left over from the Westland Commando version. Dragon did provide the housing and a representation of the dipping sonar, but none of the control consoles needed to operate it. The large sliding door can be installed open to show off the interior. If you choose this option, you should do something about the inaccurate seats.
There should be a shroud for tail rotor cover at its junction with the main rotor housing, as can be clearly seen in this photo. The shroud is not provided in the kit.

Rotor Blades
5 blade assembly with blade droop moulded in.
The blades can be assembled folded, extended and drooping on the ground or bending upwards in flight. The instructions are not as clear about these options as they should be.

Empennage
Four part construction with a 1 piece tail rotor. There are no interior bulkheads provided. If you wish to display the tail folded, they will need to be scratchbuilt.

Landing gear
Fixed landing gear with tread moulded into tire. The tires are not moulded weighted. The sponsons are correct for SH-3D aircraft.

Accuracy
I don't compare models to drawings or published measurements. When assembled it will look like a Sea King.

Paint, Decals and Markings
Paint:
Exterior paint colours are marked but no Interior colours so you will have to search the web for cockpit photos.
High quality Cartograf decals are in register and appear to be colour correct.
Decals for three aircraft, all in the US Navy standard Hi-viz colour scheme of White over Light Gull Grey:

  • 1. HS-3, USS Forrestal. 1974
  • 2. HC-1, USS Coral Sea 1970’s
  • 3. HS-75, USS Dwight D Eisenhower, 1984

Related reviews:
Westland Commando HC.4 by Matthew Robeson

Westland Sea King AEW.2 by Jessica Cooper

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Clean flash free parts. Clear parts are thin and crystal clear. Decals are excellent.
Lows: Shroud is visible in all the photos I have found on the internet it should have been included in this kit. Interior is incorrect for an antisubmarine version. Incomplete paint colour call out
Verdict: The last time that I built a Sea King model was in the mid 1960’s so this has to be an improvement.
Percentage Rating
85%
  Scale: 1:72
  PUBLISHED: Jan 24, 2013
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.21%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 86.16%

Our Thanks to Dragon Models!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Richard Tonge (tinbanger)
FROM: ONTARIO, CANADA

I started building model aircraft with my brother and dad at about 7 years old(Yellow single engine float plane). Born in England so mostly built Airfix and Frog Kits! Moved over the pond in 1979. Main interest any type/era aircraft. Tinbanger call sign comes from my sheetmetal days. I am also ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Richard Tonge [ TINBANGER ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
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