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

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