Hi everyone,
After reading an article online of the famous number "66" SH-3 Sea King from the Apollo missions, I figure I need to add another build to my workbench.
I've got the old Airfix "Apollo 66" kit in my stash but i've heard the fit is terrible, particularly around the cockpit and nose. Also, the decals are shot. Is it possible to build the Airfix Westland Sea King (the yellow RAF SAR version) as the US Navy SH-3 or is this just the older kit re-boxed?
Or is there a better Sea King out there in 1/72 that i should consider?
Thanks in advance
Der
SH-3A's were used during the Apollo recovery operations, which is what the Airfix kit represents. Fujimi did a SH-3H which is different in several details, most notably the longer sponsons with the sonarbuoy launchers.
As was typical with Airfix kits from the era, it provides the basic shapes with minimum molded detail. There are an some fit challenges, particularly the clear parts.
While the Fujimi kit is superior in fit and detail, I still have a soft spot for the old Airfix kit since I won 3rd place in a regional IPMS contest with one years ago.
Mark
Thanks Mark,
I've got the same soft spot for the old Airfix kits - part of growing up with them I guess!
Thanks for the advice which is appreciated. Any chance you've got any pics of the one you won 3rd place with?
Cheers,
Dermot
Here's some quick photos taken on the dining room table. Built it for the IPMS regional show in Orlando back in 1987, 22 years ago. Pretty much out of the box except for the folded rotor blades. Decals have started to yellow a bit.
Hi Dermo ,
I'm not sure if my post is going to be of much help , other than showing you what's in my stash and my general opinion on each kit.
Personaly I think the Fujimi and Revell Seaking kits are a lot better than Airfix's offering .
I do have an Airfix Seaking in the works right now , however I replaced the kit main rotor blades and hub with one's from a old Revell kit . [It's the only reason I've decided to continue building the Airfix Seaking.
Back in 2008 , I used two Revell Seaking kits to improve a couple of Lindberg HH-3E Helicopters , by using the front cockpit section from Revell's kit and fitted it to Lindberg's fuselage .
This work out quite well , I know there not Seaking Helicopter's but Revell's front cockpit certainly improved the Lindberg kit . [I also used Revell's main rotors and rotor housing]
I have also built the Lindberg SH-3A Seaking but like it's sister kit [HH-3E] , It's quite basic .
The Fujimi kits I have in my stash have two different sized sponsons included as well a short and longer horizontal tail plane , [ SH-3D or SH-3H version ]. Plus an auxillary fuel tank .
The Revell kit's have a good fuselage interior so does Fujimi's , but I think Revell's is just slightly better.
Two of my Fujimi Westland Seaking kit's I intend building as U.S VIP Helo's as most of the port side windows are blanked of , so I can cut open the one's I require for the U.S version . The Revell kit's already have the windows cut open on their fuselage pieces and those window opening don't suit the U.S version . [ I wish they would have left them blank , it would mean you could build a lot more different versions ???. ]
Anyway , like I said at the begining , it's only my opinion about certain kits . I'm sure other modeler's would give lot's of other thoughts and opinions .
I hope this helps a little .
Kind regards John .
BTW , The Airfix Seaking that RedCorvette built is absolutly awesome , I would have never thought an ordinary kit could turn out so well . I also like the rotor fold and tail fold as well .
That's one beautifull Seaking , well done RedCorvette
Hi again Dermo ,
I thought I would add a couple of inbox pic's of the Fujimi and Revell Seaking kit's .
First pic is whats inside the Fujimi kit .
I really should get around to building mine as I have had the kit for over 8 years now . I would hate for the decals to become brittle and cause me a lot of grief when I go to use them .
The second pic is the Revell HAS.6 / AEW Seaking .
I'm going to build this one as the AEW version as I like the big radar balloon that sticks out the side cabin door . ' Very cool '
Kind regards John
Awesome build and love the rotor fold
Hey John,
Thanks for sharing the Sea King stash contents - I think at last count i had three (2 x Airfix) and an old Revell Monogram HH-3 that will get a USCG scheme. Thanks too for the in-box pics and you've some nice finished builds there. Look forward to seeing your AEW version!
The Revell HAS 6 version you have is really hard to find here in Europe and think it might be discontinued. Apparently Airfix are re-issuing their version later this year with extra bits for the latest RAF/RN versions.
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
The RoG 1/72 Westland Sea King HAS.6/ AEW.2 has been OOP for about five years now. I have one in the stash, and it's a very good kit. About time RoG re-issued a 1/72 Sea King!
Although a very good kit indeed, there are lots of detail differences between the Westland Sea Kings produced by RoG and the SH.3A, which combine to make it a difficult starting pont for Black 66. You'd probably be better off with the Fujimi kit. Not as good, as far as detail is concerned, but easier to back-convert. Remember, though, that only Airfix gives you the 'spaceman on a waffle'!
Chris.
PS John - remember that when AEW Sea Kings are on the ground parked, and the radome stowed, the dome itself, which is made of flexible plastic and is inflated to keep its shape, is deflated:
http://www.planespotting.eu/GR05%20pics/XV707%20Seaking%20AEW2A%20Navy.jpg
Airwaves do a resin deflated radome:
http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=AES72046
I have one, and it looks much better than the pictue suggests!
Hi Chris ,
Thank's for the link for the image of the Royal Navy AEW Seaking , that's one great pic
Thank's also for the info on the airwaves resin radome .
I have never bought anything from Hannants before , I'll have to give the web site a good look and see what other Helicopter kits they have on offer ???
Thank's again ,
John
I think the best 1/72 is the Revel kit. It is relatively cheap and the detail is crisp. Here is mine:
For more pictures go here:
http://cs.finescale.com/forums/911181/ShowPost.aspx
Helo 53 wrote: Hi Dermo ,I'm not sure if my post is going to be of much help , other than showing you what's in my stash and my general opinion on each kit. Personaly I think the Fujimi and Revell Seaking kits are a lot better than Airfix's offering . I do have an Airfix Seaking in the works right now , however I replaced the kit main rotor blades and hub with one's from a old Revell kit . [It's the only reason I've decided to continue building the Airfix Seaking.Back in 2008 , I used two Revell Seaking kits to improve a couple of Lindberg HH-3E Helicopters , by using the front cockpit section from Revell's kit and fitted it to Lindberg's fuselage . This work out quite well , I know there not Seaking Helicopter's but Revell's front cockpit certainly improved the Lindberg kit . [I also used Revell's main rotors and rotor housing]I have also built the Lindberg SH-3A Seaking but like it's sister kit [HH-3E] , It's quite basic .The Fujimi kits I have in my stash have two different sized sponsons included as well a short and longer horizontal tail plane , [ SH-3D or SH-3H version ]. Plus an auxillary fuel tank .The Revell kit's have a good fuselage interior so does Fujimi's , but I think Revell's is just slightly better. Two of my Fujimi Westland Seaking kit's I intend building as U.S VIP Helo's as most of the port side windows are blanked of , so I can cut open the one's I require for the U.S version . The Revell kit's already have the windows cut open on their fuselage pieces and those window opening don't suit the U.S version . [ I wish they would have left them blank , it would mean you could build a lot more different versions ???. ]Anyway , like I said at the begining , it's only my opinion about certain kits . I'm sure other modeler's would give lot's of other thoughts and opinions . I hope this helps a little . Kind regards John .BTW , The Airfix Seaking that RedCorvette built is absolutly awesome , I would have never thought an ordinary kit could turn out so well . I also like the rotor fold and tail fold as well . That's one beautifull Seaking , well done RedCorvette
John,
On the Fujimi kits in your pic, are those Tiger Meet markings? If so, could you post the kit number as well as the one for the RoG kit as well? Now if they'd only do their Tiger Meet Puma in 1/72. Some more kits to look out for.
Hi Lewbud ,
Sorry for the delay in answering your question on the Fujimi and Revell Seaking kits .
The Fujimi kit with the "Flying Tigers" decals is kit No. H-18 [72073]
The Revell kit is boxed as the HAS.6/AEW Seaking , kit No.04450 , FSM did a build review on the Revell kit , the article is in the February 2002 issue .
Thanks for the info. Will keep an eye for them.
RedCorvette wrote:SH-3A's were used during the Apollo recovery
SH-3A's were used during the Apollo recovery