Testors 1/72 SH-3H Sea King, previewed by Scott Van Aken

The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King (company designation S-61) is an American twin-engine anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter designed and built by Sikorsky Aircraft. A landmark design, it was one of the first ASW rotorcraft to use turboshaft engines.

The Sea King has its origins in efforts by the United States Navy to counter the growing threat of Soviet submarines during the 1950s. Accordingly, the helicopter was specifically developed to deliver a capable ASW platform; in particular, it combined the roles of hunter and killer, which had previously been carried out by two separate helicopters. The Sea King was initially designated HSS-2, which was intended to imply a level of commonality to the earlier HSS-1; it was subsequently redesignated as the SH-3A during the early 1960s.

Eventually over 1,300 were built with licensing given to Agusta in Italy and Westland in the UK. It was retired from most US service in 2006, though many are still serving in various nations around the world. The USMC still operates the VH-3 for use by the US president.

THE KIT

Since this is a 70s kit, it has raised panel lines and some very nice rivet detail. That's OK as real Sea Kings have rivets and they don't have engraved panel lines. Like most 1/72 kits of the day and today as well, this one relies on decals for detail on the instrument panel. Fujimi has molded the fuselage halves to do a number of variants using the same base kit. So the first thing you need to do is open windows and holes for antennas. This means you need to determine the variant you will be doing right from the start.

Next they have you building up the sponsons and the braces before moving on to the interior. The cockpit has foot pedals as well as cyclic and collective. Seats are pretty generic, but if you want to spif this up, I'm sure there are p.e. sets for the kit. Since this is a SAR bird, you have seats in the cabin along the wall.

Then you move on to installing the cabin windows along with the interior and tail rotor shaft before closing the halves. Then attach the tailplane, cabin door, landing gear, and rescue hoist. Two different tail planes are provided with the shorter one for the earlier SH-3D. I would leave the torpedoes on the sprue as seeing a fully loaded Sea King is fairly rare. Next the rotor hub is built up along with the blades. This is followed by the engine intake, spray guard (if needed), windscreen and a myriad of antennas. Finally, the tail rotor .

The instructions are well done with all colors in FS 595. Three options are provided. Two are in white over light gull grey. The first is an SH-3H with HS-15. Next is an SH-3D from HS-2 that is shown on the box top. The third is an SH-3G in overall field green with an unspecified USMC squadron. The SH-3G is strictly a transport aircraft so leave out any ASW equipment and this includes the dipping sonar. The decal sheet is very nicely printed by Scalemaster and despite its age, may well still be viable.

While not developed to modern molding standards, the raised lines are petite and not that noticeable when the kit is finished. It lacks the fussiness that sometimes accompanies newer kits and builds into a very nice model.

KIT #:	364
PRICE:	$6.25 when new
DECALS:	Three options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	1985 reboxing of Fujimi kit