1:72 SH-3H Seaking SH-3H Seaking

The real subject

The Sea King is an American twin-engine carrier helicopter that served with the navy for decades. The SH-3H form is its later shape, adapted to a wider range of duties than the machine was originally built for. The recognition marks of the whole family are the boat-shaped hull and the side floats, thanks to which the machine can survive an emergency landing on the water, and the folding main rotor and tail boom for stowage on a deck.

What the set contains

A sheet of decals for an SH-3H Sea King model in 1:72 scale. It is the markings that decide whether a model stays a generic helicopter or represents a particular machine of a particular unit: they carry the national insignia, the numbers, the stencils and the data on the fuselage. An overview of the options and the extent of the sheet are given in the instructions enclosed with the set.

Building and painting tips

Go over the area under the decals with a gloss varnish, or air will be trapped under the film and a whitish haze will be left around the edge. Cut the piece out, dip it in lukewarm water for a few seconds and let it rest on a paper towel until it will slide off its backing. Transfer it to the spot with a brush, work it into place, blot the excess water away and press it down with a cotton swab. On a helicopter most of the stencils go onto the rounded areas of the fuselage and onto the engine covers, where a decal softener helps. Finally even the area out with a flat or semi-gloss varnish. If the manufacturer's instructions give a different procedure, go by that.

• 1:72 scale
• decals for an SH-3H Sea King model
• national insignia, numbers and stencils
• applied onto a gloss base; a softener helps on rounded areas
• the extent of the sheet follows the manufacturer's instructions

Terms of supply

The helicopter model, paints, varnishes and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.