British SAR Service paint set vol.1

Helicopters that could be seen for miles

The British rescue service made its name with a rich golden yellow to the BS381C:356 reference. It was worn by the Whirlwind HAR.2, HAR.4 and HAR.10, by the Wessex HAR.2 and by the Sea King HAR.3 and HAR.3A, that is by practically a whole generation of Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters. The set adds seven further shades to it, so it also covers the later and less conspicuous finishes.

Grays, blue and reds

Dark Sea Grey to BS381C:638 appeared on machines rotating between the Falklands and home bases, while Medium Sea Grey BS381C:637 was worn from 1993 by the Cypriot Wessex HAR.2 and by the Griffin HAR.2 helicopters. UN Blue (FS35250) matches the blue bands on the tail surfaces of the squadron stationed in Cyprus in connection with duties for the United Nations. For naval machines there are RAF Blue-Grey BS381C:633 and Olive Drab BS381C:298, completed by two warning tones: the brilliant Luminous Red, nicknamed after the maker of fluorescent finishes, and the later Cherry Red BS381C:538, which replaced it from the beginning of the 1980s.

On application

Chemically these are water-soluble acrylics, supplied ready at spraying consistency. The golden yellow and both reds cover better over a light base, so it pays to spray a white or light gray coat under them. The other shades can be applied directly. Before you start masking the boundary between the yellow and the gray, let the coat cure thoroughly. Tape stuck down too early will pull the underlying layer off as well, and putting that right takes more time than the spraying itself.