For well over three decades, the primary carrier borne ASW helo was the SH-3 Sea King. Built in large numbers for both the US Navy and under license by Westland and Agusta for overseas markets, the Sea King is still  being used for SAR work, as a utility helo and to haul the President of the US from the White House to Andrews AFB.

Though one of the last Navy aircraft to succumb to the plague of greys in terms of camo schemes, it can still be found in its standard white over grey scheme. Interestingly, Navy helos  and larger aircraft have generally carried a reverse light gull grey and white scheme from that used by tactical aircraft. Where the Phantoms and Corsairs had the grey on top and white undersides, SH-3s, P-3s and the like have had the white on the top with the grey underside. I can remember seeing a model of an SH-3 recently where the builder had put the white on the bottom. It looked very odd.

If you are looking for kits of the SH-3 in 1/72, there are really only two viable options. One is the rather elderly, but still buildable Airfix kit. This portrays the earlier SH-3A/D version, which can be told apart from later ones by the shorter horizontal stabilizer opposite the tail rotor. By far the best 1/72 SH-3 kit around is that by Fujimi, which was also boxed by Testors. This was done in a variety of markings and types, including Westland and Agusta built Sea Kings. Though not often easy to find, if you do, pick it up. You won't regret it.

This particular sheet carries but two markings. There is a full set of insignia and data decals to do both aircraft.

The first is a rather gaudy Bicentennial SH-3G from HS-8 which was attached to the Kitty Hawk at the time. You are given the red stripes and the white stars (which are difficult to see in the image), but will have to paint the blue bits.

The other is for the training outfit for the SH-3, HS-10 at North Island. This is in a very standard paint scheme with the unit's large red stripe on the fuselage.

Either scheme is quite nice and will look great on your next Sea King. As an additional note, I've been informed by an ex-crewman, that the Bicentennial SH-3D had, as were many SH-3Ds, been retrofitted with the larger stabilizer of the SH-3H. Best way to verify the stab types is to have a photo of the plane in question.

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