The Sikorsky S-61 was designed in the late 1950s in response to the US Navy's requirement for an amphibious, turbine-powered, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter. Designated SH-3A Sea King by the US Navy, the type entered service in 1961 and newer variants were developed with more powerful engines and capabilities for search and rescue, transport, and mine sweeping in addition to ASW.
The S-61R featured a redesigned fuselage with the amphibious bottom replaced with a rear ramp and door into the main cabin and reconfigured landing gear. These became the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant for the US Air Force and HH-3F Pelican for the US Coast Guard.
One notable mission for the Sea King was recovery of spacecraft and crew after their return to Earth including SH-3D number 66 which was credited with five spacecraft recovered.
While Hasegawa adopted the business model of limited-edition kits (same plastic, different decals) with many of their kit subjects, they retained several catalog series as their continuously available kits. One such series is the PT line, the flagship of which is PT1, the 1/48 SH-3H Sea King. With the recent release of Starfighter Decals' 1/48 SH-3D 'Old 66' spacecraft recovery decal set, I thought it time to take a look at this kit. PT1 was released in 1992 and features the surface details and mold quality that has become Hasegawa's quality trademark.
