1:72 S-61A Sea King Antarctica Observat Carson 725111 500725111

Earlier, Cyber-Hobby released a delightful 1/72 scale plastic kit of the American-designed Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King helicopter. Initially, this twin-engine SH-3 Sea King was used primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) by the US Navy (USN). It was also the first amphibious helicopter in the world and it entered USN service in 1961. Many other nations also adopted the Sea King design, including Japan, were it was license-produced by Mitsubishi. Indeed, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) used the S-61 variant as an ASW platform and search-and-rescue (SAR) type too. Some 187 machines were eventually built.

Cyber-Hobby is expanding the popular Sea King family by providing a kit of the S-61 in JMSDF service. It is well designed and cleverly engineered to induce maximum modeling enjoyment, and it incorporates all the updates necessary for a Japanese version. For example, four brand new mirrors are installed on the front of the cabin to aid the pilot’s view. The two halves of the fuselage have also been updated to include the appropriate new side windows. Another special Japanese addition is a searchlight mounted on the side of the body. The cabin doors can be displayed open if wished. With appropriate Cartograf decal markings for JMSDF squadrons, this S-61 variant of the Sea King is ready for action.