From the sky to my Desk: 1/72 Airfix Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King Canadian Forces (Navy)

1/72 Airfix Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King Canadian Forces (Navy)

This is a model that I highly recommend for those who enjoy making their models participate in missions. You may be asking why? It is simply because this is the only model I have built with the capability of having the landing gear raise and lower as well as have the main door open and close. It is truly a splendid model.

The kit was for the Royal Navy and has the option of having an early warning radar on it, but I wanted it to make it Canadian. As per usual, I used decals from the 'Canadian Helicopters' decal sheets from Belcher Bits models, but because I used the latest coloured roundels on the Chinook, I decided to make it the next latest, but it still looks fairly modern.

Construction went on without a hitch but I did think it was very interesting that the model allows for wheels up and down as well as the door open/closed with the ability to slide it into those positions. You can see this in the picture to the right where the wheels are up and the door shut.

Over-all the aircraft is Ocean Gray (RAF) with a Neutral Gray interior. All the black parts are Gloss Black with Yellow rotor tips. The wheel wells are NATO Green and the struts are Flat Aluminum.

The Sea King has served the Canadian Forces as a Search And Rescue (SAR) helicopter as well as submarine hunters. 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the Sea King's first flight with the Canadian Forces. Since then it has served in virtually every combat mission since then and has rescued countless numbers of lives at sea and abroad.

Despite the trusted service the aircraft has provided, it will not last. In 2009 Canada ordered the CH-148 as a replacement with delivery expected immediately. But as it is 2013 and we only have two, the Sea King will remain in service in the foreseeable future until more Cyclones arrive.

General characteristics

Crew: 4 (2 pilots, 1 navigator, 1 airborne electronic sensor operator)
Capacity: 3 passengers
Length: 54 ft 9 in (16.7 m)
Rotor diameter: 62 ft (19 m)
Height: 16 ft 10 in (5.13 m)
Disc area: ft² (m²)
Empty weight: 11,865 lb (5,382 kg)
Loaded weight: 18,626 lb (8,449 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 22,050 lb (10,000 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T58-GE-8F/-100 turboshafts, 1,500 shp (kW) each