Old '66' in 1/72nd Sikorsky SH-3D Conversion from Airfix Sea King

[Bigkev]

Hi All,

Next project. Making a representative model of 'Old 66' Sea King used in the Gemini and Apollo space capsule recovery operations.
The original airframe was actually lost in an accident, and there are three other airframes residing in various museums posing as 'Old 66', but I will base my model on the original airframe before it was lost.

Although various marked helicopters were used 'Old 66' is probably the best known.
I intend to back date the Airfix Westland Sea King HAR.3 to a Sikorsky built SH-3D. This will involve removing a few lumps and bumps from the kit and adding some other details.

I have got a set of decals from Old 66 decals/Starfighter Decals which covers 'Old 66' in various guises from the Apollo 8 mission through to Apollo 12 mission. At this stage I'm not sure which one I will do, but the build will be practically the same for each marking with minor variations in markings and ancillary equipment.

So to start with, I have marked onto the main parts of the kit, where most of the changes will occur. 

Some pictures to start with:-
Thanks for looking.
 

[cph64]

I built the original release of the Sea King with markings for the Apollo 7 recovery many years ago in my youth. Looking forward to this build.

[Bigkev]

Yes, I too had an original Airfix Sea King inspired by the reporting and pictures on the news.

I think this one will be a bit more detailed than my efforts then.

[zak]

Looks like you are getting into helicopters.

[chriswil42]

Good luck Kevin. You have your work cut out reverting it back to an SH-3D.
I still have the original Airfix kit built in both guises.

[Bigkev]

Thanks for your comments chaps, appreciated.
Well, I've been awaiting some reference on the 'Old 66' and now feel I can make a start on removing and adding bits where needed. This is what I think I need to add, modify, etc. to make a representation. It may not be 100% accurate from a experts point of view, but it the essence of the subject I am after.
So I have filled the bulged windows with some plasticard to blank them off, added the window glazing to the foremost window opening. These will then have some filler applied to them and sanded back to match airframe exterior/interior. All the later aerials have been removed and the lumps/bumps on the underside filled with plasticard or kit parts (then cut off flush with surface) before again adding filler. On the rotor housing the 'Westland Bump' which was for a generator on the RN ASW machines has been cut away and the resulting gap/hole filled with plasticard and backed on the interior before adding filler.
The cabin has had most of the seating holes filled with plastic rod, and then cut off flush with floor, a little filler then applied before sanding.
Some pictures follow, thanks for looking:-

[zak]

Looks like another labour of love, and maybe hate in places.

[chriswil42]

A fair bit of work required Kevin.

[Bigkev]

A little update.
Fuselage now rubbed down, and the underside panel has had the aerials shaved off and any resulting gaps filled and sanded.
As a SH-3D the rotor blades were the early non-composite type and were shaped differently. So working from drawings I adapted two of the spare folded blades to match the drawings I had. I also dug out of the spares an 'Old' Airfix Sea King blade which had the older shape in the moulding. I was quite pleased when it matched my adaptation quite well.
Now I have to only do the 5 blades and make them match each other.........
In the cabin the floor has had the holes filled and sanded and the window blanks filled and sanded too. The seating at the rear has been cut down to 4 seats, as I understand they were for the three astronauts and a physician on recovery.
The Sonar dipping was removed and the hole blanked off. The operators seats and equipment may have remained, I'm still looking for info on that.
On the fuselage bottom, I have chain drilled the moulded blanking plate to remove that, then I will install a cylinder /tube of plasticard to replicate the casing of the sonar bay which was blanked off at the top.
Some pictures follow, thanks for looking:-

[chriswil42]

Keeps you busy Kevin.