Helicopters
- Part 3
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Kaman SH-2F Seasprite, HSL-33 Seasnakes, US Navy.
Airfix 1/72
The Airfix Seasprite is a superb model, definitely one of Airfix' best.
The Seasprite was the US Navy's equivalent of the Westland Lynx; never quite as capable, sucessful or numerous, nevertheless, it contines in service today with the Egyptian, New Zealand and Polish Navies, nearly 50 years after it first flew. Although the Australian Navy recently tried to bring it into service for their smaller ships, they were very disappointed by the performance of their early deliveries and cancelled the entire order in 2007.
The Seasprite started life as a SAR and utility helicopter, but an up-engined variant, fitted with radar and carrying ASW weaponry was selected in the 1970s as the basis of the US Navy's LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System). With its emphasis on Carrier Battle Groups and high-end ASW, the USN was never entirely sold on the light and small Seasprite and it retired them in favour of the far more capable and larger SH-60 Seawawk in 1993.
Bristol Sycamore HR Mk.14, 275 Sqn SAR, RAF Thornaby, 1953.
With its wooden blades and immensely powerful Alvis Leonides piston engine, the Sycamore was one of the first really practical helicopters and continued in service worldwide until the 1970s.
RAF Thornaby was home to one of several RAF detachments pioneering the use of helicopters as SAR platforms, and was also where my father did part of his National Service, working on Sycamores!
Vertol 107 HKP-4, Royal Swedish Navy, 2008.
The Boeing Vertol 107 design was selected by the US Marines in early 1961 as the CH-46 Sea Knight assault helicopter and is expected to remain in service until 2014, when the last squadrons will have converted to the MV-22 Tilt Rotor aircraft.
In Swedish service, the aircraft is known as the HKP-4; as well as its normal assault and cargo role with the Swedish Air Force, Swedish Navy Vertols are used as Anti-Submarine helicopters, fitted with a radar dome on the rear ramp and capable of carrying depth-charges and homing torpedoes. 107 variants were also built under licence by Kawasaki in Japan.
Bell AH-1W Sea Cobra, VX-5 NAS China Lake, USMC/USN, 1990
The Bell Huey Cobra was the original Western attack helicopter. Based on the airframe of the proven UH-1 Huey utility helicopter, it entered service toward the end of the Vietnam war. The improved AH-1W version was created for the US Marines in the early 1980s, and features twin engines and a longer tail boom.
As of 2010, the USMC still has 167 AH-1Ws in service.
Kamov Ka25 Hormone, Red Banner Northern Fleet, Murmansk, 1987.
Airfix, largely out of the box. Scratch detailed interior:
Kamov OKB's contra rotating rotor designs are well suited to the anti-submarine role, allowing aircraft to hover safely and in extreme weather conditions. Based ashore and at sea, the Hormone was the main Soviet and Eastern Block ASW platform during the Cold War .
Boeing Vertol Chinook HC2, 18 Sqn RAF, HMS OCEAN, Northern Gulf, 2003
Italeri HC1 with my own changes to bring it up to date Link to Build Page
Since Vietnam, the Chinook has established itself as the invaluable workhorse of Western combat heavy-lift. The UK's Joint Helicopter Command is the 2nd largest operator of Chinooks (after the US Army). Amazingly agile, with an astonishing load carrying capability and proven battlefield damage resilience, Chinooks will continue to excel in this role for the forseeable future.
Chinooks are an essential element of NATO helicopter operations in Afghanistan. Although parented by the RAF, a number of Royal Navy personnel are now flying the Chinook in Afghanistan. These include Naval Pilots, Maj. Mark Hammond RM and Lt. Nick Benzie RN , who have both been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for their exemplary gallantry during combat operations. Lt Benzie was also previously Mentioned in Despatches for his role as Operations Officer of the UK Chinook force in Helmand Province.
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