Orion Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 (edited) History From 1954 until 1964, the Royal Netherlands Naval Air Arm (MLD) operated three Sikorsky helicopters. Besides their registration numbers, also names were painted on one side of the clam door (Jezebel-Salome-Cleopatra). Assigned to either the Naval Air Station “Valkenburg” (search and rescue), or the aircraft carrier “Karel Doorman” for plane guard duties during launch and recovery operations. It has to be mentioned that they did save a large number of persons and pilots from drowning in all types of weather conditions. Being single engined and slightly under powered, they were unreliable. From the three helicopters, two crashed and one made it to the aviation museum. It was here that I saw the S-55 for the first time. I decided to build one in scale. Second hand I found the mentioned Revell kit many years ago on the shelf of a gas station in a little village for the price of one pound fourthy. The Kit According to the mold, it was originally produced in 1959 (USA). It had decals from Belgium Sabena and the RNLN. I completed the whole construction almost straight from the box. I used the Waldron punch and die set, together with Evergreen to slightly update the cockpit. For sound proofing the cabin and the area directly behind the pilots, I used thin foam. This you can find in the supermarket. When you order sliced Dutch cheese it gets packed on this material. It has (sometimes) already the punctured sound proof structure on it. Airbrushed with xtra colour medium grey and sky. Decals from the box were applied with the help of set and sol. The whole model was finished off with a thin layer of Glitsa parquet varnish. (70% methylated spirit and 30% Glitsa.) This prevents the decals from discolouring. The showcase is manufactured by ERTL and the street is from Evergreen. See also the website: www.vlaggeschipsmaldeel5.nl Hr.Ms. aircraft carrier Karel Doorman and her air wings (including the HO4S-3.) Regards, Dirk (Orion MPA) Edited March 26, 2013 by Orion 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Beautiful work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Absolutely wonderful model from such an old kit. I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Ogilvie Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 What he said! Brill build... Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bri48 Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Showcase! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonR Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 10/10 from me for that, fantastic! cheers Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnylurve Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Hey Mr Dirk, the only fault I can find is...erm nothing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyC Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Spot on Dirk - that's a lovely build! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Great job on a real nightmare of a kit! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Hi Dirk, Congratulations on turning the very old Revell kit into something of a beauty. A lot of hard work must have gone into your build, especially getting the blade fold to look correct. Thanks for sharing it with us. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Nice build, nice scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 A stunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenko Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 That is sooooooo nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbuna Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Fantastic work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted March 28, 2013 Author Share Posted March 28, 2013 Dear Modelers, Thanks for the nice words. Next time the Buccaneer. Regards, Dirk The Netherlands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy wood Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 I saw the first photo and though 'oh must get one of those. Missed that release.' Did a double take when I found how old it was!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 talk about silk purse from a sow's ear!!! Beautiful job Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louiex2 Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Amazing build, especially given the kit you had to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Really nice work !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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