Belgian Sea King 1/48
After building a few models at 1/72 last year I decided to build my first 1/48.
This Sea King is an iconic helicopter for the Belgian Air Force. It was primarily used for SAR between 1976 & 2019. Last flight took place in March 2019 (RS05). Thousands of lives have been saved by this beautiful heli and its crews.
The model I build (RS03) was taken out of service in March 2013 and is now a monument on a roundabout near Koksijde Airbase.
The kit was a good build. Really like this Airfix model. Did had to tweak some stuff. Even though the box includes parts for 3 versions, it doesn't include the MK48 which is what is used by the Belgian Air Force.
Excellent job, especially considering this is your first 1/48 build, Kristof!
Looks great in Belgian markings!
Welcome aboard!
Thank you Spiros! Looking forward to building and posting more work.
Nice one. There are a pair now living with Historic Helicopters in Chard. I put this together during my all too brief time there.
Love what they did with those two. Hope they fly them across the channel and visit us from time to time.
Welcome to iModeler, Kristof, nice work on the Sea King to bring it up to Belgian standards.
Thank you!
First of all a warm welcome to iModeler, Kristof @kristofmaes
Your first entry is an impressive one. Great details and superb paintwork.
If I'm not mistaking, you are from the northern part of Belgium.
Welkom.
Appreciate the kind feedback! And yes, northern (dutch speaking) part of Belgium 🙂
Excellent Sea King. The raves I've heard about the Airfix Sea King almost makes me want to rush out get one.
You should, it is a really nice kit
That is really eye-catching in that scheme - well done! And welcome aboard!
Thank you! I do love the scheme.
Very nicely done Kristof (@kristofmaes). Sea King looks fantastic.
I did the Airfix 1/72 version many years ago, where I did the RAF SAR version. I remember that the rotor blade spinner in the kit was used to raise and lower the cable and winch (just had to add black thread to mimic the cable). Do the Airfix kits still have this option?
No the cable is winched up and fixed. No moving parts.
Welcome to the best modeling club on the planet, Kristof. I know a lot of people with far more than one 1/48 kit in their collection who would be very, very happy to have this Sea King sitting on their shelves. Excellent work and a great result.
Thank you, appreciate the kind feedback!