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Thomas Pepe
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SEA KING SH3- A conversion

August 16, 2024 · in Aviation · · 22 · 211

My most recent build from last month! Scale SH-3H conversion to an SH-3A version. This is a replica of my brother's US Navy Days from 1968 - 1974. He was an SH-3A Sikorsky Sea King Pilot with Helicopter Anti Sub Squadron SIX (INDIANS)! This replica was his Mediterranean SIXTH Fleet Cruise back in 1972 configuration aboard the USS Independence. This aircraft bureau number 2123 (501) was also used as the Scuba Team Deployment for the Apollo 14 recovery aboard the USS New Orleans LPH-11. My brother was the pilot for this event.

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8 additional images. Click to enlarge.


22 responses

  1. Great build. love the carrier deck base & vehicle. Sea King's are so cool

  2. Excellent Sea King, Thomas!

  3. Cool build and like the personal connection to the actual helo.

  4. A very nice Sea King and great connection with your brother, Thomas @moparpep
    He will definitely appreciate this build.

  5. A great memorial to your brother. Excellent work.

  6. Georgeous looking build Thomas. This kit looks like its still very capable of holding its own, and you've done it up especially nice.

  7. This is an extremely nice and well done build, and I agree a great memorial to your brother. Congratulations on a beautiful build.

  8. Very nice work. What did the conversion entail? I have decals for “Old 66” and would eventually like to backdate a Hasegawa kit to use them.

    • I used the SH3A sponsons from a Canadian company from resin. The crew door is Eduard photo etched. The decals I made myself with Ink Jet clear decal paper and logos with white decal paper. The cockpit is not correct but highly detailed instruimentation. The rear bulkhead behind the pilot seats is all scratch built using different gauges of solder.

      4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

  9. Excellent work! I was medivac'd in one these off USS Saratoga many years ago.

  10. Great looking tribute build you did there Thomas. Quite a piece of history on display! - Cheers

  11. Really nicely done with a great story to go with. Thanks for sharing this.

    Rod

  12. Very nice work. My uncle was a Commissaryman (cook) aboard the Indy on that cruise.

    • WOW Mike very interesting! He probably fed my brother! This is my botther from that cruise bottom far right with the beard! LOL

      1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

  13. that is a great-looking model! Love the scheme, and the personal connection makes it a great project as well.

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