SB Decals

 1/48 US Navy Seakings High-Vis Part 1 decal sheet

product # SB-48006  for $23.49 

Review by Steve Bamford on May 15 2008

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This new decal sheet from SB Decals includes 5 different  1/48 US Navy Seakings in High-Vis paint schems.  This is Part 1 in this series.  SB Decals are a collaboration between Sprue Brothers Models and Steel Beach Accessories.

The first aircraft is SH-3D SeaKing "#66" BuNo 152711 with the HS-4 Black Knights and was probably the most famous SeaKing having participated in the recovery of five Apollo spacecraft including Apollo 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13.  This chopper was later lost in a training accident.  On the nose are mission markings for 5 Apollo capsules.  The paint scheme is white on top and grey on the underside. 

The second aircraft is SH-3H SeaKing "#2" BuNo 152121 with the HS-2 World Famous Golden Falcons.  This is the only unit to display the Stars and Stripes on all it's helicopters.  The paint scheme is white on top and grey on the underside with a yellow bland around the tail boom and squadron artwork above the windscreen.  There is a large US flag on the right and left side of the fuselage.  The markings as as she appeared assigned to CVW-2 aboard CV 63 USS Kitty Hawk in 1984. 

The third aircraft is SH-3H SeaKing "#611" BuNo 149684 with the HS-3 Tridents.  The paint scheme is white on top and grey on the underside with a yellow bland around the tail boom and squadron artwork above the windscreen.  There is a large red Trident on the right and left side of the fuselage. 

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

The fourth aircraft is SH-3H SeaKing "#725" BuNo 149918 with the HS-8 Eightballers.  The paint scheme is white on top and grey on the underside with a yellow bland around the tail boom and squadron artwork above the windscreen.  The markings as as she appeared assigned to CVW-2 aboard CV 63 USS Kitty Hawk in 1979. 

The fifth aircraft is SH-3H SeaKing "#736" BuNo 149898 with the HS-9 Sea Griffins.  The paint scheme is white on top and grey on the underside with a yellow bland around the tail boom and squadron artwork above the windscreen.  The markings as as she appeared assigned to CVW-2 aboard CVN 68 USS Nimitz in 1978. 

The instruction sheets provide background of each SeaKing as well as painting instructions in FS# with decals placement info.  The decals are flawlessly printed ona  massive single decal sheet.  There are enough stencils on this decal sheet for 2 aircraft. 

When you think of helicopters, the SeaKing is one of the first people think of.  This sheet is a much welcomed release with it's high vis markings and especially the first SeaKing on this sheet with it's Apollo mission recovery history.

This sheet is available through Sprue Bros or go to the SB Decals webpage on the Sprue Bros site.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford