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.

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 cabine 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.
Camera Ricoh Caplio G4 Wide.

Photos and text © 2005 by Derek Derks

April 21, 2005

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