Sikorsky S-51
S-51, 58 Escadrile de Servitute, 1952, Indochina

LF MODELS Models 1/72 scale S-51 Dragonfly

Sikorsky S-51 was a helicopter produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft. It was first introduced in 1944 and was used primarily for military purposes, such as transport.

The French angel:
The S-51 helicopter was used by the French Navy during the First Indochina War (1946-1954) in Vietnam. It was employed for various missions including transport, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation.
The S-51 model I chose to build was an early version (with only two tail rooter blades) and part of the airwing of the French aircraft carrier Arromanches, French Fleet Air Aim, 58 Escadrile de Servitute, 1952, Indochina
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The model: Sikorsky S-51 LF Models:

As there is plenty of information, advices and warnings about the build and the difficulties you can expect to encounter, I will not go into great length to share my experience. The worst part was the windows. It equires a lot of sanding to make them fit (more or less). Another assumably challenge is the rotor with 25 parts! I found It very difficult to assemble.
Al sed and done you can expect more than your usual fitting issues associated with the short-run LF Models 1/72 kit.

Color:
I started with the HATAKA acryl basis, Dark Sea blue (ANA 623). But again, it didn’t produce the desired resolute (I didn’t used the advice of Jan de Wit, dilute it with Mr. Color leveling thinner, as I saw it too late).

Instead, I used water based cooler form Vallejo Glossy Sea Blue, black Blue Gray.
I ued thean a mat sealer form the same brand.

References:
- Sikorsky S-51, author Nico Geldhof, published by Geromij, The Netherlands.
- IPMS Nederland S-51 walk around
- IPMS Nederland S-51 info page
Aircraft In Plastic: designer.home.xs4all.nl/models/ ... l/s-51.htm
KARPKA: karopka.ru/community/user/19064/?MODEL=406118
Les avions de la guerre d'Algérie: avions-de-la-guerre-d-algerie.ov ... 34145.html
Britmodeller, . 1/72 - Sikorsky S-51/H-5 and Westland WS-51 Dragonfly by LF Models - released - new boxing: britmodeller.com/forums/ind ... ew-boxing/

Difficulty’s aside, building the model was a fair challenge, I am rather happy with the result. It is a nice addition to my France Indo China 1/72 models collection.