Sikorsky R5 kits? Do they exist?

[puddingwrestler]

I'm rather fond of the Sikorsky R5.

It looks so... purposeful with that forward leaning cockpit, sort of like something out of Dan Dare somehow.
My question is this: are there any kits available, prefereably 1/72, although I would accept 1/48 if needs be. Preferably kits which are not too hard to get hold of (no obscure 1950s releases please!)

[Jschmus]

There may be others, but I found this 1/48 example on Squadron:
http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=FN6012

[jcf]

The various S-51 model kits are as close as you can get.

Here is build of the Fonderie 1/48th kit from Hyperscale:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47751/message/1237163927/FM+1-48+HO3S-1+Dragonfly%2C+MAMS-33%2C+Pusan%2C+Korea+1950



The Sikorsky S-51/Dragonfly/HO3S-1 has been done in 1/72 by MPM and Mach 2.
http://www.scale-rotors.com/gallery/utility-helicopters/westland-dragonfly-hr5-mpm
http://helikits.blogspot.com/2009/02/eng-h-5-rcaf.html

Jon

[frank2056]

I've loved this helicopter since I saw it on TV in "The Bridges of Toko-Ri" and in the goofy Sci-Fi movie "The Land Unknown".

There's a paper model of the S-51/R5 at Fiddler's Green for $5. It doesn't look too hard to convert to plastic. The transparencies would be a pain, though.

Frank

[Captain Canada]

There's also this one, even comes with the dude with the top hat !

http://www.belcherbits.com/lines/kits/bk2.htm

I've got an MPM one in the stash...but you're in Australia and I'm over here !

[Martin H]

Well in 72nd.
MPM did one a long time ago, they do sometimes show up on the 2nd hand market.

And Mach 2 did one as well. Its a younger kit than the MPM one, but Mach kits are not known for their ease of building.

[jcf]

A little real world inspiration of possible things to build with an S-51 kit:

Abrams Explorer




The Pitcairn PA-44(XO-61/YO-61)

Jon

[puddingwrestler]

That's roughly what I was thinking about doing  Although I like the stock model enough to want two - one to do as a proper chopper and one to do something crazy with.

[Mossie]

I was convinced I'd seen a Westland kit & finally realised it was MPM & that Martin's already mentioned it.  While looking, I found some more.  There's the Sikorsky H-5, HO3S & Westland Dragonfly, there's a good chance they're re-boxes of the MPM kits going on that list.  Ever heard of Aerodrom?  Me neither, but someone might be able to help???
http://csk.umed.lodz.pl/~piokas/texty/aerodrpl.html

[PR19_Kit]

Back in the 70s-80s there was a UK firm did a Dragonfly using a clear fuselage vacform moulding, the rotor blades were on the same sheet as well.

I have two of them (hidden well deep in The Loft.......) so I'll have a look tomorrow and find who it was. I think they did a Jet Ranger using the same process too.

[kitnut617]

Back in the 70s-80s there was a UK firm did a Dragonfly using a clear fuselage vacform moulding, the rotor blades were on the same sheet as well.

I have two of them (hidden well deep in The Loft.......) so I'll have a look tomorrow and find who it was. I think they did a Jet Ranger using the same process too.

Rareplane I think-- I've got a couple of the Jet Ranger ones in my stash.

[Doc Yo]

Go figure- That's my favorite whirlybird too. ( its also in the classic SF film THEM! )...but I swear I
could...give a hearty handshake to Jon-I've had the old Execuform kit of the Abrams Explorer for decades
but could never find any reference material! Wonderful images, Jon, thanks!

[RotorheadTX]

In 1/72nd scale, your options are four: MPM, Aerodrom, Mach2, and Britavia/Maintrack.

The MPM kit is overscale, and requires some tricky splicing of an injected fuselage and a vac-form nose.

Aerodrom's kit is an injected kit that is very close in size and detail to the Britavia/Maintrack vac-form. It comes with two fuselages, one solid and one clear; the implication is that you should splice the two together, but common sense says just paint the insides of the clear one carefully in the canopy area. Nice kit, and the variants all feature unique parts like different main rotor profiles, stretcher panniers, etc. It is NOT the same as the MPM issue.

Mach2's kit is well, a Mach2 kit; generally accurate but rough all over.

My personal preference is the Britavia/Maintrack kit. It is an excellent choice for a first vac-form, is well detailed, and goes together very smoothly. I used modified rotors from an Italeri H-19 model on mine, and the old Airfix Whirlwind is a good donor kit too.

[PR19_Kit]

RotorheadTX,

Thanks, that Britavia kit is the one I have, just couldn't remember the name.

I STILL can't find the darn things, but I have found a lot of other stuff I'd forgotten I had!

[GTX]

In 1/72nd scale, your options are four: MPM, Aerodrom, Mach2, and Britavia/Maintrack.

The MPM kit is overscale, and requires some tricky splicing of an injected fuselage and a vac-form nose.

Aerodrom's kit is an injected kit that is very close in size and detail to the Britavia/Maintrack vac-form. It comes with two fuselages, one solid and one clear; the implication is that you should splice the two together, but common sense says just paint the insides of the clear one carefully in the canopy area. Nice kit, and the variants all feature unique parts like different main rotor profiles, stretcher panniers, etc. It is NOT the same as the MPM issue.

Mach2's kit is well, a Mach2 kit; generally accurate but rough all over.

My personal preference is the Britavia/Maintrack kit. It is an excellent choice for a first vac-form, is well detailed, and goes together very smoothly. I used modified rotors from an Italeri H-19 model on mine, and the old Airfix Whirlwind is a good donor kit too.

That's some damn fine work - do you have more pics?

Regards,

Greg