Italeri 1/72 Sikorsky UH-19A Rescue Chicksaw

ITALERI 1:72 SIKORSKY UH-19A RESCUE CHICKSAW
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Carlos Giani (carlos_giani2002@yahoo.de)
- A Built up review of this kit exists on this site - see the respective fully built kit review index to locate review

Aircraft: In 1948 Sikorsky received a contract for five utility helicopters „S-55“ to be evaluated by the USAF under the designation YH-19. The prototype, propelled by a 550HP Pratt & Whitney R-134-57 flew for the first time on November 10th 1949. The engine, located in the big frontal nose, was connected to the rotor by means of a long axle. The first 50 production units (H-19A) had a 600HP, the next 270 units (H-19B) a 700HP engine. Many of the latter were equipped for rescue duties and were designated SH-19.

The H-19 also served with US Navy in many variants (HO4S-1, HO4S-3, HO4S-3G, HRS-1, HRS-2 and HRS-3), with different engines. It also saw service with the US Army as H-19C (72 units, similar to the H-19A) and H-19D (338 units, similar to the H-19B), and were there called „Chickasaw“. The design S-55 was also built under license in France by SNCA-Sud Est and in England by Westland (as „Whirlwind“).

Parts: Floating loose around in a sturdy end-opening box you get two sprues containing 69 parts in silver-grey and a little sprue with 9 clear parts which are a bit scratched. The decals are lying „protected“ inside the instructions. Molding and surface quality is excellent, detail level very high and no flash to speak of, just the ineluctable seam lines. Lots of tiny parts will ensure a beautiful exterior ( and a lot of patience work too).

Construction begins with the very complete interior (floor, blankings, bulkhead, seats, roof, control sticks, instruments panel), which will be all visible if the side door is mounted open. The roof also makes up the transmission / gearbox compartment, and receives the rotor shaft (careful gluing will allow this to rotate). After gluing the clear side windows into the fuselage halves, the body can be assembled. Positioning should be no major problem. Italeri recommends placing 10gr inside the nose, but there is enough room for more.

The tail boom comes in two halves and is then glued to the main body. Next the tail rotor unit is assembled, together with some tiny external parts. Next comes the canopy, the side door, and the struts which will support the float pods. Each float pod has two halves, and also the wheels for ground landing are affixed. The last step is to assemble the main rotor unit, which is glued onto the shaft.

Instructions: A looong paper sheet folded four times, to form a booklet somewhrtr between A4 and A5. Page 1 brings a brief history in 10 different languages. On page two there are some recommendations in the same 10 languages and little fill-in forms for replacement parts order. Page 3 shows the sprues layout and the codes for the colours call-out, of course from the Model Master's range. Pages 4 to 8 shows the construction in six easy-to-understand steps, with colouring instructions given throughout. Page 9 brings a 3-view colouring / decaling guide (which are also present at the bottom of the box). Finally, on page 10 you find more „important information concerning this kit“, this time in 20 (!) languages; only Esperanto and Klingon are missing J.

Versions: Just one, described „U.S. Air Force 1957“. Overall silver with black floaters, black rotors and a yellow stripe around the fuselage in the body-to-tail boom transition.

Decals: Printed by Zanchetti, contains basics, some stencil and a dials decal.

Detail: High and pleasant. Nevertheless, super-detailing would make sense, due to large side opening.

Options: The rotor can rotate, and the side door can be mounted open.

Impressions: Looks very good on the sprues. Detail level is high, showing again without doubt that Italeri are the „Kings of Helicopter“ today.

Recommendations: Recommended for all but the very beginner, due to the lots of tiny parts. A great improvement against the old Airfix Whirlwind.

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