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Gallery Models 1/48 CH-34 US Army Rescue

By Gerry Nilles

History

The CH-34 Choctaw is the US Army's transport/rescue version of the US Navy's SH-34. Designated the S-58 by Sikorsky, the aircraft, originally developed for anti-submarine missions, became the utility workhorse for both the US Marines and the US Army. The S-58 is essentially a much-improved version of the historic S-55 that played such a major role in helping to establish the helicopter as a vital military aircraft, in every US armed services, during the early 1950s

As noted above the potential of rotary aircraft, as demonstrated by the S-55, for ASW, utility/transport and rescue purposes, was not lost on the US military. However, the S-55s lacked of both the range and load-carrying capacity severely restricted its ability to accomplish these missions. As a result, Sikorsky began development on a larger and more powerful version. Work on the S-58 began in 1952 culminating with a first flight in March of 1954. The linage of the S-58 to the earlier S-55 is unmistakable having an obliquely mounted radial engine, however, and as apparent, are the increased fuselage size, now a tail dragger, and the upgrade in power (550 hp vs 1524 hp).

The US Army, like the Marines were as impressed with the S-58 as the Navy, and prior to it's first flight ordered a transport/rescue and utility version which they designated the Choctaw. This transport version provided space for 12 fully loaded troops, and the range to accomplish most combat or rescue missions. Re-designated the H-34 the aircraft stayed in production for over fifteen years and saw service not only with many branches of the US military but also many other countries.

The Kit

The CH-34, US Army rescue, is the third version of the H-34 kit released by Gallery Models and as with the previous releases, the model is both well detailed and accurate. However, and unlike the initial two versions, this kit includes new parts to do the early style single "bent" strut landing gear bird.

To begin with, the Gallery Models H-34 kit comes with a complete and highly detailed engine and engine compartment with pose able clamshell engine doors. Likewise, the kit has a fully detailed passenger/cargo compartment, including photo-etched seatbelts, a positional cargo door; (either opened or closed), along with other details. The same is true for the cockpit, which is extensively detail, including the liberal use of PE parts. Speaking of photo-etch, there are two extensive frets of PE provide with this kit including the engine intake screens along with numerous other parts for use, as noted above, in the cockpit, the cargo compartment as well as a number of exterior details. At this point, I should insert a very strong heads-up that this is a kit for the more advance modeler in that the amount of, small, detail parts along with the numerous PE could present a challenge to those individuals with less model building experience.

Other nice details of note are the fact that the large louvered section just aft of the rotor head is actually real louvers that go all the way through. In addition, the kit provides the option of having the tail boom pose able in the stowed, (folded), position. However, I should also note that if built with the boom stowed, the rotor blades should also be stowed, and that no provision to do this is included in the kit.

Overall, the general quality of the kit is excellent with no sink marks and exceptional detail. Likewise, the assembly instructions are very nicely illustrated, extensive, and look to be easy to follow. As always, be sure to check the list of "Unused Parts" on the second page of the parts map. I should also mention the inclusion of a fully colored marking guide for the two color schemes that are include in the kit markings.

Markings & Painting Guide

The kit comes with two choices of markings, including an OD and an all white colored US Army rescue CH-34, (see attached color guide). The decal sheet looks to be of good quality and although there is not extremely extensive number of markings, what is provided certainly seems sufficient to do the job.

Conclusion

This is an accurate, 1/48th scale highly detailed, state of the art, kit of a classic, 1950s vintage helicopter. My thanks to MRC for the review sample.