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Miniwing 1/144 Sikorsky S-58

By Matt Bittner

Introduction

The Sikorsky S-58 is better known as the H-34 (UH-34, SH-34 and CH-34).  It was also known by the U.S. Navy as the HSS-1 and the HUS-1.  Westland Aircraft in the U.K. produced it under license as the Wessex.  The Sikorsky S-58 was also purchased by Israel, South Vietnam, Japan and France.  Not only was it used by the U.S. Navy, but the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Army also used it, especially during the Vietnam War.

The Kit

The Miniwing 1/144 Sikorsky S-58 consists of 19 pieces of resin, a piece of clear, sheet styrene, and two vacuformed canopies, the second being a spare.  There is also a piece of round sprue within the contents which are the connecting "struts" for the winch.

There are three schemes on the decal sheet:

• HUS-1, U.S. Marines, HMM-362, Operation SHUFLY, Vietnam, 1962 (finished in overall Field Green with the area of the fuselage around the exhaust in Orange)
• MMS-1, French Navy, 33F, 1975 (finished overall in Insignia Blue)
• HSS-1, JMSDF, 1963-1973 (finished primarily in Medium Grey with various parts of the fuselage (besides the exhaust area) finished in Orange)

As with all Miniwing releases, decals are ALPS-generated so the necessary care must be taken.  Also included on the decal sheet are decals for the main instrument panel, and seat cushions with seat belts for the two seats molded in the cockpit tub.

Unfortunately there are no color call outs for the interior so you'll need to perform some research.  While the cockpit tub is sufficient for most, there is plenty of room - and lots of canopy area to see it all - to add more to it.  Maybe some control sticks and other things that "stick out" at various places.  Left to your imagination and references, the sky is the limit.

There is an option that is not spelled out in the kit instructions, one I plan on performing.  Trying to cut the plastic sheet to the correct dimensions of each side window could be tedious, so I plan on using a product like Microscale's Kristal Kleer to fill in each window.  The windows are small enough they should dry plenty clear, filling these windows in after all construction and painting is finished.

Once the cockpit tub is glued into one fuselage half then each half can be joined together.  From there construction is very quick prior to painting.  While both the main and tail rotors should be left off until the end (along with the landing gear), I recommend adding the vac canopy prior to painting, to take care of any seams that may show up.  Once that is finished and the canopy masked, then painting can take place.

After painting, then the rest of the parts can be added.  Landing gear and struts; tail wheel; winch; and both rotors.

Conclusion

With only 19 pieces of resin to the Miniwing 1/144 Sikorsky S-58, most people could have this built in a weekend.  It's typical of Miniwing's high standards and I definitely recommend this kit to those that build 1/144, or are looking for something to break them out of AMS.  It will look great when finished.

Many thanks to Miniwing for the review S-58.