Gallery Models 1/48 H-34 US Marines
By Gerry Nilles
History
The H-34 Seahorse is the US Marine transport version of the US Navy's SH-34G Seabat developed originally by Sikorsky for anti-submarine missions. Designated the S-58, by Sikorsky, the Seabat is essentially an 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 superior ASW potential of rotary aircraft, demonstrated by the S-55, was clearly appreciated by the US Navy. However, the S-55s lacked of both the range and load-carrying capacity severely restricted its ability to accomplish that mission, and as such, Sikorsky began development on a larger and more powerful version. Work on the S-58 (HSS Seabat) began in 1952 culminating with a first flight in March of 1954. The linage of the Seabat to the earlier S-55 is unmistakable having an obliquely mounted radial engine, however, and as apparent, are both the increased size of the aircraft, now a tail dragger and the upgrade in power (550 hp vs 1524 hp) of the new HSS-1.
The US Marines were as impressed with the S-58 as the Navy and prior to it's first flight ordered a transport and utility version which they designated the HUS-1 Seahorse. This transport version provided space for 12 fully loaded troops, and the range to accomplish most combat missions. Re-designated the H-34 the Seahorse stayed in production for over fifteen years and saw service not only with many branches of the US military but also many other countries. Also to its credit, the H-34 became and early gunship test-bed that eventually was adapted, very successfully, by the Marines to their UH-1E Hueys.
The Kit
To say that the Gallery Models 1/48 H-34 is a major improvement over the Revell kit is a bit of an understatement. The Gallery kit is not only much more detailed but also is more accurate. However, I must admit that it is a little unfair in even comparing the two when considering the age of the former and what, as model builders, we have to come to expect from a state of the art kit along with the price tag that accompanies it. That said these are my observations.
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 such as a door mounted 50 cal and a port window mounted M-60. 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 advanced 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. I have noted in previous reviews if one is getting their money's worth out of this or that kit, well in this case you certainly are but you need the skill level (which I would consider a high level 2 or even a 3) to take advantage of it.
Other nice details of note, at least that I felt are worth mentioning, 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 poseable in the stowed, folded, position. Can you say diorama potential especially considering the highly detailed engine? However, the rotors are not designed to be stowed, which was generally the case when the tail was folded.
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 three color schemes that are include in the kit markings
Markings & Painting Guide
The kit comes with three choices of markings, all of which are for Marine Green-colored US Marine H-34s (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, 1/48 scale highly detailed, state of the art, kit of a classic, 1950s vintage helicopter. The kit includes three choices of markings that are perhaps the most colorful you can get considering it is a Marines helicopter, Finally I am so glad to see, what seems to be a slight trend, toward 1/48th "fab 50s" era aircraft. My thanks to MRC for the review sample.