The Sikorsky S-55
was the first rotor craft to be operated by the Indian Air force.
The first IAF helicopter Unit, 104 Hu received the first of six examples
in April 54 followed by two C versions in mid April 57.
The aircraft were used for typical tasks such as flood relief, casevac
and operationally in the east. Two
S-55s were loaned to the Indian Navy (IZ 480 and IZ 650, shown here) for plane
guard duties aboard INS Vikrant, IZ 648 being lost in the
Cochin
channel in early 1964. the
helicopter was finally phased out in 1966 and replaced by the more capable and
powerful MI-4.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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This is the
impeccable Italeri kit with beautifully engraved lines.
However, I had to modify the tail fins to droop downwards as in the IAF
versions. The ac was painted
overall silver and the cockpit eyebrow windows tinted with craft glass stains.
The decals are bright spark and the serials from the spares box.
Polly
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