Description

The Westland WS-61 Sea King was a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines (derived from the US General Electric T58), British-made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised flight control system. The Sea King was primarily designed for performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions, and a further variant was as ship-based airborne early warning (AEW) platform, developed after the Falklands War of 1982. In British service, the Westland Sea King provided a wide range of services in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. As well as wartime roles in the Falklands War, the Gulf War, over Bosnia, and Iraq War and Afghanistan. However, the Sea King is perhaps most well known in its capacity as a Royal Navy Search and Rescue (red and grey livery) and RAF Search and Rescue Force (yellow livery) helicopter. The last remaining Sea King variant flown by the Royal Navy was retired in September 2018. This new book feature background details, 4 walk arounds of the HAS.6, HAS.5, HU.5 and HAR.3, plus an in-depth build of the new 1:48 Airfix Sea King.