Sikorsky S-58 / HSS-1
Stencilling and Special Markings

DACO Decals, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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DCD7263 is a new release from the Daco Products providing complete stencilling data for the Sikorsky S-58/HSS-1 machines operated by the Belgian Air Force as well as the two special schemes worn by airframes B-4 and B-8 as well as the one worn by airframe B-7 when it was operated by the Belgian Navy.

All machines exhibit the same basic scheme of overall FS25053 Marine Blue with selected areas finished in FS28913 Fluorescent Red.

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Thumbnail panels:

The special schemes are:

• Airframe B-4 OT-ZKD which wears a red heart pierced by a yellow arrow and the words “Old Kuppet” with the heart being surrounded by the words :”Always Yours and Inhibitor Boys” on the port side of the airframe and the words KS IN AN DOP MO NIE KAPOT in yellow on the starboard side.  Try as I did, I could not find out what this inscription means – anyone out here know?

• Airframe B-7 OT-ZKG from the time when it served with the Belgian Navy.  Only real difference is that the national insignia is superimposed with a white anchor bearing a gold chain.

• Airframe B-8 OT-ZKH wearing the markings of the last official flight of the SH-58 in service with the Belgian Military on 19 Jul 1986.  In the same basic scheme except hat the vertical stabiliser is painted white with large 40 SQN in silver with a thin black outline as well as what look to be silver waves across the bottom of the tail and the words THE LAST ONE in white on the port side of the fuselage and the words BYE BYE… on the port side.  The final special marking for this one is red hand on the front of the nose which is superimposed with the numeral 25 and a stylised olive branch (?) and the letters SAR.

You also get a very, very complete set of stencil data which will keep you busy for quite a few nights in applying them to your 1/72 scale rendition of the S-58.  Daco must have access to the paint shop records for this one as there are hundreds of them!!

The final feature of the sheet is that you are provided with the identifying numerals and code letters for all of the S-58/HSS-1s flown by the Belgian Miltary enabling you to produce any of them in 1/72 scale.

The decals themselves have been printed by Cartograf and are first rate with everything sharp and clear and in perfect registration.  You are treated to two sheets with this issue, the main one as well as an errata sheet.

The supporting information/placement guide sheet is A-4 in size and carries full colour left and right hand profiles of the first and last options as well as a left hand side profile of the second option.  The rear of the sheet carries four-view line drawings to show the placement of the stencil data each item of which is numbered and keyed to the drawing.  These latter drawings are large too which will make what will truly be a mammoth task a little easier!  The supporting information sheet/placement guide also advises that “As all S-58 were ex-SABENA, the window configuration between HSS-1 and S-58 is different” so you will need to conduct a little research before you embark on a build.

No advice is provided as to what kit to use but a visit to Daco’s website at http://ultra.glo.be/daco/ advises that the decals have been released in response to the re-release of the Italeri S-58/HSS-1 kit.

A very nice sheet that provides comprehensive first rate Cartograf decals with excellent support material that will no doubt result in a model that will really stand out.

Thanks to Daco for the samples

Text and Images Copyright © 2010 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 3 February, 2010
Last updated 3 February, 2010

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