SIKORSKY  SEA KING IN THE ANTARCTICA
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Antecedents.

The helicopter, like logistical support, was used for the first time by the Argentine Navy in Antarctica in the XVII Summer Antarctica Campaign (CAV), by the middle of the '50 years. In that opportunity, they operated from the decks of the ships ARA “Bahia Buen Suceso” and ARA “Bahia Aguirre”. The event corresponded to the Sikorsky S-55, those that were used until 1970.
The necessity of the use of helicopters in Antarctica resides in the fact that, in some bases, the provisioning can be carried out only by this mean. Such it is the case of the Belgrano II Base, located on the Nunatak Bertrab, in the Filchner Ice Barrier, antarctic continent. This station is located at a distance from 5 to 8 km of the Weddell Sea (depending on the ice barrier dimensions, which presents big annual variations). Even in areas where the logistical operations can be carried out by mean of ships, the use of helicopters facilitates in great measure the tasks, so much in terms of effort as in time. It also constitutes an invaluable observation instrument and air report for scientific, logistical tasks and of rescue. All these functions are carried out by the Sikorsky Sea King of the Argentine Navy (they operate embarked) and for the Bell 212 of the Argentine Air Force, with base in the Marambio Island. These last machines received the "Ford T" nickname because of the characteristic sound similar to an old Ford of the ’30 years, that produce their two blades from the main rotor when rotating faster than the sound speed.
The Sikorsky Sea King operate in the 2nd. Sea and Air Attack Squadron of the Argentine Navy with seat in the Comandante Espora Sea and Air Base. In Antarctica they operated up to 1989 on decks of the polar transport "Bahia Paraiso" (until their sinking to the west of the antarctic peninsula) and they continue making it on board of the icebreaker "Almirante Irizar", whose hangar allows the lodging of two units.

The model.

Knowing my passion for the hobby, the mechanics and pilots of the 2-H-233 those who I knew already of previous CAV, put me literally the helicopter “in tray”, to photograph they in detail. I promised then to the commander of the 2nd. Squadron, Capt. Miguel Fajre, that starting from those pictures, I would build him a model of the 2-H-233 for the following CAV. Indeed; in 1997 I gave to the squadron a 2-H-233 in 1/72 scale, the one, which they have told me, it is even into a glass box in the squadron facilities.

I decided then to build one for me. For those things of the market, the only available kit in the market for then it was that of Fujimi, whose version is the SH-3H. Later, those very experts in the topic indicated me that this was perhaps the best existent kit in 1/72 scale. And in fact it is excellent. The modifications to carry out on this kit for their conversion to the Argentinian model are quite simple, although we should be attentive to certain details that they are not in the original kit because they were (and they continue being) added by the mechanics. A true one “argentinization”. These details will comment them next.
The chosen version represents the Sikorsky Sea King 2-H-233, 0677, of the 2nd. Sea and Air Attack Squadron of the Argentine Navy with seat in the Comandante Espora Sea and Air Base just as it operated in the summer of 1996, on board of the icebreaker "Almirante Irizar", in antarctic territory. It is shown with the aspect that presents when it is kept in the icebreaker hangar ship.; that is to say, with the triplets system assured in order to save space and to avoid damages for the movement of the ship

Interiors.

The first step in its construction was the cut, on the scale model, of the main access doors in the port side, which comes originally sealed. Then I built the access door with plasticard, which consists of two parts: the superior panel (with the window), and the ventral access stairs (Figure 1A). Of the interior all the consoles and panels of separation of the original kit were eliminated, included the ventral opening of the sonobuoy, the one which, obviously, is moved away for operations in Antarctica. Care: although the sonobuoy is absent, it is observed in the floor a metal sheet of approximately 1 m of diameter that indicates the place of the same one. This metal sheet, simply screwed to the floor, it is retired when the acoustic system should be reinstalled. Then a seat was added, located immediately behind the control cabin, which is usually occupied by one of the helicopter mechanics and (important detail which is an unlack element) I added a fire extinguisher immediately before this seat, which is almost "in the road" and visible from the exterior (Figure 2).

It is necessary to highlight that in Antarctica, the interiors of these "helos" are empty. Are only observed the folding seats for the passengers transport. Therefore, were used the original seats of the kit (that correspond exactly to the Argentinian version), to which the seat belts were added. To the bottom of the habitacle, on port, I built a small closet (box office) where stay the cleaning elements (brooms, floor cloths, etc.). A Detail not less important, because even in operations, the boys maintain their machines impeccable. For the starboard side I decided to leave open the main access floodgate so that the interior details can be observed. The kit offers the option of closed or open position of this floodgate. Attention: if we choose the open position, should keep in mind a detail. While they are in preparations in the flight deck, the access to the interior of the machine for this floodgate is forbidden by a tape that crosses it in all its width (Figures 3 and 4). The interior was completed with the added of a series of cables that represent the communication systems among the crew members, electrics and hydraulics that run for the whole interior of the fuselage, especially in the roof area.

		Up: Left: Fig. 1B, Center: Fig. 2, Right: Fig. 4 Left: Fig. 3

Exteriors.

To give more dynamism to the scale model, I decided to represent it with the tail rotor unit open (folded), just as is shown when is kept in the hangar. For it, the piece was cut, separated from the rest of the fuselage and placed in open position to allow the view of the interior control systems. In the ventral part of the kit I built the cargo crane, from which were fixed the cables where hang the loads (fuel rollings, provisions boxes, etc.). 

	Up: Figure 6
	Left: Figure 5

Left: Fig 7A               Below: Fig 7C

The main rotor was modified to show it expanded back in hangar position (Figure 5 and 6). Next was manufactured the complex system of triplets that maintains the rotor blades in sure position (Figures 7A, 7B and 7C). This was made with electric rigid cables of 1 mm of diameter, which imitate the thick steel pipes with those are built the original system. This step is to make it with certain patience and care, since the exact final position of the blades should be respected, which are sustained by this system. This is: three blades back on the longitudinal axis of the helicopter and the two remaining back, each one to every side of the fuselage. The work of the main rotor is supplemented with the electric wired of the same one and with the added of protectors cases in the ends of the blades more its respective warning tapes. The cases were made with paper tape; originally they are made of thick plastic canvas, very similar to the canvas cover that use the cargo transport trucks. Other details added to the exterior of the kit consist on the construction of the emergency rafts, located in both sides of the careened of the main undercarriage and the emergency crane that hangs of their motor (in the starboard side). One of the details to keep in mind is the rear-view mirrors, located immediately below the green plexiglas of the upper part of the cabin (Figures 1A and 1B). These were added by the mechanics, who told me that they bought the mirrors... in a car parts shop!

Fig 7B

Figure 8. Different types of identification pennants observed in the Antarctic Sea Kings. Both types are superimposed to the ARMADA word

The details that complete the exterior refer to the different antennas (distributed almost the whole fuselage) and other smaller addeds. Regarding the antennas, seven external antennas VHF, UHF and navigation equipment Collins has been added, all not presents in the original kit, for what they should be built. An interesting detail to keep in mind in the external termination of the scale model refers to the identification badges. In the first place, the machine that will be flown by the commandant of the squadron is always identified by a metal sheet that is located in two guides applied on the fuselage with this purpose, to port, immediately below the window. I have observed two types of different models of this identification metal sheet (Figure 8). Both consist of a white triangle, but in a case this is located over dark blue; in the other case over light gray and it is crossed, in all their width, for a dark blue band. In anyone of the cases, once the identify plate is located on its guides, hidden partially the ARMADA word (Figures 1A and 2). The construction of this metal sheet is very simple, being used a small plasticard sheet.

Decals, colour schemes and some interesting variations.

The applied coloration was blue (Humbrol Nr.77, Matt Navy Blue) in dorsal surfaces and light gray (Humbrol Nr.64) in ventral surfaces. In the interiors was applied dark gray primer (Humbrol Nr.27). The current coloration of the 2-H-233 was applied during 1996 to most of the units of the squadron, to exception of it are the Agusta Sea King 2-H-238 and 2-H-239, that until 1997 conserved the typical coloration of white-gray. Up to 1997, the 2-H-233 were the only helicopter of the unit whose badges and stencils are entirely colored in low visibility gray; other machines present the stencils in yellow letters with the rectangle in black.

	Left: Figure 9. Emblem of the icebreaker "Almirante Irizar".	For the termination of the kit were used Phoenix decals, that offers two complete versions in low visibility in one sheet (2-H-233 and 2-H-232), included the badges of the unit. The badge of the icebreaker "Almirante Irizar" (in the prow, to port) it is absent in the decal sheet and was made by hand on clear decal sheet (Figure 9). And now that we are speaking of emblems, an explanation. The modellers that they want to represent the Agusta Sea King 2-H-236 and 2-H-237 (sunk in the Polar Transport "Bahia Paraiso"), should keep in mind that the only badge that these machines behaved to the moment of the shipwreck was that of the National Bureau of the Antarctic (since they were acquired with funds of that official Institution; figure 10). The badges of the unit and of the icebreaker were absent (detail very interesting..., since even the 2-H-235, painted in two tones of green, presented at least the unit emblem, Figure 11). And concerning the 2-H-235, in 1997 it was strange the fact that was the only unit in service painted in two tones of green. When I consulted the reason to the commandant of the squadron, I was surprised with their answer. This machine had participated of certain intrusion actions in  the Beagle Channel area and later in the Malvinas Islands, for that which were "dressed" of both tonalities of green, quite more appropriate camouflage for that operations area. But once the maneuvers concluded, the men of the squadron became "in love" with they and decided to conserve for some more years this particular coloration, until finally was repainted in the standard scheme of the unit.
	Left: Badge of the National Bureau of the Antarctic, present in the Agusta Sea King.

Lastly, it should be kept in mind that the pictures of the 2-H-233 that were used as references for the realization of this scale model, were taken between June of 1996 and January of 1997, when this machine was recently painted. For this reason, the scale model doesn't show signs of wear or dirt.

Figure 10	Figure 11

¿Blue Grey or Grey Blue?

One of the eternal discussions of the modellers refers to the original colorations that behaved the airships we represent in scale models. Most of the times reproduce airplanes, ships, tanks, etc. that they no longer exist or that exist in museums, but with non original scheme paints. In these cases, we have to trust in black and white pictures, strange and faded color pictures of the time, survivors' stories, etc... but for mainly, we have to learn how to trust in our own observation capacity. I had the luck to be beside the Me 262A-1a (Nr.50071), the only one that remains in Germany. And the coloration that presented in 1972 was not for anything the original one, neither any other one that you could get in the paints that we usually acquire in the hobby stores. For that reason, if is my desire to paint my 262 in two tones of brown earth, similar to those used by the Panther Ausf. A of the Panzer-befehlswagen, I challenge to somebody demonstrates that I am mistaken. 
This introduction is only to indicate that the external coloration of the 2-H-232 (and of many other models of any time) it is extremely variable according to the light incidence. And while I looked the Sea King in the flight deck, I wondered: is it grayish blue or blueish gray?
This effect of "color distortion" it is specially evident in brilliant tones or speculars, as the case of the Sea King or Super Etendard of the Argentine Navy. When being gloss shades, the surface of the machine reflect the light of the sun almost in the same intensity in that it arrives to it.  This means that the surface will change their aspect as it is a partially cloudy day, thickly cloudy or sunny. The matt colors are even altered according to the solar light. When taking a picture the camera captures these color differences, but I didn't seize some modellers (among those I include myself) who, for an inexplicable habit, continue subject to the rigid colors charts, which tell us that the color that we should use is the XX one, when in the reality we are seeing the ZZ. To who has not happened this?
The figures 12 and 13 exemplify this case. Both pictures were taken the same day, but with different incidence from the solar light. According to the Sea and Air Series Nr.4 of Nuñez Padin, the Sea King are painted dorsally in FS 26176. I could not find any paint with such equivalence of Federal Standard.
I decided then not get tied up to the prejudice of the colors charts, the FS... and I put on in the search of an independent color that show, on the scale model, the same variations that I observed in the real helicopter.

Figure 12	Figure 13

After a lot to prove, I found a paint that respond exactly in the same way: the Nr.77 of Humbrol, that it is not the FS 26176.  
How was it that I checked it? Very simple. Airbrush several times a scale model in disuse (an 1/72 F-104 which I denominate "tests bank") and subjected it to different schedules of light, mainly in presence of clouds, which are plentiful in Antarctica. As a result I obtained color variations in the scale model exactly similar to that of the figures 12 and 13. Then, without place to doubts, I decided that it was the correct color. I didn't bother myself in discovering which was the equivalent FS, or in which color chart figured... That was the color that I was looking for. 
In conclusion: my opinion is that we should work with an appropriate and reliable historical reference, but without annulling our observation approach..

Waxing the floors, I say, scale models...

The Humbrol Nr.77 paint have an opaque or matt finish. Ours Sea King have a gloss finish. Non satin, but glossy. From a time behind was experiencing with glossy and satin  finishes for the scale models, and I found a form of "varnish" very economic, simple and of excellent results, that I finished adopting for all my naval models: the liquid floor wax. Once the model is finished, I humidify a thick paintbrush (Nr.8) in liquid floor wax and I simply wet the whole surface, making sure that don't take place dripped. Even if this happens, it is not necessary to worry, since dry even and without stains, only it delays a little more than the rest. Dry amazingly quick (about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the ambient temperature). Then, we can make a second coat... and is list!
The brand that I use is Ceramicol, that can be found in any supermarket. I believe that other brands can be equally useful. The advantage of the waxing of scale models is obvious. It is a quick, simple, an extremely economic process and with durable and very realistic results. Due to the quick drying, never exists the risk that they are stuck fluffs or dust specks. Once waxed, it can be polished the surfaces to make them even more gloss. And the most important thing: it protects very well the model of the atmosphere dust. Once dry, if they settle fluffs on the surface, it will be enough with blowing to eliminate them, because thanks to the wax, these cannot adhere. They responds perfectly on the decals and the paint, so much acrylic as enamels. In fact, my first waxed models are already some 5 years old and I not observed alterations neither of the paint nor the decals.

Bibliographical Index.

•          1.      Argentina in Antarctica. Volume 1. 1997. National Buraeu of the Antarctica. Argentine Antarctica Institute.

•      2.     Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King. Air and Naval Series Nr.4. J.J. Nuñez Padin. Pages 1-25. Navy Aviation Museum, Air and Navy Institute.

•          3.      Aviation Illustrated Enciclopedy Nr.46, pages 906-915.  Ed. Delta, S.A.

•          4.      The Encyclopedia of World Air Power. Bill Gunston. Pages 322-323.

•          5.      Vietnam. The War in the Air. René J. Francillón.  Pages 1-254.

•          6.      Malvinas, the Air War Nr.6. Pages 85-93. Ed. Open.

•          7.      Autor photo archives.