Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA33415
Westland Sea King HAR.Mk 3 Diecast Model
RAF No.22 Sqn | Limited Edition
1450
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Westland Sea King HAR.Mk 3 | | 12.25" | | 10.25" |
22 Squadron was formed as an Air Sea Rescue Squadron at Thorney Island in 1955, It had an initial establishment of eight Whirlwind Mk 2s and was planned to operate from four detached Flights to provide SAR cover over the South and South East Coasts and Wales. The Whirlwinds were replaced by Wessex and in 1997 the Wessex were replaced by new build Sea King HAR 3As. The HAR3As are with A flight at Royal Marine Base Chivenor which is the squadron's headquarters and B Flight at Wattisham with HAR3s being operated by C flight at RAF Valley. A key modification to the aircraft is the FLIR Systems Sea King Multi-Sensor Systems (SKMSS) based on the Star-Q camera system. The system entered service in June 2004 and equipped the entire RAF Sea King fleet by 2006. On 16 August 2004, following severe flash flooding at Boscastle in Cornwall seven helicopters were scrambled including two from 22 Sqdn at Chivenor and more than 120 people were airlifted to safety.
Designed to meet a US Navy requirement for an all-weather amphibious helicopter, the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King first flew on March 11, 1959. Originally a submarine hunter-killer, the Sea King has since been used in a variety of operations, from search and rescue, executive transport and communications to anti-ship and airborne early warning. Its five main rotor blades and tail section fold for stowage aboard aircraft carriers, and its hull can remain temporarily watertight for water landings-a risky maneuver attempted only in emergencies. When deployed by aircraft carriers, Sea Kings serve as plane guard and are the first in the air and the last to return. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Sea Kings are quite large, with each release featuring a variety of transparent window configurations on the port side. These models feel surprisingly heavy for 1:72 scale. Two sets of rotor blades are included, one with drooping blades for ground display and another with blades that are curved upwards for in-flight display. The "green-house" canopy with a variety of tinting is large, allowing for easy viewing of the cockpit interior and crew figures. Each release highlights one of many engine intake configurations and radar domes. The sliding cargo door opens effortlessly to expose an expansive cargo-hold.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
