I was at a Flea Market this weekend and came across an Aurora 1/72 HH-3E “Jolly Green Giant” model kit. The kit is all there and the box is really nice! The guy saw me looking it over and told me that, for a buck, it was mine. I figured what the heck and bought it. Does anyone know how these kits build up? I can’t find anything on it.
In the day, real modelers took them over the top! Pretty basic kit but like any model how it turns out depends on what you put into it. I’ve got several of the old Aurora helo kits…they’re fine.
Here’s an Aurora HH-3 I built as a USCG bird.
When it comes to the HH-3 there isn’t much out there, Aurora, Revell and Lindberg, all 3 date from the 1960s.
Rocky, nice Pelican. [t$t]
Great job!!!
I was an aircrewman on the Pelican while stationed at CGAS New Orleans from 1972 thru 1974. The airframes that I flew on where 1430, 1431, 1432, 1434 and 1488(plane captain on this one). I flew as flight mech for Lt. Jim Stiles before he was transfered to Cape Cod. I also flew with LtCmdr. Pete Prindle whose father was instrumental in the development of rotorary winged aircraft use for the CG while at Floyd Bennett Field in the late '40s throughout the '50s.
In about 1976 I ran across a scale model of the CG Pelican while at a discount store. I remember that I thought someday I’ll get that and put it together. Hind sight is 20/20 because, as you know, those kits no longer exist. I think that I WILL follow your example and attempt to create a Pelican from a Green Giant kit.
In closeing, along with congratulations on a great build, I would suggest that the tail rotor blades be painted black with red and white strips. As I recall, that was the color scheme. But, then again, it’s been over 40 years since I was privelidged to be an crewman on this reliable SAR helicopter.
I can still hear the squawk box on the hangar deck—“Now hear this. Put the ready helicopter on the line. SAR”. SEMPER PARATUS