Italeri 1/72 Scale Sikorsky H-34/ HSS-1 Seabat "Speciale Italia"

Famed for its use during the Vietnam War, by the US Marine Corps and South Vietnamese forces. The piston-engine Sikorsky H-34 helicopter was designed and manufactured by the legendary Sikorsky company. That saw wide spread use in various militaries around the globe from the late 1950s until the 1980s. Seeing combat use during with the French during the Algerian War of Independence, the 1965 US intervention in the Dominican Republic, with the Israelis during the 1967 Six Day War. Along with the aforementioned use in Vietnam.

The type was also produced under licence by British company Westland. Producing the turbine-powered Westland Wessex. That the Royal Navy used in operations during the 1963-1966 Borneo Confrontation. And later used extensively during the 1982 Falklands War. And like the piston-engine Sikorsky H-34, the Westland Wessex was also flown during the Vietnam War. By the Royal Australian Navy for its operations in South Vietnam.

In the 1970s the Orlando Helicopter Airways company developed a few novel conversions of the H-34 (along with the Sikorsky H-19) for RV manufacturer Winnebago. The Heli-Camper, a campervan-like conversion—featuring a built-in mini-kitchen and sleeping accommodations for four. Outside of the promotional use for Winnebago, the concept of the Heli-Camper never took off.

As for this model kit by Italeri under the Speicale Italia release. It depicts one of the Italian Navy H-34 Helicopters in the early 1960s. In 1959 Italy received their first 3 helicopters. In Italian Naval Service it was used in Anti-submarine warfare missions. long with search and rescues missions. In 1970 the remaining helicopters were assigned to be used as trainers. With the type being withdrawn from service in the 1978.