Most ARC regulars know I flew as a Sensor Operator in VS-24 back in the 80’s. So naturally, the S-3 Viking is an aircraft that is in my regular building rotation. In my preferred scale (1/72) there are two choices...the commonly available Hasegawa kit and the long out of production Airfix kit. The subject of this build is the Airfix kit. Although this kit will not be found on the shelves at your LHS, it can be found on ebay, and from used kit venders at model shows. Both kits date from the late 70’s. The Airfix kit was also boxed by MPC in the USA, and later under USAirfix label. The Hasegawa kit has seen several re-pops with different box art and decals. It has also been reboxed by Revell of Germany.

Most folks naturally assume that the Hasegawa kit is superior. So why would anyone seek out and take on the Airfix kit? Well, as an old ball coach once said, “It’s not always what you know. Sometimes it’s what you think you know that just ain’t so.” And so it is when comparing these two kits. There are some major differences between them, and which one you choose will depend on what you are trying to achieve, and how much work you are willing to do. Neither is a shake and bake and each presents unique challenges.

Airfix kit advantages: 1- Separate rudder and elevator surfaces. 2- More accurate cockpit, although you won't be able to see much given the enclosed cockpit configuration.3- Open Weapons Bay. 4- Inclusion of Mk-46 torpedoes and Harpoon anti-shipping missiles. Airfix Disadvantages: 1 Almost total lack of surface detail on the upper fuselage and top of the wings. Flaps, ailerons, spoilers, leading edge slats, and operator hatches are all represented by raised lines. However, the wing fold hinges are accurate as they do not have hinge covers. These were removed in the fleet. 2-Unusable decals 3-Non-tinted canopy.

Hasegawa kit advantages: 1-Thinner, more accurate wings and tail surfaces. 2-Better fit of parts. 3-Crew hatch can be positioned open, 4-Tinted canopy, except for the ROG boxing 5-Good surface detail (raised). Hasegawa kit disadvantages: 1-Poorly shaped intake lips. 2-Poorly fitting flaps. 3-Cross hatch design on top of the wing is not present on the real aircraft and needs to be sanded off.

Either kit can be constructed as a straightforward build. The Hasegawa kit is easier to find and will have useable decals. If you want to dress the aircraft out in full ASW configuration with torps, the Airfix kit is probably your best option. Lets see what it takes to get a decent result with the Airfix kit.

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The parts for the Airfix kit are packaged in the typical Airfix way...all sprue tree’s stuffed in one big bag, with the inevitable loose parts are rattling around. The plastic is white, but if you have the MPC boxing the plastic will be a light off tan color.

Construction is conventional. As one would expect in this scale, the cockpit is basic. The ejection seats in the S-3 are not attached to the floor as they are in most other tactical aircraft. They are modified to mount to rails on the rear cockpit flight deck bulkhead. The Airfix kit represents this, although the seats are basic. Pavla makes resin replacements, which I used. I used Alclad Transparent Green for the overheard sunscreens, then tinted the remainder of the cockpit glass with Alclad Transparent Smoke.

Gil Gregg

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