Rick’s 1/48 Airfix Sea King HAS5

[Waspie]

I’m familiar with the wee fit floor/sea tray; the navy type is different (because they’re the navy). Just want to have an idea of the position of any anti slip areas.

Can't remember where the anti slip was in the back as we always had a sea tray fitted. Even on ASW Ops we were SAR capable so it was SOP. I remember there was anti slip down the starboard side under the troop seats. When not carrying pax the seats were folded in the 'up' position to make transit fore and aft easier.
Anti slip was on the steps of the front port access door. There was some anti slip just behind the pilots cct breaker panel. Pilots used to step on it to climb into their seats.
Other than that - can't help - it 'was' 32 years ago now!!!! The only notes I have are ASW systems related!

One more thing about the sea tray! Don't know if it was the same on RAF cabs. There was about a 4inch vertical edge all around. Can't see yours being any different as you wouldn't want sea water getting anywhere it shouldn't!! RN cabs suffered badly from salt water corrosion.

 

[rickoshea52]

The cabin floor has its first shot of paint. I based the black anti slip areas on just one photo reference and what looked right…and forgot to do the rear AV bay cover.

The cabin walls are done too. These are two different shades of grey. The head lining material is thin plastic sheet while the lower part is a quilted material from memory, this often got pretty grimy so getting the right shade isn’t so crucial.


White paint has been applied to the seat cushions ready for a coat of orange.


The main rotor blades have a had a spray of white at the tips in preparation of the yellow paint. The fifth blade has been painted white on the upper surface, again in readiness of a coat of yellow.


Much has been discussed elsewhere online about blade droop. Not a problem to worry me with blades folded

 

[Waspie]

Rick, I believe you're doing a ASW variant! If so, I can't remember any RN cabs having a yellow blade, (upper surface).

Just been through all my SK images, not one yellow blade!


Edited bit.
OK, the kit covers the Mk2/5/6 Sea Kings. I notice it has an upgraded sonar console for the Mk 6 but I never noticed a LAPADS table which would sit where the troop seats are behind the radar position. (Fitted to many Mk5's). Have I missed it or has it been omitted from the kit?

 

[rickoshea52]

Rick, I believe you're doing a ASW variant! If so, I can't remember any RN cabs having a yellow blade, (upper surface).

Just been through all my SK images, not one yellow blade!

That’s something that bugging me. The instructions show a yellow blade but without the rescue winch. The dipping gear is included but the sonar well has the round cover panel.
Bit confused.

 

[Waspie]

That’s something that bugging me. The instructions show a yellow blade but without the rescue winch. The dipping gear is included but the sonar well has the round cover panel.
Bit confused.

There were occasions if the Sonar was removed, including the dipping sonar. Then the two holes, one in the cabin, the other on the hull were covered. Only seen it happen once. If the sonar was fitted then the hull cover was never fitted. Air was tapped from the engine(s) to supply heat to the sonar well. Can't have the sonar getting cold. The crew could freeze but not the SU!!

 

[rickoshea52]

the Airfix blog explains the scheme B option in the kit, which isn’t very informative.

Airfix surprise range addition announcement brings a newly tooled 1/48th scale Westland Sea King model to the 2023 range

Airfix Westland Sea King scale model kit, Fleet Air Arm Westland Sea King HAS.1, HU.5, HAS.5, Historic Helicopter Westland Sea King, HeliOperations Westland Sea King XV666 Damien

uk.airfix.com

 

[rickoshea52]

Airfix surprise range addition announcement brings a newly tooled 1/48th scale Westland Sea King model to the 2023 range

Airfix Westland Sea King scale model kit, Fleet Air Arm Westland Sea King HAS.1, HU.5, HAS.5, Historic Helicopter Westland Sea King, HeliOperations Westland Sea King XV666 Damien

uk.airfix.com

Do you mean this part? It’s assembled and painted ready to fit.

 

[Waspie]

Airfix surprise range addition announcement brings a newly tooled 1/48th scale Westland Sea King model to the 2023 range

Airfix Westland Sea King scale model kit, Fleet Air Arm Westland Sea King HAS.1, HU.5, HAS.5, Historic Helicopter Westland Sea King, HeliOperations Westland Sea King XV666 Damien

uk.airfix.com

Do you mean this part? It’s assembled and painted ready to fit.

View attachment 490277

That'll be it. I was never passive qualified as 819 never used the system as we were shallow water specialists. (Therefore the kit was never fitted to our Mk5's). Passive was better in deep water. It was all very hush hush. Even the pilots couldn't enter the crewroom if passive training was in progress.

 

[rickoshea52]

I add detail to the instrument panels using apps a pens, easy peasy.


But I’m thinking to myself, as I look at a reference photo of a HAS5 centre console, it’s different. Because I used the wrong centre console from the kit. Doh!

 

[rickoshea52]

Detail painting has been done elsewhere in the interior.
I’ve also weathered the floor of the cockpit and cabin. All the sonar and radar racks and seats are dry fitted to check the weathering looks in context. I checked this through the open doors too.
All these parts have been varnished ready for a wash and decals (or speckles as my 10 year old calls them).
The seat backs and cushions for the pilots positions maybe need correcting to include the seat pan PSP’s.



All seats need seatbelts too, I’ll use 1mn tape painted black and plastic for the QRB buckle. This is the tape after painting with a Posco pen again, I know - boring right?

 

[stillp]

Looking good!
Pete

 

[Waspie]

Nice Rick. Looking really good. Love what you've done with the seats. Coming together well.
Somethings bugging me about the sonar consul! The black box of knobs etc under the two sonar displays. Can't remember that!!
Also the 'T' handle. In the position its in, that would indicate the sonar has been lowered. Yeah I know, pedantic!! But having used the kit to my eye it looks wrong. Mind you, if your kit is for sitting in the hover, sonar lowered - it would be just right!
Going to have a look in the loft tomorrow see if I can find my course notes. (Only hope after 2 house moves they are still there!!)

 

[rickoshea52]

Thanks Doug.
I appreciate your course notes might be stashed away, mine were down the lock up. Even a sketch from course notes would be very useful.
I get the impression that Airfix’s research, thorough as I am sure they were, probably hasn’t got into the really pedantic detail that some modellers crave. That’s not a criticism but there is only so much information that can be mined and then translated into a model kit.
It’s still a brilliant kit to build and I can’t wait for the next release, hopefully a HAR3 but I’d take an HC4 as well.

 

[Waspie]

Thanks Doug.
I appreciate your course notes might be stashed away, mine were down the lock up. Even a sketch from course notes would be very useful.
I get the impression that Airfix’s research, thorough as I am sure they were, probably hasn’t got into the really pedantic detail that some modellers crave. That’s not a criticism but there is only so much information that can be mined and then translated into a model kit.
It’s still a brilliant kit to build and I can’t wait for the next release, hopefully a HAR3 but I’d take an HC4 as well.

I scoured the internet last searching for images of the back seat equipment.
Drivers end no probs! But there is a sparsity of business end images.
Up into the loft today so hopefully dig something up there. (Trouble being, much of what we did was classified as was the equipment.)

 

[Waspie]

I have been right through the loft. All box's have been thoroughly checked. No 195m sonar notes anywhere!! Well non of any use. Loads of ray path plotting charts, beam forming and oceanography info but not one picture or page of course notes to be found. So sorry - however I will continue my search and try a chap up the road from me who was a passive sonar op about the same time as me. He may have something of use.

On a happier note. I have found my big book of FAA helicopters from 1946 to 20something. So if anyone has a particular serial number eg - XV666 or the like. I can look up its history.
Oh - I did find a full set of notes on the AQS18(V) as fitted tot he Lynx Mk99!!! (Absolutely no help)

Again apologies Rick but I'll keep on delving.

 

[Waspie]

Found this on YouTube. Forward to 7:50 for a view of the sonar panel and T handle set up.

SK back seat.

 

[flyjoe180]

Coming along nicely Rick. Your interior is going to be excellent

 

[Jim R]

I seem to have missed a few updates but just had a catch-up. Great attention to detail and very neat work. The interior looks stunning. Those paint pens look very useful.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

Paint pens - bought a set some time ago - should have done it earlier....
Build - Really enjoying your take on this iconic aircraft.
Pleased to see it grow.
Mike.

 

[rickoshea52]

Found this on YouTube. Forward to 7:50 for a view of the sonar panel and T handle set up.

SK back seat.

That video was quite helpful. I'll modify the T handle but probably skip the sonar console as it doesn't look too out of place to my eye. This will all be buttoned up anyway.