We're off. RAF Sea King HAR

Waspie · Mar 18, 2023

Well, here we go. 1st kit in over 45 years. Son bought it at Xmas and it has sat until now waiting for me to be inspired!!
I have been gathering kit as some will have gathered, gaining knowledge from you guys and YT. After some encouragement from folk on this site I have finally bitten the bullet and started. (After I washed the car - SWIMBO has spoken).
Cleaned it off, soapy water and rinse, luckily a dry day so it was blow dry outside!!! After lunch, checked it all over, re-read the instructions and started. Took my time. Must admit it surprised me that I had to cut out small sections and drill a few holes. That seemed a step backwards, but onwards and upwards. Didn't do too much, cut, trim rub down. Then dry fit a couple of times before glueing. Couple of pics of first kit in 45 years!!! Hears hoping!! Already have some ideas about exhaust gases and making it a bit realistic - but I'm not holding my breath!

rickoshea52 · Mar 18, 2023

Good luck. I built this kit a while back, it’s very good and can produce great results.
Here’s mine -
https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/rick’s-1-72-airfix-sea-king-har3-d-flight-202-sqn-raf-lossiemouth.37968/

And a review here - https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/airfix-sea-king-har3-1-72.25890/

Waspie · Mar 18, 2023

Hey that really looks good.
Like I mentioned, I'm going to go for the grey version as used down south. Also going to add or try to add the muck that is always present on Sea Kings, especially from the engine exhausts!!!
Particularly like the review. The ASW version differs quite a lot from the Mk3. Yes, same shape, but it's the additional windows, no sonar well not withstanding the colour!!!

stillp · Mar 18, 2023

A good start!
Pete

Mickc1440 · Mar 18, 2023

I'm in

Jim R · Mar 18, 2023

Good to see this Doug. You're right to take your time and dry fit until you're really happy before deciding to glue.

Waspie · Mar 18, 2023

stillp said:
A good start!
Pete

I did progress a wee bit further but never took a pic as 'tea' was called!!!
And as the song goes - 'everything stops for tea'!!

Mickc1440 · Mar 18, 2023

What's the colour scheme for this one?

Waspie · Mar 18, 2023

Mickc1440 said:
What's the colour scheme for this one?

Hopefully, 'Sea Grey'. For some reason when they were operating in the Falkland Islands post 1982 they changed the livery from yellow to Sea Grey. Obvious I guess as a nice bright yellow makes for a loverly target!!

Waspie · Mar 18, 2023

@rickoshea52
Rick, do you know what squadron the grey SK above belongs to? (202 or 22 Sqdn.)
I want to try and acquire the Squadron decal if it's available.

rickoshea52 · Mar 18, 2023

As far as I know they were 78 sqn. During the conflict 202 sqn provided SAR at Ascension Island and may have gone to the FI in the immediate aftermath but I can be certain.
If you have the kit with the grey Sea King on the box with a yellow and black stripe along the fuselage side then you have the 78 sqn decal included. It’s a yellow lion rampant on a black disc.
If you don’t have this kit I’ll see if I have a spare to give you, I have at least two of these kits.

Waspie · Mar 18, 2023

I love it, every day a school day. I thought the RAF only had 2 x SAR Sqdn's. 202/22! Never knew about 76 Sqdn.
The kit I have is the bog standard yellow SK on the box. So if you have a spare decal I'm sure we can come to a amicable solution!!! :thumb2:

Andy T · Mar 18, 2023

I'll follow along with this one.

I made this kit a few years ago here as my second ever model so was totally out of the box but I enjoyed building it as a tribute to my little bro' who was a winchman for many years (and still is with the new lot)

Waspie · Mar 18, 2023

Andy T said:
I'll follow along with this one.

I made this kit a few years ago here as my second ever model so was totally out of the box but I enjoyed building it as a tribute to my little bro' who was a winchman for many years (and still is with the new lot)

At some stage I want to build a Naval Mk2, 5 or 6 as they are the marks I flew in. ASW and SAR although the SAR cabs I used weren't the red nosed 771 cabs. I noticed that one kit has the Prestwick decals so that would be what I would ideally like.

rickoshea52 · Mar 18, 2023

In fact, in your photo in post #9 you can clearly see the 78 Sqn crest of the lion.

Waspie · Mar 18, 2023

I saw the lion but no idea which squadron it was related too! Squadron crests and squadron related symbols can be confusing. 771 NAS displays the Ace of Clubs but the formal crest is;

On 819 we only displayed the formal crest. (Achilles heel with an arrow through it!!) Represents the boot of Italy with e arrow showing the attack heading on the WW2 Taranto raid when the squadron flew Swordfish!

Waspie · Mar 21, 2023

Cor blimey!! Bit challenged this morning!! Trying to get some tiny seat legs fit into place. You get five in place and one will just not go! Three arms would have been useful! Ended up using a 0.something drill bit to semi ream out the locating holes. Then spent a while nurturing a tiny bent leg to be in line with the rest!!!
Then a deep breath and start again on another set!!! Wish they were as robust as the real seat legs. Locate over the deck stud, turn and lock the leg into place!!! Still, it's coming along! Have 95% of the cabin equipment fitted. Depending on the weather, (forecast isn't particularly good), I may try and spray a primer on the cabin tomorrow, then add a bit of detail to the cockpit area.
Question for @rickoshea52 on the Mk3 the access to the cockpit was there a bulkhead at the rear of the left hand seat pilot?. On the Mk2, 5 and 6 as you walked up the steps you had the broom cupboard in front of you and the rear of the left hand pilots seat. When conducting a navex I regularly stood between the pilots - no bulkhead!

rickoshea52 · Mar 21, 2023

No bulkhead.

Try this resource - https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234943317-westland-sea-king-royal-air-force/

Beware though, this walk round site has a mix of HAR3 and HAR3A. As a general rule, 202 operated 3’s and 22 3A’s. The major external difference is the VHF aerial (washing line) layout and some spade aerials.

Richard48 · Mar 21, 2023

Interesting read.Quite partial to Seakings,Ive got a couple of Revell kits in 72 that constantly leer at me from the shelf of long ago purchases.
Watching with interest if you dont mind me pulling up a seat.
Rich.

Waspie · Mar 21, 2023

rickoshea52 said:
No bulkhead.

Try this resource - https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234943317-westland-sea-king-royal-air-force/

Beware though, this walk round site has a mix of HAR3 and HAR3A. As a general rule, 202 operated 3’s and 22 3A’s. The major external difference is the VHF aerial (washing line) layout and some spade aerials.

Perfect, just what I needed. Right down to the sheeps wool seat covers over the seat pan liferaft.