Completed Special Hobby 1/32 Westland Whirlwind.

stona

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THE KIT.

If you want a Whirlwind in this scale you are buying this kit. I would give it an honest 7/10. It’s a nice kit, looks like a Whirlwind to me and was fun to build. If you are expecting something like a Tamiya 'uber' kit you are going to be disappointed, the kit does need a bit of work. Generally, the fit is good and the moulding is good. The instructions are a bit vague, not helped by a lack of references. There are no Whirlwinds extant in the world today, so you can’t check a museum example. Bearing that in mind Special Hobby have done a great job. Some of the engineering is unusual and makes some parts of construction a bit of a fiddle, you will have a few issues to resolve. I would not recommend it if you have never built a large scale aeroplane kit before, but otherwise go for it!

THIS WHIRLWIND.

I’ve chosen to complete the aircraft in the Temperate Land Scheme, as Whirlwinds would have been seen throughout the early war years and most of 1941.

This is a Whirlwind operated by No. 263 Squadron, coded HE-J. The aircraft was delivered to the squadron, based at Exeter, on 3 January 1941. It did not enjoy a long and illustrious career! On 11 March 1941 it crashed at Prendannack, injuring the pilot P/O Herbert Kitchener DFM (awarded on 6 August 1940 for his actions flying in the Norwegian campaign). It had just 25 flying hours on the airframe at the time.

On 11 March Kitchener had pursued a Ju 88 towards France in bad weather but both his engines were damaged by return fire. He was escorted back to England on one engine by his wingman, but then his remaining (starboard) engine also gave out. Kitchener attempted a landing at Prendannack, then under construction, crashing heavily, breaking his skull and an arm. He did claim the Ju 88 as damaged. The Whirlwind was Struck Off Charge shortly thereafter. Kitchener did not return to flying until September 1941, six months later.

Kitchener is fifth from the left, at the front, with both hands in his pockets, in this photograph, taken at RAF Drem on 30/10/40, not long after his return from the action in Norway.

Kitchener_Drem_30_10_40.png

Here's one of my walkarounds. I was a bit rushed and failed to notice the wheels had rotated unrealistically on a few shots, but hey ho! I have included a pilot figure in approximate 1940 kit simply for scale in a couple of the shots.

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I have no idea what's next, maybe that Italian biplane.
 
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Tim Marlow

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Great result for a great aeroplane.
 

BarryW

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A brilliant result Steve. Much as I am no fan of Special Hobby I do feel tempted, inspired by your build.

as for the ‘Italian biplane’ do you mean the ICM 1/32 CR42 Falco? That’s another I find tempting. At the moment though I am building up a 1/48 multi-engine stash.
 

stona

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Thanks chaps.

Barry, yes, the ICM CR.42. I was going to start it when this kit became available. It's the only other kit I own, so I will probably get it built.

I will eventually build another of these Whirlwinds in the Day Fighter Scheme, assuming that it is still available. The kit didn't put me off! The hardest part was probably the undercarriage, apart from some generally vague fits. I had to drill and pin a couple of the antenna or they would never have stayed in place with a 'wire' under tension. If I built one posed in flight at least the undercarriage shouldn't be a problem :smiling3:

I'm sure you would make a very nice job of it.
 

adt70hk

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Looks good on my phone Steve. Will try and have a proper look later.

ATB.

Andrew
 

prichrd1

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You've worked your magic again. Excellent finish, and as you say looks like a Whirlwind. :thumb2: :thumb2::thumb2:
Will wait for the next instalment - Whirlwind Part II The Day Fighter Scheme!!!! :smiling::tongue-out3::smiling:

Paul.
:smiling:
 

yak face

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Fantastic build steve , a beautiful aircraft . Top work on the figure too he looks excellent, cheers tony
 
D

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Steve. Immaculate in build & finish a lovely straight out of the factory finish.

Something I have never achieved. So sad.

Love the insertion of the pilot nice in execution & imagination.

Next well why not another Whirlwind.

Westland Whirlwind helicopter

Laurie

1623345133283.png
 

stona

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Laurie, my dad converted to helicopters in the 1950s, transitioning from fixed wing aircraft (Sea Fury) to various helicopters.

Here's a picture of my father flying a Whirlwind off Malta, where I spent the first two years of my life!

This is a scan, the original print has a Times of Malta stamp on the back. I vaguely remember my father telling me that the contraption for plucking the casualty from the sea was a Barnes Wallace invention, so maybe that's why they were interested.

helimalta1.jpg

He even managed to crash one into the sea following an engine failure, though everyone survived. His logbook notes 'ditched' and that the flight ended at 12.55. What is remarkable is that he was airborne again, obviously at the controls of a different helicopter, at 16.05. I can't see that happening today.
 
D

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So now Steve you can hardly not build one. Can you ? :smiling2:

We have lived in & through the fastest moving history ever. Things which were were in the front line
superb pieces of engineering obsolete overnight & rapidly disappeared.

Nice that we as the model making fraternity can ensure that they are not forgotten.

Wow so here is one. However 1/72 which may not suit you. But go on give it a go Steve.
Dear old dad will like it.

My dear old dad produced RAF rescue launches for the channel during WW11 must see if they have been produced
in model form.


Laurie
 
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spanner570

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Beautiful work, not only of the helicopter, but the pilot too.

Nice one, Steve.
 
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