Westland Wessex HAS.1

[Scooter]

Just finished today is my Westland Wessex HAS.1 XS873/523/PO built from the old Frog kit in 1/72. The kit was built OOB but with steel antennas on the fuselage and the tail. The wires were added using EZline, and the decals came from multiple sources. This helicopter came into service in 1966, and spent time based at the Portsmouth Naval Base, and now resides outside (and fading) at the East Midlands Aeropark, Leicestershire, England. The kit was easy enough to build, and then the work of course is trying to make it all better. I think I did a good job with it, but most of all I was able to learn more about the Wessex, which inspired me to look at more of them sometime in the modelling future. Special thanks to Paul Bradley for providing the "hard to find" couple of decals that I needed.

Below is a few pictures of the kit, and of the machine today. This build adds to my growing collection of Royal Navy helicopters.

Enjoy/Cheers all

Adam

Edited February 21, 2010 by Scooter

[PaulBradley]

Great result, Adam! That old Frog kit is actually pretty good, outline-wise, if lacking a lot on the detial front! You've made a very smart job of it.

 

And, you're welcome!

[ghodges]

Nice crisp work! I'd have guessed it was larger than 1/72 if you hadn't mentioned the kit and scale. The antenna work really adds some nice detailing to an otherwise basic build. Congrats!

 

GIL

[Weedeater]

- Love the build Adam. The Wessex is one of my favorite choppers. and you did it justice with the cool paint job. It is also interesting to note how "faded" the real example is. Thanks for posting these pics and Model on, Brother of the Sprue.

[Scooter]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. It was a fun build. I'll try the Italeri and/or the Matchbox next perhaps..

 

Adam