Lancfans' Wessex HAS.3 *** FINISHED ***

[lancfan]

My build will be the Italeri 1/72 scale Wessex HAS.3, here are the obligatory box & sprue shots ready for Tuesday.



David.

[Stuart]

I reckon that'll be a nice kit David - looking forward to seeing what you make of it.

Cheers

Stuart

[splash]

Nice choice David.

Two points to watch out for, the tail wheel is a weak point and will probably snap off and the tail rotor blades are fitted the wrong way around.

Apart from that its a very nice kit that builds well.

Regards Splash

[lancfan]

I agree Stuart, thanks for the heads up Splash, I'll watch out for the tailwheel and rotor.


David.

[Molly-new]

Yep, a lovely kit, I did it recently in the Revell boxing. Are you sticking with the Falklands scheme?

[lancfan]

I will either build the pre-Falklands blue and yellow or the RAF ASR version.

David.

[splash]

I will either build the pre-Falklands blue and yellow or the RAF ASR version.

David.

As an ex Royal Navel Aircreman I'm bias, they do look good in Blue and Yellow having said that after we gave them to the RAF they did a good job painting them Yellow

Regards Splash

[lancfan]

I have just washed the sprues and when I have gone through the instructions assembly can begin.


David.

[lancfan]

After studying the scale refs for this build I have decided to scratch build the sonar position and leave the side door open, to make this easier I have started work out of sequence in order to bore through the floor levels and still easily ensure that all the holes are in line.



David.

[splash]

Have you seen this link http://www.hmfriends.org.uk/restorwesx3.htm

If I recall correctly the Airfix Seaking kit has a good model of the Type 195 Sonar body included. I have some somewhere if you want one?

The back of the Wessex was very com-packed and not a nice place for the Aircrewman and Observer, if they ditched the Observer had his own window but the Aircrewman had to wait for him to get out before they could exit.

Regards Splash

[lancfan]

Hi Splash, no, I hadn't seen that link (now bookmarked) but have found a good number of different images of XM328 which is the blue/yellow subject of the kit. Thanks for the offer of a sonar buoy but I have a couple spare myself so I'm OK for this build, and yes it doesn't look like a very pleasant place to be when sat back there and not a good place in which to have to wait should the aircraft ditch.


David.

[Stuart]

Looking forward to seeing this come together David

[lancfan]

Have been busy finishing my D-Day build for almost a week but now that that is over I can concentrate on this model, I will continue by assembling the cockpit and scratch building the sonar rig.


David.

[lancfan]

Checking over the AP images I am using for the build I have decided that before I fit out the cockpit and cabin I will fit the quilted roof to the cabin using a piece of plastic card covered in a piece of graph paper ruled in to represent the pattern.


Now fitted in place it should look effective when painted.


The next job was to make up the heating ducts on the port side as these will probably be visible with the side door open.


David.

[splash]

Impressive.

Regards Splash