Search the Community

Wessex HAS.3 XP142 aka "Humphrey" pics thanks to Merlin101.

I wish to make a RAF HC2 Wessex to go with the Whirlwind I did so have decied to use the old Novo kit and the matchbox offering to produce the HC2 which differs in the HU5 in many different ways but as people who know me will realise that I dont go to far into accuracy just looking right to me is good enough. I used the Novo because it has the smaller cabin windows and the matchbox because it has the nose cockpit is representative not an accuret reproduction. Nose seperated from Matchbox kit Novo marked ready for cutting The nose was to thin at the bottom so a pirece of plastic as inserted to widen it and then filed to shape. Nose fits very well very little filler is going to be required Rodders

A quick christmas build that turned out to be more protracted than expected. I've still a few bits and pieces to finish but it's mostly done. WIP thread can be found here. I don't usually do dioramas but following a walk the other day I thought it might be good to show the copter in one of it's natural environments. Bonus point to anyone who recognises the backdrop. And.. Apologies for the top shot, it isn't exactly the best photo ever but it looks like the sort of crappy instamatic photo I would have taken as a kid if I'd come across this when out for a walk so I couldn't resist including it. Cheers Liam

Thanks Andrew : http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234955042-italeri-2014/ After the Wessex HAS.3 (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234940477-148-westland-wessex-has3-by-italeri-released/page-1) Italeri is to release in 2014 a 1/48th Westland Wessex HAS.1 kit - ref.2744. Source: http://www.italeri.com/imgup/Preview%202014_LR(1).pdf V.P.

It's been a long time in the making, but here at last is my 1/72 Wessex Mk. 31B. She is built as a tribute to my father, who served aboard the carrier HMAS Melbourne and at the Naval Air Station Nowra, and would no doubt have encountered her at times during his career. The rotor fold and tail fold are both scratch-built with varying degrees of success and frustration from plastic card. Primary paints used are Mr Hobby H1 (white) and H 328 (Blue) which appear to be quite a good match for the original. I wasn't as impressed with the aftermarket RAN decals, in particular the yellows and blues were quite coarse. I assume they they were a "bad batch" as they came from a reputable maker. The original build thread is here: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234935730-172-italeri-wessex-ran/ Thanks for looking.

We don't normally have a thread dedicated to a single airframe but Mike Costello has kindly provided a lot of pictures of Westland Wessex HAS.3 XM328 as it is being restored at the Helicopter Museum in Weston-Super-Mare.

Hi all My christmas project for this year, Italeri's new(ish) 1/48 Wessex. From what I've seen so far it's a nicely detailed kit with the bonus of photo etch for some bits. I've made a start with the cockpit and my only criticism so far has been the design of the seats, which don't seem quite right to me. Anyway, this is what I started out with yesterday: The keen eyed amongst you will spot the Wonderland sticker. You get 4 grey sprues and one clear one, plus a small piece of etch and some plastic grille the purpose of which will no doubt become apparent as the build goes on. Some cutting and fettling later and I came to this: I decided to try "blacken it" to finish the etch as it was all going to be a grey/black colour and I have to say it was quite straightforward to use. Much easier that painting the etch and then scraping half of it off as you fit it. I'm mostly doing this build OOB but have added a few fripperies to the cockpit, being a bit of wiring and a small fire extinguisher. I've also added a fabric texture to the seats (don't know if this is accurate but I liked it) using white glue and tissue. I feel these add a little something. The whole thing has had a bit of dry brushing and a couple of dark and light washes just to bring some detail out. Next update soon Cheers Liam

I've been up to the Heli-museum and taken some more photos today. Hopefully they will be useful for anyone building the 1:48 Westland Wessex. The images below are of a Westland Wessex seat, which has been temporarily removed from a Wessex under restoration. The seat is from a Wessex 60, a civvie version of the Wessex 5, however the only detail difference is the seat cushion and backrest. The framework is the same as a 5. I'll get the originals posted in the Walkaround Section for the Wessex. HTH Mike Seat pan folded up (allows crewman in cabin to stick head up into the cockpit area while talking to pilot).

Wessex HU.5 Etch Internal & External Detail Sets 1:72 Eduard for Italeri Kit The Wessex seems to be a favourite here on Britmodeller and has received most notable attention from Italeri’s recent 1/48 offering. Not to forget their excellent 1/72 kit, Eduard have produced these sets to spruce up the already great little kit. There are three sets, the ‘Interior’ set, ‘Zoom Interior’ offering a budget alternative and ‘Exterior’ set. Obviously, the limitations in plastic moulding and the need to provide a kit that appeals to the widest audience means that whilst the basic kit from Italeri is pretty good from the box, there have been compromises on detail which Eduard have addressed for those with an appetite to address this. Set 73458 Interior S.A set There are two frets contained in this pack, the first being pre-painted and with a self adhesive backing (hence called S.A.). The second being a plain brass sheet. The pre-painted sheet gives a good improvement to the cockpit and cabin area. A new centre console and front panel are provided as well as seat belts for all the seats (2 cockpit, 8 cabin). The side walls and front / rear bulkheads get the etch treatment too, the front sidewalls having prominent perforated sections. Additional detail such as switch panels, levers and rudder pedals make up the rest of the pack. Set SS458 (Zoom Interior) This pack contains just the Self Adhesive pre-painted fret including seatbelts and cockpit panels. If you’re planning to have the cabin doors closed, this is a good option to consider. Set 72560 Exterior This is a very comprehensive set, particularly as the Wessex has lots...and lots of sticky out bits that are hard to replicate in scale out of plastic. There are many mesh grills around the airframe, in particular, the tail assembly, engine and nose intake. The nose intake requires the flat sheet to be pressed into a rounded profile, shown in the diagram using a ball bearing or similar, however they should offer a significant improvement for 1/72 scale authenticity. The multitude of grab handles, foot plates, access panels and strengthening plates are included with good clear instructions as to their locations. A replacement winch is included and the set wouldn’t be complete without enhancements to both the main and rear rotor hubs. Conclusions I’ve been meaning to get one of these kits for a while. Getting my hands on these improvements has given me the motivation to do it. The Wessex airframe is one that will really get benefit from etch enhancements, bringing the airframe alive with mouth watering detail both inside and out. Care will need to be taken handling your build with so many small protruding parts, but if you’re already used to using etch, this will be nothing unfamiliar. Highly recommended for Wessi fans !! Review sample courtesy of

Wessex HU.5 XT765, A Falklands War Veteran. Pics thanks to Merlin101 Info from the FAA Museum Web Site;

I know, I'm mad but I've decided to add another Wessex to the GB! This one will be, hopefully, a Wessex HAS.3 similar to Humphrey fame although I shall probably do it in the pre-Falklands blue-grey and yellow livery. The fuselage has been glued together however there will need to be some considerable modifications to make this HC.2 into a HAS.3 The nose will need filing down to Mk.1 shape; then the large exhaust outlet holes will need to be filled; as will the window in the door. Following that, I shall scratchbuild a dorsal spine and radome, plus the 'upper lip' for the nose. Making a start on the nose by filing off the large intake cover. The nose has been attached and is ready to be worked on, to get the correct shape The nose has been filed to shape and the large exhaust opening has been filled. Tailplane also added. I won't need to make the cutout in the nose, or add the mesh as I did with the Mk.1 build, as this area will be covered by the 'upper lip' which is a recognisable part of the HAS.3 version The window in the door has been sealed, ready to be filled, as there is no window on the door of the HAS.3 I plan to give the model a covering of primer tomorrow, to check for any problems, and then will proceed onto the spine etc. Never done one before so that should be fun! cheers Mike

Westland Wessex 60, a civilian version as Operated by Bristow Helicopters. Pics by Bootneck Mike.

After the Wessex HU.5 (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234919868-148th-italeri-wessex-hu5/?hl=wessex) here's the box art of the soon Italeri's 1/48th Westland Wessex HAS.3 - ref.2732. Source: https://www.facebook.com/ItaleriModelKit V.P.

Wessex HAS Mk.3 Etch Detail Set for the Italeri Kit 1:72 Eduard Various renditions of the Italeri Wessex have been progressed from the original tooling back in the 90’s. On the whole, it’s quite a pleasant kit with a nicely detailed cockpit and exterior, although lacks detail in the rear cabin area. I’ve also read that the rotors are set to turn the wrong way too. So let’s see what Eduard have provided to take the loveable Wessex further. Set 73464 (interior & Exterior) Providing two etch frets, you get one of them pre painted with the self adhesive backing. Below is a listing of what is included in the set, but I can’t help but feel that Eduard have missed a trick here. Following the recent review of the set they’ve released for the Cyber Hobby Sea King, I was hoping (or maybe expecting) a rear interior to address the kits lack of one. Unfortunately that hasn’t been included, probably for cost reasons so hopefully it will be released as a separate set at some point in the future. The instructions are clear and thorough, a copy of which can be viewed as PDF on the page shown in the 'Buy Now' link. So, with that little grumble out of the way, here’s a list of what is included: Pre-painted etch Seatbelts for the cockpit seats Floor panels and centre console Rudder pedals, multi-layered main panel Overhead panel located between the upper windows Unpainted etch Cockpit side wall framework Cockpit access door framework Detailed winch assembly enhancing kit winch Grill lattice around rotor hub Cockpit wind screen wipers Main gear oleo scissors Vast amount of grill panels, handles, hinges, antennas, reinforcement plates Foot plates for cockpit access Zoom Set SS464 With this budget set, you get the pre-painted fret containing the items listed and photographed above. Conclusion The cockpit will receive a great makeover with either of the sets reviewed, but the expanse of external improvements will have a huge impact on the look of your build in a way that would be very hard to replicate using plastic / scratch building in 1/72 small scale. It’s great to see Eduard giving the classic Royal Navy such attention recently. Review sample courtesy of

Hi all Have just got round to photographing this one. Not much to say about the kit that has not already been said. I really enjoyed this build seem to be developing a liking for 1/48 helicopters. Finished with humbrol enamels and oil paint washes, also first time I have used ez line. Thanks for looking Jon

Hi Britmodellers, In recent finished Wessex models, I have observed one of the main rotorblades to be sprayed completely yellow on the top. I would like to ask the Wessex specialists to please inform me on the colorcode of the main rotorblades (top and underside) and the tailrotor from RN and RAF birds. 4+ publication is not clear on the matter. Your help is much appreciated, Dirk The Netherlands

Hello guys, This is my effort with the new 1/48th Italeri Wessex HU5. built as a Falklands war veteran. The references for this actual bird seem to be slim pickings and the Italeri research is questionable. Nevertheless the kit builds nicely and I added a few touches of my own. The main cabin received pipework & cabling as well as seatbelts and some gear to make it look busier. The aerials, tie down rings & hoses were added where I thought necessary and I scratchbuilt something that looks like a cargo sling. The twin aerial lines are EZYline elastic. I hope you like her. Cheers. Andrew

New 1/48th Westland Wessex Xtradecal sheet ref. X48111. Due Late August 2012. - HC.2 XS674/H 78 Sqn RAF Khormaksar, Aden 1966; - HC.2 XV726/J 'Jennifer' 72 Sqn RAF Odiham 2002; - HAR.2 XT680 84 Sqn RAF Akrotiri 2002; - HAR.2 XT601 SAR Flight RAF Muhurraq, Bahrein 1979; - HAR.2 XR504 B Flight 22 Sqn RAF Leuchars 1990; - HU.5 XT479/W-X/VL 707 NAS RNAS Yeovilton 1977; - HU.5 XT770 VIP aircraft 781 NAS 1979 'Green Parrot'; - HU.5 XS241 RAE Farnborough 1986 Raspberry Ripple. Source: http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/X48111 V.P.

Heritage Aviation is working on a new 1/48th Westland Wessex full kit (so not only on a correction or upgrade set for the soon reissued Revell kit). A glimpse at this project: http://www.heritagea...st-news-2-w.asp V.P.

A honorable member of this forum, davepb, has designed a interesting correction/upgrade set for the old and to be reissued soon 1/48th Westland Wessex HAS.3 kit. This set is available via Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Revell-Wessex-HA...=item2318f49f5a --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also of interest a nose correction set suitable for naval HU.5's, RAF HC.2's, HAR.2's & HCC.4's http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Revell-Westland-...=item2318e8402c Source: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.p...topic=234911215 V.P

WESTLAND WESSEX HC Mk.2 XR525 pics from Julien. airframe at Cosford