AugustaWestand AW101 Skyfall - 1:72 Italeri

[Julien]

AugustaWestand AW101 Skyfall
1:72 Italeri

The AugustaWestand AW101 is a medium lift helicopter developed in a joint venture between Westland Helicopters and Augusta, commonly know as the Merlin. Originally it was called the EH101 as EH industries was the name of the joint venture company. EH was dropped when Westlands and Augusta merged in 2007.

Like many modern aircraft programmes the gestation for the Merlin has been long, and at some times difficult. As far back as 1977 the UK issued a requirement to replace their ASW Sea Kings which were deemed to be inadequate against the advances in Soviet submarine technology. Westland submitted a proposal for a new three engine helicopter, while at the same time Augusta was looking to replace the Italian Navys own Seakings. Thus the two companies began working together.

The Merlin would follow a conventional helicopter design layout but feature new technologies, including the use of advanced composites. Other features would be an active vibration control system to reduce airframe vibration by up to 80%. A full digital cockpit would be installed along with armoured seats for the crew.

Flight testing of the Merlin continued in the early 1990s with the first order from the UK coming in 1995. Since this date the Merlin has gone into service with the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Danish Air Force, Japan (Military & Civil), Portugal, Algeria, Italy, India, Saudi Arabia and Turkmenistan (VIP Transports).

Skyfall
Well if you have not heard of the latest in the James Bond film franchise, where have you been? Skyfall began filming on November 2011 and premiered in London in October 2012. The films release coincided with the 50th anniversary of the James Bond series.

Skyfall has turned out to be the biggest selling bond film of all time (The first to gross more than $1 billion), the highest selling British Film of all time, and the 7th best selling film of all time. The AW101 features in one area of the movie, and Italeri have used this chance to tie their kit into the movie, this seems to be happening more these days.

The Kit
The kit arrives as 5 sprues in an olive drab plastic and 1 clear sprue. All the parts are well moulded and show no signs of flash. The kit has fine engraved panel lines and fine raised rivet detail. Though given the modular layout I am sure some of these will be lost on construction.

Construction starts shockingly enough with the cockpit Fairly detailed pilots seats are provided, along with both control sticks. All of the instruments on the panels being provided for as decals. You can either use the supplied pilot figures or use decal seat belts for the pilot seats.

Following the cockpit the forward main body of the helicopter is assembled; the seats go into the interior and the upper-deck to hose the rotor head are all placed in and the assembly buttoned up. Then the rear part of the fuselage is assembled and attached.

The next stage is to assemble the tail of the helicopter along with the side sponsons and their enclosed landing gear parts. These are then joined to the main fuselage.

Final stages include the addition of numerous antennas and external parts to the airframe along with a door gunner as seen in the film. The parts for the door gun, and gunner seem to be added onto the main sprue and as such seem to be additional parts for this boxing. After this the rotor blades need attaching the to the main hub. There seems to be a fiddly attachment with 2 additional parts holding the rotor blade in, hopefully this will lead to a strong join. Finally the tail rotor is attached.

Canopy
As this is a helicopter the clear sprue is larger than other kits. The parts are clear if a little thick. There is no evidence of any flash on the parts.

Decals
The only decal option privided with this kit is for the version used in the film.

Conclusion
A nice re-issue from Italeri. Like movies? Like James Bond? Like Models? well this one is for you. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Procopius]

Would the door gun be appropriate for a RAF Merlin as well?

[Raystorm]

Picked one of these up from Hobbycraft a few months ago, they were on sale for a tenner