TimV1969 Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 My first 'ready for inspection' on Britmodeller, this a model I started over the Christmas break and just about finished a few weeks ago (although there are still a few tweaks I could do to it): A Westland Rotodyne FA-1, i.e. the larger Rolls-Royce Tyne powered potential production variant, also previously called the Fairey Rotodyne 'Z'. I've chosen to model it as if it entered RAF service in the late 60s, perhaps to meet NATO Basic Military Requirement 4 (NMBR-4) of 1962 for a V-STOL Tactical Transport. I've designated it a 'C.1' on the basis that the RAF would have classified it as a fixed-wing aircraft, thus allowing me to use the fixed-wing tactical transport colour scheme of Dark Earth/Light Stone over black which I prefer to the then-current helicopter scheme of dark green and dark sea grey. I used the David Gibbings book on the Fairey Rotodyne as my main reference - most of the design follows the proposed plans for the FA-1, except that the wings are slightly stubbier and less tapered than that design. This was because the wings use parts from the Revell Transall C-160, which is also where the engines came from. The rest of the model is based on one-and-a-half of the Airfix kits (the half being an incomplete kit I bought on eBay!), with the fuselage suitably lengthened (the easy bit, using a section from the spare fuselage), and also made a scale foot wider (4mm plastic strip between the two halves) and taller (two 2mm strips, above and below the windows), to give the right size fuselage. The interior was also detailed with parts from the C-160, including hanging seats on the fuselage walls that obscured most of the view through the windows. The nacelles are a combination of the Revell ones melded into the Airfix parts at the rear. The rotor blades are suitably lengthened, and at the tips I've portrayed the nine-jet silencer system that was tested at White Waltham before the project was cancelled. I used the Airfix cockpit, although the plans for the FA-1 showed a slighter bigger cockpit. after loading trials in the early 70s for the then-new 105mm Light Gun and Forward-Control Landrover: and a few more photos here: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TimV69/library/Models/Airfix%201-72%20Westland%20Rotodyne%20C1%20XS744?sort=3&page=1 Tim 35 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 That,s a superb idea Tim,great stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboydim Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 What a great model. Superb colour scheme. Excellent finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I really like that! Most Rotodyne what-ifs are just the Airfix kit in a new colour scheme, I've never seen anyone actually do the proposed production version before. Have you got a 'normal' Rotodyne to go with it to show the changes? Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 What a stunning model, well built and beautifully finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggy4624 Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Makes you wonder what kind of an air force we would have had with the rotodyne, tsr2, upgraded lightning, AW 681 and a belfast with big fans and of course buccs and harriers - no yank trash in sight! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louiex2 Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Very nice. I agree with Steve (BritJet) that you have done a great job in modifying the kit(s) to show what the aircraft would probably looked like once in production. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Moore Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Super looking "whiffer"...Way to go by thinking outside the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Brilliant whiffer, the final result is well worth the effort you've put in, Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV1969 Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share Posted July 9, 2015 I really like that! Most Rotodyne what-ifs are just the Airfix kit in a new colour scheme, I've never seen anyone actually do the proposed production version before. Have you got a 'normal' Rotodyne to go with it to show the changes? Steve Unfortunately not! I wish I'd bought an extra one for the stash the last time Airfix re-issued it. I know my dad has one built from the first time it was issued (both my parents worked at Faireys/Westlands, hence my long-term interest in the Rotodyne) but it might be difficult getting them in the same place for photographic purposes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV1969 Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share Posted July 9, 2015 Makes you wonder what kind of an air force we would have had with the rotodyne, tsr2, upgraded lightning, AW 681 and a belfast with big fans and of course buccs and harriers - no yank trash in sight! and the Hawker Siddeley P1154... and just for balance, a Dornier Do31 (although I think the Rotodyne is better, obviously) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The wooksta V2.0 Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 (edited) Awesome! We'd welcome that over on http://www.whatifmodelers.com Edited July 12, 2015 by The wooksta V2.0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kira666 Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 A nice exotic plane. Great job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Cracking build, I've wanted to do one in this scheme but couldn't find a kit. Looks brilliant, nicely done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vtecjack Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Fantastic work .love the light gun too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Great idea, lovely looking model, and now I know what to do with my old Revell kit as well, cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockeyboy76 Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Love that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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