crobinsonh Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Hi, What differences are there between the RAF/Airfix HC3 Merlin and a Royal Marine Commando Merlin? Is there any after market to support this? Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troffa Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Assuming you want to model a Mk4 Merlin, as opposed to one of the interim Mk3i Aircraft; as the Mk3 formed the basis for the Mk4, you are not too far away. The MK4 Merlin has a "Glass" Cockpit similar to the Mk2, which has 5 large displays and two Touch Screen Displays- these are quite prominent and would need to be considered in 1/48. the Airfix Mk3 has the pre-conversion standard panels. A Folding Main Rotor Head and Folding Tail, and the fully Articulated Tail Rotor or "ATR" are the other main differences. The antenna fit is different and would need looking at. No aftermarket is available as far as I am aware, but as the Aircraft will be in service for 20 years, and will regularly deploy on HMS Queen Elizabeth I suspect that may well change. Cheers, Troffa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 On 28/01/2018 at 8:57 PM, crobinsonh said: Hi, What differences are there between the RAF/Airfix HC3 Merlin and a Royal Marine Commando Merlin? Is there any after market to support this? Thanks, Grrrrr Its a ROYAL NAVY/ FLEET AIR ARM Commando Merlin not Bootneck although better than being called RAF .....with RN clearly painted on the side tho. Plenty of Bootneck aircrew tho. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitewolf Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 I'll be interested to see if Airfix re-relesse this kit in RN form with any modifications required. I must admit the HC4 looks much better in Green than the new RN grey scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 4 minutes ago, Stealthman said: I'll be interested to see if Airfix re-relesse this kit in RN form with any modifications required. I must admit the HC4 looks much better in Green than the new RN grey scheme. I don't I brought the RAF one hoping conversion parts would follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitewolf Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 IT would be Nice, but we've been waiting years for conversion sets for other more popular subjects. Airfix are releasing a new Victor K2 kit rather than just issuing a set of parts for the existing B2 kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 21 hours ago, Stealthman said: I'll be interested to see if Airfix re-relesse this kit in RN form with any modifications required. I must admit the HC4 looks much better in Green than the new RN grey scheme. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the merlin mk 4 and 4a will be grey just like the mk2....looks ok ....only not green someone said it was to reconnect with our amphbious heritage....the cynic in me says its cheaper. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitewolf Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 4 hours ago, junglierating said: I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the merlin mk 4 and 4a will be grey just like the mk2....looks ok ....only not green someone said it was to reconnect with our amphbious heritage....the cynic in me says its cheaper. Yes, not sure exactly why the grey scheme has been adopted? Interim HC4s sailed on HMS Ocean last year in the green scheme and looked pretty impressive on her deck with Chinnoks and Apaches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 17 hours ago, Stealthman said: Yes, not sure exactly why the grey scheme has been adopted? Interim HC4s sailed on HMS Ocean last year in the green scheme and looked pretty impressive on her deck with Chinnoks and Apaches Hmm they would been i mk3s /mk3i depends which way you wanna spin it...interim mk3 with folding(occasionally) head but not folding tails....hence interim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 23 hours ago, junglierating said: ....only not green someone said it was to reconnect with our amphbious heritage....the cynic in me says its cheaper. What arrant nonsense. When in our "amphibious heritage" did the FAA ever have grey assault helicopters (excepting re-roled ASW aircraft in the Falklands)? I think the cynic in you may be right. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitewolf Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 2 hours ago, Seahawk said: What arrant nonsense. When in our "amphibious heritage" did the FAA ever have grey assault helicopters (excepting re-roled ASW aircraft in the Falklands)? I think the cynic in you may be right. Yep, no rational reason for the adoption of an overall grey, although strangely enough we seem to be copying the US Marines, whose Jolly Green Giants, along with just about everything else are now Grey...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plasto Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Isn’t grey a more generic camo for a number of potential operating environments than say green??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 36 minutes ago, Plasto said: Isn’t grey a more generic camo for a number of potential operating environments than say green??? Hmm possibly but since we don't do eagle bases anymore and operate out of a mob then it may as well be sky blue pink....under the current climate I think we should be grateful that we have the RAF's cast offs...but that's another subject. I think you are probably right plasto ...just right for coming in from the sea on a DS day to launch steely eyed bootnecks and let'em do their stuff .....etc. etc. It could of course be the cheap thing to do...paint or engines ..paint or gearbox .....paint or well you fill in the blanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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