Corgi 1/72 Westland Whirlwind HAR Mk10 RAF Search and Rescue

[adey m]

Corgi released this model in their Aviation Archive series in 2011 in the markings of 22 Squadron Search and Rescue at RAF Finningley.

 

The bright yellow Rescue Whirlwinds from RAF Leconfield in East Yorkshire were a familiar sight to me as they flew up and down the Yorkshire coast in the 1970s where they were ready to come to the aid of anyone who needed help, including me and my step dad. My step dad had acquired a large powerful rubber rib boat and he decided that we would take it out into the sea at Robin Hoods Bay one Saturday afternoon. So we launched it in front of a large audience in the bay and just myself and my step dad set off, my mother and sister had more sense and stayed on the beach. Out in the bay the motor cut out and would not restart and we ended up having to row this large heavy boat back to shore with the oars that were only about 3 feet long. And then this RAF Rescue Whirwind suddenly appeared over the bay heading home from a mission, they flew right over us, had a look and must have decided we were okay and carried on home for their tea.

We eventually got back to the beach and our audience.

 

And when I was in the Air Cadets we went out on a RAF Rescue launch which was based in Bridlington harbour and met up with a Rescue Whirwind off Flamborough where some poor chap had to keep falling into the sea to be picked up by the Whirwind and deposited back on the launch. Happy memories.

 

Corgi did a very fine job of the Whirlwind considering the constraints of it being a die cast metal model. So I proceeded to take it apart as usual to do my thing to it.

 

 

So, remove the caps covering the screws under the fuselage, remove the screws and the fuselage comes apart. The breakdown of the fuselage parts allows Corgi to make other versions using the basic fuselage casting, with the nose and cabin sides being interchangeable. We can see the fuselage under panel where I am attempting to file off the Corgi stamping. We also have the black plastic cabin floor, the plastic seats which are not required, the plastic cockpit roof which is glued to the fuselage and has to be removed very carefully, the instrument panel and crew.

 

 

We can just see the cabin insulation and the transmission tunnel. Doorway handle from fuse wire.

 

I added detail to the cockpit and repainted it. I added cabin sound insulation by glueing silver foil to the cabin roof and sides and painting interior green. I also added a transmission shaft tunnel and found a suitable 1960s crew man for the cabin.

 

And then I put it all back together again, added aerials and repainted parts of the airframe.

 

And here she is  ................

 

 

Wheeled out of the hangar onto the apron.

 

 

Engine testing

 

 

 

On readiness at RAF Scarborough waiting to go to the assistance of people in boats, on cliffs and in the hills, and the occasional jet jockey who decides to take a bath in the North Sea.

 

 

It is always a good idea to have a road map in the cockpit.

 

 

Someone needs assistance, launch the Whirlwind.

 

 

Jet pipe temperature good, oil pressures good, engage rotors

 

 

Starter trolley unplugged, give the man a wave and tell him to get away, clear to take-off on runway 220 ................... eh

 

 

Power on and off we go .......... and don't forget to bring back some fish and chips ...................

 

 

Taxiing in on return to base

 

 

My little airfield diorama. Buildings made from paper card, Airfix Landrover, BW Models white metal kits crash trucks, and Oxford diecast cars.

 

And that has been my Corgi Aviation Archive Westland Whirlwind HAR Mk10, hope you liked it.

 

regards, adey

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 23, 2020 by adey m

[Neil.C]

I loved it!

 

A model and diorama that told a story. 

 

Very nice Adey. 

[Booty003]

Another cracker Adey, the take off photo with the blurred rotors is a lovely touch and the whole diorama is just fab.

 

I will have to post up my TSR-2 repaints.

 

Phil

[adey m]

23 hours ago, Booty003 said:

the take off photo with the blurred rotors is a lovely touch

Thank you Phil, no photo trickery here, the model's rotors are actually spinning. It took me a few attempts to get it right,  I had to hold the quite heavy model with finger and thumb by the extreme end of the tail boom, making sure to keep them out of the way of the spinning main rotor, check through camera lens that it is positioned nicely relative to background, spin the main rotor, try to focus camera on model while trying to hold it steady and in correct position, make sure fingers not visible and press the camera shutter button. ...phew

 

regards, adey

Edited May 23, 2020 by adey m