Dream Model 1/72 SA 365 Fi Dauphin 2 - DONE

[Dermo245]

Hi all,

So with the Seasprite almost done and summer holidays here, I thought I would give this one go - while the kit is a 565 Panther, I'm going to build it as a 365 Fi Dauphin.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Box by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Fuselage sprue

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Sprue_1 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Second sprue

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Sprue_2 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Resin & PE

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Sprue_3 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Clear parts

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Sprue_4 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Two beautiful decal schemes 

Dream Model Dauphin_decals_2 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Dream Model Dauphin_decals_1 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

And a two-page instruction sheet..

 

Dream Model Dauphin_instructions by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Even thought the box scheme is wonderful, I'm going to finish her as an Irish Air Corps machine similar to this.

 

Aerospatiale_SA-365F_Dauphin_2_Irish_Air_Corps by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

(Photo: Gary Watt - Wikipedia Commons; usage allowed)

 

This build is also going to be a tribute to the crew of Dauphin 248, "Rescue 111" who lost their lives during a Search & Rescue mission in 1999.

 

Thanks for looking and more later.

Cheers,
Dermot

 

Edited October 3, 2020 by Dermo245
Fixing mistakes

[Tim Moff]

cool choice Dermot - nice scheme as well and great tribute.

[Valkyrie]

Hi Dermot, I just read up on the incident, such a tragedy, but be nice to remember them in this way. 
Nice model too, I quite fancy the dream model Dauphin kits, I think you might have pointed me in their direction before actually. Will like seeing this come together 

[Pappy]

Noice!

 

[Dermo245]

Thanks all and a little bit started on this one. By way of some background to the Dauphin in Irish Service...

 

"From about 1980 onwards, due to increased SAR commitments, the Irish Air Corps had a requirement for a modern helicopter which would replace the Alouette III. This requirement was for a short-range, twin-engine helicopter equipped with the latest navigation, radar and flight control systems which would be capable of carrying out maritime SAR missions in adverse weather conditions, by day and night. The Irish Naval Service also had a requirement for a helicopter to operate from the patrol vessel, L.E. Eithne which was due to enter service in 1984. Following an evaluation of various types including the Westland Lynx, the DOD announced that five Dauphin 2s had been ordered to meet requirements."

The Irish Air Corps - an illustrated history. J Maxwell & P. J. Cummins.

 

Left-half of fuselage..

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_1 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr
 

Using a handy RB Productions microsaw, I cut open the rear door.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_2 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

While there's great detail on this kit, for some reason Dream Model don't give you anything for the main cabin. Or collective controls for up front either....frustrating. Those will have to come from spares and scrap plastic.

 

Some more later!

Cheers,
Dermot

 

[Jabba]

Nice choice. It is strange that many model companies give you lots of details that you can hardly see, but the stuff that is plain sight is not given at all.

[desert falcon]

Good choice of heli Dermot, looking forward to see it as an Irish Air Corps machine!

[Dermo245]

"On June 25, 1986, the first and third Dauphin 2s (Nos. 244 and 246) were delivered to the Irish Air Corps at Baldonnel, Dublin. The second Dauphin (245) was delivered on July 18 with four and five (247 and 248) delivered on December 19th. The five entered service with SAR Squadron, No. 3 Support Wing. 244 and 245 were also operated by the Naval Support Squadron and engaged in operational training on L.E. Eithne throughout October and November 1986."

The Irish Air Corps - an illustrated history. J Maxwell & P. J. Cummins.

 

Painted the insides of the main doors, cabin and instrument panel. 

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_3 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Also found a couple of bench seats in the spares and made some bags for the cabin to make it look a little more busy.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_6 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Fuselage all joined up. I've also added a cable in the cabin ceiling. The fit was really tight in places but less great around the tail.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_7 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Time for a nose job! The resin supplied with the kit includes the nose, a fuel dump pipe and harpoon for deck landings - I won't be using the harpoon as it wasn't fitted to 248.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_8 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

A little fettling and happy with that!

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_9 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking.

Dermot

[Dermo245]

"The first maritime SAR mission by a Dauphin took place on March 10, 1987 when an injured fisherman was winched off a Spanish trawler in the Atlantic, 80 miles off the west coast of Ireland. A total of 40 SAR and 15 Air Ambulance missions were flown during that year. Throughout 1988, there was widespread criticism in the media and national parliament about the suitability of the Dauphin to carry out SAR operations by night in comparison with the Sea King. These criticisms ignored the fact that the Dauphin was a short-range helicopter acquired as a replacement for the Alouette III and for shipborne operations. Despite difficulties & commitments, a number of pilots and aircrew qualified for night SAR with the first night rescue occurring on July 29, 1988. A Dauphin was also deployed to Shannon airport in October that year to enable crews gain experience over the Atlantic for maritime SAR ops of the west coast. A total of 78 SAR missions were carried out in 1988 with 41 lives saved."

The Irish Air Corps - an illustrated history. J Maxwell & P. J. Cummins.

 

So all buttoned up and starting to mask, ready for primer.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_9_build by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Primer on..

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_9 primer by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

White parts painted and also as a primer for the red to follow.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_9 paint by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking and hope you don't mind the backstory with each post..

All the best,
Dermot

[Andwil]

Looking good Dermot.  The backstory is interesting and certainly gives context to the model.

 

AW

[CliffB]

This is going to be a very attractive model Dermot (and a thumbs up from me too for the backstory).

[Valkyrie]

Very neat good work 

Interior is very smart too 

[Jabba]

Looking very good. No problems with backstory, always adds a bit of interest in the build.

[Dermo245]

"In 1989, a Government Review Group recommended that a Dauphin by deployed to Shannon Airport to provide 24hr SAR cover for the West Coast of Ireland. Additionally, it was recommended that two medium-ranged helicopters be purchased for the Air Corps or in the interim, a private contract should be negotiated as a matter of urgency. A Dauphin was also recommended be based at Finner Camp to provide 24 hr cover for the North West. 1989 was the busiest year for SAR missions for the Helicopter Flight since their establishment in 1964. with 105 missions being flown and 66 lives saved."

The Irish Air Corps - an illustrated history. J Maxwell & P. J. Cummins.

 

Hi all and got the paint finished on this. Some areas still to tidy up where my masking wasn't the best but overall, happy enough.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_11 

 

Thanks for looking and more soon!

Cheers,

Dermot

[Dermo245]

"On the night of April 4 1991, an Air Corps Dauphin & RAF Sea King winched 66 people from a French factory ship grounded on rocks in Galway Bay. For this action, both crews were awarded the highest honour by the Shipwrecked Mariners Society of London. Through that year, Dauphins carried out a total of 80 SAR missions including 17 by night. In July that year, a Sikorsky S-61N from a commercial operator began a 24 hr medium range SAR service from Shannon Airport. Following deployment of Dauphins to the west coast, the Air Corps could only operate a daylight SAR service for the east coast region using the fleet of Alouette IIIs. In November 1995, the sinking of a trawler at night and death of a fisherman off Howth Harbour, Dublin prompted another Ministerial review of SAR services for the east. By December, the Air Corps operated 24 hour cover, with the Alouette III by day and a Dauphin by night."

The Irish Air Corps - an illustrated history. J Maxwell & P. J. Cummins.

 

So the decals are down and she's resting while the glue on the gear dries. The decals are by Max Decals and didn't really behave - they're long OOP and I got them second-hand so that might be something to do with it. Anyhow, happy with progress and in the home stretch now.

 

Dream_Model_Dauphin Wip_13 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking,

Dermot

[Jabba]

Looks very good, certainly a different colour scheme from the usual.

[Valkyrie]

It’s looking great Dermot, the grey is spot on and well done on the tricky other colours 

[Dermo245]

Thanks for the feedback all, appreciate it. 👍

With the book extracts, I just wanted to give some (very) brief insight on the Dauphin in Irish service.

 

"The interim 1996 Review recommended SAR coverage on the east coast be carried out by the Air Corps' existing Dauphin fleet with a subsequent recommendation for leasing a medium-range SAR helicopter for  24 hr, all-weather service. On July 1st 1998, a Sikorsky S-61N operated by a commercial operator began medium-range SAR ops from Dublin Airport. Earlier Department reviews had recommended 24hr cover for the south & south-east by the Air Corps based at Waterford Regional Airport. While this was originally planned for July 1st 1998, a shortage of qualified Air Corps pilots meant this was not possible. 'Dawn-to-Dusk' cover by Alouette IIIs was provided out and a Dauphin was to be deployed with a year."

 

So with the decals done and another coat of Klear, on with the wash.

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_14 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

And after. I took most of it off as these SAR machines were kept clean.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_15 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Then started adding all the last bits like aerials and the searchlight under the left side door - used a bit of sprue for this.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_16 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

The winch was scratched from a bomb and sanded to shape. It's got a distinct edge on the inner-side so stuck on some plastic card and blended that in. It's maybe a little undersized but close enough for me.

 

Dream Model Dauphin_Wip_17 by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr

 

Take care and happy modelling.

Dermot

[Gremlin]

nice project!!!! well done

 

 

cheers

[Col.]

This one's looking great and getting close to finished in fine style Dermot.

[Dermo245]

So with the last bits added, the Dauphin is done.

 

 

The 1st July 1999 was a memorable day for the Air Corps and the communities of the South East and South coasts. After many false dawns and empty promises, they were finally getting a locally-based, dedicated 24hr SAR service. Dauphin 248 was deployed to Waterford Airport, leaving Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel early that morning for the short flight to Waterford.

It was a busy day for the four-man crew and their three-man technical crew, with an official launch attended by a number of VIPs. The aircraft also performed a publicity flight for TV News, as well as a training exercise over the sea, to the Southeast of Tramore. By 4pm that afternoon, the detachment finally got to their temporary accommodation. Typical of the time, they were expected to work on a ‘self-catering’ basis. Despite a long lead-in time to the deployment, a dedicated accommodation block for the crew was still not built.

 

 

At 21:02, the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Dublin, contacted the SAR Waterford detachment, with initial details of its first mission. The total Flight Duty Period (FDP) of the crew at the time of launch decision was 14 hrs 30 mins. The tasking involved a 15 foot yellow boat, which had become lost off Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, in very bad visibility with a sick child aboard. MRCC tasked the Helvick Inshore Lifeboat and the Dauphin crew from  Waterford. The Lifeboat went to the scene, but was initially unable to find the casualty as the Lifeboat was not radar equipped. The Dauphin with callsign 'Rescue 111',was launched to help in locating the casualty, with its on-board radar equipment. In the event, Helvick Lifeboat located the casualty and subsequently requested the helicopter to provide navigational assistance back to Helvick Pier, as the Lifeboat’s GPS navigation system was not functioning correctly. During the mission, the crew were advised that the weather conditions at Waterford Airport were deteriorating and the Aircraft Commander decided to return to base.

 

Such were the conditions that the crew carried out two unsuccessful Instrument Landing System (ILS) approaches to Runway (RWY) 21 at Waterford Airport and carried out a go-around after each one. The crew then advised Waterford Control Tower that they were then going to carry out a “coastal approach”. At 23:35, in its last significant transmission, the crew advised MRCC “We’ve had to overshoot Waterford Airport due to weather, we can’t get in. We’re doing an approach to Tramore Bay this time and if we can get down, we’re going to land in the bay area somewhere”. MRCC acknowledged this and requested to be kept updated. This was acknowledged by the crew at 23:35:50 hrs, in what was to be the final message.

During a probable go-around from this approach, ‘Rescue 111’ impacted sand dunes, some 14 metres high, adjacent to Tramore Strand.

There were no survivors.

At the time of the accident the crew had been on duty for 16 hrs 40 mins.

 

The Irish Air Corps - an illustrated history. J Maxwell & P. J. Cummins.

 

 

The 301 Squadron badge features the Celtic cross of St Brendan the Navigator and the North star. This was kindly donated to me by a good friend and fellow modeller - thank you.

 

Postscript

This summer, me and the family spent a lovely couple of weeks in Dunmore East on the South Coast. The weather was superb and we spent one day in Tramore. On the panorama below, you can make out the Waterford airport buildings (on the left of picture below the cloud) and the dunes at Tramore on the extreme right

 

 

A monument commemorates the crew on the Promenade in Tramore. It is usually adorned with flowers and is inscribed with the names of the crew; Capt Dave O’Flaherty, Capt Mick Baker, Sgt Paddy Mooney and Cpl Niall Byrne.

 

Tramore Rescue 111 Memorial by 

 

 

We stayed for a moment and gave our thanks.

On our way back to our holiday home, the current Waterford SAR S-92 passed us on our way and my son managed to grab a quick pic.

 

 

In the Church on the base at Baldonnel, one of the stained glass windows commemorates the crew and includes the SAR motto - Go Mairidis Beo - That Others May Live.

 

 

 

Thanks everyone for following this one (and putting up with all the reading) and will post some more pics in the Gallery.

Take care, stay safe and happy modelling.

Dermot

Edited March 15, 2022 by Dermo245
Fixing photo links

[Col.]

A fitting tribute Dermot. Thank you for sharing their story and your model with us.

[desert falcon]

Another great build for this GB from your side Dermot and as Col. says a fitting tribute !! 

[Jinxman]

Nice one - 👍

[nimrod54]

A very nice model Dermot, and a great way of honouring a very brave crew.