Konfrontasi Vol.1

[aro0]

Hi guys, to continue the tradition of British campaigns my next one is the Malayan - Indonesian confrontation from mid 60's, also known as Konfrontasi. Unlike during Malayan emergency in this one the brits faced serious opposition in Indonesian Air Force equipped with most modern soviet machines. Not much air combat took place though. 

 

So let's start with choppers

 

Westland Wessex HU.5, Matchbox kit:

 

 

 

Bristol Belvedere, unfortunately this one is scarce as saffron and the only one I could get my hands on is the venerable Airfix kit, which I had to modify a bit to represent the machine that served with 66th squadron:

 

 

 

[SAT69]

Great looking helicopters. I didn't realize the Royal Navy had camouflaged their helicopters for a campaign.

[Buzby061]

Two nice builds, don't see many Belvederes.

 

As an aside, I read an article in Aeroplane Monthly about the unlovely Belvedere. A Belvedere pilot asked a Wessex pilot if he wanted a trip, the Wessex pilot replied "Fly in it, I wouldn't even stand under it!"

 

Pete

[TheyJammedKenny!]

Awesome builds!  That Belvedere is an awful kit, and you really turned it into a looker--to the extent that a Belvedere can ever be considered attractive.  

 

Was there any air-to-air combat during this campaign?  I think the RAF intercepted an Indonesian C-130, but that was about the extent of it.  Do correct if I'm wrong!

[noelh]

Very nice. Rare to see a Belvedere. Great job on it. 

A late ex RAF work colleague of mine was a crewman on Belvederes in the Indonesian conflict. He wasn't a fan of it, needless to say. He had plenty of stories both funny and grisly. One I remember was of having to wash them out after carrying back the results of a firefight in the jungle.

 

Great to see models featuring that period.

[aro0]

18 hours ago, TheyJammedKenny! said:

Awesome builds!  That Belvedere is an awful kit, and you really turned it into a looker--to the extent that a Belvedere can ever be considered attractive.  

 

Was there any air-to-air combat during this campaign?  I think the RAF intercepted an Indonesian C-130, but that was about the extent of it.  Do correct if I'm wrong!

I did not find any relevant confirmation of an air combat. The AURI lost a C-130, officially shot down by friendly AAA. I think there were some rumours that a Javelin shooting down Indonesian aircraft but this was never officially confirmed. It would have been interesting to see how compared what was then the best world's technology on both sides.

[kapam]

Both beautiful rotary-wing builds!

The Belvedere brings back vague memories of building the Airfix kit in my childhood.

Yours is about 1000% better than what I would have achieved!

The Wessex is awesome.

 

[Wulfman]

A pair of beautiful builds !

 

Wulfman

[YK GOH]

One of my favourite research topics.

Thanks for sharing.

Also wished that Airfix will update its Belvedere one day.

[bigbadbadge]

Wow what a lovely pair of models,  you have done a cracking job on both of these old kits.  I am amazed how good they'll.

Great work and interesting back round info too.

Chris

[dcrfan]

My father worked in the DF hut on the middle of Changi Airfield for a short time during the conflict.  Several times he came home from a shift and explained that aircraft had returned with clear signs of firing their MGs or cannons.  At the time I think Shackeltons were the only offensive aircraft based there the rest being transports. 

[perdu]

Two very lovely helicopters, thanks for sharing them with us