Skyfall AW-101 - what model Merlin is it?

[AlexB]

Hi all! Had the 2012 Italeri AW-101 Skyfall kit in the stash for a few years but fancy making it up as a UK military helicopter. I can’t decide what model it is actually supposed to be, as there seems to be differences for all of them.

 

Any idea?

[Paul J]

I believe the '007' kit is the same as the Italeri RAF version.

[Troffa]

The aircraft that was flown in the film is AgustaWestland Pre-Production Demonstrator EH101, registered G-17-510. This is a  Utility variant demonstrator with a ramp and dual mainwheels. It is known as "Civ 01" (siv Oh-wun) at Yeovil.  

 

For the crash sequence a large scale model was produced for the film, pictures of which can be found online.

 

The kit is the 1/72 Revell/ Italeri  EH101 HC3, which is closest to the demo version as seen, but many subtle (and not so subtle) differences can be found, such as shape of the Sponsons, shape and length of Engine Exhausts, position and configuration of Doors and Windows...etc.

[AlexB]

 

2 minutes ago, Paul J said:

I believe the '007' kit is the same as the Italeri RAF version.

 

The HC.3??

 

Picture for reference;

 

 

Closest I can find of this profile is the export Mk.610 version... sort of. It's doesn't appear to be HM.1/2 or HC.4

[AlexB]

There seems to be a nice version to do in the Xtradecal X72279 set; 

 

 

The five side windows almost match!

[Troffa]

That Decal sheet is a Demo version, ZR343 it was one of the VVIP aircraft destined for India that got a quick respray, but we won't mention anymore of that.

 

A Mk3 Utility is a good start point, but they were 500 series aircraft, the VVIP and subsequent aircraft are 600 series (initially developed as the US Presidential Helicopter) and are structurally changed, have different engines, tail rotor assemblies, radomes etc. Windows all over the place.

 

Merlin variants are a bit of a rabbit hole which can be very deep!

 

Here's a great shot by Rick Ingham of Civ 01 in Skyfall:

 

Shaken, not stirred

 

And here is an RN Mk3:

 

Shut the door shippers!

 

and this page has a photo of the AW101 VVIP demo with a certain Mr D. Cameron:

 

Nice wheels!

 

 

[Troffa]

And here is the fabulous 1/3 scale model built for the Film, C'est Incrieble!

Model Merlin

[AlexB]

 

4 hours ago, Troffa said:

And here is the fabulous 1/3 scale model built for the Film, C'est Incrieble!

Model Merlin

 I’m now tempted to just build OTB as the Skyfall scheme!!

[Troffa]

It's a great scheme- here's the behind the scenes footage with Westland test pilot Andy Strachan at the controls. 

 

Skyfall Behind the scenes

[wellsprop]

It's Civ 01, a pre production series 500 101. 

 

HOWEVER, it is not representative of a series 500 aircraft as it has loads of modifications, its also not representative of a series 600. Its basically one of the old airframes with loads of extras bolted on as it's a test aircraft. 

 

A noticeable difference is the tail rotor. It should have the later fully articulated tail rotor, as opposed to the earlier teetering tail rotor. 

 

The HC3 Merlins and Navy Merlins alike had teetering tail rotors in the early 2000s until they were replaced with a better design. 

 

Ben

[AlexB]

I'm now gutted to learn that it was filmed on Hankley Common!

I'd always believed it was actually in Scotland!

[wellsprop]

Here's some Bond trivia, according to wiki, the Bond films Die Another Day and The World Is Not Enough also had scenes filmed on Hankley Common.