gengriz Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Finished my first March build ! This very quick refurb of an older kit literally occurred to me on Sunday night, with most work done yesterday. It's a Matchbox Wessex, originally built by me in early 1988 when this kit first appeared. It's had a general spruce-up and repair, repaint of some inaccurate areas (like the blades, pilot, exhausts), wire aerials added and a new set of decals for an aircraft from HMS HERMES in 1974, evacuating British Nationals from the war-torn beaches of Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus. A fast but well worthwhile restoration of this old kit! (My HERMES deck backgound reappears for the first time in years) ... and a "before picture: 41 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) My dad’s brother’s family was evacuated from the town of Karavas in this chopper, in July 1974. He gained his US citizenship in the sixties in the US and had recently moved back to Cyprus. He lost everything including a brand new beach front home. He was evacuated at a US “Weather station” without credentials however an “employee” at the weather station approved him from evacuation. My uncle had lived in the hills for several days prior to the departure. He recalled a few encounters with Turkish F-100’s along the way. Thank you for posting. Edited March 2, 2021 by 28ZComeback 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) What a superb refurb, it looks really nice....... a proper Junglie!! Cheers Tony Edited March 2, 2021 by tonyot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swralph Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Lovely work.😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Wonderful Wessex, great modelling ! Wulfman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 I was with 845 NAS, onboard HMS Hermes, at that time and your Wessex looks spot on. Excellent refurb. Mike 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mig88 Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 That's the Matchbox kit ? I wouldn't have said so! Amazing work indeed and very nicely finished. Miguel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Aer Lingus Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Beautiful looking model hard to believe its a matchbox kit very well done Thanks for sharing Eamonn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Beautifully re-mastered! Amazing how fast you achieved these excellent results with the rehab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Wow, that's a knockout! I can't picture that being as straightforward (to refurbish) as you describe. But it sure looks awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Love it, very cool indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Good to see a porky pie wessex 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramage Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Great work. I feel like I know this model very well, having spent many years gazing at it in admiration and wonder on google images. This one and your HAS1 inspired me to buy several, butcher at least two of the matchbox variants, hide them away in the box of shame, buy probably a dozen or more Italeri versions. Become too afraid to tackle one. It even inspired me to begin work on writing a Wessex book. I figured we are way short of Wessex reading out there. Your very model, pre restoration, was an inspiration. she looks very fine indeed since the make over. I feel a trip to the model stash is looming. Just when I thought I'd got that darn Wessex thing out of my system! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Very nice. I'm probably the only one that preferred it as a 'Rusty B' cab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gengriz Posted March 6, 2021 Author Share Posted March 6, 2021 5 hours ago, Smudge said: I'm probably the only one that preferred it as a 'Rusty B' cab I have an Italeri one stashed away to do as a BULWARK cab, probably in sand and spinach, as per the original Matchbox scheme. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 4 minutes ago, gengriz said: ...................... to do as a BULWARK cab, probably in sand and spinach, as per the original Matchbox scheme. In that case, all is forgiven A very smart scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 agreed, sand and spinach for the Rusty B. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gengriz Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) It has been pointed out that my tail rotor is fitted back to front. It broke off some time ago (think mid 1990s) and I clearly stuck it back on the wrong way. So; I have done some quick rework (and repositioned it to be less vulnerable to knocks) ! Edited March 8, 2021 by gengriz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodenlee Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 That's an excellent refurb on your Junglie...looks brilliant. Cheers Shaun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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