HMS MONMOUTH

[SubOne]

Apologies if this should be in a different section...

 

I'm ex RAN warfare officer (submarines) and had the privilege of spending three weeks onboard MONMOUTH in the Middle East in early 2010 during her anti-smuggling/anti-narcotics support in CTF150. The helicopter that was embarked at that time was a Westland Lynx HAS3. As a reminder of my time onboard, I'm looking at getting the Trumpeter 1/350 HMS MONMOUTH Type 23 kit, however, it appears to show the RN Merlin Mk2 utility helicopter is included in the kit.

 

Is someone able to advise which the correct helicopter should be? Was the Lynx embarked as being better suited for the operational role the ship was undertaking? I've tracked down a 1/350 scale Lynx at Wonderland models (https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/trumpeter-1350-westland-lynx-has3/) so may go for one of those as that was what was onboard at the time.

 

Cheers,

Guy

[Wafu]

Hi Guy,

I’ve just built a Type 23 and have another to build. I’d question the HAS Mk3 Lynx as these started to come out of frontline service even when I was leaving the RN in 1989. I’d stick my neck out and say that by the time you were on the Monmouth that the ships flight would have had a Mk8 Lynx. 
 

You can go three ways to achieve this, you can buy a separate Mk8 Lynx from Trumpeter, you can buy the HMS Kent that has a Lynx in the Kit instead of a Merlin or you could buy Peter Halls excellent Sea Ceptor upgrade set from Atlantic models, https://www.scalemates.com/kits/atlantic-models-atac35022-type-23-frigate-sea-ceptor-upgrade-set--1336547

All of these depend on if you already have your kit and how much you want to spend on the project. 

 

Other considerations are, what refit did the Monmouth get her replacement 4.5, was it a Mk1 or the new Kryton gun? Again I’d recommend visiting Peters website https://atlanticmodels.net/accessories-2/1-350 scale.html to see what you can get. I would recommend his etch set for the Type 23, it far outstrips the kit offering. Being that you’re down under, you could go the whole nine yards and get the Infini set for the Kent, this will super detail you model https://www.scalemates.com/kits/infini-model-im-535020r1-type-23-frigate-hms-kent-f78--1329888

Final thoughts, decals, again Peter can help with these, he does a Type 23 set with all the ships crests, pennant numbers etc but he also does a set of deck markings for the gun damaged areas, worth a look if nothing else. https://atlanticmodels.net/decals.html
 

This sounds like a sales pitch for Peters stuff, I suppose it is, but the ex RN Chief knows his ships and his products are a go to for modellers, I’ve personally found them to be excellent and easy to use. I’m no ship modeller but I’m always happy with the results of his products. My bottom line is buy once, buy right.

 

Hope this has helped and happy modelling.

 

This is my Type 23 build, 

Cheers the Woo.

 

 

 

[SubOne]

Hi Woo,

 

Many thanks for your reply, most appreciated. I have already found those websites you mention and there's some great stuff in them. I have also seen your post and photos of LANCASTER. A great looking model...

 

I must admit that I'm not sure which Mk Lynx MONMOUTH had embarked when I was onboard, but I know it had the FLIR(?) and radome at the front.

 

I am certainly interested in the Infini upgrade kit... it has quite a lot in it. I have found somewhere where I can get hold of a 1/350 Lynx so I may go for one of these:  https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/trumpeter-1350-westland-lynx-has3/ .  I do like what's available at Atlantic Models.

 

Thanks again for your advice.

 

Cheers.....

 

 

[Wafu]

5 hours ago, SubOne said:

Hi Woo,

 

Many thanks for your reply, most appreciated. I have already found those websites you mention and there's some great stuff in them. I have also seen your post and photos of LANCASTER. A great looking model...

 

I must admit that I'm not sure which Mk Lynx MONMOUTH had embarked when I was onboard, but I know it had the FLIR(?) and radome at the front.

 

I am certainly interested in the Infini upgrade kit... it has quite a lot in it. I have found somewhere where I can get hold of a 1/350 Lynx so I may go for one of these:  https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/trumpeter-1350-westland-lynx-has3/ .  I do like what's available at Atlantic Models.

 

Thanks again for your advice.

 

Cheers.....

 

 

Hi Guy,  No worries at all.

 

The infini set is awesome but virtually impossible to get over this side of the equator 😁 It would give you great detail with the metal Harpoon missiles and a mass of brass. 
https://www.bnamodelworld.com/aftermarket-parts-for-ship-1:350-infini-model-inf-im535020r1

 

 

It would seem that Wonderland/Trumpeter have the wrong description on the site. The Mk3 had a smooth radome nose and the Mk8 had the PID and Radome under the nose of the helicopter. The picture shown on your link is a Mk8 not a 3, so you should be ok👍 

might be easier to get from here as you’re in Oz? https://www.bnamodelworld.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=1%2F350 lynx

True dit (safeguard eight clips) I was on AMG at Portland when Monmouth ‘lost’ her Lynx over the side in a storm in Lyme Bay. the aircraft was recovered back to Portland on the 25/02/97. Lots of red faces on 815😂😂

[Chewbacca]

By 2010 it would definitely have been a Mk 8.  By then the only HAS 3s left in service were pilot dual training aircraft used by 702 NAS (though I think ENDURANCE Flight may still have been in existence, albeit without a ship to embark in)