BN ‘The Survivor’. R.A.F. Chinook HC1

[TEXANTOMCAT]

Cracking/ the only thing that could maybe improve it would be a couple of figure but other than that stunning 

[Andy H]

Outstanding!

Edited June 25, 2024 by Andy H
One word...and could I spell it?

[Doc D]

On 24/06/2024 at 19:30, Pete in a shed said:

Hello all, here's the latest from the shed.

 

I have been making this for a friends 70th birthday. In all its taken about five months to do.

In 1982 my friend found himself bobbing about in the South Atlantic on the Atlantic Conveyor heading for the Falklands. On board were Chinooks, Wessex, Harriers and Sea Harriers.

 

                        

 

                         Him at the top

 

                      And here

 

Prior to departure the Chinooks had their blades taken off and placed in bespoke racks inside the aircraft. Other external items were also removed and stored away. The aircraft were then enclosed in greasy purpose made ‘Banana Bags’ to protect them from the harsh Atlantic elements on the way down to the Falklands.

 

                            

 

 

On arrival the Chinooks were de bagged and the smaller external items and blades refitted, and the ‘Cab’ prepared for flight.

BN was the first in line, BT was to be next.

 

             

 

 

BN was successfully flown off and was engaged in a task when the Conveyor was hit by two Exocet missiles.

My friend was part of the small contingent of 18 Sqn groundcrew on board the Conveyor who were carrying out the Chinook rebuilding process. BT was being worked on and was almost ready but had yet to have the bolts on the blades wire locked.

Fire now spread through the ship and despite firefighting efforts by those on board it became apparent the ship was lost. My friend and the rest of the servicing team donned their emergency immersion suits and prepared to abandon ship!

                                     

                                         The remains of BT

 

By this time there was much smoke and heat, the decks becoming too hot to stand still in one place for any length of time. It was not possible to pass the bridge superstructure which was burning so people at the front of the ship climbed down scramble nets, people at the rear climbed down rope ladders that were draped over the side. Being at the rear of the ship with BT my friend started to climb down a ladder to the sea, this was made more difficult because of the immersion suit and by the people above treading on the hands of those below them. He recounted how compressed gas bottles stored below decks started to ignite and burst through the side of the ship. Because the ship was wallowing in the swell, the lower part of the ladder was being submerged every time the ship rolled. To prevent a dangerous dunking there came a point where jumping became necessary. He did this from a considerable height and then had to try to swim to dinghies that had been put over the side and were now drifting around the hull of the ship. After an exhausting swim he and the others in the water hauled themselves into the dinghies and awaited rescue.

For my friend this came in the form of a Sea King helicopter which winched him aboard and deposited him on the deck of the Hermes.

For others not winched up by helicopters there were more scramble nets to negotiate, this time having to be climbed up to the deck of the rescuing ship. Difficult enough without being cold, tired and waterlogged.

 

He and the other survivors were returned to the UK.  12 people were killed in the attack.

 

                                

 

Ground crew are often overlooked in such conflicts, but had it not been for these men there would have been no helicopter heavy lift capability in the Falkland’s at all. So I have written this precis of the events that befell my friend and the other shipborne 18 Sqn ground crew to bring their bravery to light once again.

 

 

And so to the model and some pics.

 

It is the original Airfix Chinook model with the following:-

Blackdog resin Chinook big set. A72006

Airwaves Photoetch set. AC72-12

Photo etch pre painted canvas troop seats.

Loads of scratch building in the cabin

Re arranged/scratch rotor heads.

Scratch built blade rack and chocks.

Model Alliance Decals.

RBF tags by Flightpath

 

Deck Base: Coastal Kits

3D printed Resin containers and palettes from Rail Reality

Case: Trumpeter

Brass plaque: Timpsons

 

The kit wasn’t to bad, only a few minor fit issues, probably brought about by the amount of surgery involved to get the resin parts in place. The interior details were pretty much made from plastic card and brass rods.

Its finished using Xtracolor paints and varnishes with panel lines picked out using Flory black wash. Minimal weathering as they were newly delivered airframes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scratch made blade rack. Each Chinook had its own blades inside it for the journey down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you like it, he did which was the aim of the project.

Thanks for looking

Pete

That is just stunning 

[Pete in a shed]

2 hours ago, Dave Fleming said:

That's really nice - I hadn't realised it was the 'old' Airfix (Italeri) kit until i re-read your text. How did you do the seat webbing?

Thanks😊. Yes its the old kit. I didn't realise the Airfix and Italeri boxings were the same mould until I broke the windscreen and had to buy another kit. I went for the Italeri kit second time around only then finding they were the same. So I made that one using the cracked windscreen as an Italian aircraft with snow skis.

The webbing is from the Eduard C-54 etch set. I have enough left for the Caribou which is a one day build.

[ted angus]

Fantastic ! Absolutely fantastic.

[Andy Dyck]

Very very nice idea. Perfect details and what a wonderful presentation!

 

Andy 

[Richard E]

That's an exquisite build Pete and a fitting tribute to your friend.

 

Thanks for remedying the problem with the pictures, it was worth the wait.

[Space Ranger]

Holy Rotor Head!! 😲

[CJP]

Interesting background story & fabulous model

Chris

[TheyJammedKenny!]

14 hours ago, Pete in a shed said:

the Caribou which is a one day build

Certainly not "in one day!!!!"  I guess you mean, "one of these days."

 

Excellent work on this Chinook!  I'm absolutely astounded at your talent with the fiddly detail.  I built three of these from Italeri and know they are a challenge to get right.

[Pete in a shed]

9 minutes ago, TheyJammedKenny! said:

Certainly not "in one day!!!!"  I guess you mean, "one of these days."

Thank you very much for the comments about the Chinook,

Yes I did indeed mean one day Ill get round to the Caribou. I have the resin and etch cockpit set,  a resin engine with open cowlings, etch troop seats and an aftermarket Australian decal sheet for it, so definately not done in a day😁.

Pete

[Natter]

Yep, I'd say you have set the bar for anyone modelling one of these pretty darn high.

[Winded Penguin]

Gosh, what a compelling story and project👍

Thanks for posting.

[Sky Keg]

Pete my friend…….my apologies for being late to the party yet again. I don`t know how I missed this one.  I will make it official that I believe this is your “finest hour” with this Chinook project.  Everything you make and share with us here is superb and an impressive but you have taken this Chinook to another level especially with the backstory supporting it.  A truly amazing result. It belongs in the Imperial War Museum as a display for many future generations to see and be reminded of that important period of British military history.  Pete…..I love how this Chinook turned out.  You are an inspiration, an incredibly skilled artist, and historian.  Bravo good sir!!!!!

 

Mike

[bigbadbadge]

Glad your friend was pleased and I am not surprised as it is a superb build and diorama.   What fantastic work.

Chris

[PATRICK FROM THE SANDS]

Just AWESOME! Thank you for sharing the story, your Chinook is really a little wonder. I can't imagine how long it took you and the hard work done just for detailing the interior, as it took me ages to do the same on a MH-3E... 

Marvelous 72eme

[Andrew.S]

Lovely presentation and brilliant result, well done! 

[cardiff guy]

Nicely done.

[kapam]

Brilliant work!

I remember watching news broadcasts, with a sense of horror, showing this incident playing out.  Your diorama is a fine tribute to all the bravery that characterised that day.

[Shep65]

I reckon your friend would be extremely proud of what you have produced.

 

Lovely gift and excellent work.