Airfix Wessex 1/72

[WxMan]

the large screw heads on the 'Bee hive' are Dzus fasteners to  fix the panel and also studs for fixing the 'winter' cover on with.

image:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u3ix16ep1u4khucxbknbv/20250930_110825.jpg?rlkey=omzocj3u49ai4tak8azsbn728&st=2lcq1jkr&dl=0

[WxMan]

On 04/09/2025 at 17:59, Farmerboy said:

I thought the Airfix blade cuffs/head atachment etc were a bit lacking in detail so drew up and 3d printed my own

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sz76h1iyv9wmgt6s5md5s/Airfix-blade-end.jpg?rlkey=k25sxvmx2akw23tfcp3oe09r4&st=7g058cxp&dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/home/wessex blades?di=left_nav_browse&preview=3d+printed+cuffs+and+hub.jpg

 

 

 

 

Edited October 3 by WxMan

[Farmerboy]

Getting to the end of the decaling, with the rotor sling markings, helped by a simple jig.

Next will be a bit of a wash in certain areas to highlight a few panels and then final varnish.

 

[Farmerboy]

Flory dark dirt wash just to pop some detail and tone back the decals and the red bits!!

Detail painting to follow, thank goodness for AK paint markers, and then final assembly, 

Lovely kit and I’m sure people will produce some stunning models of it.

If it ends up OK you’ll see it next in RFI.

 

 

 

[Beard]

38 minutes ago, Farmerboy said:

[...] I’m sure people will produce some stunning models of it.

From where I'm sitting, you're well on the way to producing a stunning model.

[Keeff]

It's a beauty!  

 

Keith ☺️ 

[CedB]

I agree!

If mine turns out anything like that I'll be a happy bunny  

[David Boreham]

Just playing catch up and reading through all 8 pages.  Damned impressive.  I hope to be reproducing a 28 Sqn Wessex at some point.  I served on 28 Sqn in Hong Kong and enjoyed many left hand seats during my tour.  I am also new to airbrushing so very interested in the airbrush shots.  The detail that comes through from the moulding etc looks really good.  I may also consider a 22 Sqn SAR Wessex as my Father-in-Law was a crewman at Leuchars when they reroled from Whirlwinds to Wessex.

Edited October 8 by David Boreham

[AMB]

19 hours ago, David Boreham said:

Just playing catch up and reading through all 8 pages.  Damned impressive.  I hope to be reproducing a 28 Sqn Wessex at some point.  I served on 28 Sqn in Hong Kong and enjoyed many left hand seats during my tour.  I am also new to airbrushing so very interested in the airbrush shots.  The detail that comes through from the moulding etc looks really good.  I may also consider a 22 Sqn SAR Wessex as my Father-in-Law was a crewman at Leuchars when they reroled from Whirlwinds to Wessex.

Mine will also be 28 Sqn as I flew in the whole fleet when I was with the RAF in Hong Kong 1979-81. 

[David Boreham]

45 minutes ago, AMB said:

Mine will also be 28 Sqn as I flew in the whole fleet when I was with the RAF in Hong Kong 1979-81. 

We were there at the same time, I was really lucky I flew almost two or three times a month for three and a half years, like you @AMB in most of the fleet.  I was a FS in ATC.  I came back in July 82 having been extended for 6 months.  Great memories.

[Mattlow]

Very nice work FB... You're setting a high bar for those that follow...

Matt

[jackroadkill]

Well, I think that's looking very sharp indeed, sir.

[SteveMc]

Having a look around BM after a modelling hiatus. Your Wessex is looking great. Seems to be another cracking kit from Airfix.

I lived in Helston from 1965 to 70 and there were always loads of Wessex flying around. I got to see Wessex 3’s up close a few times when my dad worked on them.

[CarLos]

Naïve question: may the kit be used as a basis for a civil series 60?

[Farmerboy]

1 hour ago, CarLos said:

Naïve question: may the kit be used as a basis for a civil series 60?

Sorry CarLos, but I have no idea 🤷, someone with more knowledge than me will hopefully see this and give you an answer!

[AlxBNE]

On 10/10/2025 at 12:52 AM, AMB said:

I flew in the whole fleet when I was with the RAF in Hong Kong 1979-81. 

 

On 10/10/2025 at 1:43 AM, David Boreham said:

We were there at the same time, I was really lucky I flew almost two or three times a month 

 

On 10/9/2025 at 5:19 AM, David Boreham said:

I served on 28 Sqn in Hong Kong and enjoyed many left hand seats during my tour.

 

Well I definitely saw at least one of you flying over my house at some point in the late 70s /early 80s !

I grew up in Hong Kong and as a helicopter obsessed kid have fond memories of watching the 28 Sqn machines fly over.

 

@Farmerboy have you decided which scheme you will be doing for the next one?

.....I can see a temptation to add multiple members to the famerboy Wessex flight since have produced such a great model with this kit.

[FalkeEins]

 .. what a great thread! 

[bootneck]

On 10/10/2025 at 04:50, CarLos said:

Naïve question: may the kit be used as a basis for a civil series 60?

Hi Carlos,

 

I would think so, although you would need to scratchbuild the different nose intake.

 

 

 

 

 

There are more photos in the Walkaround section if needed.

 

cheers,

Mike

 

[CarLos]

3 hours ago, bootneck said:

I would think so, although you would need to scratchbuild the different nose intake.

Thanks Mike, I think it could be 3d modelled and printed. 

[Dave Swindell]

17 hours ago, bootneck said:

I would think so, although you would need to scratchbuild the different nose intake.

Whirlybird did a couple of conversion kits including a similarly ugly Bristow S-58ET

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/whirlybird-wba72109-sikorsky-s-58et-bristow-helicopters--237503

[bootneck]

That's an interesting looking kit, thanks for the link Dave.

 

cheers,

Mike

[perdu]

2 hours ago, Dave Swindell said:

Whirlybird did a couple of conversion kits including a similarly ugly Bristow S-58ET

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/whirlybird-wba72109-sikorsky-s-58et-bristow-helicopters--237503

Designed for small, square windowed Wessexes.

 

Such as the Airfix kit.

 

I am part way through building my birthday present out of the box, crease and all and in general it is a delight but I really need another to work the upperworks in.

 

I cant spend ages making my wife think she bought me rubbish,  it really isnt!

[FalkeEins]

.. wish I was part way through mine! Kit bagged and sealed is missing the entire sprue B. So much for improved quality control

[perdu]

That's appalling, don't they still put the bags together 'in another place'?

 

I just emptied my sprue B, co-incidence or what...

[Farmerboy]

2 hours ago, FalkeEins said:

.. wish I was part way through mine! Kit bagged and sealed is missing the entire sprue B. So much for improved quality control

I’m off to check my second box…………’phew’ all good 😊 

.