Malayan Emergency Casualty Evacuation (1955)

When in 2020, I built Glencoe Model's Bristol Sycamore, I placed it in a jungle casualty evacuation scene set during the 1950s Malayan Emergency. My focus then was on the model and the historical backstory that was more important to me than the diorama I created to display it. After 3 years exposed to modelling fumes and paint spray in the loft, time had taken its tole on both diorama and model. Had it not had such historical and emotional connection, and with a new project in the planning and space being a premium, I would have just 'black bagged' it - a fait already met by my early Vietnam, Korea, and Falklands dioramas! 

Having a plan for a new epic diorama, I thought refreshing this old Malayan scene, keeping true to my original vision but applying skills honed over the past few years - this one having been my first ever proper scale modelling diorama - would give me some much needed practice. 

I dusted down the old diorama clearing all the loose foliage and figures and built my own wooden frame in which to both display it and to give it extra strength, its original base having been just cardboard glued to a larger 'multi diorama' base.

As well as giving the land a new layer of grass and a good covering of undergrowth, I 'borrowed' trees from my Pegasus Bridge diorama - it will be due its own makeover in a year or so - and dug out an old bottle of scenic water. I got a bit carried away with the water, adding a feeder river to my lake, which on reflection probably adds a bit more realism to the scene.

I strategically placed reeds around the new river and dusted off the figures. I didn't think they looked too bad for their years, so left them with their original paint. 

The old Sycamore model was also looking OK to my eye. Yes, if I were building it today, I'll have added a bit of weathering but I was keen to keep it as original to my 3 year old self and so just gave it a clean.

When doing a little more research on the period I came across this picture of a Westland Whirlwind ... 

 .. so as I hast happened to have a Whirlwind in my collection, thought why not!

Finally, here's a little video to complete the project ...

I now feel suitably ready to move on to the next one :) 

Sea King HAS.2 with Mk.44 Torpedo

Fitted a pair of resin Mk.44 Torpedo from Air Graphic Models to my 824 NAS Sea King HAS.2, as it was when heading South to the Falklands in April 1982. 

Alouette III Helicopter

This is the Heller 1:72 scale Alouette III helicopter in the colours of 1 Esc de Helicopteros, Taskforce 40, Falklands of the Argentine Navy in 1982. 

The Argentine Naval Aviation operated a total of 14 Alouette III helicopters. A single SA316B was on board the ARA General Belgrano when she was sunk by torpedoes fired by HMS Conqueror during the 1982 Falklands War. A second Alouette III played an important role during the Argentine Invasion of South Georgia. 

I built this helicopter to portray its involvement in the invasion of South Georgia, also known as the Battle of Grytviken or Operation Georgias, which took place on 3 April 1982, when Argentine Navy forces seized control of the east coast of South Georgia after overpowering a small group of Royal Marines at Grytviken. It was one of the first episodes of the Falklands War, immediately succeeding the invasion on the Falkland Islands the day before.

I’ve built this helicopter to portray its involvement in the invasion of South Georgia, also known as the Battle of Grytviken or Operation Georgias, which took place on 3 April 1982, when Argentine Navy forces seized control of the east coast of South Georgia after overpowering a small group of Royal Marines at Grytviken. It was one of the first episodes of the Falklands War, immediately succeeding the invasion on the Falkland Islands the day before.

Update: In May 2023 I was loaned an amazing book with the title "Falklands The Air War" published by the British Aviation Research Group. This attempts to document every aircraft used by both sides during the conflict. Under the Alouette, it records my 0736 helicopter in March 1982 as being with 1 Escadrille as '3-H-111", but not confirmed as being used operationally during the War though in service at Espora.

It was helicopter 0699 which in March 1982 was with 1 Escadrille as '3-H-110' that was deployed with ARA Bahia Paraiso which landed Argentine Marines on South Georgia. It was flown during all phases of reconnaissance and capture of South Georgia from 25 March to 3 April 1982. Slightly damaged by gunfire at Grytviken on 3 April it was immediately repaired and returned to service. It survived the war to then be involved in a fatal crash near Espora on 21 April 1983. 

So, one day, I may change that last '1' to a zero! However, this may not in itself be sufficient. I took my painting guidance for the Alouette from archive photos which I believed to be contemporary, however, this new found resource speaks of there being know now changes having been made to the markings of the Alouette for the emergency period. This meant that they wore dark brown and green camouflage with the only light marking being a small national flag on the forward part of the boom. The serial was applied in tiny digits on the door and the code was in larger script on the rear boom. So quite different to that I've seen for '3-H-111'. Meanwhile, an anonymous Alouette used for ambulance duties was painted overall white with large red crosses on the side doors and a small one on the nose. Food for thought ...  

This kit was a real challenge, probably because I bought it half started with glue sticking bits to the box and the cockpit stuck together totally wrong but it finished up looking OK and an interesting addition to my Falklands War collection.

824 NAS Sea King HAS.2 ‘55’

My first 824 NAS Sea King HAS.2 ‘55’ created from Airfix’s excellent HAR.3 Starter Kit. This is the sister ship to the duo ‘50’ I recently completed for the #falklands40 and as seen on the Airfix Workbench blog 

A fabulous writeup by Michael Clegg in this week’s Airfix Workbench blog. This not only has a review of the new 1:48 Spitfire but also, I’m very proud to report, includes my Falklands War Sea King builds. 

https://uk.airfix.com/community/blog-and-news/workbench/mitchells-masterpiece-inherits-griffon-power

#seaking #airfix #172scale  #scalemodelling #scalemodel #falklands40 #airfixmodels #172scalemodelling #172scalemodels #airfixstarterkit #iscamodelclubexeter #seakinghelicopter #falklandsanniversarygb #yeovilmodelshow #airfixworkbench

824 NAS Sea King HAS.2 ‘50’

My two 824 NAS Sea King HAS.2 are complete. This is actually one in the same helicopter, No.50 XV660, which sailed on 5 April 1982 from Devonport to join up with the Carrier Battle Group aboard RFA Olmeda in the first week of the Falklands War. 

All white markings and squadron emblems were overpainted en route to the Falklands where their role quickly changed from anti submarine to Jungley (troop and load lifting), hence the 2 versions. I am awaiting delivery of a set of torpedos for the landed Sea King. 

Sea King HAS.2

My 1982 Falklands HAS.2 Sea King flown by 824 NAS is now complete all bar the addition of its engine cover which I’m going to have to add a hand painted squadron badge to.

This is No.50 in its glorious peace time colour scheme before all squadron markings were removed and its numbers and lettering reapplied in black. I have another Airfix kit on the bench which will not only receive this scheme but also a machine gun! 

Sea King AEW Mk.2a

My Sea King AEW Mk.2a, as flown by 849 NAS aboard HMS Illustrious in 1988, is complete.

The AEW was developed during the 1982 Falklands War after deficiencies in airborne early warning cost the Task Force dearly.

This kit was released in 2010 using Airfix’s 1969 tooling, a far cry from the detail and quality of the 2015 retooled Sea Kings I’ve previously loved building. 

Currently this is the only Airfix kit with the radar attachment, which interestingly was provided on a separate sprue so I could have just used this on the later kit. However, once started, I just wanted to finish it as Airfix intended, it is after all a vintage classic even if not badged as such. It even had a hole for the old fashioned stand that I couldn’t resist using 

A Year's Scale Modelling Diorama

It's been a year now since I removed my old Scalextric track in the loft from its baseboard so as to showcase some of my 'lockdown' builds, and having now completed my latest diorama, the RAF Airfield from Autumn 1943, I can't believe I have finally run out of space! 🤦‍♂️

It has been suggested that there may be opportunities to display one or two of these at model shows etc, but how I not only cut them into their respective scenes, let alone bring them down from the loft, is somewhat perplexing me! 🤷‍♂️

I have, however, seen some folk building smaller dioramas, which I understand are called vignettes, using old picture frames, such that I may now have to do a tour of the house to see which pictures I can repurpose!🤭😂

Suggestions welcomed!