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