Airfix 1/48 scale
Westland Sea King HAS.1/HAS.5/HU.5

PREVIEW
 

Airfix has sent images of box art, marking guide and other images of their forthcoming Westland Sea King HAS.1/HAS.5/HU.5 release:

1:48 scale A11006 Westland Sea King HAS.1/HAS.5/HU.5
New Mould –STOCK DUE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

In an unexpected unveiling, Airfix is proud to announce the NEW MOULD 1:48 scale Westland Sea King HAS.1/HAS.5/HU.5!

The new mould A11006 Westland Sea King HAS.1/HAS.5/HU.5 in 1:48 scale is undoubtedly the most complete Sea King kit ever released, featuring folding rotor blades & tail, retracted undercarriage option, full interior including anti-submarine warfare suite, open/closed door option, two radome types and two hull pieces featuring an open option for the dipping sonar. Alongside these features, the kit consists of 348 crisply moulded parts and four schemes focusing on one airframe, XV666.

Measuring in at an overall length of 460mm and a rotor blade width of 397mm. In June 1970, XV666 left the Westland factory to begin a flying career that is still ongoing to this day. Beginning its life as a HAS.1 with 826 NAS, XV666 is still flying with HeliOps in 2023. The four schemes in this kit depict stages in her varied career, representing over 50 years of service.

 
The Westland Sea King performed a variety of roles during its 49 years of service with the UK defence forces including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search & rescue as well as troop transport. Selected by the Royal Navy to replace the ageing Westland Wessex in the ASW role, the first Westland built example took flight in 1969 before entering Royal Navy service at the height of the cold war. Although now retired from UK Service, the Westland Sea King continues to be operated by several nations across the globe, a testament to the versatility of the airframe.
 
In Britain, an existing license agreement between Westland Helicopters and Sikorsky to build their helicopters in the UK was extended to include the SH-3 Sea King not long after the first flight of the prototype aircraft, because even at that early stage, the incredible potential of this new helicopter was clear, and Britain wanted its own Sea Kings. Externally, Westland manufactured Sea King helicopters featured the same classic lines of the original US design, however internally, they were very different machines, with numerous modifications geared towards British military use.

The Westland Sea King was selected by the Royal Navy to meet their requirement for an anti- submarine warfare helicopter, replacing the venerable Westland Wessex in this role, with an order for 60 aircraft being placed in the summer of 1966. The first Westland built Sea King HAS.1 flew from their factory facility at Yeovil on 7th May 1969, with the first Royal Navy machines delivered to No.700 Naval Air Squadron (OEU) at RNAS Yeovilton later that same year.

As the Sea King established its presence within Royal Naval service, it swiftly demonstrated its operational competence and exceptional adaptability, ensuring a prolonged and illustrious career not only with the Fleet Air Arm but also with the Royal Air Force. Thriving in every assigned role, it was particularly cherished for its prowess as a Search & Rescue helicopter, solidifying its status as one of the most beloved and triumphant aircraft in post-war British military history.

Ranked at skill level 4, the 1:48 scale Westland Sea King features a fully riveted external skin and overlapping panel details, fully detailed cockpit with raised detail on the control instruments and surfaces; including a highly detailed cabin with three different interior layouts to match the schemes included. Amongst these details, the kit also allows for poseable search lights and a full aerial fit for each scheme.

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Thumbnail panels:

Markings

XV666 was built as a HAS.1 in 1970 and delivered to RNAS Culdrose the same year, entering service with 826 NAS. XV666, AKA Damien, has been continually upgraded throughout the years including a change of equipment/role to become a HU.5 conducting the SAR (Search and Rescue) role. XV666 is now operating by HeliOperations out of Portland (formerly HMS Osprey) and is tasked with training German crews on the venerable Sea King. The schemes in this kit reflect the service life of this very special airframe!

• Scheme A: Westland Sea King HAS.1 XV666, No.826 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall, England, 1970.

• Scheme B: Westland Sea King HAS.5 XV666, No.814 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Naval Station Culdrose, Cornwall, England, 1988.

• Scheme C: Westland Sea King HU.5 XV666, No.771 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Naval Station Culdrose, Cornwall, England, 1990.

• Scheme D: Westland Sea King HU.5 XV666, Heli-Operations, Portland, Dorset, England, 2022.

We will have more details in the coming weeks.

Thanks to Airfix for the information and images.

Images and Text Copyright © 2023 by Airfix
Page Created 26 July, 2023
Last updated 26 July, 2023

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