Airfix Westland Sea King HAS.1 1:48 – build review

Feature Article with Dave Coward

Just before we get started, here’s a look at how this one turned out…

Background

Geoff has done a great in-depth review of this kit out of the box pretty much – just a few scratched details. This build of mine was done a couple of weeks later when some aftermarket was available which I have incorporated into my build. I have also chosen to do the HAS.1 version as this will go nicely with my Naval Buccaneer.

On entering service in 1961, the Sea King was the most advanced aircraft of its type in the world and presented the US Navy with one of the most flexible aviation platforms at that time. In Britain, an existing licence 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 became established in Royal Naval service, it quickly showed itself to be both operationally capable and highly adaptable and was destined for a long and illustrious career not only with the Fleet Air Arm, but also with the Royal Air Force. 

Aftermarket Extras

Art Scale Masks 200-M48181
Eduard HAS.1 Cockpit Interior and exterior detail 491394
Eduard HAS.1 Cabin Interior 491404.

Construction…