Kitty Hawk – UH1 Y Venom conv. to RAF Griffin HAR2 1:48 – build review

Feature Article by Mick Stephen

Background

Based on the Bell 412EP airframe, the Griffin HAR2 is operated by the Royal Air Force with 84 Squadron at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus since 2003. With the transfer of all UK based SAR duties last year to the Coastguard Service and these subsequently contracted out to private industry, 84 Sqdn remains the last dedicated RAF Search & Rescue Squadron.

The similar Griffin HT-1 is operated by the RAF in the UK since 1997 as an advanced flying trainer based at the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury and the Search and Rescue Training Unit at RAF Valley.

The kit

So which kit is the best baseline to create at least a close representation of an HAR2 Griffin. Well you could use the old Heller UH1-N kit and add the Belcher Bits conversion set for a CH-146 Griffon operated by Canada, that’s about as close as you can get.

However, apart from I don’t have one of those in the stash, the new Kitty Hawk UH1-Y Venom looks like a lovely well detailed kit, what can we do with that….?? Let’s see…

So what have we got to play with?

The basic shape is there, but I see a number of differences that will need some scratch building and alteration. Not all will be achievable, but we’re going for as close a resemblance as possible, so apologies up front for those fine detail and accuracy guru’s out there.

So, first impressions at the work ahead…..the nose is completely different, with the Griffin having a proboscus like radome on the nose. The FLIR unit and mounting will have to go, the engines, intakes and exhaust are also totally different, along with the rotor shroud.

The main rotors are a different design and the tail rotor is on the opposite side. But the biggest issue is the 21” fuselage plug directly behind the cockpit, which elongated the Venom to accommodate all its avionics racks and passenger carrying capacity. To cut or not to cut, that is the question?

Apart from this list, we’ll need HAR2 additions specific to a SAR bird, a winch, internal rear cabin arrangement and all the associated safety gear. So plenty to do…

On with the build…