Reviewed by Dave Coward and Geoff Coughlin
Background info…
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British license-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines, and a fully computerised control system. A dedicated Search and Rescue version (Sea King HAR3) was developed for the Royal Air Force, and the first of 15 entered service from September 1977 to replace the Westland Whirlwind HAR10. A sixteenth aircraft was ordered shortly after, and following the Falklands War of 1982, three more aircraft were purchased to enable operation of a Search and Rescue Flight in the islands, initially from Navy Point on the north side of Stanley harbour, and later from the RAF airfield at Mount Pleasant. In 1992 six further aircraft were ordered to replace the last remaining Westland Wessex helicopters in the Search and Rescue role. The six (Sea King HAR3A) had updated systems including, uniquely amongst all the marks of Sea King in UK service, a digital autopilot with coupled navigation system. Search and rescue versions of the Sea King were produced for the Royal Norwegian Air Force, and the German Navy, and later for the Belgian Air Force. The Royal Air Force aircraft are in service with 22, 202 and 203(R) Squadrons. The Falklands unit has reverted to 1564 Flight
References…
SMN Photographic Reference Library – complete internal and external walkaround of the sea King HAR Mk.3 (and other variants!)
Construction notes…
Dave C. – see my complete build in Finished Now… I’ve got quite an interest in the RAF SAR Sea King as I see it on a regular basis flying from RAF Lossiemouth and have had the ‘pleasure’ of being winched out of the ‘drink’ on a number of occasions by them as part of my job. I also have a number of friends that fly on them so I have had access to the aircraft and this has proved invaluable as part of this build when I have needed information. All the pictures I have used for this build are available in the Photo Reference Library (PRL).
The kit itself is a bit of a misnomer as it doesn’t actually build into a current RAF Sea King as it stands from the box and this is very annoying especially considering the cost of the kit. The kit actually represents aircraft from the 1990`s and the most obvious indication of this is the lack of both the sandbox filter and electro optic sensor which are present on current aircraft.
This left me in a bit of a quandary as I wanted to build a current aircraft but the kit doesn’t allow this but I also didn’t want to do too much surgery, wanting to keep the build as out of the box as possible. With this in mind I opted to do some minor alterations to the kit but not take them too far – that said I still intend to do a second build and this one will have a lot more work done to it. Dave C.
Box… and what’s inside!
As is usual these days from Hasegawa, the box top image is of a real aircraft representative of what’s contained in the box. What strikes you are the seven bright yellow sprues – wow, that’s bright.
The parts are cleanly moulded and have the usual recessed panel lines typical of the earlier releases. Not really any flash to speak of, but as Dave says above, unfortunately the aircraft you can build isn’t up to a current spec for the HAR Mk.3. it’s a shame that this opportunity hasn’t been taken to re-tool the starboard access door and detail the interior and this is, frankly galling given the price that’s being asked for the kit (at the time of writing around £70.00!).
The remaining sprues hold the parts needed to complete your Sea King project. Some additional parts are included that make the purchase slightly more bearable:
- Extra small sprue of grey parts for a number of the small antennae and other bumps and bulges common to the type, although it’s worth reading Dave’s comments above and his full build for more on this
- Photo Etch (PE) fret that has some fine steel grills, antennae and other small parts that will enhance the final look of your model
Clear parts…
These are usually very well done by this manufacturer and that’s the case this time – clear and well moulded. There’s another small sprue that carries the clear bulged windows common to the type.
Instructions…
Hasegawa are generally pretty good with their instructions and those included here are helpful and clear. There’s clarity as to where to add the bumps and lumps for the Sea King HAR3 version included. Guidance is also given for the appropriate window arrangement for an RAF aircraft.
Decals…
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Well printed, in register and good colour opacity and you can find out how they went on in Dave’s full review in Finished Now. The decals sometimes look thick on the sheets from Hasegawa but in my experience they invariable go down very well over surface detail using Micro Sol and Set, or one of the other decal softening solutions like Mr Mark Softer and Setter to mention just one. The painting / decal guide in the instruction sheet is clear too.
What’s the verdict?
Overall I can’t help but feel disappointed with this package. Certainly the fact that this is another RAF aircraft is welcome, good decals and some optional parts make for a promising product. But, for me the failure to offer an up to date HAR3A, lack of modified fuselage, dust filter box all combine to give a thumbs down – when you consider the kit is priced at around £70.00.
Not recommended at the price – sorry.
Geoff C. (with notes from Dave C)