Rick’s Airfix 1/72 Sea King HC4, Operation Banner, RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland

[rickoshea52]

This kit is jumping the queue for my club swap shop GB. I’ve been wanting to do a Northern Ireland based SK for a while and it was toss up between doing this or a Phantom. Since I drew this for the GB I’m kinda obliged to build it now.
I won’t bother with sprue shots, just the box lid and aftermarket. I really like these EAPS/SNIPS resin intake filters from Air Graphics, they look far more accurate than the kit version and Eduard etched brass. I’m not too sure whether to use the Eduard etch, I’m not convinced they do much to enhance models that much.
The aircraft serial and codes will be a cut and paste from the Xtradecal sheet, I have a note of the cabs deployed to NI around the timeframe I’m looking at.
So why an Aldergrove based cab? Well this build is from my dream sheet list of subjects. I spent 18 months in NI during the mid nineties so it has some personal connections. It was fascinating seeing how the fish heads operated their cabs compared to our Pumas & Chinooks.

[rickoshea52]

Some reference material and build notes. Does anyone else keep a note of their builds as they go?

[Waspie]

Re notes, I tend to keep them on my laptop. Macs have an app called 'freeform' which is like a board for sticking notes, pictures, paints needed etc and plans/ideas all in one place. I have done one for all my builds except this current Helix. Something I can refer to when I lose the plot!!

[flyjoe180]

Yep, I also keep notes as I invariably end up building more than one of a type. Learn from previous errors etc...

[rickoshea52]

Marking out for aerial attachments and floor fixtures. I have to be careful here as there are slightly different defensive aids fitted to NI cabs compared to the ones in the kit instructions; some might need scratch making.

The troop seat layout needs a bit of adjustment.

Airfix didn’t include the VOR-ILS aerials along the tail boom so reference to photos and my old course notes aided in marking out and drilling holes for them.



I missed it in this session but the grab rail over the main door also needs marking out; another miss from Airfix on this kit.


I did try to add some photos but there is a five picture image limit and after all the faff of trying to add them neatly using my iPhone you’ll all just have to use your imagination for the ones I deleted because I can’t be arsed doing it all over again.

[Jim R]

Looks a very interesting project. Helicopters are not straightforward builds at the best of times but your specific aircraft is an extra challenge.

[Richard48]

Very interesting Rick.Do like Seakings.Must get round to doing some of my 72nd ones.Ive got 2 Revell Has 6/Aew mk 2 kits and a fair few teeny Sweet 1.144th ones ive had years.

[flyjoe180]

Change of pace from the F-4 Rick, off to a good start

[rickoshea52]

Yeah, pretty much. I’d been mulling a super detailed Sea King using the Blackdog resin engine and gearbox set but when I had a play around it looked a lot harder than I first realised….so I decided on a less difficult super detailed Phantom! When this GB option came along I thought discretion would be better than dying on resin upgrade mountain. I will do the Phantom in the near future though.

[Waspie]

Nice going Rick. I've learned something today. I didn't know the 'Junglies' had VOR/ILS. Just wondering if that was a requirement imposed by Aldergrove? You do make work for yourself!!

[rickoshea52]

I assume it’s VOR/ILS The HC4’s have the same aerials as the HAR3/3a’s. For some reason I originally thought they were VOR-D but as I’m a rigger all that fairy stuff is a mystery best left unexplained.

[Waspie]

Weird stuff all these radio nav aid stuff. Out of 6 Sk's at PW, there was 3 different radio fits!!! (I just twiddled the knobs!!!)

[rickoshea52]

Done.

Forgot to fit the tail rotor for the photos?

[PaulTRose]

Outstanding!

[scottie3158]

Rick, nice job mate, great result.

[flyjoe180]

Superb work Rick, that’s a beauty. Tail rotor off for balancing?