We're off. RAF Sea King HAR

[Waspie]

Well, here we go. 1st kit in over 45 years. Son bought it at Xmas and it has sat until now waiting for me to be inspired!!
I have been gathering kit as some will have gathered, gaining knowledge from you guys and YT. After some encouragement from folk on this site I have finally bitten the bullet and started. (After I washed the car - SWIMBO has spoken).
Cleaned it off, soapy water and rinse, luckily a dry day so it was blow dry outside!!! After lunch, checked it all over, re-read the instructions and started. Took my time. Must admit it surprised me that I had to cut out small sections and drill a few holes. That seemed a step backwards, but onwards and upwards. Didn't do too much, cut, trim rub down. Then dry fit a couple of times before glueing. Couple of pics of first kit in 45 years!!! Hears hoping!! Already have some ideas about exhaust gases and making it a bit realistic - but I'm not holding my breath!

[rickoshea52]

Good luck. I built this kit a while back, it’s very good and can produce great results.
Here’s mine -
https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/rick’s-1-72-airfix-sea-king-har3-d-flight-202-sqn-raf-lossiemouth.37968/

And a review here - https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threa...r3-1-72.25890/

[Waspie]

Hey that really looks good.
Like I mentioned, I'm going to go for the grey version as used down south. Also going to add or try to add the muck that is always present on Sea Kings, especially from the engine exhausts!!!
Particularly like the review. The ASW version differs quite a lot from the Mk3. Yes, same shape, but it's the additional windows, no sonar well not withstanding the colour!!!

[stillp]

A good start!
Pete

[Mickc1440]

I'm in

[Jim R]

Good to see this Doug. You're right to take your time and dry fit until you're really happy before deciding to glue.

[Waspie]

A good start!
Pete

I did progress a wee bit further but never took a pic as 'tea' was called!!!
And as the song goes - 'everything stops for tea'!!

[Mickc1440]

What's the colour scheme for this one?

[Waspie]

What's the colour scheme for this one?

Hopefully, 'Sea Grey'. For some reason when they were operating in the Falkland Islands post 1982 they changed the livery from yellow to Sea Grey. Obvious I guess as a nice bright yellow makes for a loverly target!!

[Waspie]

rickoshea52
Rick, do you know what squadron the grey SK above belongs to? (202 or 22 Sqdn.)
I want to try and acquire the Squadron decal if it's available.

[rickoshea52]

As far as I know they were 78 sqn. During the conflict 202 sqn provided SAR at Ascension Island and may have gone to the FI in the immediate aftermath but I can be certain.
If you have the kit with the grey Sea King on the box with a yellow and black stripe along the fuselage side then you have the 78 sqn decal included. It’s a yellow lion rampant on a black disc.
If you don’t have this kit I’ll see if I have a spare to give you, I have at least two of these kits.

[Waspie]

I love it, every day a school day. I thought the RAF only had 2 x SAR Sqdn's. 202/22! Never knew about 76 Sqdn.
The kit I have is the bog standard yellow SK on the box. So if you have a spare decal I'm sure we can come to a amicable solution!!! :thumb2:

[Andy T]

I'll follow along with this one.

I made this kit a few years ago here as my second ever model so was totally out of the box but I enjoyed building it as a tribute to my little bro' who was a winchman for many years (and still is with the new lot)

[Waspie]

I'll follow along with this one.

I made this kit a few years ago here as my second ever model so was totally out of the box but I enjoyed building it as a tribute to my little bro' who was a winchman for many years (and still is with the new lot)

At some stage I want to build a Naval Mk2, 5 or 6 as they are the marks I flew in. ASW and SAR although the SAR cabs I used weren't the red nosed 771 cabs. I noticed that one kit has the Prestwick decals so that would be what I would ideally like.

[rickoshea52]

In fact, in your photo in post #9 you can clearly see the 78 Sqn crest of the lion.