Doug's Westland Wasp by LF, the build!

[scottie3158]

That’s part of why I can’t build models to this level of detail: I just can’t be arsed to build something more than a second time if the first one isn’t up to scratch :smiling3: Coupled to that, I have a strong aversion to wasting resources, and making things only to throw them away feels like the materials that went into them could have been used better.

To a certain extent I agree but most of the time it's only when I try something new and get the method right.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

I am still here Doug. Coming along nicely. I may see a helicopter in my future.

[Waspie]

I am still here Doug. Coming along nicely. I may see a helicopter in my future.

Thank you Steve, the more the merrier as they say. If you decide upon a rotary - avoid the Wasp!!!! Not a nice kit!! (IMHO)

[Steve-the-Duck]

I can guarantee you that as soon as you complete this, Airfix will release one!

Maybe next year. But on the cards, sure. Did they 'Classic' re-issue the Scout recently? I know the Belvedere is coming

BTW Anyone else remember Fujimi's Wasp that was 1/50th, and STILL tiny!

[Scratchbuilder]

See you are having fun with this one. For your wind deflectors, if you want thinner clear plastic, use the plastic covers that come with some food products and cement in place with pva.

[Waspie]

Maybe next year. But on the cards, sure. Did they 'Classic' re-issue the Scout recently? I know the Belvedere is coming

BTW Anyone else remember Fujimi's Wasp that was 1/50th, and STILL tiny!

I do hope next year! In 1/48 would be a good companion to the SK!! I was after the Fujima Wasp but wasn't able to find one, other than eBay and I don't like buying from eBay!!

See you are having fun with this one. For your wind deflectors, if you want thinner clear plastic, use the plastic covers that come with some food products and cement in place with pva.

Fun is not exactly the word I would use for this one Mike - Oh No!!
At the moment, I have selected a piece of clear plastic from the 'King' I plan to cut to size using a waxed length of cotton. The Wasp kit has 2 x stretchers, (for the Scout conversion), that I can also chop to size and add as the solid lower portion than some plastic card for a triangular bracing piece at the bottom!! IF, I can I will make them from these pieces, If not plastic card and food container plastic as you suggest!!! (Thanks for the tip by the way :thumb2: ).

[Waspie]

Todays progress!! I made some!!!
I managed to spend the vast amount of my free time removing flash and seams from some quite small pieces. A couple less than a cm long. However, I did manage to get the main rotor gearbox,, ECU struts, (engine), then the drive shaft, intermediate gearbox and the MGB support struts, (The tiny bits), fitted. Sounds a lot but they're so small that they collectively amount to sod all really!! Oh!! I nearly forgot, the single hydraulic reservoir!! (Rumoured to have come from an aileron ram on a WW2 bomber!!)
Eyes couldn't take any more - I'm too old for 1/72!!!

Almost in a position to prime - almost!

Pic 1

[boatman]

waspie
( quote)
Eyes couldn't take any more - I'm too old for 1/72!!!

THATS WHY Doug i said go for a 1/32 scale chopper then no trouble seein them bits lol but you are doin a great job on this little beast stick at it boyo
chrisb

[Waspie]

waspie
( quote)
Eyes couldn't take any more - I'm too old for 1/72!!!

THATS WHY Doug i said go for a 1/32 scale chopper then no trouble seein them bits lol but you are doin a great job on this little beast stick at it boyo
chrisb

Arm was up my back on this one Chris. LF are currently the only Wasp producer and it happened to be in 1/72. The next is a tad bigger, 1/48, wifeys not to happy as its a Russian chopper and she thinks I've sold my soul!! Hopefully if Airfix do bring out a Wasp it'll be at least 1/48 as that would compliment the Sea King. In the real world the pair were a good team. The SK would search and locate submarines then call in the Wasp as a weapon carrier to drop DC's or Torpedo's. ( I can but dream). Either way, it'll be a while before I attempt another 1/72 helicopter!!

[A_J_Rimmer]

Looking good Doug!

LOL! 1/72 too small, such nonsense! You need to build one in 1/144!

[Waspie]

Looking good Doug!

LOL! 1/72 too small, such nonsense! You need to build one in 1/144!

You've just induced a nightmare Arnie!!! :tears-of-joy: :tears-of-joy:

[boatman]

Looking good Doug!

LOL! 1/72 too small, such nonsense! You need to build one in 1/144!

YES Doug i think Arnie is right as they are dear little kits in 1/144 scale as on my USS NIMITZ carrier i built 54 revel aircraft includein 4 choppers in 1/144 scale an they were 2 sea hawks an one super sea stallion an a even smaller R/N lynks an that was a test on the ole eyesight then but they looked very good even fitted nav lights an motors for engines in the hawkeyes SO its all possible an Doug HAVNT you got a head an eye magnifiyer to see the small parts as i found it was very helpfull on the ole mark 1 eyeball lol
chrisb

[Waspie]

Ok perspective time!! I have sat on Nimitz 1:1 flight deck in a Wasp and the rotor diameter is just as wide as Nimitz white centre line when landing zoomies!!!
That said, in 1/72 my eyes simply struggle to cope!! And nope, I as yet don’t have a magnifying aid. I only wish I did!!! It’s high on my wish list. :thumb2:

[boatman]

Ok perspective time!! I have sat on Nimitz 1:1 flight deck in a Wasp and the rotor diameter is just as wide as Nimitz white centre line when landing zoomies!!!
That said, in 1/72 my eyes simply struggle to cope!! And nope, I as yet don’t have a magnifying aid. I only wish I did!!! It’s high on my wish list. :thumb2:

WELL Doug why dont you get one as when i started modelin again in 2019 it was the first thing i bought as i knew as you get older the eyesight goes down so thats what you need an ive wore up 3 of them in my 5 yrs back online but they are not to bad on price
chrisb

[Waspie]

More of the same today, loads of filing and sanding all the undercarriage parts. Then a bit of 'clagging' I would have said glueing but for this, 'clagging' seems a better term!!! Trying to sort out the geometry of the bits then 'trying' to get them to magically appear in the right place!! The instructions show locating holes yet mysteriously - there ain't any!! so it a case of applying the TeT, letting it start to set then attaching the part, if I attached the part too early it simply slipped away from its nominated location. (When is that third and fourth arm when you need it?).
Oh! I did drill a few holes in the struts to locate the oleo's but that was about it.
I only managed to complete the rear assemblies due to fighting it out with BMW over my MoT. "Sorry can't fit you in until your MoT is a week out of date" So I can't use my car!! Aghhhhhhhhhh
I digress.

Pic 1
Starboard undercarriage in place! (Ish) Wheels castored fore and aft as it will be on the ground!!


Pic 2
Both rear U/C's in place. Not the easiest of jobs. I have to say. A bit of help in the form of better instructions and actual locating detents would have been useful. Luckily, I have quite a few pics I can use for reference to ensure I get the geometry correct!!! It would be easy to fit the U/C wrong!


That was/is it for today. The front is even fraught with more issues. A job for another day.

As they, 'that's all folks'. What a day!

C&C's as usual - all welcomed.