Completed Special Hobby 1/32 Westland Whirlwind.

[papa 695]

Fantastic result Steve.

[Guest]

Steve. Immaculate in build & finish a lovely straight out of the factory finish.

Something I have never achieved. So sad.

Love the insertion of the pilot nice in execution & imagination.

Next well why not another Whirlwind.

Westland Whirlwind helicopter

Laurie

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n[/ATTACH]

[stona]

Laurie, my dad converted to helicopters in the 1950s, transitioning from fixed wing aircraft (Sea Fury) to various helicopters.

Here's a picture of my father flying a Whirlwind off Malta, where I spent the first two years of my life!

This is a scan, the original print has a Times of Malta stamp on the back. I vaguely remember my father telling me that the contraption for plucking the casualty from the sea was a Barnes Wallace invention, so maybe that's why they were interested.



He even managed to crash one into the sea following an engine failure, though everyone survived. His logbook notes 'ditched' and that the flight ended at 12.55. What is remarkable is that he was airborne again, obviously at the controls of a different helicopter, at 16.05. I can't see that happening today.

[Guest]

So now Steve you can hardly not build one. Can you ? :smiling2:

We have lived in & through the fastest moving history ever. Things which were were in the front line
superb pieces of engineering obsolete overnight & rapidly disappeared.

Nice that we as the model making fraternity can ensure that they are not forgotten.

Wow so here is one. However 1/72 which may not suit you. But go on give it a go Steve.
Dear old dad will like it.

My dear old dad produced RAF rescue launches for the channel during WW11 must see if they have been produced
in model form.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130721563617?hash=item1e6f9cc3e1:g:KBsAAOxyOa9RzY5W

Laurie

[spanner570]

Beautiful work, not only of the helicopter, but the pilot too.

Nice one, Steve.

[colin m]

A nice tidy result Steve. Good idea to chuck a figure in the frame. The aircraft is a lot bigger than I thought.

[Jim R]

Hi Steve
That is very nice. Interesting story to go with it. Adding the figure gives a real sense of just how big this plane was.
Jim

[prichrd1]

He even managed to crash one into the sea following an engine failure, though everyone survived.

Steve,

You may find this one interesting:-

Air crash Malta
Covers the period 1950 - '59 there are 6 Westland Whirlwind accidents reported -
11/06/54 - 10/01/57 - 23/10/58 - 06/11/58 - 30/01/59 & 25/02/59.

Air crash Malta 2
Covers the period 1960 - '69 there are 5 Westland Whirlwind accidents reported -
06/04/60 - 18/05/60 - 11/08/60 - 20/04/61 & 05/05/62.

Paul.
:smiling:

[Fernando N]

Very nice Steve, love the scheme:thumb2::thumb2:

[BarryW]

Steve,

You may find this one interesting:-

Air crash Malta
Covers the period 1950 - '59 there are 6 Westland Whirlwind accidents reported -
11/06/54 - 10/01/57 - 23/10/58 - 06/11/58 - 30/01/59 & 25/02/59.

Air crash Malta 2
Covers the period 1960 - '69 there are 5 Westland Whirlwind accidents reported -
06/04/60 - 18/05/60 - 11/08/60 - 20/04/61 & 05/05/62.

Paul.
:smiling:

I think these must refer to the whirlwind helicopter based on those dates not the WW2 fighter as per this build.

[BarryW]

Outstanding build Steve right up to your usual superb standard.

[colin m]

I think these must refer to the whirlwind helicopter based on those dates not the WW2 fighter as per this build.

Buck up Barry, or has the caffeine not done its magic yet ? if you read page 1 of Steve’s thread, you’ll see why helicopters get a mention.

[Guest]

Buck up Barry, or has the caffeine not done its magic yet ? if you read page 1 of Steve’s thread, you’ll see why helicopters get a mention.

Yep I introduced the helicopter bit & apologies as I have confused things a bit. This is not unusual.

But I am happy.

Laurie

[BarryW]

Buck up Barry, or has the caffeine not done its magic yet ? if you read page 1 of Steve’s thread, you’ll see why helicopters get a mention.

Well i missed all that, I thought it odd.

[Guest]

Well i missed all that, I thought it odd.

Age Barry ?

I am an expert on it.. Also a consultant on vintage

Laurie