1/72 Hobbycraft Ch-113 Labrador

Gallery Article by Harv on Mar 15 2010

 

In Memory of Tusker 305

Greetings all.  My latest is Ch-113 Labrador #305.  This bird had a tragic ending to its long career with the Canadian Forces, one muddied by political fumbling and lack of concern for the people who risk their lives "That others may live", as the motto of our SAR squadrons adhere to.

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Starting with the infamous Hobby-CRAP kit, I was disgusted to find the majority of parts warped, and the cockpit roof missing from one side half- great job on quality control.  I managed to straighten and replace as necessary.  Details such as engine intakes and radar were scratchbuilt and then resin-cast so I have duplicates for my Fujimi kit- wish I could get more of that one!  The aft rotor mast was replaced with a resin unit from somewhere- they were in a box of yardsale finds.

In the 80's CH-113 Labradors and CH-124 Seakings were identified as being in desperate need of replacement.  The Conservative gov't of the day selected EH-101 Merlins for all, by the Canadian public railed against the price.  With the next election the Liberals promised to scrap the deal.  They also promised to cut a very unpopular services tax.  Guess which promise the jerks actually kept.  Funny thing, cancellation penalties were as much as it would have cost to keep the deal!  It took until 1999 before we saw the first new Sar choppers, and still don't have Sea King replacements!  

Lab 305 was returning from a medevac mission in northern Quebec on 2 Oct 1998 with a relief crew, when an in-flight fire occurred in the engine compartment.  As the crew descended to land in a field in high winds an explosion at 1500 ft altitude broke the helicopter apart and killed the crew.  The original crew, now almost home on a C-130 Hercules, turned around and parachuted in extremely high winds to reach the site, but there was nothing that could be done.  I dedicate this to Sgt Jean Roy and the rest of the crew of Tusker 305.  

Harv

Photos and text © by Harv