1/48 Hasegawa Sea King

Gallery Article by Michael Jack on July 12 2021

 

      

Royal Australian Navy MK.50 Shark 22 of 817 Squadron
Model: Westland Sea King MK.50, Kit: HSS-2B 07202 1992 re boxing release. 

Paints: I used rattle can TS-26 Compass grey from Tamiya to paint. 

Main rotor: The five blades on the main rotor head, had to be modified with Evergreen plastic, to the new lighter style of blades. 

Tail rotor: Also the five bladed tail rotor provided, needed a sixth blade added. They also have the Prop Blur brass blades, like most of my Sea Kings. 

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Resin parts: The resin parts I used are moulded from my other kits. Which are the radar dome behind main rotor, the Shorter tail boom, along with underside Sonar opening cover and lastly the small bubble on the port side engine cover. 

Photo etch: There are a few included Photo etched items in this kit, being the two small flap covers on the stbd side of the nose. With two vents on the nose and again two on the tail. 

Scratch built: Allot of the Antennas and other raised objects are just made from Evergreen plastic. These items included the Cargo door hand rails, spot lights, cable guard under cargo door on hull, port side tail strake. The winch needed to be raised several millimetres form original mount, I also slapped together a Sonar Operator console and seat from spares box. 

Decals: I purchased the low-vis decals from Hawkeye. Very fine detail these are and allot of them too. You will need to cut close to eliminate clear film. 

Weathering: I used a led pencil to enhance the panel lines and exhaust build up, with dry brushing burnt iron. 

Build: It was a very nice and quick build. I did make sure plenty of planning went into it. I found allot of reference pictures as I always do. 

Figures: I used the PJ Productions Royal Navy Lynx Crew set. 

Base: This was just a plank of wood, then glued on a tarmac print from ebay and added some fake grass. 

Real aircraft: This aircraft was an EX Royal Navy bird, which had ditched in 1982. Then received a lote (upgrade) and entered service with the RAN in 1992, it was the first Sea King to land on HMAS Manoora during landing trials.

Long live the King

Michael Jack

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Photos and text © by Michael Jack