1/48 Westland Wasp HAS 1

[nzarra]

Greetings all,

After many years I have decided to resume scale plastic modelling. I had 3 or 4 kits of subject of interest up in the roof space. They probably have been in storage for 15-20 years as I purchased them shortly after discharging from RNZN in 1995.
I was a ASAC (Anti Submarine Aircraft Controller) and HAC (Helicopter Approach Controllers) and wanted to model my ships but also the various aircraft I had controlled.

The first model I decided to start on is the one I had the most hours controlling - the Westland Wasp.

The model is the Fuji 1/48 scale kit. As a model maker I like models to be reasonably accurate but am not a rivet counter. When I make alterations or add detail I do so for effect and whilst using photos and references do not claim 100% accuracy.



The kits is fairly basic, and as far as I can tell there are no aftermarket detail kits available. 



A few things I have planned for this kit

1) Detail cockpit



2) Remove front doors

3) Detail engine



4) Detail rotorhead


(photo is a Scout) 

5) Add Floats

6) Replace incorrect tail navigation light

I am also considering enlarging the nose windows as they seem a little on the small size. 

[nzarra]

I had previously ( 15 years ago ) assembled to model out of the box - so now I would need to work on it partially assembled which would not normally be my approach. 



A couple of breakages (obviously one rotor blade) and missing parts ( the control stick) and luckily was not glued together completely and so still broke into subassemblies. 



I spent a bit of time tidying up joins and getting a feel for the kit and decided to start on the cockpit. 

[nzarra]

Cockpit

As previously mentioned I wanted to add some detail to the cockpit that conveyed the feeling of the Wasp. It would not be 100% accurate but convey the feeling was the goal.

The cockpit as per the kit is very basic. 




I wanted to detail with dual controls. Not sure all RNZN Wasps were fitted out this way all the time but know that they could be. 

I started by adding some control sticks and collective from plastic rod in a couple of different diameters. 


(I have sat the cockpit subassembly back in the chassis for the photo )

[Ian Warren]

I have re-modeled a kit and even adding rotor , no tail , this was an old Huey .. strange so much interest with the Wasp in the last few weeks.

[nzarra]

Previous posts were catching up for the last couple of days on this project.

Cockpit Part 2 

Today I did a few more bits on the cockpit and am happy to call it done except for the seatbelt/straps which I will add when I get some foil. 





I trimmed off the solid sides to the chairs and added support rods, extended the dash and added glare shades, fitted foot pedals and a map case and added padding to the seats. I used self adhesive high density foam and think it has worked ok. I have left adhesive cover on exposed side, will look at removing it when I paint it. I also added some padding to the rear bench seat. I added a few buttons/gauges to the extended control panel just using very thin disks of plastic rod. I am reasonably happy with the level of detail now, will add the seat belts next and then move on to rotor head. 

[Calum]

Nice start

[dewobz]

Yeah, good work!