Our scale tributes to the mighty Sea King
Welcome to this latest edition of our Workbench blog and all the news, updates, and modelling exclusives from the fascinating world of Airfix.
We have something a little bit different for Workbench aficionados this week, as we not only post the latest in our series of dual blog publications, but we also pay our scale homage to a true icon of the aviation world, the Westland Sea King. Although the high speed jet fighters of the post war era are the ones which usually garner the greatest enthusiast interest levels, those who have a fascination for helicopters are particularly passionate about the objects of their affections. For those rotary fans based here in the UK and across wider Europe, the Westland Sea King stands head and shoulders as one of the most effective helicopters to see service, and we are proud to say that the current Airfix range has examples of this magnificent aircraft in both 1/72nd and 1/48th scales.
On this latest update, we will be using the recent arrival of some new built kit photographs to re-visit our current Sea King offerings in both scale options, as we move away from the subject of future release reviews this week, to concentrate on a pair of models which are currently in stock and available.
In a separately posted second blog, we will be taking the launch of a sale event on the Airfix website to highlight four spectacular deals currently on offer, two kits in 1/72nd scale and a further two in 1/48th scale.
We’re traversing modelling scales in this weekend’s dual edition of Workbench, so please join us as we place the spotlight on an impressive selection of current Airfix model kits.
The Westland Sea King – Almost 50 years of airborne versatility
An aircraft of this stature requires the creation of bespoke box artwork possessing real impact. Previously released artwork from a 1/72nd scale Sea King HC.4 release.
Although usually not the fastest, most heavily armed, or largest load carrying aircraft to be found in world skies, the technology behind the helicopter evolved at an impressive pace in the years which followed the end of the Second World War, and whilst speed records may have been capturing the headlines, and possibly the attention of the general public at the time, helicopters were quietly going about their business of becoming invaluable air assets. Capable of doing things other aircraft types were simply incapable of doing, once helicopters became more reliable, with engine technology enabling them to carry ever heavier loads, their incredible versatility would see them positioned at the forefront of many a military intervention, and similarly spearheading relief and humanitarian responses in times of international crisis.
Whether supporting military operations around the globe or coming to our rescue in times of need, the helicopter is viewed as an airborne angel on our shoulders, and indispensable in so many operational situations. Of all the many impressive helicopter designs to have graced world skies over the past 65 years of so, one name has been synonymous with the production of effective helicopters, machines which would become the envy of the aviation world – Sikorsky.
With their new SH-3 Sea King anti-submarine helicopter proving to be a revelation in US Navy service, able to take on far more tasks than the one for which it was originally intended, the Sea King was coveted by countries right across the globe, but with an existing production agreement in place, the Westland Company in Britain were well placed to be allowed manufacturing rights to produce the new helicopter. Once the Sea King had become established in US Navy service and its many strengths fully identified, Westlands were ready to start building their version of the aircraft, one destined for service in a similar role with the Royal Navy.
Although outwardly looking very similar to their American cousins, the Westlands built Sea Kings were actually very different, incorporating technologies and systems tailored towards British requirements, which included the latest electronic innovations from leading British aerospace companies at that time. Perhaps the most significant difference came with the selection of an alternative powerplant, with a pair of Rolls Royce Gnome turboshaft engines replacing the General Electric T58-GE-10 turboshafts used on US machines.
A computer rendered image produced from the latest 1/48th scale Sea King CAD files, highlighting the impressive levels of detail this new kit can boast.
As the Sea King became established in Royal Naval service, it quickly showed itself to be both operationally capable and highly adaptable, a significant upgrade on previous rotary capabilities. As a result of its incredible versatility, the Sea King was destined for a long and illustrious service career, whilst at the same time earning an enviable reputation for both serviceability and reliability. Capable of operating from ship or shore stations, by both day and night and in all weather conditions, the Sea King quickly became the helicopter against which all others would be judged, a truly magnificent aircraft.
From its initial anti-submarine role, the Sea King would also go on to serve in Search & Rescue, anti-surface shipping attack, airborne early warning, communications, surveillance, logistic re-supply, troop transport, medivac and special forces roles, underlining its credentials as one of the most successful aircraft of the 20th century and beyond. During a 49-year career with the British military, could this magnificent aircraft have been given a more appropriate name, as it most definitely became the King of the Sea in aviation terms.
As one of the most successful modern helicopter types, it will come as no surprise whatsoever to discover that a Sea King has been part of the Airfix tooling bank since 1969, when an SH-3D configured US Navy variant of the helicopter was released in 1/72nd scale. After several successful release cycles over the years, the Sea King benefitted from a new tooling design project in 2015, where the Westland manufactured variants of the Sea King were beautifully replicated, again in 1/72nd scale.
These hugely successful kits were joined by an even more ambitious project in 2023, when this magnificent aircraft was recreated in truly impressive style, as a larger 1/48th scale model release. Whatever your personal build scale preference may be, we currently have a Westland Sea King kit for you, and following the recent availability of a new selection of built model imagery, we’d like to revisit both models here, as part of this latest overview, starting with the 1/72nd scale kit, and moving on to its larger Sea King cousin.
A04056A – 1/72nd scale Westland Sea King HC.4
Our latest Sea King release in this scale draws its inspiration from the aircraft’s involvement in the Gulf War of 1991.
The Sea King may have been conceived as a fleet defender, protecting surface ships from enemy submarine attack, however, it quickly proved itself to be capable and adaptable enough to tackle a variety of different roles, becoming a vital component in any air arm in which it served. One of the most extensively modified variants of the Sea King was the Westland HC.4 Commando, an incredibly capable amphibious assault and support helicopter used by the Royal Marines, an aircraft specifically required to deliver, supply and extract troops in a variety of tactical situations, whilst retaining the overall usability of the Sea King in a multitude of operational situations.
Strangely for an aircraft dedicated to the support of seaborne troops, the HC.4 was based on a variant of aircraft developed for desert operations in Egypt and Qatar and are distinguishable from other variants by the fact that they did away with the large undercarriage float sponsons which were such a feature of earlier variants of the helicopter, replacing them with fixed main landing gear.
Over the years, the helicopter has proved itself capable of operating in some of the most unforgiving conditions, allowing military operations to be initiated and supported in areas where other aircraft simply wouldn’t be able to go. As a result, helicopters are usually found at the spearhead of any military operation, the first aircraft in when troops are needed on the ground and the last ones out when troops and equipment are extracted.
Anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to attend one of the many Airshows held at RNAS Yeovilton over the years will no doubt have fond memories of how Yeovilton liked to bring each of their events to a close, with their popular Commando Helicopter assault finale. A simulated role demonstration where Royal Navy assets react to and quickly neutralise a hostile enemy threat using air and ground assets, these demonstrations are always popular with the crowds because they are dynamic, exciting and have lots of bangs and flames!
The idea behind the role demonstration is to provide spectators with an idea of the work Royal Navy personnel carry out in support of British interests around the globe and specifically, how Commando Helicopter Force deploys its assets in order to place Royal Marine Commandos in the most effective position of influence – these highly trained troops make up one of the most feared fighting forces in the world.
In this exciting set piece scenario, insurgent activity on the ground is reported to military headquarters, who dispatch assets to deal with the situation quickly and effectively. Fast air assets will first survey the situation, often making an initial strike, before guiding attack helicopters to the scene and, whilst they were still in service, Sea King HC.4 Commandos full of Royal Marine troops to quickly neutralise the enemy. At the end of the set piece and with calm restored, the helicopters rise imperiously in a rather sinister fashion, just like the horsemen of the apocalypse. A final high-speed pass by the fast jet assets is the signal for a wall of flame to unleash, forming a fiery backdrop for the helicopters – it’s all quite spectacular!
Although these demonstrations are created in the name of Airshow entertainment, they do provide the general public with just a small indication of what it must be like to be on the receiving end of a Commando Helicopter Force operation and why these aircraft were regularly deployed in some of the world’s most volatile hotspots during their 36-year service career, starting with the Falklands Conflict in 1982. Colloquially referred to as the ‘Land Rover of the skies’, ‘Green Giants’ and ‘Junglies’, the latter nickname is the one which tends to resonate with most people, even though it isn’t actually meant in reference to the colour adopted by these Sea Kings. It’s actually thought to have emanated from the important role British Belvedere Commando helicopters played during their time serving in the jungles of Borneo during the 1960s, as they helped re-supply remote British Army outposts along the border with Indonesia.
More built model image delights of a kit finished in this attractive scheme, followed by a shot of kits finished in both scheme options included with this impressive kit.
Britain’s Commando Helicopter Force train exhaustively for deployment in some of the world’s most hostile and inhospitable environments, where the helicopter will play a crucial role in delivering them, keeping them resupplied and reinforced and also extracting them at the end of the operation. Should casualties be taken during the deployment, force helicopters will also be there to remove the casualties to field aid stations and onwards to more robust medical facilities if required.
Westland Sea King HC.4 ZD479 was one of the 42 Junglies built new for the Fleet Air Arm at Westlands in Yeovil, making its first flight in March 1984 and joining the Royal Navy later that same month. During a long service career, this helicopter spent time with both Nos 707 and 848 Naval Air Squadrons and benefited from several upgrades over that time, and noted as returning to Westlands for major upgrade works on two separate occasions.
To mark the end of a glorious 36 year service career, five Commando Helicopter Force HC.4 aircraft and a Merlin chase aircraft embarked on a farewell flypast tour of the south and southwest of Britain on 22nd March 2016, where thousands of people turned out along the route to pay their respects to this rotary stalwart.
Sea King HC.4 ZD479 was recorded as being in storage at RNAS Gosport in 2016, but from that point, her story goes a little quiet – can you shed a little light on the post-retirement era of this hardworking helicopter?
As the Royal Navy’s Sea King HC.4 helicopters could always expect to be sent to operate in some particularly hostile environments, the array of equipment the aircraft could call upon was regularly improved and upgraded, making these hard-working aircraft as survivable as they were dependable. Carrying either troops, cargo or underslung loads, the cockpit of the aircraft was compatible with night vision goggles and their defensive protection included a Sky Guardian radar warning receiver, missile approach warning equipment, an infra-red jammer and chaff dispensers.
Other electronic equipment included a secure communications suite, an ‘Elmer’ secure speech radio and state of the art identification friend or foe equipment, all intended to leave crews informed and protected. The entire fleet of Commando Helicopters underwent upgrade towards the end of 2007, intended to improve the aircraft’s performance when operating in the high and humid conditions of Afghanistan. Those improvements included a new set of composite rotor blades and a new five-bladed tail rotor, which improved controllability of the helicopters when operation in mountainous areas. Aircraft undergoing this modification were unofficially referred to as Sea King HC.4+ machines.
During the Gulf War of 1990/91, after an initial period where the services of the Navy’s Commando helicopters were seemingly not required, a force of 20 of these helicopters were rushed to theatre, in support of the Royal Marines, who were part of No.3 Commando Brigade RM. After quite a slow start, crews embarked on an intense period of training and workup, initially working closely with tank and artillery crews, as in the event of a land invasion, they would be required to provide medivac cover for artillery support troops engaged right along the active front line.
After crews witnessed the awesomely impressive Allied night barrage which was the prelude to invasion and the eerie silence which followed, they once again felt as if their services may not be required, because how on earth could any enemy force withstand such a withering onslaught?
Nevertheless, as Allied units pushed deeper into Kuwait, they eventually met with stiffer opposition and casualties started to be taken. This was very much the operating environment of the ‘Junglie’, with crews knowing they would be potentially flying into a firefight, but also, how their troops were in desperate need of their support, so this was a job which just had to be done. During the transit flight, aircraft flew past a great many burning oilfields, set alight by retreating Iraqi troops, with the acrid smoke being so dense that flight visibility was seriously hampered. In fact, the air was so thick with smoke that GPS equipment couldn’t function, and crews were effectively flying blind.
The same format as featured above, firstly showing a second view of this kit finished as Sea King HC.4 ZA296/VK in her Gulf War attire, followed by an image showing kits finished in both scheme options on offer with this kit.
Once in the forward combat zone and landing far enough from the casualties so as not to cause further injury, or blow over any temporary shelters erected, the wounded could be taken onboard, both Allied and Iraqi. Then, it was back to field aid stations in the rear, or more robust facilities if required, all the time taking small arms fire from troops who were simply aiming towards the noise, to this were the clouds from the burning oil fields.
These kinds of operational taskings were all in a day’s work for the Commando Helicopter Force of the Royal Navy and during their 36 year period of service, they would see service during the Falklands War, during the first Gulf War, in Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan, not to mention any number of operational deployments and training exercises along the way.
This particular aircraft was constructed by Westlands during early 1980, making her first flight on 28th May 1980. She was taken on strength with the Fleet Air Arm the following month, assigned the serial number ZA296 and allocated to No.864 NAS aboard HMS Bulwark. During an active career, this aircraft took part in the D-Day 50th Anniversary flypast in 1994, in addition to playing her part in at least two of the popular Commando Helicopter assault role demonstration finale displays at the annual Yeovilton Air Day.
During her service in Afghanistan in June 2008, this aircraft was damaged whilst attempting a night landing in sandstorm conditions, sustaining quite significant damage to all of its rotor blades and the port side main undercarriage. Despite the damage and potential severity of the situation, the pilot managed to nurse his aircraft back to Camp Bastion and safety, even though she would be out of commission for some time.
Of all the current crop of Airfix box artworks, surely this one demands we lift it down from the model shop shelf and take it home as our next build project.
During her time in the Gulf, ZA296 was also the subject of a famous series of colour photographs which documented the service exploits of this aircraft and the wider UK helicopter force, both operating over the desert and whilst landing on Royal Navy ships. These pictures are so clear that they allow those people wishing to research this particularly aircraft to be absolutely certain about the markings she wore during that deployment and the shade of her temporary ‘Desert Pink’ finish.
During her Gulf deployment, this aircraft was also one of four Royal Navy Commando helicopters which took part in ‘Operation Trebor’, the retaking of the British embassy in Kuwait City.
Following her withdrawal from service, this aircraft was passed to the care of Vector Aerospace at Fleetlands, before being sold to the Navy of Pakistan the following year. As a reduce to produce airframe, she was stripped of all useable parts whilst still in the UK, with the remaining fuselage later being sold to a new owner in Slovakia. It is thought that she is currently at the advanced stages of being returned to static display condition.
A11008 – 1/48th scale Westland Sea King HC.4
Incredibly evocative artwork produced in support of this second release from our new 1/48th scale Sea King tooling, showing Sea King HC.4s on operation in the South Atlantic, during the Falklands War of 1982.
The impressive Westland Sea King HC.4 also featured a folding main rotor system and a folding tail boom for ease of stowage on a British naval vessel and were capable of carrying 28 fully equipped troops over a range of around 600 miles. Ideally suited to amphibious warfare and the tactical insertion of ground troops, the 'Commando' proved to be an important variant of the Sea King. It was initially proposed as a tactical transport for the Egyptian Air Force for which the amphibious capability of earlier Sea Kings was not required and so the side floats were deleted. With folding rotors and tail, the Commando entered service with the Royal Navy as the Sea King HC.4. It would eventually be provided with radar-warning and infrared jamming devices, and could also deploy M130/M147 flares as countermeasures.
Besides troops, it could also be fitted to carry underslung loads of up to 2.5 tonnes. Increased range and a 28-troop capacity made it ideal as an amphibious transport aircraft, and the HC.4 would see operational service in the Falklands, Balkans, Gulf, Lebanon and Afghanistan conflicts. It was often deployed in order to evacuate wounded personnel and refugees, as well as preparing for and supporting ground advances.
Although the Falklands air war is usually associated with the Sea Harriers which performed with such distinction in protecting the British Task force from Argentinean air attack, or the Avro Vulcans which mounted the longest bombing raid in history, the contribution made by Britain’s helicopter force during the conflict was also crucial to the eventual success of the operation. Westland Sea King HC.4 ZA298 (c/n WA912) was built by Westlands in 1981, making its first flight on 21st August that year, prior to being delivered to the Naval Aircraft Support Unit at RNAS Culdrose. Unusually, she returned to Westlands later that year to be used on a sales tour of Algeria, where the aircraft wore the civilian registration G-BJMN.
ZA298 was one of fifteen Fleet Air Arm Sea King HC.4 helicopters to take part in ‘Operation Corporate’, Britain’s military operation to re-take the Falkland Islands from Argentinean invasion in 1982, where they would work tirelessly transporting troops and supplies, and delivering and extracting special forces around the region. She was assigned to HMS Hermes at the start of the operation, but was detached to the amphibious assault ship HMS Fearless, from where she assisted with the evacuation of personnel and casualties HMS Coventry after she had been hit by bombs from Argentinean A4 Skyhawks.
Sea King ZA298 would herself be targeted by A4 Skyhawks on 13th June 1982, when two aircraft screamed over the Falkland Islands and took pot-shots at the helicopter having just released their bombs. A 30mm cannon shell hit one of the helicopter’s rotor blades, with the aircraft being forced to make an immediate heavy landing. Incredibly, in the heat of battle, technicians replaced the blade in less than two hours, with ZA298 taking to the air again immediately after, continuing to provide her invaluable support. Just two days later, she was used to transport Argentinean General Menendez to HMS Fearless to begin surrender negotiations.
Westland Sea King HC.4 ZA298 is unquestionably one of the most significant British aircraft of the post war era.
After a baptism of fire such as this, you might think that the rest of this helicopter’s service career would be a little less dramatic, however, you would be mistaken, as this aircraft would be remembered as the longest serving Sea King Mk.4 and even be given the title ‘King of the Junglies’.
To say that Sea King ZA298 would go on to have a significant career would be something of an understatement, because essentially, wherever British forces were required to operate over the next 30 years or more, this incredible aircraft would have probably been there too. In addition to serving with such distinction during the Falklands War, she would go on to serve in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, during both Gulf Wars and in Afghanistan, coming under fire during most of these deployments. Whilst helping to rescue civilians during the Bosnian Crisis, the aircraft was raked by small arms fire and whilst serving in Afghanistan, had a sizeable hole blown in her fuselage side, after being struck by a rocket propelled grenade.
Whilst the helicopter was landing at a checkpoint in Helmand Province in 2009, ZA298 was struck by a Taliban RPG, causing significant damage to the aircraft and heralding the start of an extremely hazardous recovery operation for the British military. In an exercise which was a technically challenging as it was dangerous, a specialist team prepared to airlift the helicopter back to Camp Bastion, where the damage could be fully assessed and consideration given to onward transportation back to the UK for repair.
Once she was back at Camp Bastion, the full extent of the damage could be seen and whilst the decision was subsequently made to transport the aircraft back to the UK, it did appear to many that the damage was so severe that a repair attempt would be neither cost effective, or possible. Thankfully, that proved not to be the case, and a decision was taken to allow the repairs to take place and over the course of an eighteen-month period, the engineers at Vector Aerospace did a splendid job in returning this aviation stalwart to her former glory.
A befitting an aircraft of this stature, despite returning to service with Commando Helicopter Force, the remaining service years of ZA298 would be much less dramatic, unless, of course, you include the fact that she was the aircraft which carried the Olympic flame at the start of the London Olympics ceremony in 2012, where a Royal Marine Commando abseiled down from the helicopter into the grounds of the Tower of London, before transferring the flame to Dame Kelly Holmes.
Fittingly, ZA298 is now preserved for the nation and is on public display as part of the impressive collection at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, one of the most famous aircraft to have ever seen British service and significantly, only 7 miles from the factory which built her back in 1981. Her illustrious career stands testament to both the capabilities of modern helicopters and the effectiveness of the mighty Sea King.
During the Gulf War of 1990/91, after an initial period where the services of the Navy’s Commando helicopters was seemingly not required, a force of 20 of these helicopters were subsequently rushed to theatre, in support of the Royal Marines, who were part of No.3 Commando Brigade RM. After quite a slow start, crews embarked on an intense period of training and workup, initially working closely with tank and artillery crews, as in the event of a land invasion, they would be required to provide medivac cover for artillery support troops engaged right along the active front line.
After crews witnessed the awesomely impressive Allied night barrage which was the prelude to invasion and the eerie silence which followed, they once again felt as if their services may not be required, because how on earth could any enemy force withstand such a withering onslaught as that?
Nevertheless, as Allied units pushed deeper into Kuwait, they eventually met with stiffer opposition and casualties started to be taken. This was very much the operating environment of the ‘Junglie’, with crews knowing they would be potentially flying into a firefight, but also, how their troops were in desperate need of their support, so this was a job which just had to be done. During the transit flight, aircraft flew past a great many burning oilfields, set alight by retreating Iraqi troops, with the acrid smoke being so dense that flight visibility was seriously hampered. In fact, the air was so thick with smoke that GPS equipment couldn’t function, and crews were effectively flying blind.
Once in the forward combat zone and landing far enough from the casualties so as not to cause further injury, or blow over any temporary shelters erected to protect them, the wounded could be taken onboard, both Allied and Iraqi. Then, it was back to field aid stations in the rear, or more robust facilities if required, all the time taking small arms fire from troops who were simply aiming towards the noise, to this were the clouds from the burning oil fields.
These kinds of operational taskings were all in a day’s work for the Commando helicopter force of the Royal Navy and during their 36 year period of service, they would see service during the Falklands War, during the first Gulf War, in Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan, not to mention any number of operational deployments and training exercises along the way.
This particular aircraft was constructed by Westlands at Yeovil during 1981, making her first flight on 18th December that same year. She was taken on strength with the Fleet Air Arm in late January 1982, assigned the serial number ZA312 and later allocated to No.846 NAS at Yeovilton. During an active service career, this helicopter would see service with Nos.707, 845, 846 and 848 Naval Air Squadrons, before being sold to a private owner following her withdrawal from service.
During her service in the Gulf War, this aircraft was repainted in a temporary desert scheme which was very different from her Junglie attire. As an unfamiliar scheme on these hard working aircraft, she also benefited from the application of theatre markings, alternate black and white stripes around the rear fuselage and lower front fuselage, in an attempt to prevent the aircraft from coming under fire from friendly anti-aircraft units, particularly as these aircraft could be operating in forward areas and maybe in support of special services operations.
For aircraft which became so famous for wearing the sinister all-over green scheme which gave the ‘Junglies’ their affectionate nickname, several of the Royal Navy’s Sea King HC.4s would actually benefit from the application of some rather elaborate colour schemes, several of which are represented with this second release from this impressive kit. Arguably the most striking scheme of the four on offer, Sea King ZD480 wears the all-over white scheme of an aircraft involved in United Nations peace keeping operations, one intended to make these aircraft highly visible to everybody in the area and identifying the humanitarian nature of their operations.
This scheme was intended to show the black UN markings in a most visible manner (for obvious reasons), but also carried the famous light blue of the UN on the rotor cap of the aircraft. As one of the most adaptable aircraft types of the post war era, helicopters and the Sea King in particular, provided humanitarian and peace keeping forces with their most valuable aviation assets, able to respond at a moment’s notice and capable of operating both into and out of even the most inhospitable of locations.
These missions often served as high profile policing flights to ensure all sides honoured any ceasefire agreements in place, but also providing reassurance for the local population that the international community was taking an interest in their plight and were there to ensure things didn’t get any worse for them. UN Sea Kings could also be called upon to support in a multitude of situations, be that casualty evacuation, supply drops and support missions and in the case of the HC.4, also possessing the threat of firepower in any situation, should that be required. Operating from land bases, or from ships holding off the coast, these aircraft were invaluable when it came to this type of operation, possessing an inherent threat, whist at the same time ensuring peace.
One of the later Sea King HC.4s ordered for the Royal Navy, following the successful service introduction of the original machines, ZD480 was constructed by Westlands in late 1983, making her first flight on 19th March 1984. She was delivered to the Fleet Air Arm early the following month, where she was allocated to No.845 Naval Air Squadron. She would be one of the No.845 NAS Sea Kings which provided the longest period of support service flying peacekeeping operations out of Divulje Barracks in Croatia, service which began in November 1992, and was only relinquished in 2000.
During that time, the five Sea King HC.4 flights of No.845 Sqn. took it in turns to rotate in and out of the Divulje Barracks near Split, with the two helicopters and their crews maintaining a commitment to provide the SFOR hospital at Sipovo with a permanent helicopter response team 24 hours a day. This would usually be achieved on a rolling three day deployment, with one aircraft stationed at the hospital for the three days, whilst the other returned to Divulje for maintenance and crew recovery.
This support commitment was vital during this challenging period and crews who spent time there can be proud of their service and the many lives their expertise and professionalism must have saved.
As the Royal Navy’s Sea King HC.4 helicopters could always expect to be sent to operate in some of the world’s most hostile environments, the array of equipment the aircraft could call upon was regularly improved and upgraded, making these hard-working aircraft as survivable as they were dependable. Carrying either troops, cargo or underslung loads, the cockpit of the aircraft was compatible with night vision goggles and their defensive protection included a Sky Guardian radar warning receiver, missile approach warning equipment, an infra-red jammer and chaff dispensers.
Other electronic equipment included a secure communications suite, an ‘Elmer’ secure speech radio and state of the art identification friend or foe equipment, all intended to leave crews informed and protected. The entire fleet of Commando Helicopters underwent upgrade towards the end of 2007, intended to improve the aircraft’s performance when operating in the high and humid conditions of Afghanistan. Those improvements included a new set of composite rotor blades and a new five-bladed tail rotor, which improved controllability of the helicopters when operation in mountainous areas. Aircraft undergoing this modification were unofficially referred to as Sea King HC.4+ machines.
Sea King HC.4 ZF122 was also one of the later aircraft built for the Royal Navy, constructed by Westland Helicopters in 1986 and making its first flight from their factory airfield on 15th January 1987. She was flown to the Naval Aircraft Support Unit at RNAS Yeovilton early the following month and was later allocated to No.772 NAS at Portland, at the start of what would be a busy service career. She would spend time with 845 and 845 Naval Air Squadrons, on deployment to Northern Ireland, on board HMS Ocean and in Afghanistan to name just a few, before finally retiring from service in February 2015.
At that time, the aircraft was taken straight to HMS Sultan at Gosport having only just returned from Afghanistan, and was found to be carrying an amount of additional weight, having acquired quite a bit of sand during her final deployment. The aircraft was subsequently secured by Historic Helicopters, who embarked on an ambitious project to return this magnificent machine back to airworthy condition once more, obviously minus some of the sand they found.
Making its first engine run in 8 years earlier this summer, it’s hoped that ZF122 will once again grace British skies, and continue to mark the legacy of this magnificent aircraft and the other 42 Westland built Sea King HC.4s of the Royal Navy.
Could we be lucky enough to see her performing at an Airshow event in 2025?
If you would describe yourself as a rotary aviation fan, the Westland Sea King will no doubt be high on your personal list of most influential helicopter types ever produced, and if that infatuation extends to modelling, the Airfix range definitely has you covered from a kit perspective. With both of the above kits currently available on the Airfix website, they will be joined by a further supply of our ever popular RAF Sea King HAR.3 Gift Set a little later in the year and whilst these magnificent aircraft are no longer in British military service, there’s no reason we can’t commemorate their 49 year service in scale model form.
We are afraid that's all we have for you in this latest edition, but we will be back next Friday with more project development updates and the very latest Airfix kit exclusives. In the meantime, we are always keen to hear your views on all things Airfix and in particular, any thoughts and opinions you may have regarding our Workbench blog. If you would like to drop us a quick line, could we please ask that you use our workbench@airfix.com email for all correspondence.
To re-visit any of the Airfix blogs we have produced over the past seven years or so, please head to our main Workbench hub, where you will find our entire blog back catalogue and all the Airfix design projects we have already covered.
All our dedicated official social media sites can be accessed by clicking the respective link icons at the foot of this page, or by heading to the Airfix homepage. Other useful Airfix links are:
Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram official sites
Please join us for more Airfix updates next week and thank you for your continued support.
Related Products
Westland Sea King HC.4
A04056A |
1:72 Scale
Westland Sea King HC.4
A11008 |
1:48 Scale
Gift Set - Westland Sea King HAR.3
A55307B |
1:72 Scale
Further Reading
Related Products
Westland Sea King HC.4
A04056A |
1:72 Scale
Westland Sea King HC.4
A11008 |
1:48 Scale
Gift Set - Westland Sea King HAR.3
A55307B |
1:72 Scale
Further Reading
Airfix introduce RAF Typhoon Display Team double kit tributes at the treble
British Army to bid farewell to their iconic Land Rovers
