Revell Westland Wessex HAS Mk.3 1:48 – (Tim H Build)

Feature Article with Tim Haynes
Kit Ref: 04898

Background…

Having built the Italeri Wessex HU.5 a number of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the process, I managed to obtain a copy of the older Revell HAS Mk.3 boxing thinking it would be a nice companion for the former build. We then visited Thorpe Camp air museum near Coningsby in July 2022 where they have a Wessex HAS Mk1, which reminded me of the Revell kit in the stash, which I unearthed on our return home. At the same time I was labouring on the B-58 prototype I was building and needed a motivational distraction.

So, just before we get going, here’s a quick look at how it all turned out…

The Plan…

I like the nice bright yellow and blue colour scheme as shown on the box art, but planned to build it as XP150, as I already had a set of suitable aftermarket decals. Even though I planned this build with the cabin door closed I intended to build some shapes to represent to sonar equipment due to the window in the door. A few other mods were required, including the need to address the inaccurate front undercarriage legs (which are more appropriate for an early Sikorsky H-34 “Choctaw” as that was what the original boxing represented).

References:

Although I used the Internet, as is almost standard practice these days, my main source of information was the Haynes manual.

Haynes Publications – Westland Wessex 1958 onwards (all models) by Lee Howard

Extras:

• Xtradecal – X48111 – with one option for the HAS Mk.3
• eduard – Canopy Masks – EX370 (designed for the Italeri kit)
• eduard – Exterior Etch – 48754 (designed for the Italeri kit)
• SAC – Replacement Metal Main u/carriage Legs – 48196 (designed for the Italeri kit)
• ResKit – Resin Wheels – RS48-0043 – Sikorsky Seahorse & Westland Wessex (all models)
• eduard Brassin – Mk44 Homing Torpedoes – ED648625.

Some of these arrived later in the build, and photo opportunities were overlooked prior to use.

Read on…