30th August 2025
The Westland Wessex HC.2 was a licence-built turbine-powered development of the classic American Sikorski S-58 ‘Choctaw’ helicopter, one of the world’s first truly capable helicopters which established these aircraft as essential for a host of military and civilian applications. The continuation of an existing arrangement between Sikorsky and Westland, the Wessex was initially developed for the Royal Navy in the anti-submarine and utility roles but was further developed as the HC.2 for the Royal Air Force, entering service in 1962, a year later than the Navy machines.
In RAF service, these powerful helicopters performed several roles, including troop and supply transportation, ground support and air evacuation duties. However, it was their use as Air Sea Rescue helicopters which made these some of the highest-profile aircraft in service at that time. The Wessex represented the pinnacle of rotary technology when introduced and could operate from, and into places that other aircraft couldn’t.
Considered to be one of the most detailed 1:72 scale Airfix kit ever released to date, the Westland Wessex HC.4 is ready to hit the workbench! The kit features fully detailed interior with seating, poseable cabin door and cockpit windows, option for folded or unfolded rotor blades and tail, representation of quilted surfaces throughout the interior and cockpit. Many optional parts are also included such as lights, antenna, winch and canopy type. Alongside these features, the kit consists of 134 parts, ranking at a skill level 2, including three captivating schemes to choose from. Once built, the kit measures 211mm in length and 237mm in width.
The kit includes the following schemes:
Scheme A: Westland Wessex HC.2, No.2 Flying Training School, Royal Air Force Shawbury, England, 1995.
Scheme B: Westland Wessex HC.2, Armada Nacional del Uruguay, Base Aeronaval No.2, Uruguay, 2000.
Scheme C: Westland Wessex HC.2, No.28 Squadron, Royal Air Force Sek Kong, Hong Kong, 1978.
See you tomorrow!
SPENCER POLLARD'S KIT BOX 
I was just looking at the three ( as usual well built ‘official company’ publicity models ) and thinking the modeller had a pretty monotonous trio to produce but I see there are options around transparencies open and closed and especially the folding tail and rotors .And I presume the aftermarket decal producers have something for everybody .Not too bad value as a Series 4 either in these days of ‘Series’ creep from Airfix eg Mosquito could once be got as Series 2 .But I suppose this cracking new kit will provide a lot more for the modeller to get their teeth into than the older offerings from the likes of Matchbox !
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