Corgi 'Commando' Seaking that doesn't require a tooling change!

[raddger]

I was at the RNAS Yeovilton airshow last weekend (foul weather caused about 1/3 of the participants to cancel unfortunately - I digress) when I noticed that the Navy's commando helicopter squadrons are now flying float equipped seakings with retractable undercarriage!

Apparently these 'new' aircraft were converted low-houred ASW Mk5/6 airframes no longer needed for the original role to ease the pressure on the fleet which is currently spread a bit thin. An example airframe is XV700 (the only one I can remember off the top of my head).

Don't know the total number of airframes converted but I counted about half a dozen different ones during the day.

Unfortunately I didn't have a camera to hand to take any pictures with...

Colour scheme is identical to the other junglie 'cabs': Dark green, B-type roundels and black serials and titles.

Equipment fit appears to be limited: The airframes still have the mounts on the nose and sides for the ESM fit that was part of ASW kit but no sensors. The dorsal radar 'hump' is also removed along with the related equipment in the cabin.The frame for the IR jammer is also fitted next to the main undercarriage support strut althought I didn't see any of these converted aircraft actually fitted with the equipment. All airframes noted were fitted with the engine intake filters.

The lack of operational equipment fitted to these airframes would suggest that they are being used more as training airframes at Yeovilton to free up the fixed undercarriage Mk.4's with all the bells and whistles fitted for operational use. Although I do stress this is just an assumption!

No idea what the designation of these aircraft is: HC.5/6 perhaps?

Couldn't get me head around a 'commando' seaking with floats - it just looked wrong but I guess that's because it's different.

What it does mean is that Corgi could produce a Royal Navy 'commado' seaking without incurring a tooling cost.

Technically it would be a commando seaking but perhaps it is cheating just a bit...

I'd take one with floats over none at all any day....

[Albert Ross]

That's very interesting Raddger, thanks for that! I've just found this photo taken there that shows both versions. Shame about the boring colour scheme, though!

[ascot]

Albert I am quite happy with that boring scheme, accuracy is far more important with me.

[raddger]

That's very interesting Raddger, thanks for that! I've just found this photo taken there that shows both versions. Shame about the boring colour scheme, though!

Nice to see I wasn't the only one dodging the showers last saturday then!

Unfortunately these modern paint schemes are never that exciting unless it's been something that's been painted up for a special occasion. Which I seem to remember you said back in the dim and distant past don't sell very well - apologies if that wasn't you!

I'm with ascot - drab and accurate (floats or otherwise) would be very nice thank you!

Perhaps we can hope that one or more of the ASW conversions has been to Norway and got painted up with a set of white 'tiger stripes'....

[Albert Ross]

Nice to see I wasn't the only one dodging the showers last saturday then!

Unfortunately these modern paint schemes are never that exciting unless it's been something that's been painted up for a special occasion. Which I seem to remember you said back in the dim and distant past don't sell very well - apologies if that wasn't you!

I'm with ascot - drab and accurate (floats or otherwise) would be very nice thank you!

Perhaps we can hope that one or more of the ASW conversions has been to Norway and got painted up with a set of white 'tiger stripes'....

Yes, that was me that said most people prefer standard operational schemes, rather than colourful 'anniversary schemes'. Do you REALLY need Corgi to do a Sea King in his scheme? As this one doesn't have a radome, why not get hold of a Corgi US Marines Sea King which is already olive drab and just change the markings with a tin of Humbrol No.30 and a new set of decals? :rolleyes: .

[raddger]

Not enough blades on the tail rotor!

I was looking at my Sheriff's Department S-61 and that looked a more likely start point because it was fitted with the engine intake filter. Having said that, being a Sikorsky aircaft it's still only a five bladed tail rotor.

The only UK built aircraft fitted with five bladed tail rotors were either very early or very late production machines. I have a feeling 'late production' means things like the new build advanced Indian Navy machines rather than Royal Navy re-builds...

But in answer to your original question: YES PLEASE!

[planejunky]

Yep I'm up for an HC4 Commando. I took this picture at Duxford in October last year, though the real star of that show was Sqn Ldr Dave Morgan in his Chinook! :cool:

[Aeronut]

A Westland Commando in arctic camo markings would be very nice, true for this version to be correct it would need a little new tooling but I think the Sea King model's been around long enough now for an update or two, how about it Albert ;)

[condor]

A Westland Commando in arctic camo markings would be very nice, true for this version to be correct it would need a little new tooling but I think the Sea King model's been around long enough now for an update or two, how about it Albert ;)


Would be nice;)





Condor

[Rusty]

They are indeed 5s that were surplus to requirements (after Gannet lost 819 and the embarked SAR from 771 was scrapped). They were stripped out and painted up as Commando Seakings but there are still the obvious differences (which presumably mean that Corgi wouldn't need to do a mould change). The Drab scheme although not colourful is still quite interesting I think and I would love to see one from Corgi (I'd rather see a prorper 'junglie' but I won't be picky!).

Also, as far as I am aware, the UC was welded down in these conversions (so corgi don't need to provide the optional 'up' version!). Something about junglie pilots not being smart enough to gear down before landing? :LOL: :D ;)


I was at the RNAS Yeovilton airshow last weekend (foul weather caused about 1/3 of the participants to cancel unfortunately - I digress) when I noticed that the Navy's commando helicopter squadrons are now flying float equipped seakings with retractable undercarriage!

Apparently these 'new' aircraft were converted low-houred ASW Mk5/6 airframes no longer needed for the original role to ease the pressure on the fleet which is currently spread a bit thin. An example airframe is XV700 (the only one I can remember off the top of my head).

Don't know the total number of airframes converted but I counted about half a dozen different ones during the day.

Unfortunately I didn't have a camera to hand to take any pictures with...

Colour scheme is identical to the other junglie 'cabs': Dark green, B-type roundels and black serials and titles.

Equipment fit appears to be limited: The airframes still have the mounts on the nose and sides for the ESM fit that was part of ASW kit but no sensors. The dorsal radar 'hump' is also removed along with the related equipment in the cabin.The frame for the IR jammer is also fitted next to the main undercarriage support strut althought I didn't see any of these converted aircraft actually fitted with the equipment. All airframes noted were fitted with the engine intake filters.

The lack of operational equipment fitted to these airframes would suggest that they are being used more as training airframes at Yeovilton to free up the fixed undercarriage Mk.4's with all the bells and whistles fitted for operational use. Although I do stress this is just an assumption!

No idea what the designation of these aircraft is: HC.5/6 perhaps?

Couldn't get me head around a 'commando' seaking with floats - it just looked wrong but I guess that's because it's different.

What it does mean is that Corgi could produce a Royal Navy 'commado' seaking without incurring a tooling cost.

Technically it would be a commando seaking but perhaps it is cheating just a bit...

I'd take one with floats over none at all any day....

[Rusty]

BTW, could we have this in the Military section pleeeeease? Thanks mods! :)

[CFBC]

BTW, could we have this in the Military section pleeeeease? Thanks mods! :)

Sorted. :)

[planejunky]

The FAA bought a HAS.6 to Duxford in October as a crew ferry between Cambridge at DX. The Navy actually call them HAS.6 (CR)'s and yes six machines were converted from ASW platforms for the commando role. It may be interesting to see if any more are pulled from storage with the dire shortage of support helos in Iraq and Afghanistan, though with the RN being 30% down on personel right now, it would be doubtful if they'd have enough crews to operate them!

No reason at all why Corgi couldn't do this aircraft, though after the Odiham Chinook I wouldn't trust them to sit the right way round on a toilet, let alone get the paint scheme right!

For your viewing pleasure here's some pics of XZ922 ZA at Duxford.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Modern%20Military/SeaKingHAS-1.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Modern%20Military/SeaKingHAS.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Modern%20Military/SeaKingHAS-3.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Modern%20Military/SeaKingHAS-2.jpg

[shuttle]

Planejunky,

Very nice shots. It was fun to watch this bird taking various trips back and forth during the air-show.

:D Shuttle

[chally2]

Just the pics i needed.I have a RAN Sea King which i had put a motor in( :eek: is that sort of thing done around here)sat around in grey primer, now i may do a junglie.Anyone know the Humbrol No. of the green off the top of their heads ? :unsure:

[planejunky]

Just the pics i needed.I have a RAN Sea King which i had put a motor in( :eek: is that sort of thing done around here)sat around in grey primer, now i may do a junglie.Anyone know the Humbrol No. of the green off the top of their heads ? :unsure:

Matt 66 "olive drab" would probably be the nearest mate. ;) If you need any more pics just PM me and I'll email'em over to you.

[Gannet]

Nice pics indeed.

With all the HAS.6s now filling up the hangars at Gosport it has been suggested that more of them could be converted, but the age of most of them (at least 20 yrs, and the original production batch at least 35 yrs) and the fact that the poor old cab would struggle with the engine performance v. hot'n high operating conditions has somewhat precluded it.

But I see that six of the Danish Merlins are being bought up by the MoD straight off the production line as HC.3As, though as yet it is unclear whether the RAF or the FAA will operate them.

[planejunky]

But I see that six of the Danish Merlins are being bought up by the MoD straight off the production line as HC.3As, though as yet it is unclear whether the RAF or the FAA will operate them.

Yes I saw that, I wonder how they'll cope with the differences in marks. Reminds me of the hassle we had on the Supply Sqn at Wattisham with the FGR.2 and F-4J (UK), same jet, different mark and many different bits!

We should have bought more than one squadron's worth of Merlin HC.3's to start with, it always seemed such an odd procurement. :confused:

[neighbob]

Planejunky,

Very nice shots. It was fun to watch this bird taking various trips back and forth during the air-show.

:D Shuttle

It wasn't when you are sat by the barrier when it keeps warms up for take off, the wind from the rotor and down draught were blo0dy freezing.:)

[chally2]

Matt 66 "olive drab" would probably be the nearest mate. ;) If you need any more pics just PM me and I'll email'em over to you.
your pics above will do fine, thanks for the help.:)

[planejunky]

your pics above will do fine, thanks for the help.:)

A pleasure mate.

[sniperUK]

Just the pics i needed.I have a RAN Sea King which i had put a motor in( :eek: is that sort of thing done around here)sat around in grey primer, now i may do a junglie.Anyone know the Humbrol No. of the green off the top of their heads ? :unsure:

Not Humbrol but Xtracolor X028 R.N. Helio Olive Drab BS298, hope this helps.

[planejunky]

Not Humbrol but Xtracolor X028 R.N. Helio Olive Drab BS298, hope this helps.

That'll be the pucker stuff then! ;)

[chally2]

Well blow me (nooooo) guess what appears doing practice u/slung loads on the range at the bottom of my road today? a green Sea king.Which was nice.I would show a pic but i have not got time to suss out pic attachments but it made a nice change from lynx,gazelles, woccas, merlins, puma's, apaches, junglies blah,blah that frequent my area:D changed my avatar instead.