This column is for the most part a step away from Canadian Aircraft into my other area of interest, Helicopters. I thought that I would take a look at a couple of releases in 1/72nd scale, the Wessex HU-5 and HAS3. Both of these kits have their roots in the Italeri Sikorky S-58 kit (which can be built as a Canadian machine!) As with the Wessex itself, which was a conversion of the S-58 by Westland, both of these kits start with the rear fuselage and provide new noses and other misc. parts to produce the two British machines.

Firstly, the Wessex HU-5 contains the jet engine and single large exhaust on each side plus further parts to make the S-58 into a Wessex. However I have found a few problems, although none are too serious. Starting with step 1, don't open up the two holes toward the rear of each fuse side for the antenna masts as they are in the wrong place. Look at references or even at the instructions later on for the right spots and drill new holes. You also have to drill holes for the front masts on each side as the holes molded around that area are for some external plumbing on each side. Again look at references and later steps in the instructions. At the same time while cutting off the top access steps as instructed, you should also fill the two inset steps as they are replaced by the Wessex external steps later on. Check pictures as they mount over part of the top inset and right next to the lower.

The rest of the kit can be built following the instructions except for in 4 where holes are again to be drilled out. Depending on which scheme is made as there are more plumbing on the bottom of the machine for the Malaysian scheme. I suspect being further cooling equipment. The holes are again labeled wrong and basically it is best to pick the plumbing piece you intend to use and hold it up to the bottom piece and open up the holes needed. The kit has a good basic interior which is actually the same as the basic S-58. While I cannot vouch for its total accuracy, it is quite fine for this scale. The only other area to watch is the alternative flotation parts shown in steps 6 and 9 being the float bag covering the wheel hub and the round air tank mounted behind as all machines did not carry this. I know the HMS London machine did not have this, but I have not checked the other schemes.

There are three schemes provided in the kit, being 84 Squadron RAF based in Cyprus in 1987 in a dark green/dark grey upper side with a black underside. This is a somewhat colorful scheme with a light blue stripe around the fuselage under the roundel and a large Union Jack under the nose. Scheme B is for an 847 Squadron machine in Malaysia in 1986 in overall sand with an upperside dark green camouflage. Finally, scheme C is from 772 Squadron Royal Navy HMS London Flight in 1981 in an overall green scheme with a large yellow bird under the nose. All the colors are available in Model Masters line and you may want to do some research here also. All in all a good decent kit at a reasonable price.

The Wessex HAS3 is a Revell Europe kit, but as I said, the basic kit is again the Italeri S-58. Again you have to drill out the mast holes and fill the step insets, but at least Revell don't have you drilling out wrong holes, they just don't mention them. However their are good drawings of the masts and wires in steps 19 and 20. This kit has a new nose with the jet engine and a different intake from the wessex HU5 and 2 small exhausts on each side, which is correct for this variant. It also has a radome for the upper rear fuselage and a new vented part behind the rotor to fit the camel hump used on this version. The kit is otherwise much the same as the wessex HU5 except the exclude the interior fuselage detail. This is fine as the HAS3 is an Anti-submarine version and would not have bench seating anyway. In the Revell kit the area is just left empty and should probably be painted black as there is nothing to see. The kit does provide the same good cockpit interior from the Italeri kit. The decals are okay, but are certainly not as crisp and detailed as the Italeri ones. The Revell Europe kit is more expensive, due to import, but it is the only version of this machine.