Westland WS.58 Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31

FROG 335P Westland WS.58 Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31, International Model Aircraft, 1963

RAF Flying Review March, 1963, Vol. XVIII, No. 7

MODEL TALK BY PHILIP BURDEN

ANYONE FOR "CHOPPERS"? :

It need hardly be said that modellers in general do not go for helicopters in as big a way as they do for plastic model aircraft. The answer seems to be that " choppers" do not have that certain appeal which aircraft hold. Occasionally, however, models of helicopters are produced which are worth buying and this is true of the Frog Westland Wessex 1. Again it is in the 1/72 scale and retails for 3s.

RAF Flying Review March, 1963, Vol. XVIII, No. 7

1963 TRADE FAIR NEWS
Latest kits and accessories announced at London, Brighton and Nuremburg trade shows

Nuremburg Toy Fair attracted over 1,000 exhibitors occupying over 375,000 sq. ft. of floor area (10,000 sq. ft. is enough for a very adequate factory!) spread over some twenty floors. Not all this is model material, but it is so mixed up with less interesting items that every stand simply must be viewed. Virtually every manufacturer in Europe who is in the least interested in export markets will be found there, either in person, or through wholesalers.

New 1/72nd scale World War II subjects in plastic form in interesting "off-beat" list (with the Wessex helicopter thrown in for good measure) from Frog at 3s. each, and will be popular, unusual titles, filling the gaps in other ranges.

AeroModeller APRIL 1963 Vol.XXVIII No.327

NEW TO YOU?
Bob Jones surveys new releases
New from Frog
Old favourites in new markings

OVER THE past twelve months or so kits released by ROVEX TRI-ANG LIMITED have been notable for the very fine quality transfers that they contained and it is not surprising that the company recently reissued three of their older kits with new decals and box art.

These are for the FAIREY BARRACUDA, WESTLAND WESSEX and FAIREY GANNET - each kit is in its own right of a very good quality and the BARRACUDA has always proved to be a popular choice for the modeller - the original mouldings have remained unchanged but the boxes now have completely new artwork and the decals in each kit are far more comprehensive and truly representative than were those of the original offerings. The markings in the BARRACUDA kit are now for one machine of 829 Squadron H.M.S. Victorious as operated during the raids on the German battleship TIRPITZ 1944, while alternative markings are given for a machine of the BRITISH PACIFIC FLEET 1944/5 from 812 Squadron, of particular note is the provision on the decals sheet for the lanyard which was attached at the lower rear fuselage, which, when pulled by the gunner or observer, lifted the dinghy stowage hatch into the airstream, thus ensuring that the dinghy did not become trapped in a crashed and sinking aircraft.

The WESSEX Mk. 31 is in markings and camouflage of a machine from 817 Squadron Royal Australian Navy aboard H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE or alternatively from 845 Squadron Fleet Air Arm aboard H.M.S. Albion in Commando forces decor. Bearing in mind the original quality and accuracy of these kits we feel sure that all will enjoy a new lease of life in their new finishes.

Trio of re-releases from Frog are the Barracuda,Wessex and the Gannet, each at 4/9d. and now with a change of markings. These Naval aircraft have a wide range of possible decor and we shall publish photographs of other variations next month.

Scale Models No.17 1971 FEBRUARY Vo2. No.2

Modelling world
New Frog kits
More Frog 1/72 releases

It is pleasing to see that Frog has now re-released three of its older kits, but with new transfer sheets. The three are the Fairey Gannet, Fairey Barracuda, and Westland Wessex.

The Fairey Gannet kit is for either the AS Mk 1 or Mk 4 version, and despite the fact that it was originally issued many years ago it is still very worthwhile. The outline shape is excellent and the moulding crisp and clean. The only two unfortunate items concern the undercarriage and cockpits. The undercarriage is attached to the under-surface contour of the wing, there being no cut out for the wheel wells. This was a common feature of early kits, before the kit manufacturers became more adventurous in their presentation of detail. Similar comment concerns the cockpits on the Gannet which merely have the crew members' heads moulded into the fuselage. But in both cases it is possible to drill out the offending areas and replace them with more detailed parts. This is such an otherwise good model that it is well worth the extra trouble and time involved in making these alterations. Even as a stand model, though, it looks very pleasant. The transfers are excellent and are for a Gannet from 815 Squadron, HMS Ocean, or another from 1 Marineflieger-Geschwader, Kriegs-marine, in 1958.

It is a pity that Frog did not revise this excellent kit in respect of the undercarriage area and cockpits before re-issue, although it would, no doubt, have been more costly if it had done so.

The Fairey Barracuda is the Mark II and is one of Frog's later kits, albeit still several years old now. It is a good, accurate model of the Fleet Air Arm's maid-of-all-work. Being from a more recent period, this model does have cut out wheel-wells and cockpits. This is a model that can be much improved by the addition of detail, such as cockpit equipment and radar aerials. These latter items could be made up from spare aerials from the Frog Whitley kit, with suitable modifications. Another feature that will enhance this model is the addition of under-wing bombs. Four 5001b or six 2501b bombs were carried under the wings. Spare 5001b bombs and carriers are well represented in Airfix's Handley Page Hampden kit.

Another feature lacking in this model is radiator detail. As made-up, unmodified, there is a rather unpleasant hole in the front of the radiator. Filling in with Plasticard, suitably detailed, greatly improves the appearance in this region.

The new transfers supplied in this -re-issue are for Fleet Air Arm aircraft in both Northern Europe and the Pacific area. The Northern European Barracuda is from 829 Squadron, HMS Victorious, and used in attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz. The other aircraft is from 812 Squadron, British Pacific Fleet, operating during 1945.

Frog's Westland Wessex Mk 1 was always one of its best kits, and it is good to see it available again, with new transfers. No revision of the kit has been made, but it is a good, accurate model of the earlier Wessex. Detailing and moulding are of a high standard.

The transfers are for a Wessex Mk 1 of 845 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, from HMS Albion, or for a Wessex Mk 31 of 817 Squadron, HMAS Melbourne, Royal Australian Navy.

These reissued kits cost 4s 9d/24p each.

AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED 1971-02

NEW KITS AND MODELS
Frog: 1 : 72 scale Aircraft

FOUR new kits from Frog will please FAA and Luftwaffe fans, since they cover some popular types. Two of the Royal Navy machines are in fact reissues, the Wessex and Gannet being the kits concerned. The Wessex appears to have had added detail since we last saw it, though this may well be an optical illusion due to the excellent presentation of the kit. Highlight is a very fine transfer sheet (and colour scheme box art) giving a choice of a Royal Navy Wessex I or a Royal Australian Navy Wessex 31. Highly commended: price 24p.

Second re-issue is the Gannet 1 (or 4) which appears to be unchanged from earlier Frog days, though the useful lead nose weights in the last Gannet kit we had are no longer supplied. Transfers for two alternative machines are given, together with associated colour art on the box in usual Frog fashion. There appears to be a slight error here, however, since the 815 Sqn aircraft is quoted as being from 'HMS Ocean in 1956', complete with *O' tail code. However, this should refer to Ark Royal since Ocean certainly never operated Gannets in 1956 (or at any other time). In those days she was a seaman's training ship complete with deckhouse on the flight deck and lacking both arrester wires and catapult—any Gannet attempting to land would have demolished the deckhouse (or itself) and probably disappeared through the flight deck for good measure due to its weight! However, this does not detract from the kit but it's worth setting the record straight—deck codes do not always correspond to initial letters.

Last of the naval trio is a fine replica of a Westland Wyvern, a beautiful model of this ferocious-looking torpedo/ strike fighter of the 'fifties. Assembly is straightforward with once again a choice of markings. Price is 24p as is the Gannet.

The Luftwaffe model is the Ta 152H, the final version in the Fw 190 series. The Frog kit is excellent except that the outer wing panels are a little too wide and need reducing slightly in chord, an easy task with a file and fine glasspaper. The transfers are first-rate, again with a choice of two finishes. The special article in this issue (page 348) tells you all else you need to know for making this neat kit, complete with useful drawings for adding small details and altering the wings to the correct shape. Price is 17½p.

All our samples were kindly supplied by Jones Bros of Chiswick who hold ample stocks. Postage is extra for mail order.
C.O.E.

Airfix magazine 1971-03

Tri-ang 335P Westland WS.58 Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31, Lines Freres - S.A.Calais, 1962

FROG F149 "The Sea Wolves! Four of the NAVY's bandit chaser", Rovex Scale models ltd, 1965

"The Sea Wolves!" R.N. Gift Pack (Sea Fury, Wessex, HMS Exeter and HMS Torquay) F149 1965-1968 X 8000 See below Like the previous Four Famous Fighters pack, this one contained standard issue kits in their original boxes, all packed together in a paper envelope. The pack was released in connection with the "Win three days with the Navy" competition arranged by IMA in the summer of 1965. FROG model aircraft 1932-1976, R. Lines, L. Hellstrom OVER THE COUNTER Competitions to stimulate sales are so commonplace nowadays as to be almost mandatory in some trades, one might imagine, to produce any sales at all. However, when one can have the chance of three days with the Royal Navy simply for assembling and painting plastics which one would have built anyway—it becomes well worth " having a go." International Model Aircraft Ltd. announce an out-of-the-rut approach in their " Frog Navy Competition." This is in conjunction with their kits for the Hawker Sea Fury,Westland Wessex aircraft and H.M.S. Exeter, Torquay, Undine and Revenge ship models. Competitiors are required to purchase either the new " Sea Wolves " pack (which contains four Frog kits, with paint, brushes and cement) or any four of the above-mentioned individual kits. This does require, of course, an interest in marine models as well as naval aircraft—but there are doubtless many to whom this will apply. The 36 lucky prizewinners will spend their three days with the Navy visiting a R.N. submarine and a R.N. air station, after which they will actually put to sea in a Warship. . . . Your local model shop has entry forms. Model Aircraft MAY, 1965

WIN THREE DAYS WITH THE ROYAL NAVY FROG competition with over 500 prizes Visit a real submarine Inspect a naval air station—planes and all Put to sea in a warship and lots of other exciting things All this for 36 lucky 1st prize winners and there are 500 smashing 2nd prizes of Frog Ship Kits Here is your chance—the chance of a lifetime... and this is all you have to do. First, get your entry form from your local toyshop. Now all you have to do is write about what you consider to be the role of any one of the following in to-day's Royal Navy: Helicopter, Strike Fighter, Anti-Submarine Frigate, Cruiser. Collect four box tops from the list of kits on the entry form, to send in with your entry. Complete details are on the form. Winners will be taken from boys in two age groups: 11-13 and 14-18. Don't delay! Somebody's going to win, so it might as well be you. Besides, it's easy! This is too good to miss, so get cracking! Model Aircraft Апрель, 1965

FROG 335P Westland WS.58 Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31, Rovex Industries Ltd, 1967-69

Air Lines 7905 Westland WS.58 Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31, Lines Bros Inc., 1965

FROG Green series F247 Westland WS.58 Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31, Rovex Tri-ang, 1971-72

FROG F247 Westland WS.58 Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31, Rovex Hobbies & Models, 1974-76

NOVO Westland WS.58 Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31, Cat.No.76025

Westland WS.58 Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31, Донецк, 80/90