May 2018

Westland Lynx HAS.3 ICE

MAN Mil GL 5t 4x4 Kat 1

Folland Gnat T.1

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Westland Lynx HAS.3 ICE

815 Sqn Fleet Air Arm, HMS ENDURANCE, Antarctice Survey Ship, 2004

Airfix 1/72 with scratch mods

The Lynx entered service with the Royal Navy in the early 1980s and formed the backbone of the Royal Navy’s small ship helicopter force right up until 2017 when it was replaced by the Lynx-derived Wildcat.  


Armed with Sting Ray torpedoes, Mk.11 depth charges, Sea Skua anti-ship missiles or a range of gun packs and mounts, the Lynx was specifically developed to operate from the small decks of Frigates and destroyers in extreme conditions..


One area where the Lynx has given extensive service is in the Antarctic, where the RN Ice Patrol Ship HMS ENDURANCE carried two Lynx aircraft painted with distinctive hi-visibility red panels.  The ICE aircraft were modified to remove weapons fits (to comply with Antarctic treaties) and to add some of the Lynx Mk 8 improvements, such as BERP blades and improved tail rotor.

This is the 1/72 Airfix Lynx kit, with a few scratch modifications.  I built this back in 2008 using some rather oversize handling bars to keep the folded blades in place.  This update substitutes some polystyrene rod of  amore realistic diameter.  Link to original build  

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www.gengriz.co.uk

Have a look at many more vehicle models on my Dark Side pages

I remain totally immobilised in bed after a bad leg-break, which kind of limits most of my normal activities.  


Until I am up and about, modelling will be a little scrappy and ad-hoc.  Refurbishing an older model seemed to be a good idea to start with, followed by a vehicle model that is easier to handle and requires less sanding and filling.  Painting in the prone position is “interesting”!  

MAN Mil GL 5 tonne Kat 1 4x4

Panzerlehrbrigade 9, Stabskompanie, Munster , Germany, 2012

Revell 1/72

The MAN Mil series of military trucks was developed in the 1970s for the West German army. Available as 4x4, 6x6 or 8x8 versions, they possessed excellent off-road mobility and were used in a variety of specialist roles by all branches of the German military, including as weapons systems platforms for the Roland, Patriot and Pershing II missiles, as well as their intended logistic role.  


Over 9,000 of this series were produced, with many undergoing refurbishment and life extension during the 1990s.  A modular armour protection system and cab is also available for use in high threat areas such as Afghanistan.


The Kat 1 MAN trucks remain in service but will be gradually replaced by similar, but significantly developed MAN HX2 vehicles from the end of 2018.

Released in 2015, this is a fairly complicated little vehicle kit with over 100 parts.  Although fiddly and delicate, particularly when assembling the axle and steering components, it builds relatively easily into an impressive vehicle.  The mould, which was crisp and flash free, shares sprues  with Revell’s companion 10 tonne 6x6 and 15 tonne 8x8 kits.  Cabin glazing is enabled by a sheet of clear acetate that must be trimmed carefully to size and attached to the cab sides (I used Krystal Klear for this).


The only build option provided is the optional load platform canopy, but simple decals and painting schemes are provided for 4 versions, one in a desert scheme, one in white with UN markings and two in NATO European camouflage.  

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The Real thing at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day.

Have a look at many more helicopter models on my Flight Deck  pages