discussion Doug's Westland Wasp by LF, the build!

[Waspie]

Made a start today and I have to say - it's awful!! My hands are going to be full with this one! Flash, missing spigots or detents to locate parts in the correct place!! Three arms and I still struggled. A day filing, cutting and swearing!!

However - 'We're Off'.
Started with the obligatory wash and dry.
Then identified the parts that weren't needed for the Wasp, so the Scout bits were cut out and stored.

Pic 1
Box art and sprues post wash. Note, my version won't have doors fitted. Not unusual for the Wasp. Two reasons.
1, doors weight!
2, easy egress in the event of a water ditching.


Pic 2
Front seat assembly. The left hand seat side supports also included the collective lever. However, when the missile sight was fitted when in 'strike' role, the left hand flying controls were removed.
Also, all four side supports locating holes had to be drilled out to allow them to sit flush.


Pic 3
Next was the clean up of all the flash on the cockpit, the nose window was the worst.


Pic 4.
Cockpit assembled. Not fitting the seats, (yet). Left/right side, floor, centre console and rear bulkhead! Very fiddly due to not having locating pins.


Pic 5
Front cockpit dry fitted to tail pylon, Pylon taped up to check fitment. I'm going to have a few seams to file and gaps to fill.
Sat next to a 1/72 Sea King to show size.


After looking forward to this for a while now I have to say the reality of kit is less than inspiring. I will complete it but I don't think enjoyment will part of the build.
A mojo testing kit of the first order!!!!

 

[peterairfix]

I am in as I have this kit so please don't try and scare me

 

[Waspie]

I am in as I have this kit so please don't try and scare me

This is kit numero 5 and I think I have been spoiled until now. With Tamiya, Ryefield, Airfix all being good quality this is anything but!!!
With your experience Peter it shouldn't scare you too much. Even the few parts that have had recesses for parts the corresponding part has been too big and required a good deal of filing to fit!!!

 

[Guest]

Kits from small manufacturers, especially if they’re short-run (not sure if this one is) are usually more challenging to build than those by the big names. You seem to be doing pretty well, though.

 

[Waspie]

Kits from small manufacturers, especially if they’re short-run (not sure if this one is) are usually more challenging to build than those by the big names. You seem to be doing pretty well, though.

Thank you Jakko, I think I may have to slow down with this and really concentrate on this one. I have no idea if this is a short run as I snatched at it when I was informed by @Lee W it was available. LF seem to be the only folk manufacturing the Wasp currently. I was hoping Airfix were going to push it out after the Sea King announcement last year.

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Talk about throwing yourself in at the deep end! What's the phrase? 'For experienced modellers only'!
I've got a couple of LF kits, because they're the only game in town. And one of them is a biplane! Although the Czech Republic is the centre of the Euro model world, not every manufacturer is an Eduard

'And you're telling me this NOW!?'
Well, I'm trying to be morale boosting!

 

[Waspie]

Little progress made today as I have decided to slow down due to its size.

The tail cone and fuselage were attached and glued into place as was the engine deck. All the tapes removed.

I did a lot of measuring and looking for suitable material for a brain phart I had. We rarely flew with front doors fitted, instead we replaced the front doors with wind deflectors. See pic below. So I reckon I can scavenge a clear plastic bit from the Sea King, add some plastic card and hopefully I'll be able to replicate them!!


Moving on! Whilst thunking and scavenging I managed to mask the Wasp's canopy.
Pic 2


Pic 3.
Then after taking a picture of the pilots and crewman's seat I noticed on the pic that some more work is needed to remove yet more plastic from the unneeded collective lever from the seats side struts!!


That was it for the day. I even managed to mow the lawn and do some hedge trimming!!
Thanks for looking in. C&C's always welcomed - good or bad.

Doug

PS, I felt I was warming to the kit today.:rolling:

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

If this turns out even half as good as your Sea King, it'll be a belter, I'm sure

So long as it doesn't end up in the 'frustration fling' bin! But, it sounds like it may just have got it's claws into you

 

[Waspie]

If this turns out even half as good as your Sea King, it'll be a belter, I'm sure

So long as it doesn't end up in the 'frustration fling' bin! But, it sounds like it may just have got it's claws into you

Thanks Chris. Idea's are starting to pop into the tiny brain cell. The parking brake, needs to be added. An easy addition. Building the missile boxes. No decals for instruments. Already sourced some dials and 'stuff' that I may be able to utilise!
I an NOT going to let my initial forebodings win. It will not be binned, I may not be happy with it but it won't be trashed.
Thanks again Chris, yes, if it turns out half as good as the 'King' I'll be pleased.

 

[A_J_Rimmer]

This is kit numero 5 and I think I have been spoiled until now. With Tamiya, Ryefield, Airfix all being good quality this is anything but!!!
With your experience Peter it shouldn't scare you too much. Even the few parts that have had recesses for parts the corresponding part has been too big and required a good deal of filing to fit!!!

I can guarantee you that as soon as you complete this, Airfix will release one!

A great start Doug!

 

[Waspie]

I can guarantee you that as soon as you complete this, Airfix will release one!

A great start Doug!

Thanks Arnold. And yup, I’m of the same mind. (If they do - I’ll have one!!)
Be nice if they brought it out in 1/48. That way I’d have a ‘dipper’ and a ‘pony’!!!!

 

[boatman]

WELL Doug your start on your wasp an it looks like how my tomcat start
ed doin dry fitting an gettin stressed an swearin as the air was pretty blue as jen heard me downstairs an said who are you swearin at ? lol only hope your smaller chopper goes to geather better than my model or you may be a canidate for the funny farm lol
chrisb

 

[Waspie]

WELL Doug your start on your wasp an it looks like how my tomcat start
ed doin dry fitting an gettin stressed an swearin as the air was pretty blue as jen heard me downstairs an said who are you swearin at ? lol only hope your smaller chopper goes to geather better than my model or you may be a canidate for the funny farm lol
chrisb

Thinking of pre booking a bed at the funny farm. Another day and lost some of the enthusiasm I gained yesterday. Filling in, filing and swearing today. Methinks this Wasp is on par with your big cat Chris!! And I'm not messing about with light and moveable hinges and the like.

Well today I addressed the problem with the crewman's seat. Did the best I could with the light and my eyesight. Thinking I really need a magnifying gizmo!

Filled in some of the gaps and anomalies on the body, tried to recreate the aimers controller but made a error so will scratch another tomorrow.

Pic 1
My attempt at the missile guidance arm. The arm rest I sat centrally when it should be offset to the right!!. (See Pic 2)

Pic 2


Pic 3
This was the underside after much filling, filing and sanding down! I yet have to prime to see how bad it really is!


Pic 4
Started on the engine, exhaust and flotation bags, (clamshells). It was probably about this stage I moved my hammers out of reach!!!


Oh well, I started so I'll finish but I'm back to being an unhappy bunny.

On a happier note, a mate popped by and he saw the Sea King. He was quite impressed and like me he flew in them. That made me feel better. Hopefully the Wasp will improve!! (Not holding my breath).:sad:

 

[boatman]

YOU can build it Doug just do like me when you get a bit stressed on a part an just sit there an clap your hands very good stress releiver well i think so anyway lolbut glad your mate like S/K as yes it was a fab model in my opinion
chrisb

 

[Waspie]

YOU can build it Doug just do like me when you get a bit stressed on a part an just sit there an clap your hands very good stress releiver well i think so anyway lolbut glad your mate like S/K as yes it was a fab model in my opinion
chrisb

I think it was the fact I managed to make it look 'dirty'. He said all that was missing was the distinctive oily/hydraulic smell. :tears-of-joy: :tears-of-joy:

 

[yak face]

Stirling work doug , welcome to the joys of limited run kits ! This one doesn't look too bad considering . The Amodel kits are far worse than this ( their Kamov ka15 for a start , and it even makes the Wasp look big !) but I personally like the challenge of beating them into shape . The thing to remember is that as each little problem crops up you’re sorting it no bother so give yourself a bit of credit , its going to be a great model , cheers tony

 

[Waspie]

Stirling work doug , welcome to the joys of limited run kits ! This one doesn't look too bad considering . The Amodel kits are far worse than this ( their Kamov ka15 for a start , and it even makes the Wasp look big !) but I personally like the challenge of beating them into shape . The thing to remember is that as each little problem crops up you’re sorting it no bother so give yourself a bit of credit , its going to be a great model , cheers tony

I think my expectations of what I wanted it to be haven't materialised Tony! I have very good memories of this little helicopter that I really wanted it to be perfect. However, all I can do is give it my best shot and hope the few editions I make will somehow be enough to do it justice. The Wasp really is the unsung FAA helicopter. If it wasn't for a few of us nattering on FB about the lack of literature on the Wasp the book would never have happened. Loads on the Wessex, Sea King and even the Lynx yet the Wasp was totally bypassed. Yet it was the first helicopter to be carried by Frigates.
I think part of my frustration comes from not having all the tools and materials to do a proper job. As has been said, it's only plastic and I still haven't lost it yet, just not feeling the love for the kit overall.
But thank you for your kind words of encouragement. (I've added Armodel to my short list of kits to avoid!!!) :smiling3:

A good memory!
Approaching F15 (HMS Euryalus) That's me on the left!!!

 

[Geoffers]

Good work so far Doug, it looks a right handful :flushed:

Try not to let your quest for perfection drain your mojo. It’s doubly difficult when you have such affection for the real thing as you do :thumb2:

ps, the Dispae vice looks handy.

Geoff.

 

[Waspie]

Thank you very much Geoff, yup, it is ummmm - challenging!! Well for me!
The Dispae vice is handy for 1/72 and smaller sub assemblies. In fact - very useful today. (Or it could just be I have finally aware it can be useful?)
It's one of those aircraft that is ugly as an ugly thing but you can't help liking it.

 

[Waspie]

Todays progress.
Spent what seemed ages getting very little, (no pun intended), done.

Progress in pictures!!

Pic 1
Drilled out the exhaust of the oil cooler. Started small and build up drill sizes until I dare drill no more as the exhaust tapers in!



Pic 2
Next, I scratch built a new missile controller arm including offset arm rest!! Taped into position on the aimers seat to allow CA to set fully. (Didn't trust TeT to hold it).



Pic 3
Just another view to make sure it hadn't drifted out of true!


Pic 4
Seats installed in the front, missile control arm looks ok to me, position wise - (not build wise).


Pic 5
Another view using the ruler to get some perspective for me!


Pic 6
Next up was the hand brake for the very primitive ground brake system. No hydraulic brakes utilising the rudder pedals for this mean machine. Instead a ratchet and pall system. It's really a parking brake as it can't be used to stop the aircraft. (I'll explain more when I get onto the wheels!!) Suspense!!!
I used some more of the track like assembly from the Chally 2 I built to utilise as the brake handle, the tan coloured 'stick' on the right hand side. (Pilots bit).



Pic 7 (The last - 'phew' I hear you cry!)
I placed the canopy loosely on top to get an idea of the final look.

I managed to really utilise the vice today - came in really handy especially with the drilling and scratching of the aimers controller. A couple of the bits were about 1mm. (I managed to 'lose' 3 of the actual controller pieces into the ether. The magic 'tweezer twang'. There it is - Gone!!!)

The engine and exhaust had some filler daubed on it and suitable removed once dry to fill in the many gaps!!

So that's all for today, that little lot represents about four hours of fiddling. (It's a technical term). :tears-of-joy:

Comments, criticisms all welcomed.
That's guys, if you're still here of course!!
Doug

Edited to add pic of handbrake as fitted to a real jobby!!