discussion 1/9th Nigel 'Sharky' Ward Falklands war 1982

[Steve Brodie]

Finding colour images, references for the flying gear has proved a challenge, so i sent an email of the FAA Museum at Yeovilton, unfortunatley due to covid there is no one on site, they did send me a couple of stills though;

I stumbled across Navy-Net forum, so put the question in there and had some extremely helpful information back from users on this forum;

Bone dome - Dark Green, white reflective cross on back/top. Clips on side of helmet, metallic.
Visor Cover - Black
Life Presever - Dark Green, needed handle is black. DayGlo patch on rear of Life vest. Usually with a number as they are usually a pool item rather than individual issue.
O2 mask and hose black rubber. That said, I have seen grey O2 masks

Immersion / Goon Suit;
The goon suit is for flight over the sea. I have never seen a Nomex flight suit worn over the top of a 'Goon Suit' or Immersion coverall to give it it's correct title.

The goon suit is worn over survival clothing, thermals etc. Then any fixed wing apparel, anti G equipment. Mae West over all that!!

After Sharkey's time there were lightweight immersion suits introduced and these could be worn under the flying suit and, indeed, under the 'g' suit. However, in Sharkey's time the immersion suit was worn on top of whatever you were wearing underneath. In the Sea Harrier it was usual not to bother with a 'g' suit and immersion suit. The 'g' suit was normally saved for Summer, when the immersion suit was stored away but pockets were still required for incredibly useful stuff. SO, the immersion suit was green and the neck and wrist seals were black.
The oxygen mask is 'interesting'. The rubber hose should be black (in a Sea Harrier, not a T-bird). The plastic part of the oxygen mask should be black BUT the rubber, 'inner', part was normally green. HOWEVER, I think Sharkey may have one of the anti-skin complaint mask rubbers. It looks very light in the photo and these were available for people who could get rashes etc from the rubber. They were called medical masks because they were made from a different material. These were actually more of a light skin colour.

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Helmet

Sharkey's helmet is a Mk 3C. These were a fairly short-lived interim between the 3B and 4A but there are significant differences between them, so it would be nice to get it right.

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Noticed after priming the head, that their is a casting seam/defect on the back of the helmet;

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so has been filled and will be sanded smooth;

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The details on the bust Immersion suit match the reference details really well, including the pen holders and the zipper. Looks good put together;

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I have also purchased this rare Revell 1/144 Sea Harrier model, and as you can see its quite small, but will be ideal for what i have in mind with the stand;

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And the Squadron to also pin on the base;

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[Steve Brodie]

Started work on Sharky's face, needs maybe another coat of the base colour and a bit of tidying up on the eyes, before the hard work begins

 

[Neil Merryweather]

ooh very good eyes Steve

 

[Steve Brodie]

ooh very good eyes Steve

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Yes great likeness indeed. Steve. Very nice work. Huge amount of detail to get stuck in with.

Nice to see them producing great commanders of our forces. Still with us as well.

Very interesting" in charge man" great motivator. . Great book he wrote "Sea Harrier over the Falklands.

Laurie

 

[Steve Brodie]

Highlights added to the left side of sharkeys face

 

[Jon Heptonstall]

Nice work Steve and great reference pics.Managed to get this from Mitches Ebay site along with the Para bust so following closely.
Jon.

 

[Fernando N]

Neat looking face Steve:thumb2:

 

[Steve Brodie]

Both sides have highlights applied, shadows next followed by various glazes.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Steve
Already the face is very nice indeed. Plenty still to go at. Interested in your plans for the little Harrier.
Jim

 

[Steve Brodie]

Shadows and glazes added, need to tone down the red on his nose

 

[Neil Merryweather]

looking great Steve

 

[adt70hk]

Great work Steve.

Well done.

Andrew

 

[Steve Brodie]

Calling the face done, don't want to mess to much more, else I will really mess it up. Did a bit more blending, added a bit of a dark glaze around his cheeks. Matt varnish on his face, semi and then gloss on his eyes and lips and a couple of spots of gloss for a bit of sweat. After a long patrol, it must have been melting inside that immersion suit.

 

[Neil Merryweather]

ooh that's good

 

[Steve Brodie]

ooh that's good

Thanks

 

[Steve Brodie]

Face and 'Bone Dome' completed. All the little details on the helmet painted according to reference images. Reflective strip from Tamiya curved masking tape

 

[Steve Brodie]

Immersion suit and life jacket finished.
Still to do;
a) connect hose to face mask and hardware
b) attach face mask clips onto helmet.
c) make face mask clips

Then start on the base.

 

[Guest]

It's those eyes that make it Steve. :thumb2::thumb2::thumb2::thumb2::thumb2:

 

[Steve Brodie]

It's those eyes that make it Steve. :thumb2::thumb2::thumb2::thumb2::thumb2:

Cheers John