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Something a bit unusual on the model railway today as Westland Scout XP885 from the Army base at Middle Wallop, Hampshire, made a forced landing in the field adjacent to the Engineers' Sidings. The pilot, who got away with a shaking up and a slightly bent rotor blade, has been taken to the local nick where he can telephone through to his base. The ever-vigilant Constable Trembath, of Victoria Street Police Station, has managed to drive his Panda Car over the rough ground and now stands guard until the Army can turn up to claim their helicopter.

The Westland Scout, together with its Naval equivalent the Wasp, was developed from the Saunders-Roe P531, a derivative of the Skeeter by that company (when the UK had a proper aircraft industry). The Scout, which first flew in 1960, served widely with the Army Air Corps until the 1990s. The Westland Wasp, designed for shipboard use and with a wheeled undercarriage, came into service in 1963 and was used until 1988, the last ones being on Rothesay class frigates. Several served during the Falklands Conflict. Export versions were also produced.

The model is a 1/72 scale diecast by a firm called Amercom and, although I am quite pleased with it, I have to say that some poor reviews are, in my opinion, justified. The rotor blades are not very well formed and in particular are a poor fit to the rotor assembly. It would be quite easy to damage the model beyond economical repair simply by trying to fit the blades. Superglue proved to be the answer. The worst part, however, was that despite considerable filing, the display stand could not be made to fit. Fortunately, this was not critical to my use of the model. If you are considering one of these, don't let me put you off, but be warned. The model came with an interesting magazine about this aircraft.

Description

Something a bit unusual on the model railway today as Westland Scout XP885 from the Army base at Middle Wallop, Hampshire, made a forced landing in the field adjacent to the Engineers' Sidings. The pilot, who got away with a shaking up and a slightly bent rotor blade, has been taken to the local nick where he can telephone through to his base. The ever-vigilant Constable Trembath, of Victoria Street Police Station, has managed to drive his Panda Car over the rough ground and now stands guard until the Army can turn up to claim their helicopter.

The Westland Scout, together with its Naval equivalent the Wasp, was developed from the Saunders-Roe P531, a derivative of the Skeeter by that company (when the UK had a proper aircraft industry). The Scout, which first flew in 1960, served widely with the Army Air Corps until the 1990s. The Westland Wasp, designed for shipboard use and with a wheeled undercarriage, came into service in 1963 and was used until 1988, the last ones being on Rothesay class frigates. Several served during the Falklands Conflict. Export versions were also produced.

The model is a 1/72 scale diecast by a firm called Amercom and, although I am quite pleased with it, I have to say that some poor reviews are, in my opinion, justified. The rotor blades are not very well formed and in particular are a poor fit to the rotor assembly. It would be quite easy to damage the model beyond economical repair simply by trying to fit the blades. Superglue proved to be the answer. The worst part, however, was that despite considerable filing, the display stand could not be made to fit. Fortunately, this was not critical to my use of the model. If you are considering one of these, don't let me put you off, but be warned. The model came with an interesting magazine about this aircraft.