Westland Rotodyne Mk.20 - RAN FAA COD aircraft, 1969

[rickshaw]

In 1965, the Royal Australian Navy announced plans to acquire the Westland Rotodyne for Carrier Onboard Delivery duties.   This model represents one of the first delivered for use on the newly acquired modified Essex Carrier, HMAS Australia.











It is of course the venerable Airfix Fairy Rotodyne.  Modified with a Beavetail rear loading ramp and a telescoping rotor mast and folding rotor blades.   The folding blades were created using of all things, Doll's House hinges.  A Jury Strut to hold the blades above the rear fuselage was constructed from Brass wire and a couple of office staples.  It was inspired by Maverick's profile:

[deathjester]

Perfect!  Would make RAS operations for all ships so much easier!

[Old Wombat]

Man, all the technical problems of a fixed wing turbo-prop & a helo thrown into one!

Which squadron you thinking of? ................................. And do not say 851!

[sandiego89]

Nice job!  Like it. 

[Thorvic]

n 1965, the Royal Australian Navy announced plans to acquire the Westland Rotodyne for Carrier Onboard Delivery duties.   This model represents one of the first delivered for use on the newly acquired modified Essex Carrier, HMAS Australia.

You swine now i'll have to create one in 1/700 

Nice model though, love the changes made to turn it into a carrier based COD transport 

[rickshaw]

Man, all the technical problems of a fixed wing turbo-prop & a helo thrown into one!

Just think of it as "creating employment" for all those Naval personnel who are so busy looking for that tin of striped paint or the "long wait" they've been instructed to find. 

Which squadron you thinking of? ................................. And do not say 851!

Mmm, lets see, 851 Sqn?   

[rickshaw]

n 1965, the Royal Australian Navy announced plans to acquire the Westland Rotodyne for Carrier Onboard Delivery duties.   This model represents one of the first delivered for use on the newly acquired modified Essex Carrier, HMAS Australia.

You swine now i'll have to create one in 1/700 

Shouldn't be too hard in that scale? 

Nice model though, love the changes made to turn it into a carrier based COD transport 

Took a bit of thought and discussion.   Remember I asked you for the hangar heights of the CV-01 design?    I had to work out how far to drop the rotormast.  Its ridiculously high for a naval rotorcraft otherwise.  The folding rotors were a bit of a challenge until I hit upon the idea of using Doll's House hinges.   Its a pity my camera is so crappy, otherwise you'd be able to see that the hinges actually work. 

[Cobra]

Awesome Job,Rick You Really made the Rotodyne look Cool & Proper in RAN markings! also,the Number you picked is my Lucky Number! Keep up the Great Work Dan

[Green Dragon]

Great conversion, never would have thought of that telescoping rotor mast! Class!  

Paul Harrison

[Mossie]

Great stuff!  Looks good in the RAN colours.

[NARSES2]

Another really good one - love the colour scheme 

[GTX]

 

[tc2324]

Very nice. 

[Maverick]

Nifty build Brian.  Certainly looks the part.

Regards,

Mav

[Pablo1965]

Very nice Rotodine, I wish I could see one flying nowadays.