Westland Navy Lark ++FINISHED++

[McColm]

This is based on the 1/72 Boeing V-22 Osprey model, I will be buying the Airfix Lockheed S-3A Viking kit and using the wings plus the turbofan engines. I think this kit came with a pair of Harpoon anti-ship missiles which will come in handy.
I tried to scratchbuild a dipping sonar which didn't work as well as I expected so the penny and two penny pieces fill the gap to provide a radome for the search radar.
The interior shows off the workstations, the part came from the Airfix Avro Shackleton MR.2 with chairs from the Italeri EH-101 Merlin, the front legs drop down when the seat is moved. These will be painted.
The sonorbouy launch tubes will be located on the rear right of the fuselage, the loading ramp will be down so the interior can be seen.

I must remind myself to turn the flash off on my new tablet.

[McColm]

A slight change of plan,  I  couldn't wait for February to arrive so I have used the wings and engines from the Fairchild-Republic NAW-10B Thunderbolt II. Just waiting for the glue to dry, then PSR.


It's a tail sitter.







Could be the alternative to the Lockheed Viking,  having lost out to the USNavy the British Royal Navy  and Fleet Air Arm became the first customers. A civilian airliner version was also built and orders for the V.V.I.P. variant are forthcoming.
The Royal Air Force uses it for ELINT and surveillance purposes. The Air Ambulance Service in Australia and the USCoastguard become two of the biggest users.
A reprieve comes after the Lockheed Viking is retired, the Skylark becomes the replacement as an ASW, AEW, C.O.D./refuelling tanker,  CSAR and gunship/assault support.
Updated engines and avionics, Bell-Boeing signs a contract to build the fuselage for the V-22 Osprey.

[McColm]

Photos of the Westland Navy Lark as requested.
In-flight refuelling probe added, underwing weapon pylons fitted.


Front view, filler/putty sanded to shape.


I cut the loading ramp and glued the two separate parts, the hydraulic struts are scratchbuilt.

[kerick]

Very interesting! I would have never thought of scale o rama the A-10 wings. Looks good! Just a thought, if the ramp is down shouldn't the upper part be up? Paint scheme thoughts yet?

[McColm]

Very interesting! I would have never thought of scale o rama the A-10 wings. Looks good! Just a thought, if the ramp is down shouldn't the upper part be up? Paint scheme thoughts yet?

No it hides the roof area, I used a complete wing and cut out the fuselage from the NAW-10B instead of inserting the wings into the sides of the fuselage.
I still need to buy a 1/72 Lockheed S-3 Viking preferably the Airfix kit until I can afford a drill and drill bits.
As this is the demonstration aircraft a hi-viz paint scheme,  I intend to build a few more now I know that the format works.