Hannants’ own decal label has a splendid selection of 1/72 schemes for various marks of Westland Whirlwind. Colour abounds!
Perhaps you’re tempted by the Vintage Classics reissue of Airfix’s HAS.22 or you have Italeri H-19 variants you wish to convert. Then there are the mixed-media Whirlwind kits by Whirlybird to consider. Whatever your choice, Xtradecal’s new markings for Westland’s characterful helicopter allow you to represent 11 different airframes – all but one being Royal Navy machines – and none of these are a slouch in the attractiveness stakes.
Read a review of Airfix's Vintage Classics Westland Whirlwind reissue
The liveries comprise RAF Blue-Grey and Day-Glo Red-Orange for three HAR.9s, but there is also an HAS.21 and HAS.22 in overall Gloss Sea Blue. Two HAS.7s wear Sky on their lower two thirds, but then either Golden Yellow or Extra Dark Sea Grey along the upper fuselage. Another HAS.22 sports smart white and Emerald Green garb, an HAR.3 features Sky and white with an Extra Dark Sea Grey cheatline. The final offering is a ‘Commando’ HAS.7 in overall Light Stone:
• HAR.9, XL899/8, HMS Endurance Ship’s Flight, late 1960s
• HAS.22, WV223, 781 Naval Air Squadron, 1960s
• HAR.9, XL898/49/ED, HMS Endurance Ship’s Flight, Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent, July 1970
• HAR.9, XL875/588, RNAS Culdrose, 1970
• HAS.7, XL847/327/Z, 820 NAS, HMS Albion, 1959
• HAR.21, WV198, 848 NAS, 1954
• HAS.7, XK907/9, Empire Test Pilots’ School, Boscombe Down, 1963
• HAS.22, WV218/528, Royal Navy, 1954
• HAS.7, XN387/626, Royal Navy, Abbotsinch, July 1961
• HAS.7, XN384/H, 846 NAS, HMS Albion, 1962
• HAR.3, XG588/995, HMS Warrior Ship’s Flight, Operation Grapple atomic weapons tests, 1957
If you’re a helicopter fan but have yet to tackle a Whirlwind, Xtradecal’s new sheet is sure to inspire. But if the type is already a firm favourite and you already have builds under your belt, these markings will arguably offer you even more choice in representing different airframes. The sheet costs just £8.99 and is available direct from Hannants in the UK.
