Building the Airfix Sea King HU.5 in schaal 1/48, build serie nr. 21
Review
ModelFan
Author: Geoff Coughlin
Publisher: KLP Publishing
ISBN:
Published: 2024 – PDF - format
187 pages
Price: 15,00 Aus. $
KLP Publishing (Scale Modelling Guide Books) is an Australian publisher that specialises in modelling guides of specific topics and in PDF format. Publisher Kevin Futter has a clear vision for this. In short, the publisher does not want to have the limitation of real printed books, including unsaleable stocks, limited circulation against costs, limitation in pages also with regard to the costs. He certainly has a point.
You do not have these limitations with the PDF format, even the resolution of photos can be increased in a PDF so people can use PC or tablet to enlarge interesting photos ideal for details, especially in modelling,
In total, KLP now has about 38 PDF publications to its name, most of them about aircraft models (2x Star Wars). This one about the Airfix 1/48 Sea King dates from February this year (at the time of writing, mid-October 2024, the last one is "Building the Hasegawa/Alley Cat Ki-100 in 1/32 Scale"). In terms of scales, it starts at 1/48 and goes up to even 1/18 for the subjects.
As a helicopter enthusiast, I developed a "bond" with the Sea King. About 50 years ago I went to my "penpall" in England for the first time for spotting. Rightfully spotting because I didn't have expensive cameras yet. Lots of visits to Yeovil (Westland factory) and Yeovilton Royal Navy base. It was staring with binoculars at the latest Sea Kings that were rolled out of the factory and could also be seen at Yeovilton. It really got serious when I was allowed to be a guest at RNAS Yeovilton for a whole day in the early 80s for a report. As a guest of 845 squadron, just back from the Falklands, I was allowed to fly with the Sea King (and Wessex) and was explained about the special flying tactics as they were flown during the Falklands war. In 1986, during the NATO exercise Northern Wedding, I was able to experience and photograph the Sea King up close during the dropping off of British and Dutch marines at "the battle of Bommestad" (Norway). Furthermore, HMS Invincible and HMAS Melbourne to name just a few extremes.
I was so happy as a small child that Airfix finally released a Sea King in scale 1/48, my scale. Not soon after, this KLP Publishing PDF edition of a Sea King building guide followed!
The well known Geoff Coughlin, describes his build of the Airfix model in this edition right out of the box. The only extras are self-made seat belts and FOD hoods. In 187 pages, he shows the building of an incredible beautiful model of this Sea King. He starts with a detailed review of the model and then continues in chapter 3 with the final build, of about 68 pages with a lot of explanatory photos and a (limited) amount of text. All in all, however, enough to support the modeller. An extensive photo gallery (including detail photos) of the model of 9 pages allows you to enjoy the built model. Of course, weathering is also discussed in detail.
The fact that the build only concerns the HU-5 version does not detract from the review of the model and with many detailed photos of the build, a large number of steps will certainly apply to the other 3 versions. If you are building one of the other versions, this guide can certainly help you as well.
To help you with the build, because no two Sea Kings were the same, a walkaround of 80 large format photos is part of the guide. The many detailed photos will undoubtedly make you enthusiastic to build a model that you will be proud of, according to your own abilities and/or with the help of the, now, many after market products.
To help you with the above too, the last chapter offers you a list of after market products and a reference book list. This is the state of affairs as of February 2024. I couldn't find an updated version mentioned on the KLP website. By the way about the version number the following; with the purchase of all KLP publications, you will receive all updates (subsequent version numbers) for free, so you will be informed of all new developments.
Geoff Coughlin - Geoff can’t remember a time when he hasn’t been massively enthusiastic about aircraft and scale modelling. His Gran bought him an Airfix 1:72nd Spitfire when he was 7 and he’s never looked back—apart from the 12 years from his teens and into his 20s when he did all the usual other things in life. About 25 years ago his good friend Angus Creighton asked him if I would be interested in doing a review for Tamiya Model Magazine International (TMMI) and that started what has been a long track record of reviewing for TMMI, Model Airplane International (MAI) and other magazines.
Geoff has also been lucky enough to have the opportunity to author a number of books on scale modelling and aviation history including: World War 2 Luftwaffe Fighter Modelling and a number of modelling manuals published by Osprey Publishing: F-4 Phantom II – Flight Craft 28 (September 2022) and Three in Thirteen, published by Casemate.
In November 2009, along with his wife Sara, they created www.scalemodellingnow.com the highly successful online only scale modelling magazine and resource centre—Geoff is Editor and is supported by many contributors.
Joining the IPMS (International Plastic Modellers Society) and starting two successful IPMS branches, has been a fantastic experience and very rewarding he says and joining a club was the best thing he ever did to improve his scale model skills and recommends it to anyone.
Conclusion
Again an excellent guide from KLP Publishing in the, as far as I'm concerned, smart PDF format. Definitely smart for me because I like to use a PC/laptop during the construction of a model, with a PDF it is easy done. In addition to being a cheap option, the use of the PDF format also makes it possible to simply add updated information. KLP makes smart and commercial use of this by offering all subsequent updates free of charge. An advantage for us as "users".
Geoff Coughlin once again lives up to his name and delivers a quality product for the build of the HU.5 version. If you prefer one of the other 3 versions, the guide is certainly also useful. It would be nice if the additions would consist of the description of the construction of the other 3 versions, at least the possible differences. If you are planning to build the Airfix Sea King 1/48, you can't do without this guide from KLP Publishing. I studied the guide with great interest.
Thanks to KLP Publishing for providing us with a review copy.
Click on the photos below to see the originals
