Comparison of Hasegawa and Airfix 1/48 Sea king kits.

Just a quick look to see how nice the Airfix Sea king is compared to the old Hasegawa tooling.

[@mylesfinn66]

I may be getting old but I consider anything tooled after the 80s a new kit 😊

[@alsstuff]

Interesting comparison between the two kits Nigel but the only thing it really shows is the progress in tooling over the past 30 odd years. I'll throw in the debate between raised or recessed rivets and the ability to accurately engineer them so they look reasonably realistic just because I've got my stirring stick to hand 🤣

[@allgood6760]

Nice one mate!.. the Airfix Sea King came to NZ when it was on HMS Eagle in the early 70's and I been interested ever since I think it is basically a license built SH-3D and also Hasegawa put out the 1/48 HSS-2A which is a Japanese version of a Sea King.. cheers from down under 👍🇳🇿

[@russelltaylor535]

From what I’ve read, the HAS.1 and the SH-3A are very, very similar externally. The main difference is the lump on the port side of the engine cover that appears on the Westland aircraft. You would also want to check references as to differences in antennas and other external features.

[@Yves95128]

They are both really nice, considering the difference of age. The thing I love from both of them is that the rotor blades can be folded. I have 1 spot to display an helicopter of this diameter and it's taken by a Mil mi-24.

[@tonyperez4791]

Great video, Nigel. Thank you for sharing. The Airfix kit looks outstanding, maybe I might get one in the future, if the price is right. At this time, I have 3 of the Hasegawa in storage, maybe I should dig out one of them. Hope you and your loved ones have a great week. Cheers, Tony

[@NigelsModellingBench]

It's available for just under £50 in many shops on pre-order.

[@christopherridle7670]

I don't think it would take much to turn the early version Westland into a US Navy bird. The Westland has a prominent bulge on the port side of the fuselage. It is just below the rotor head, and it may be slightly forward or aft of the rotor head opening. The Sikorsky birds don't have that bulge. The exhausts look a bit different, but I'm not sure if that's due to differences in the helicopters or just improvements in design and molding of kits. The intakes are worth a look too. Neither "Old 66" or the early version of the VX666 had intake covers or filters.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thank you.

[@joseangelquintanamac]

@@NigelsModellingBench and how are u going to resolve those differences in the Airfix kit to build the US Navy 70s version? have u remove the bulge? Ive seen your review and its very interesting and accurate, gives us a real vision of both kits and hips us to decide which to buy. Id like to model th Airfix one, because of the details, but in the US version, do u recommend me to? or its better the Case one for this option? Thanks

[@TheHarrier1961]

The USN never used the 6 bladed tail rotor. Also, the extended sponsons are a late production feature - they have flares on one side, MAD on the other side

[@mikemontgomery2654]

Nigel, you can see some of the differences between the Sikorsky and the Westland versions, right off the bat. Window placements on the fuselages is different, different mission equipment. I can’t recall if the Americans always retained the 5 blade tail rotor. The British services upgraded to the 6th. The Airfix kit is much nicer than the Hasegawa but, both represent their subjects pretty well. The Hasegawa kit just needs some modernization.

[@WayneWelly]

It just shows how having 30yrs of tooling and engineering has come along

[@TheHarrier1961]

Also, the different main rotor blades - one set are late production composite blades

[@wildolan]

great video, and im watching yiur build in parallel. i bought the hasegowa a couple of months ago, was delighted to find it. it was a long search so buying for the stash was a no brainer. I really like the look and reviews of the airfix version and will likely pick one up, after the gannet is launched. I have been researching various models in prep but i think it has to be built as old 66. thats the iconic sea king and my favourite toy as a kid was the Dinky version with the motorised propellers. I would be very interested in your views of the decals, Im thinking of buying a set. Thanks. Will

[@ZinzanModelling]

Dear Nigel, In two videos you have allowed everyone to see that the Airfix kit seems to be a very good representative example of their current output. This video was (and is) a great comparison and, perhaps unsurprisingly contains no shocks at all!! Nicely done! Regards, Z

[@markcollins9903]

Westlands is in Yeovil

[@TringmotionCoUk]

My understanding is the main difference is engines. Apparently no Sikorsky option from airfix due to the large cost of a licence I've built the 1/72 and that was feature rich too

[@charlesemerson6763]

The Hasegawa kit I have is kit number 09863 SeaKing AEW Mk2A. This has big radar dustbin hanging off it.

[@charliegrech8433]

Great review nigel Would love to see you build the dragon 1/72 Apollo 13

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I have two of em, and the decals, so I should.

[@juergenm66_x]

@@NigelsModellingBench Take care of the Dragon kit. The put Westland, Sikorsky and Mitsubishi parts into the shaker and took out what they liked. It is awful regarding their reseach, so you need to make your own before. Just a few mistakes: - Bulge on port side for the Westland is wrong (Part A2) - Collector handle on right side of left pilot's seat (B32) - Side radar on starboard side behind cargo door must be removed - Door step is not used and cutout must be closed (C38) etc.

[@davidwilliams7259]

I believe with the references I have found, the sonar station is forward of the dipping sonar on the US Navy aircraft. Please correct me if I’m incorrect

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thank you

[@markcollins9903]

Westlands are my local factory

[@Th.M.]

A foreseeable comparison. The old guy vs. the young muscle man. 😜 Very interesting to see what both kits offer. Thanks, Nigel!

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@simonallen6427]

The Airfix version has a different engine lumps, bumps, assembly and airframe assembly because of the different engines used.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thank you Simon.

[@stephenwheeler76]

Its your show, but what's the point 1992 vs 2023? I very much enjoy your channel and have not missed a show for three years so don't be to hard on me for my comment.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

It's not so much 1992 vs 2023.. it's more about look what you get for an extra £2.

[@stephenwheeler76]

@@NigelsModellingBench Sorry, missed the point which very correct.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

No need to apologise, you raise a good point.

[@glencwilson]

An interesting comparison between the two. Though there are obvious differences between the two aircraft if it is just something for your own shelf you could just slap on the 66 decals and nobody would be any wiser apart from yourself! I ordered this kit because apart from a 1/72 Cobra I don't have any helicopters and the Airfix kit, from reviews, looks nice and at a reasonable price. I think Airfix is showing the passion they have for the kits they are creating and also from what most kit builders want. There will always be a cost v detail compromise and they seem to have the out of the box product just right but with room for aftermarket extras if that is what you want.

[@markoldreive]

Interesting comparison. I guess it shows how technology has changed and it’s really interesting that you get so much more than in the Hasegawa. I wonder if the price will drop on the Hasegawa. I was really interested to hear you say you attended Apollo 13 launch. I attended a shuttle launch and was on the roof of a NASA Building, one of the closest to the padl we had the radio comms from Launch control to the shuttle and a shuttle Astronaut to explain what was happening. At launch like you it was like nothing I’d ever experienced the noise and wind, the building shaking is unforgettable.

[@scalemodelsnail]

Nice kit and great video

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks 👍

[@aaronhutt274]

Could you make Helo 66 (Old 66) out of the new airfix seaking without major modifications?

[@NigelsModellingBench]

See comment from Christopher riddle under this video.

[@nickforrest5256]

Guess what's missing from both kits,30 years apart,no crew.this doesn't give the option for inflight,disappointing and an extra expense

[@basfinnis]

Be nice if you could do it into a Bristow's helicopter?

[@user-fo6ud3zs2o]

....airfix гооооораздо,гоооораздо симпатичнее: одно наличие адэкватной заклепки подкупает......