Airfix Westland Sea King 1/48 Full Build Video - Does it live up to the hype?

The full build video of the Airfix 1/48th Westland Sea King is here!
A month (on and off) of building, three live streams and over five hours of decalling and I can give you the final and definitive verdict on the new Airfix kit, and whether you should rush out and get one....
My thanks to Airfix for the supply of their kit for the review, and invitation to the press day for its release. You can buy it from my shop here in the UK at www.mannsmodelmoments.com
If you want to see a really well-weathered Sea-King in a very cool diorama, check out @SullysScaleModels build here; • From King To Chicken! ...
Visit my Amazon Store for links to the products used in the videos: www.amazon.co.uk/shop/mannsmo...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @mannsmodelmoments
Support the channel on Patreon - / mannsmodels
Beyond the Box Podcast: www.buzzsprout.com/49144/1256...
You can also watch my content on Odysee: odysee.com/$/invite/@Mann'sMo...
or Rumble: rumble.com/c/c-2451734
Subscribe - kzbin.info...
Follow on Instagram - @MannsModelMoment
Follow on Twitter - @MannsModels
Facebook Page - / mannsmodelmoments
Video Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:42 Cockpit
4:31 Interior
16:09 Exterior
27:53 Painting
30:08 Decals
31:31 Finishing Off
31:50 Finished Model
32:48 Conclusions
35:29 Like, Subscribe & Share
Airfix,airfix model kits,airfix 1/48 sea king,airfix westland sea king,airfix sea king,1/48 sea king,Airfix 1/48 westland sea king,sea king,scale model,model kit,scale modelling,airfix sea king has.1,Airfix sea king has.5,Airfix sea king HU.5,sea king has 1,sea king has.5,sea king hu.5,sea king helicopter,airfix helicopter,airfix helicopter model kits,westland sea king,westland sea king airfix,westland sea king helicopter,westland sea king has
PIXABAY LICENSE CERTIFICATE
==============================================
This document confirms the download of an audio file pursuant to the Content License as defined in the Pixabay Terms of Service available at pixabay.com/service/terms/
Licensor's Username:
pixabay.com/users/penguinmusi...
Licensee:
u_ex8sb99phs
Audio File Title:
Sexy Urban Beat
Audio File URL:
pixabay.com/music/future-bass...
Audio File ID:
120564
Date of download:
2023-04-05 17:48:11 UTC
Pixabay GmbH c/o Lacore Rechtsanwälte LLP
Berliner Freiheit 2, 10785 Berlin, Germany
Pixabay is a user-contributed stock content website. The above-named Licensor is responsible for this audio file. Pixabay monitors uploaded audio files only to a reasonable extent. Pixabay cannot be held responsible for the acts or omissions of its users and does not represent or warrant that any required third-party consents or licenses have been obtained.
For any queries related to this document please contact Pixabay via [e-mail].
==== THIS IS NOT A TAX RECEIPT OR INVOICE ====

[@MannsModelMoments]

Join me to see what I think after building the Airfix 1/48th Sea King, and feel free to ask any questions in the comments

[@Exar_Kun]

Incredible work my friend! Cheers!!

[@MannsModelMoments]

Many thanks!

[@eclectipunk]

Painting white/tipex over what you’ve done is genius!

[@markstott6689]

Weathering lessons are always appreciated 😊

[@anthonywilson2346]

Had the dubious pleasure of taking the first seaking squadron (820 nas) onto HMS Blake. The only weathering needed was soot black as we were strategically placed behind the funnels😅🇬🇧😝

[@savyman2376]

Brilliant, love the vid and the finished model would look real with a background and clever lighting, you have skill and patience.

[@MannsModelMoments]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Black73CatScaleModels]

Hi, First time I've seen your channel... This is a great video. A good detailed build demonstration, with lots of sensible advice along the way. Thanks for sharing. 👍👍

[@MannsModelMoments]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@KalundTheFox]

Got this on pre order also, arrives January 10th to my shop in Texas. I should have it a week later. Great detailed video. Thanks!!

[@davroshalfbeard8368]

A weathering video on the kit would be great .if you are not to busy with the business cheers.

[@MannsModelMoments]

Noted! I tried to give a very basic build up as an appraisal of the kit - which is what the video is about, not my skills (or lack thereof) as a modeller, so returning to add a bit more "flair" would be nice!

[@allgood6760]

Very nice!... I went on board a Ses King when HMS Eagle visited NZ in the early 70's.. cheers from down under 👍🇳🇿

[@unclefester9857]

Nice..really really Nice, well done you, Your a Modler in my neck of the woods and we like it so

[@Vstrom-cy7ln]

Totally brilliant video, nice touch putting the instruction sheet in the corner. Turned out a great looking model.

[@MannsModelMoments]

Thanks!

[@stevesstuff1450]

@vstrom-cy7ln: I completely agree; putting the instruction sheet steps in a corner window was an excellent idea... a touch of class! 😃

[@jamfjord]

Maritime weathering on such a nicely detailed helichopter? Yes please! All that salt made a bit of a mess, would be fun to see that represented. If you get chance, of course. But in any case, thanks for this very detailed build video, I think I'm probably good and sold on the kit at this point.

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

Yes Alex, I would really like to see a video on weathering this one. It’s my favourite of the four colour schemes, followed by the Rescue bird. And I’m pretty sure an RAF all-yellow Sea King is in the pipeline. Lovely review and extra thanks for pointing out the potential pitfalls in the build.

[@markstott6689]

It's a very handsome looking model. 😊❤😊

[@stevesstuff1450]

Alex, I watched all of your 'live' build videos and along with everyone else, struggled at times to see what you were doing 'thanks' to KZbin's ridiculous compression, so it was great to this full HD version..... Here we can really see the quality of the kit, and of your work, which is excellent!! 👍 Your SeaKing looks magnificent, and I would say that a fairly light weathering may be in order; you've already started that process with the sun-bleaching effect paint job that you applied... I'm sure that these machines were well maintained back then, but there would still be areas that get dirty; especially around the exhausts..... Just don't go mad; do a light weathering to make certain areas 'pop', and exaggerate certain panel lines, and show off the layered panel design used in the kit moldings perhaps.... 😉 Looks fantastic though....can't wait for my pre-order to arrive......!!

[@MannsModelMoments]

Thanks!

[@fletsepopje]

Great to see another superb kit by Airfix

[@MannsModelMoments]

Absolutely!

[@floyddrewjr9621]

Very nice build. My dad was an Aviation Electrician's Mate and worked on Sea Kings aboard the USS Randolph CVS-15 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Would be nice if Airfix could do the American version, still an awesome job!

[@MannsModelMoments]

It would, though I'm not sure that's likely given the differences and potential licencing issues....

[@ModelMinutes]

Outstanding build! I hope mine looks this good when I eventually build it :D

[@MannsModelMoments]

I'm sure it will Matt (or better!)

[@paulmanuse2353]

Great work!

[@wordenb1830]

Excellent video Alex, thank you, totally agree with the QC comment. I have yet another example with the very recent re issue of the 1/72 P-51D. The port fuselage side looks like it had been ripped from the tool leaving nasty streaks instead of recessed rivets. Airfix really need to address issues like these, it's seriously counteracting all the good work the UK team are doing.

[@FinsburyPhil]

Very nice job Alex and a good review. If I have a gripe it would be with the need to add the 'infill' panels on the fuselage side. On the actual aircraft, these were invisible so would take an awful lot of fettling to make the joins disappear (see Nigel's Modelling Bench) - might have been better to engineer it so you have to cut out the openings required, rather than fill the one's that are not.

[@xjr13john]

Nice build of a workhorse helicopter, hopefully other versions will be released, shame that no crew are supplied, I would be interested in seeing a weathering vid. Thanks

[@MannsModelMoments]

Thanks - as I mentioned in my unboxing video, Airfix commented on the "no crew" piece - firstly, most models are built without crew, secondly in order to accomodate 1970s, 1980s-90s Navy and civilian crew would have meant at least three variants, pushing up the cost of the kit to benefit a minority - same with weapons They prefer to leave this aspect to the aftermarket.

[@modelheaven5471]

The short shot is a frustration as you quite rightly point out their quality control is still not up to par. For me though the exterior surface detail is a real bug bear. The Sea King is covered in mushroom rivets. I appreciate their reasoning for the recessed detail was being easier to restore after sanding and tooling constraints, but looking at your build, I can't see anywhere, where sanding is required enough to need restoring detail. Especially on a 2023 kit, excessive sanding shouldn't be needed. Also, the center console is covered in raised details. Not to mention Revell achieved it with their old 1/72 Sea King. Just my two thoughts.

[@MannsModelMoments]

Honestly, I MUCH prefer the recessed rivets - look at any picture of a Sea King at the size a model is and you cannot see any raised rivets. I chose not to do any repair work on my kit as I wanted a very basic build to showcase the kit, not me. Tooling constraints is not the issue here - it's easier to make raised detail in any steel tool (it's why early kits had it, after all)

[@andylewis8669]

I was'nt sure about buying this kit but having watched your build I can't wait to get my hands on one thanks 💪

[@MannsModelMoments]

You're welcome!

[@BobMuir100]

Good work here, a very interesting video to watch. I thought you were in trouble with the painting of the main body but no you pulled it off!! Why was the lack of a split danger so important to you? Please don’t weather it as it’s great as it is!! Congratulations on a very good piece. Bob England

[@MannsModelMoments]

It's not that it's important to me, it's just odd they didn't include this when they have included options for things like the different sonar screens,which Would have thought much less important (the inactive one could just be painted grey, for example)

[@stevejohnson4069]

Excellent video very informative I’ve subscribed and am hoping you have done a Bond Bug video.your finished Sea King looks fantastic.

[@MannsModelMoments]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Ryker06]

Enjoyed the video, thanks. Not peculiar to this helo model, but I have rarely seen helo models depicted with proper blade drop/angle. Something most likely difficult for kit mfg to replicate.

[@paulwood5803]

The "relief tube" was known as the pigs ear....

[@bigal5895]

Great vlog. Quick question: after completing painting you said you coated the model with I think 'pledge' ready for decal application ? what is pledge or am I mistaken? Also what do you coat your decals with? - thanks.

[@janteipel5179]

Pledge is one brand of acrylic floor shine. Self levelling, very glossy and quite robust when dried. Formerly known as Future floor shine, a "secret help" for modellers who wanted a surface preparation before decalling. Decals set on glossy surfaces without silvering (from air trapped between rough flat colours and the decal).

[@leehardy464]

I'm wondering why they didn't make the two hull part differently like one side normal cast and the other side made of a clear part so you could see all that lovely detail, but then again I suppose the price factor would come into it what a shame for a beautiful kit.

[@MannsModelMoments]

I actually asked this very question on the release day, and it's because clear part toolings need to be highly polished, after which they aren't suitable for use with normal styrene, so it would have required a separate tool, and much more cost (one we as modellers were unlikely to pay for)

[@Zone5Aviation]

I noticed something glaringly obvious that's missing from the kit which applies to all Sea Kings no matter what version. There's no inclusion or mention in the instructions for the addition of the hand rail support posts on the crew door behind the cockpit. There's two posts, one on each side of that door with 4 braided metal cables connecting from the door frame to the door via the posts which fold down when the door is closed. It's a feature you can't miss on the real helicopter and yet another example including the decal issue that although a small detail, the omission is disappointing given the efforts taken on the rest of the kit.

[@MannsModelMoments]

I think they expect you to add these for yourself - given their inclusion on the example builds on the Airfix product page, but I agree that it's an odd omission given everything else

[@davidjefferis4467]

No crew, more’s the pity.

[@MannsModelMoments]

As I mentioned in my unboxing video, Airfix commented on the "no crew" piece - firstly, most models are built without crew, secondly in order to accommodate 1970s, 1980s-90s Navy and civilian crew would have meant at least three variants, pushing up the cost of the kit to benefit a minority - same with weapons They prefer to leave this aspect to the aftermarket.

[@davidjefferis4467]

A shame Airfix cannot source its own set/s of figures, as a ghost crew leaves less opportunity for a sense of scale, especially for diorama builders.@@MannsModelMoments

[@MannsModelMoments]

@@davidjefferis4467 I'd like to see Airfix make figures similar to those ICM make