1/48 Dynavector Westland Wyvern S4

by Darius Aibara

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Dynavector's second kit after their ground-breaking Fairey Gannet was the Westland Wyvern S4.   The Wyvern's conception was at Yeovil in 1944, however a prolonged gestation involving the use of several engine designs meant that operational status was achieved only in 1953 when Mo. 813 Squadron FAA replaced its Blackburn Firebrand TF Mk 5s with Wyvern S Mk 4s at RNAS Ford.   Further problems hampered the aircraft in service as the Armstrong Siddeley Python 2 engines were prone to flame-out under high-G catapult launches.  In one instance Vyvern VZ783 was lost over the front of HMS Albion, whose bow duly cut the aircraft in half, however its pilot Lt. Macfarlane made history by successfully ejecting underwater, the Wyvern being fitted with an ejection seat.

No. 813 Squadron disbanded in 1955, but two new squadrons, Nos 830 and 831 were reformed at RNAS Ford that same year.  No. 830 squadron was involved in  Operation Musketeer in 1956, flying against the airfield at Dekhelia and also attacking bridges and vehicles.  Two aircraft were lost to ground fire but both pilots ejected and were rescued.  The last Wyvern squadron was disbanded in 1958.

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Dynavector's model is one of the easier vac-forms to build and is great for the beginner to try vac-formed or multi-media kits.  Once the parts have been separated and cleaned up the assembly process is similar to an injection moulded kit.  The cockpit, undercarriage , prop blades and nose of the kit are in white metal, but the large prop spinners are moulded in resin, which makes them easier to prepare than vac-formed spinners.  I used Halfords "Lada White" spray paint to approximate the sky undersurface colour and brush painted the upper surfaces with Humbrol Extra Dark Seak Grey enamel.  The Musketeer identification stripes were sprayed yellow and masked before the main colour application.  The black bands were edged with black decal strips and then painted in.  I used Dynavector's decals to represent an S Mk 4 of No. 830 Squadron FAA aboard HMS Eagle in 1956.

Darius

Photos and text © by Darius Aibara