The Westland Welkin
was designed during the latter part of WW2 as a high-altitude interceptor.
It was envisaged that the Germans would try to penetrate UK airspace at
ever-higher altitudes. Post war analysis of such aircraft as the DFS 228
revealed that it's planned ceiling of 75,000ft would have defeated the Welkin's
45,000ft proposed ceiling!
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Steps etc |
Wingtip lights |
Decals |
The Welkin never saw
Squadron service, although those completed went on to serve with the Fighter
Interception Unit. Two examples of the two-seat Westland Welkin MkII were
built, which was to have been a radar-equipped interceptor, but never went into
production.
Until recently,
the only available kit of the Welkin was the Hallam Vac vacform, which featured
some Matchbox-like panel lines and was a pig to assemble - mine went into the
trash can when I became disillusioned with the fit and amount of filler being
sacrificed.
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Cockpit and ammo bay |
Port cockpit wall |
Stbd cockpit wall
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The kit shows some innovative
casting techniques, especially around the cockpit area, which includes a single
piece for the instrument panel, rudder pedals, control column, ammo cans and an
oxygen tank! Two vacform canopies are included and the delicate framework
under the rear of the canopy is represented as a resin item. The kit also
features optional nose intakes, pull-down step and antennas. There are
also two clear resin wing-tip lights, a novel inclusion which others, hopefully,
may follow! Decals
are provided for DG558 (the prototype, which is also fitted with long-range
ferry tanks) in a Dark Earth/Dark Green/Yellow scheme and DX289 of the Flight
Interception Unit in Medium Sea Grey and PRU Blue.
I'm really looking forward to building this one!
Chris
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ammo drums |
Canopies
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Canopy framework |
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