Military AI Works

Having released the retro Andover package for FSX and P3D, that included the 3 Queen's Flight examples, I wanted to follow up with the 2 Westland Wessex helicopters that were also part of the Flight at that time. That's not really a substantial project of course and having bought the Warpaint book of the Wessex and made the base model, I was keen to do more - 7 variations in total in fact:

HCC.4 Queen's Flight:





HC.2 RAF Rescue:





HC.2 RAF:





HAS.1 Royal Navy:





HU.5 Royal Navy - Commando Carrier





HAS.3 Royal Navy:





HU.5 Royal Navy Rescue:





7 Models:



This could be a huge subject and my intention is not to paint all the possibilities and get bogged down in helicopter ovelaid AFCADs and flight plans. Rather, if would-be users, especially anyone with an affinity with the Wessex, could tell me what they would like to see produced, I'll consider the options. It would be easier to pick squadrons located at airfields where we already have helicopter operations, like RNAS Yeovilton and RNAS Culdrose. If Tim is going to produce RAF Benson at some point, then the two QF helicopters will be ready and waiting.

John

Very much looking forward to this one, the Wessex is one of my favourites. I've no specific variant request, just as long as there's a paint kit for it

very nice indeed John.

Oh very nice, John.

Looking great, John! Best I get on with Benson...

Love it!

They look fantastic

very nice, very nice indeed

Those look superb, nice work John!

Simply brilliant! One more which is completing the 80s era. Thank you very much.

Stunning, so happy with the Andover package, and now this is fantastic, but as you asked, then a Green Parrott would be nice, something a little different

Wonderful work. Ideal for us retro freaks.

VulcanDriver wrote: ↑18 Apr 2023, 11:30 Wonderful work. Ideal for us retro freaks.

And rotorhead freaks, nice work JY!

They look beautiful John, thank you for creating them. Please do release a paint kit as there are so many options for us retro fans.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.

It took a couple of days work to come up with a plan for deploying the Wessex models and paints, including verified serial numbers and letter codes, but I think I have a way forward.

There were around 360 RAF and RN Wessex helicopters built, spanning 40 squadrons covering a period of over 40 years. With such a span, it’s quite difficult to pick a period where all the models I’ve built fit the same period. I worked out that 1983-85 provides the best fit for everything apart from the HAS1 that was used in the 1960’s by the Royal Navy. As has already been suggested, a comprehensive paint kit will enable users to paint up this version and any of the others in the variety of schemes that appeared on the different marks over the years.

I’m intending to split the project into 3 releases:

Part 1 will feature the RAF HU2 in both camo, rescue and HCC4 Queen’s Flight paint schemes. It will include 11 examples of 2FTS at Shawbury and 5 of 72 Sqn at Aldergrove, Belfast, using existing scenery and new flight plans. The package will also include 10 x yellow SAR Wessex of 22 Sqn, but I am not intending to provide scenery or flight plans for the dispersed locations. The two Queen’s Flight examples will also be in the pack and will be enabled later, in the RAF Benson 115 Sqn Andover scenery that Tim is intending to produce, in due course.

Part 2 will feature Royal Navy HU5 Wessex in the green Commando schemes of 707 NAS and 845 NAS at RNAS Yeovilton and the red and grey rescue version of 771 NAS at Culdrose. Again, we have existing scenery that can be used and the package will include about 30 aircraft and flight plans.

Part 3 is the most challenging. It features the anti-submarine HAS model with the spine radome and yellow and dark grey paint scheme, with one Falklands grey example. The helicopters were used by 829 NAS in the time period at Portland Naval Air Station in Dorset. To do that requires a new scenery for FSX and P3D and initial investigation suggests that it is doable. It will also give the opportunity to include some 772 NAS HU5’s. I may even turn my Wildcat into a Navy Lynx to complete the helicopters there.

Part 1 is almost ready for packaging. Both bases feature the existing Gazelle traffic. Here's a taster - but please ignore the multiple Wessex movements at Shawbury and Aldergrove, I was just testing the AI:

RAF Shawbury:





RAF Aldergrove:





22 Sqn SAR Wessex:



Queen's Flight:



I want to add some “doors closed” models next, to give more variety on flight lines. I can then produce the manual and package up Part 1.

John

Amazing John. Can’t wait to put the 22 Sqdn machines into Chivenor.

I was never a big fan of rotary stuff until I started exploring your stuff John

Me too Jim, until I discovered what I could do with it!

John

I've just sent Part 1 of the Wessex project, covering RAF HC2's and HCC4's, for inclusion in the Download Hangar. As always, please allow time for the upload to be processed and made available.



I'll press on next with getting the Royal Navy examples into scenery and flight plans.

John

Wonderful. Thanks for this great work!