Wessex for Filming

[LovelyCJ]

As part of a feature film we're bringing Sikorsky S-58 D-HAUG to the UK next month to play the part of a RN Wessex.

We're set mid 60’s so will be repainting the helicopter to something appropriate. The Director likes the look of this scheme:

http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/images/1217299F.jpg

So, given we have the freedom to choose, is there a specific scheme like this that's worthy of duplication? A memorable event or respected crew? Anything that would be nice to see again..

Any ideas or images much appreciated!

Thanks!

[John Eacott]

What is the film about, where is it set, what will the RN Wessex be doing?

No point in painting it as a Wessex HU5 if it's going to play the part of a Wessex HAS3, nor have a 1960's camouflage if it's a 1970's SAR job!

[Savoia]

CJ: Presumably you have a consultant assisting you with your flying sequences. He should be able to advise you on the appropriate colour scheme for the aircraft. It will depend on the context of the scene and the role the aircraft is performing.

There were numerous Royal Navy colour schemes, here are three (one is RAF):

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W-77ImXjsBo/Ukvyb9lh1gI/AAAAAAAAOi8/kWeb7egbUV4/w957-h296-no/DSC_6987.JPG

But .. you also have the 'Humphreys' which often wore black and yellow as well as the Admiral's Barges (Green Parrots aka White Tops) which were green and white and there were other schemes too including some 'experimental' ones!

[Savoia]

CJ: Your aviation adviser has doubtless informed you that by using D-HAUG (in terms of authenticity) you will be limited to 'mimicking' a Wessex Mk 1 or other early model Wessex. Even then you will need to paint over some of the windows.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MNtfWn86BXc/Ukv4rux6spI/AAAAAAAAOjU/z0fo7iFVU1g/w650-h430-no/D-HAUG.jpg
D-HAUG

But .. at least you are not compiling the whole scene using CGI so that's something to be thankful for!

[bast0n]

Lovely CJ

Here is the aircraft you portray showing the nosedoor that was fitted in the earlyish 60's. Those with a keen eye will note the outstanding handsomeness of the pilot...........:O

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/WessexV018.jpg~original

[Nigel Osborn]

A was the first Mk 5 in 848 Squadron on Albion. David is flying with the original nose before the bigger uglier ones were fitted.:ok:

[sycamore]

How many `uglier `noses has David had then...!..?

[Fareastdriver]

Those with a keen eye will note the outstanding handsomeness of the pilot

The size of the picture obviously reflects the size of his head.:rolleyes:

[bast0n]

Far east fellow

I resemble that remark!

A few years ago tasting the finest wines
that Malta had to offer. The difference
between Marzovin and Marzovin special
Reserve was the they dragged the grape
through the vat twice for Special Reserve
..............note the look of the fine wine conosewer in the photo..........:)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/DaLunchphoto-1.jpg~original

[chopper2004]

Whereabouts could we see it be filmed, out of interest? East Anglia, South Coast?

Cheers

[heli1]

The Helicopter Museum has a couple of genuine Wessex 5 for ground shots and other marks too for authenticity.

[Nigel Osborn]

I can't believe he put that photo of him on this site; that means I can put some old ones up of him too!!!!!!!

[John Eacott]

I can't believe he put that photo of him on this site; that means I can put some old ones up of him too!!!!!!!

Lord, no! ;)

Then we'll get the Lotus, and the Moke, and, and..... :p

LovelyCJ, if you give a response to some of the Wessex queries then you can get a better quality of posts.

Maybe.

[chopper2004]

Is this for a television series, or docu drama or major motion photo?

The last time I saw a Wessex in a movie or tv series was Jame Bond 007 The Spy Who Loved Me, with a SAR Wessex lowering 007 (Roger Moore) and Major 'Triple X' Amarsava (?) (Barbara Bach) onto the USS Wayne SSBN. Also at the end when the escape pod with 007 and Triple X, floats into the HMS Fearless, with the ship's Wessex pair on flying stations.

Then there was the PD James - Commander Adam Dalglish mystery played by Roy Marsden. Commander Dalglish has solved the crime, kinda confronted the murderer off the Norfolk coast but the killers house or boat is being washed to sea and the RAF SAR Wessex is rescuing the detective, while leaving the killer to their fate.

Unnatural Causes (TV Movie 1993) - IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108448/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_31)

Wondered it would be better to have an S-58T shipped over here from the States? Admittedly, the nose is way different, but at a stretch with some Pinewood studios finest, and special effects....then more of an option.

Cheers

[cattletruck]

special effects

Hope the sound producer doesn't make it sound like a JetRanger inside - but hey, this is the movies.

[LovelyCJ]

Thanks Guys - superb..

We're set mid '60s and the main scene is island to ship transfer Adriatic way, can't believe it won't pop up on a site when it arrives.

I know we're taking some liberties using the S58 but for the period and the need to (be seen) to carry six passengers and large box I could think of nothing else. I certainly applaud the Production for doing it for real rather than at the first sign of risk / expense roll over into CGI world..

David, we'll recreate ’your' machine although I concede we'll need the best computer wizardry the industry has to offer to recreate your dashing looks. In fact now I mention that - any old drivers out there got a picture of themselves in flying kit c. Mid 60’s? Note - I did put "in action in the mid 60’s" but became scared of the potential replies..

:)

I'll post a pic of the machine as soon as the NDA allows!

[Savoia]

CJ: Some Wessex Mk1 & 3 in RN schemes:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ic7GI8HVW14/Uk0oCrYSfjI/AAAAAAAAOkg/R9PlIHYVHS4/w410-h417-no/1963+Wessex.png
1963 RN Wessex

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DgDRw5UODBw/Uk0mOith1mI/AAAAAAAAOj8/nEcCmJnk0JQ/w452-h343-no/Wessex+Helicopter+3+XM839.JPG
XM839 Wessex

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QLGwx0xQhdw/Uk0mOPhkmGI/AAAAAAAAOjw/0iTdBBtIpsw/w470-h344-no/1950s+Royal+Navy+Westland+Wessex+Helicopter+XL722.JPG
Wessex Mk 1

Those with a keen eye will note the outstanding handsomeness of the pilot...........:O


Ah ha! The 'handsome Wessex driver debate' has resurfaced!

Well, after throwing Bonne Prince Charlie in the ring (as an albeit unlikely contender) on the last occasion, I think to take on this new challenge of 'Bast0n's beauty' .. I shall need to move across to the Crabs!

My contender to beat Bat0n's stunning handsomeness is ..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uuOo-GiuwuU/Uk0mcK9h21I/AAAAAAAAOkM/gtEpI_IE_2I/w250-h374-no/Squadron+Leader+Nicky+Smith.jpg
Sqdn Ldr Nicky Smith

From commanding a Wessex squadron to driving ambulances. Bravo! :D

Signora Nicky, if you are reading .. no offence at being compared to the 'beautiful Bast0n' please! ;)

ps: Bast0n, no problem with large photos (love them) but .. yours are sooo large that they've thrown the page alignment out (can't believe IB haven't come-up with software to overcome this) .. just a wee bit smaller and the page will come back into alignment!

pps: The one that got away .. one of yours I think:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ubyDo2Y_JM4/Uk0mONGhiPI/AAAAAAAAOj4/OuS4XwbZAzI/w720-h480-no/RN+Wessex_airborne_1967_+Wessex+from+HMS+Albion+while+suppor ting+up+country+Army+operations+%2528Ken+Simpson%2529.jpg
Wessex from HMS Albion 1967

[bast0n]

Eacott Pinger Chappy

Can you reduce the size of my Wessex above? I am doing things as always and everything seems to be getting larger - a rare event round here nowadays!

PS what is wrong with the Moke?

[John Eacott]

Jungly 1,

Here you go!

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/5836-2/WessexV018_jpg_original.jpeg

Original full size for LovelyCJ to use is here (http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/5835-1/WessexV018_jpg_original.jpeg) :cool:



I had a Moke for a few years, but at least it was yellow with Recaro seats ;)

And an Elan S4/SE: which model was yours?

[Savoia]

Lol, ah well Baston .. you've gone from super large to super small!

A closer examination of the evidence:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s1sCj2wIqqk/Uk6NDHXX46I/AAAAAAAAOmY/AA86wUgMDho/w958-h523-no/Bastonovich%2521.png
'Bastiano' in his office

At first I thought Baston might be in a grump .. then I realised it was actually a look of great concentration! ;)

[3D CAM]

My contender to beat Bat0n's stunning handsomeness is ..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uuOo-GiuwuU/Uk0mcK9h21I/AAAAAAAAOkM/gtEpI_IE_2I/w250-h374-no/Squadron+Leader+Nicky+Smith.jpg
Sqdn Ldr Nicky Smith

Not sure if putting someones picture on here is "ethical" but it is nice to put a face to a name.
3D

[Savoia]

To 'quell' your concern for ethics .. 'Nicky's details' are in the public domain and have been for many-a-year! But, it is otherwise a good point for general consideration (for those who are not in the public domain).

[bast0n]

Pinger Chappie Eacott

I think my helmet fitted better.............who ever he was............:rolleyes:

Regarding Lotii - mine is an S3SE with a BIG engine and goes all over Europe every year.

Seen here with the Command module atop the world..........:O

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/SpotFrance20106resized-1.jpg~original

[bast0n]

Oh and another thing Pinger Chappy Eacott

Bet you don't have one of these..................:O

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/ComptonFlyer012.jpg~original

Oh Bugg+er too big again . still the command module is not complaining.........:)

[John Eacott]

Oh and another thing Pinger Chappy Eacott

Bet you don't have one of these

Thankfully, no :hmm:

[Nigel Osborn]

I hope you ride that better than you did the Tina scooters!!:ok:

[RVDT]

Better still get your own one -

Wessex For Sale (http://www.avbuyer.com/aircraft/detailed.aspx?ae=true&AId=34136&NlId=2424)

THIS HELICOPTER COMES WITH ALL BLADES AND DOORS, THE HELICOPTER DOES NOT COME WITH A ENGINE AND IS MISSING A FEW SMALL PARTS

http://acimg.avbuyer.com/images/aircraftImages/34136.200.1.jpg

[switch_on_lofty]

If you have a look at the Royal Navy Historic Flight Facebook page there's a photo and video that looks suspiciously like the end result (of the OP, not the drift!). Sorry don't know how to post pics on here otherwise I'd have borrowed the pic.

[John Eacott]

sol,

Here it is: not a bad job by the look of it, although it would have helped to paint over the extra cabin windows for a bit more realism :ok:

Baggy green skins, tick. Yellow Mae Wests, tick. Just a shame that no-one mentioned that we only had white Mk 3 bonedomes in them days ;)

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/5881-1/S58+Wessex+lookalike.jpg

[LOZZ]

Grabbed these with my mobile the other day.

More can be found here taken by someone else: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151919376663684.1073741839.193483878683&type=3

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/10398738705_2e14688bc9_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/10398754636_7a6d25b760_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/10398755206_21d1107025_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3800/10398755756_1452e3c2c1_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/10398735695_b5bd2531ab_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/10398722744_88e63ae1e5_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/10398723224_8e7864a3d7_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/10398897873_47db81e359_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/10398738155_9a8534e6c1_b.jpg

[Sandy Toad]

Think the Torpedo had been "dropped" from the crest by the time it became a Junglie squadron.

[bast0n]

ST - It was put back at some time later as no permission had been granted to alter the crest - but you are correct that Albion aircraft had no torpedo. D

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Borneo53.jpg~original

[LOZZ]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/10439119833_974c6f700c_b.jpg