Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser

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Expand view Topic review: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser

by FFG-7 » Fri Jan 02, 2026 1:52 pm

are the prop shafts horizontal or slightly angled upwards towards the ship's center?
your prop shafts are to long when compared to my attachment which means the shafts are horizontal which they are not supposed to be.
Attachments
hms invincible profile.jpg

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser

by Xanthar » Fri Jan 02, 2026 12:10 pm

I got sidetracked working on my 1:96 USS Fletcher and a pagoda tower for IJN Fuso so, it's been a very long time since I updated this thread : (
Here are two recent renders of my CAD model with some progress on the turrets and super structure.
Please let me know what you think?
SuperStructure01.png
screenshot18.png

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser

by Xanthar » Sun Apr 16, 2023 12:56 pm

DavidP wrote: look at the drawings I sent you for the frame numbers.
I went back and looked at them again. While I can see that there are symbols that are probably frame numbers, I can't make any of them out. Perhaps the originals are more legible and you can share the relevant frames?

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser

by Xanthar » Sat Apr 15, 2023 2:03 pm

DavidP wrote:are the hulls printed at correct scale or printed under size so that the fiberglass versions are correct scale? look at the drawings I sent you for the frame numbers. I use a different method to get the correct locations of an object.
The plug is the correct scale. The inside surfaces of the mold conform to the outside surfaces of the plug. Hulls made in the mold will match the plug.
Hehehe. I used those drawings to do the mock up : P
I'm curious ... what method do you recommend to locate those features?

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser

by Xanthar » Sat Apr 15, 2023 12:25 pm

I haven't updated this thread in a while. I've printed out a second hull that will be used to make copies in fiberglass and I'm working on the superstructure for the first hull which will likely just be a static model.

In the CASF thread @davidp noted that the wing turrets don't look right in the pic above and asked about the decks. I guesstimated their locations but, I'd love to know if anyone has actual dimensions or frame numbers for where those barbettes lie.
The decks will be either luan or plywood. I printed 2D templates from the FreeCAD model that I'll use to cut them out.

FYI, the gun houses in the mock up are my versions of the ones used on HMS Dreadnought : P I've got a decent version of the fore and aft ones printed and I'm working on the model of the wings.

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser

by Xanthar » Fri Dec 30, 2022 5:25 pm

DavidP wrote:how thick is the hull skin?
1/350 scale resin version already being done.
http://ironshipwrights.com/pages/Invin-Rizzato.html
http://ironshipwrights.com/ships_350.html
That does look nice and seems to still be available, so it's maybe not an urgent itch to scratch.
I'll go back to working on the super structure for Jutland : )

PS. The hull thickness in my model is parametric. In 1/144th scale I was using 4mm.

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser

by Xanthar » Fri Dec 30, 2022 3:33 pm

In another thread a poster posited that I might be afraid of resin kits... I think I am, especially of the cost of screwing one up. It got me thinking though. A good friend of the family made a "test" mold from a 1/350 print of my Invincible hull. (Please see the attached pic) He does amazing work on full scale skiffs and this mold came out very nice, I think. We were thinking about making fiberglass hulls in 1/144 scale but. I wonder if we could cast resin parts in 1/350? If we did would anyone be interested in them?
IMG_20221203_234621939.jpg

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser with Fre

by Xanthar » Sat Dec 24, 2022 10:31 am

DavidP wrote:what year does your drawings represent as mine supposedly is 1914?
Most of the references I have are "as built." The .stl files that I'm working off of for the super structure say they are for late 1914.

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser with Fre

by Xanthar » Fri Dec 23, 2022 10:49 pm

I'm also wondering if there are any pictures, drawings, or descriptions of what was changed in her refit at Gibraltar after the Battle of the Faulklands?
I'd like to build her as she would have appeared at Jutland.

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser with Fre

by Xanthar » Fri Dec 23, 2022 5:25 pm

DavidP wrote:what do you mean by "my guess"?
That "Cruiser 785" was HMS Invincible.

Post script : I had misread the scan and Drachinifel was kind enough to confirm for me that Cruiser No. 785 was the Armstrong yard's designation for HMS Invincible

Re: Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser with Fre

by Xanthar » Fri Dec 23, 2022 4:40 pm

I found a scan of the hull lines for "Cruiser no. 785", online, that was sufficiently high resolution to trace.
They could be wrong but, they seemed to be close enough to match up with the other references I used.
I'm curious if you may be able to confirm my guess?
DavidP wrote:what plans are you using as I have a set of her when built if you need?

Modelling an HMS Invincible class battlecruiser

by Xanthar » Thu Dec 22, 2022 7:16 pm

After seeing some posts on various forums about using FreeCAD to model ship hulls, I decided to give it a try myself.
My original goal was to make laser cut hull kits for 1:144 Scale RC Combat. For various reasons, I'm less inclined to actually produce those kits but, I'm planning to build a relatively detailed RC version.

It all started with some scans of the plans that I found online.
I'm pretty happy with the shape of the hull that I've come up with and my 3DP prototype came out pretty well, IMHO.
Currently, I'm working on deck pieces and superstructure parts.

C&CC Welcome.
Attachments
screenshot00.png
screenshot15.png
IMG_20221016_120246732.jpg
screenshot16.png

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