The Ship Model Forum

Hi,
I'm a Vancouverite who did volunteer work for the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, where we worked on RHIBs with the Auxiliary's Unit 10 in Richmond, BC. We also got to do joint SAR work with the regular Coast Guard's hovercraft [i]Siyay[/i] and [i]Penac[/i] from the CG station on Sea Island near YVR.

Since the [i]Eastwind[/i] was mentioned in an earlier post, you should all note that Revell Germany has a kit of USCGC [i]Burton Island[/i], which can be kitbashed or modified to become any of her [i]Wind[/i] class sisters or even HMCS [i]Labrador[/i], which later became CGS [i]Labrador[/i].

Mike
I just checked the 44mlb.com site and under Paint Codes and Schemes the following footnote is listed
"Between 1984 and 1996 the superstructure was painted SAR yellow but before and after these dates it was white"
1996 is a couple years after my photos show that white was re-introduced but perhaps 1996 was the end of the transition period.
George

Mike
I think you may be able to use "rescue yellow" for active duty vessels. I checked my reference material and photos. I didn't have anything on the Bamfield other than a 44 was there from 1969 to 2002 nor have I served in the CCG. My photos indicate that yellow was used during the late 1980s (I lack photos from the early through mid 1980s) through 1993 for rescue vessels, ie life boats and larger rescue vessels (like the CCGS Alert). Starting in 1994 white superstructures started to be evident and by the late 1990s white was dominant (including ones that were yellow a few years before) including the east, west coats, and Ontario. .

You may still be right about the CCG auxilary still using yellow. I was under the impression that the auxilary CG generally used local fishing boats, cape islanders, etc. Thanks for the Arun information. I suspect you are familiar with the http://www.44mlb.com site, there is a lot of historical information there.

Best Wishes

George

Hi Geogre
I have an unbuilt model of Loose Cannon's USCG Eastwind icebreaker but I wasn't aware there was a Canadian ice breaker. I'm in the process of building a 3/4 inch=one foot model of the Canadian CG Bamfield lifeboat. The hull will be red but I was going to paint the superstructure white. Doing a little more research I came across a photo of the lifeboat in a red/yellow paint scheme. The red/yellow paint was really impressive, but my inmpression is that the CCG painted the superstructues yellow when they turned them over to the Canadian CG Auxillary(I want to depict actual CCG active duty lifeboat). In one photo the Bamfield is painted red/orange, I'm not sure if it's the photo quality that gives the illusion it's orange. The boat will be radio controlled, I hope to have it complete by summer. The Aruns are a neat looking craft, I thought Metcalf mouldings or perhaps Caldercraft made an Arun class lifeboat in fiberglass. Thanks for the heads up for the CCG icebreaker info. Take care

Mike

Mike
Thank you, I appreciate your response. I bookmarked the site. A lot of potential there at 1/20 scale. I was also hoping for the a model of the Arun type (a UK design) which were ordered by the CCG an the initial replacement for the 44s. The Aruns at about 53 ft I think are sightly longer than the 47s. The Aruns are very common here on the Atlantic coast. Availability of a kit is very unlikely as the RNLI replaced their last Arun last year. In Canada, the last of the 44s were replaced by the 47s but have not had the opportunity to photograph a CCG one yet.

As for the CCG markings I much prefer the no longer used "rescue yellow" used for the superstructures of the rescue vessels rather than the white used now.

Also USCGfan are you aware of the 1/700 CCG Ice breaker kit - Pierre Raddison. Rather small if you are looking for plans but it seems to be distributed via Loose Cannon.

Thanks again Mike, best wishes
George

Hi George
Try this on google http://www.midwestproducts.com They offer the traditional plank on frame 47' MLB kit and a RTR(ready to run)abs plastic 47' MLB kit. The RTR has the electric motors installed, just need a radio and batteries. Most hobby shops should stock this kit or be able to order it for you. Midwest also offers a number of other boat kits and aircraft kits as well. And they are a leading manufacturer of all types of wood products for the model builder.
I saw on a web site a 47" painted up as a CCG boat, it looked real sharp. Good luck with your project.
Regards
Mike

Mike (coastie fan)

I coverted the Billing 1/40 USCG 44 ft to the Cdn Coast Guard version and am reasonably pleased with the result (got me back into ship modeling after 40 years!). I'm interested in doing the Midwest products USCG 47 ft too but I searched for it but couldn't find the company. Do you have a URL or any other information about them.

Thanks

George

I agree, the Canadians got it right with thier 47 footers. The red hull/white deck house looks very sharp and professional. The USCG scheme looks more like a naval lo-viz scheme for an attack craft, than a rescue boat.

Coastiefan
I've been a "fan" of Canadian Coast Guard units for some time. As was suggested contact them(they have a great Web site) or give them a phone call. A number of years ago(long before personal computers) I placed a call and requested some drawings of their 44' MLB so I could modify my Dumas USCG 44 into a Canadian version. They were nice enough to send me drawings and photos free of charge. Of course this was probably a professional courtesy as I was on active duty in the CG.
Just in passing there are a number of models on the market that can be modified into a Canadian CG ship with a little work(and some red paint!! :thumbs_up_1: The Glencoe CG rescue boat(36' MLB), the Lindberg 95" patrol boat(CCG had four examples) and Revell's Eastwind icebreaker(Canadian icebreaker LABRADOR). On a larger scale Dumas or Billing's 44 MLB can be transformed into a Canadian version. Dumas's 41' UTB can be adapted to Canadian. And Midwest products 47' MLB also can be converted to a CCG boat with minimum work. From what I've read, the Canadian CG has utilized American CG craft and adapted them for the rigors of the Canadian climate. Possible the BEST looking MLB paint scheme is the CGC's version of our 47' MLB. Our 47's with their "bare metal" finish looks like S*%T compared to the beautiful 47's our Canadian cousins operate(The US 47 MLB looks like it belongs to some third world navy, it's a disgrace) Anyway, good luck on your project.
Regards
Mike Maynard(USCG RET)

Hi, I know this might sound like a stupid answer, but have you tried contacting the Canadian Coastguard Service directly, I would imagine that they have what you need, or could put you in touch with the actual ship builders who are bound to have the plans etc. Also you could try asking in the "Calling All Ship Fans "section, someone there might be able to help.

Hello,

HELP! Where would one get blueprints/plans for Canadian Coast Guard cutters either current or past? I know I read at one time the agency you need to contact, but I can't seem to find the reference again. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

BK