The Ship Model Forum

Recently I have taken a bit of a right turn in my modelling activities. I generally build 1:72nd scale Radio Controlled ship models but I have now developed an interest in 1:350 ships as well. My main area of interests lies in small Australian warships. Unfortunately there are no kits available for most Australian ships so scratch building is the only way to go. I have started a number of 1:350 hulls in the last few months but the two that are receiving most of my attention are the Australian Fremantle and Armidale Class Patrol Boats.

Australia has had three classes of Patrol Boat since the mid 1960's and I have made models of each class in several scales over the years. The 1:350 models are the smallest that I have attempted and pose a different challenge to normal for me.

Attached are some photos of progress so far.








Steve Batcheldor

Looking good! I too would like kits of these vessels- watching episodes of Sea Patrol has helped too!

_________________
--
Sean Hert

I have finally made some progress with a couple of the Australian Patrol Boats. I have been able to mould the main components in resin. Still working on some of the smaller parts. A long way to go before any of these are finished but I am pretty happy with the results so far.

The photos below show the recent progress.

Hi Steve,
your casting is very good. Do you have the use of a pressure chamber or are they just poured and set.
The reason i ask is that i can not discern any pin holes or bubbles.

Again


Roy

Hi Roy

I use a home made vacuum chamber to pull air bubbles out of both the rubber mould mix and the resin. It is not perfect but I do get much better results than just pouring the mix. Generally I will mix the rubber or the resin in a cup and put that into the chamber to de-air before pouring. I will then half fill and put back into the vacumm chamber for a short time. Then fill to the desired level and back into the chamber for a last time.
You need to work quickly. I use a resin with a pot life of about 20 minutes.

You got some great results there! Seems almost flawless!

_________________
The merchant shipyard

Hi Steve Excellent work from the larger to the smaller , quite a challenge
Dave Wooley

Hi Steve,
nice set up and a lot cheaper than a pressure chamber.
The resin i use for my 1/700 kits is fast setting (pot life 2,1/2mins max)
Although i am on the trail of a much slower setting resin which i intend on using in future.

Roy

_________________
IPMS Fine Waterline special interest group www.finewaterline.com

Very good indeed!

different subject matter too--innovative resin set-up!

JB

_________________
....I buy them at three times the speed I build 'em.... will I live long enough to empty my stash...?
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

IPMS UK SIG (special interest group) www.finewaterline.com

I have made some more progress on the 1:350 Armidale Class Patrol Boat. Moulded some of the smaller parts and started to put things together. Also started painting.










Steve

You thinking of selling those?

_________________
--
Sean Hert

Hi Sean

I will sell a small number of these little Patrol Boats in the future. I still have a few more parts to mould and some areas to tidy up before I sell any though.

My intention is not to produce a full kit, just the major components in resin so there will still be a bit of scratch building required.

I hope to have 5 or 6 ready to sell by mid January 2013.


Steve

Okay Steve,
This may get me in trouble but I spent a lot of my lunch hours at work watching Sea Patrol and would love a kit.

Any ideas on pricing?

Steve, I would be very interested in this kit as well.
Also, have you thought about the Huon Class Minehunter? Would take 6 in a heartbeat!

Hi

A number of people have expressed some interest in these little Armidale models. Probable best to make contact through a private message for price.

The Houn is one that I have started in 1:350. Not much to show at the moment as it is still just a chunky wooden hull that requires a bit of shaping to make a suitable plug for moulding. I will eventually make the main components much like the castings for the Armidale.

I have had my 1:72 scale Huon running for a few years now, it is quite a nice model that runs very well. A couple of pics are below.

Kind regards Steve