The Ship Model Forum

Well, I have taken the plunge and started my scratch build of the St. Laurent class destroyer escort HMCS Assiniboine (DDE 234). For those not familiar with the class, the St. Laurent was the first indigenous designed warship built in Canada. As can be seen in the pictures of the St. Laurent, the ships were very novel for the time. Rounded deck edges, pre-wetting for NBC defence, enclosed foc’sle with all anchor gear 1 deck down to keep a clear deck etc. You could pass from bow to stern in the ship without ever having to go on deck.

The particulars of the class are:
Length: 366’
Beam: 42’
Draft: 13’2”
Displacement: 2,800 tons full load
Speed: 28 knots
Crew: 12 officers, 237 men
Armament: 2 twin 3”/50 Mk.33 guns
2 Mk.10 Limbo Mortars
2 Mk.32 ASW Torpedo throwers
2 40mm Boffin guns (only 4 ships fitted)

There were 7 ships built to this class and the design was extended to cover the follow on Restigouche, Mackenzie and Annapolis classes. Overall, 20 ships where built to the basic design between 1952 and 1963. The last of the class was paid off in 1998. In the early 1960’s, the first 7 ships were converted to carry helicopters. The Sea King was the best ASW helicopter available at the time and the RCN put one on the deck of the destroyer escorts. The last two ships of the class were built to carry the helicopter from the start (and were 6 feet longer).

More information may be found at Haze Gray and Underway and the excellent book “Cadillac of Destoryers, HMCS St. Laurent and her successors” from Vanwell Publishing.

The model will be 1/72 scale for R/C. I plan to make a plug so that I can build a two part fibreglass mould so I can have more than 1 ship as I do want to build the DDH version too. As the ship’s bridge and after deck house have rounded faces, I am going to vacuform the structures so again, I can make multiple copies for future projects. As I am new to most of this technology (building the plug, fibreglass moulds, vacuforming etc) the build will take a while but the goal is to have the ship done before the end of Sept 08.

Below are two pictures to the HMCS St. Laurent. This is how the Assiniboine will look except that the 3” guns will be in the fibreglass mounts and not open as in these photos.

I welcome any advice, constructive criticism etc. There surely must be better ways of building than what I will be doing so I am interested in learning. I will do my best to put into practice what I have seen and read on this forum for the last 1.5 yrs.

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James W.

Dry docked:
1/72 HMCS Assiniboine DDE 234-1960
1/72 HMCS Ottawa DDE 229-1960
1/72 HMCS St. Catharines-River Class Frigate-1944
On the slipway:
1/72 HMCS Camrose-Flower Class Corvette-1943
1/72 HMCS Trillium-Flower Class Corvette-1942

James, I look forward to your build, nice subject.

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Simple but effective.

Yep, me too, Canadian designs are always cool to see, they often have very revolutionary ideas in them! And they're also good looking, so please go ahead and show us the build!

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The merchant shipyard

Always liked these ships. Got to go aboard one in Portland, OR years ago.

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Any ship larger than a Destroyer is a waste of metal.

beautiful ships , unknown to me till now

Regards ,

laurent

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Scared of Nothing , Always Thirsty

Just call me the "Cereals Box Killer" , I guess

Interesting. I look forward to seeing the hull molding process.

TommyL.

Thank you all, for the interest in the build.

So far, I have cut out the templates for the bulkhead sections and am about to glue them to 1/8” hardboard. I have cut the 2’x4’ sheets of hardboard into 3.5” strips, 2’ long. As these are all half frames, I will need two to make a complete bulkhead. I have come up with the novel idea of building 4 different versions of the hull (depending if they had a Helo or not or if they carried variable depth sonar or not or the longer Annapolis class ships) Therefore, I will actually be using the templates to cut enough bulkheads at once for the future 3 ships I want to build as well. The keel will be 5/8 particle board. I plan to use white/pink foam insulation sheets to fill the space between the bulkheads and then use drywall compound to get the shape of the hull.(ala Moffett build and I have plenty of drywall compound as I built a closet in my daughter room last year and (way) overestimated the materials (or was that planned for this project???)) I have tried plank on frame for this about 10yrs ago but was never happy with the results and scrapped the ship then. (Marriage and kids kept me away from trying again till now!) This will then be fiberglassed and used for the plug to make the mould. The picture shows the cut out frames as well as the 1mm plastic bow profile, .5mm frame no. 1 and the waterline sections I am using to help get the curved bow section right at frame no. 1. As the ship has a turtle deck and a rounded rather than sharp bow, I would rather over-engineer this section and get it right then to have to redo it later. If the weather holds out on the weekend, I can get the power tools out and cut the frames and keel in between laying a hardwood floor (which justified the new compound sliding miter saw and bandsaw) I may be dreaming as the long range forecast calls for rain for the next 7 days. I don’t have an indoor shop area so everything needs to be cut on the driveway. I will post more when I have the frames/keel cut out.

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James W.

Dry docked:
1/72 HMCS Assiniboine DDE 234-1960
1/72 HMCS Ottawa DDE 229-1960
1/72 HMCS St. Catharines-River Class Frigate-1944
On the slipway:
1/72 HMCS Camrose-Flower Class Corvette-1943
1/72 HMCS Trillium-Flower Class Corvette-1942

Well thats the start, no turning back now.

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Simple but effective.

An excellent project. Reading through your description of the build I noticed that you plan to use dry wall compound. Is this the jointing dry wall or the skim finish? . I ask because I've plenty of experience of both and would find the dry wall more difficult to use for forming a mould than skim plaster or plaster of Paris . Just a personal observation but like others on the board I'm eager for more progress photos.
Thanks for posting and best of luck with the build
Dave Wooley

Dave,

The drywall compound is the type used for taping the joints. I just happen to have 2 pails of it so that is what I was going to use.

Hopefully today I can get the frames cut out. My floor I was laying is about 2/3rds done and then it will be on to the ship building for tonight.

I will post more pictures of the progess tomorrow. (it hasn't advanced beyond what I have already shown except for some drawings I am making to make the bridge structure as it will be moulded by vacuforming)

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James W.

Dry docked:
1/72 HMCS Assiniboine DDE 234-1960
1/72 HMCS Ottawa DDE 229-1960
1/72 HMCS St. Catharines-River Class Frigate-1944
On the slipway:
1/72 HMCS Camrose-Flower Class Corvette-1943
1/72 HMCS Trillium-Flower Class Corvette-1942

Alright, I lied. I did try to get some ship building time in this weekend but it was not to be. I didn't like the way the floor went down in the end and took it up and re-laid it. But that time, I didn't feel like building anything. Should be back at it tomorrow (unless the trim for the flooring causes problems).

Seeking advice on the thickness of brass for stanchions. I am planning to photo etch stanchions for the ship as Canada used 4 rail stanchions on it's ships after the war and I have not found a commerical source yet in 1/72. My plan is to use a product called PNP (peel n press) Blue sheets which can be made on a laser printer (not sure if I'm allowed to post a link to thier web site) I had read about someone in Victoria BC who used this product to build parts for a Restigouche class ship (follow on to St. Laurent class). It looks easy enough and I have the computer and laser to do the design work/printing. While I'm at it what about the brass thickenss for the radars???

Thanks for your help.

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James W.

Dry docked:
1/72 HMCS Assiniboine DDE 234-1960
1/72 HMCS Ottawa DDE 229-1960
1/72 HMCS St. Catharines-River Class Frigate-1944
On the slipway:
1/72 HMCS Camrose-Flower Class Corvette-1943
1/72 HMCS Trillium-Flower Class Corvette-1942

Superb subject! Can't wait to see more of this.

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Have fun, Monkey around.™

-Steve L.

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Follow Model Monkey® on Facebook: - https://www.facebook.com/modelmonkeybookandhobby

Way behind on the build schedule for last week. The weather was not co-operating as it rained every night except Wednesday(had to cut the grass and do yard work). I was finally able to get out last night after dinner and get the frames and keel boards cut out. I will be sanding the frames to the final lines today (pending on weather). These will then be glued up tonight and the filling between frames with Styrofoam insulation can start on Monday. There has been an allowance made on the frames to account for the 1 layer of fiberglass mat I plan to use to cover the plug with.

My plan of cutting all 5 sets of frames at once didn’t work out as well as planned. The hardboard is very hard and 1-1/4” thick all together. I felt that it was really taxing the scroll saw (broke 2 blades which I have never done before) and will probable not be doing this again. I have used the hardboard before on all my attempted builds but I was only every cutting 1 set of frames at a time, 1/4”. (which worked with no problems) It was a great theory to save time and ensure all the frames for all the ships would be the same but it wasn’t that practical given the tools that I have on hand.

I did manage to make the bow piece with its bulbous contours. It was made from styrene frames and keel with waterline sections to help with shaping. These were filled with the denser pink insulation foam and sanded to shape. This was then coated with the drywall compound and sanded to the final shape. This section will be added at frame 2.

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James W.

Dry docked:
1/72 HMCS Assiniboine DDE 234-1960
1/72 HMCS Ottawa DDE 229-1960
1/72 HMCS St. Catharines-River Class Frigate-1944
On the slipway:
1/72 HMCS Camrose-Flower Class Corvette-1943
1/72 HMCS Trillium-Flower Class Corvette-1942

More pictures

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James W.

Dry docked:
1/72 HMCS Assiniboine DDE 234-1960
1/72 HMCS Ottawa DDE 229-1960
1/72 HMCS St. Catharines-River Class Frigate-1944
On the slipway:
1/72 HMCS Camrose-Flower Class Corvette-1943
1/72 HMCS Trillium-Flower Class Corvette-1942

Very interesting, good to see a new build coming together.

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Simple but effective.

Continuing the build:

Assembled the frames to the hull. Have done this for three of the five ships I am building. I have also placed the first layer of Styrofoam inbetween the frames. This foam is 2” thick. The second layer will be either 1” or 5/8” depending on what works best. This stuff is very messy compared to the denser pink (or blue) foam board but is about ¼ the price. I am going to let it sit overnight for the glue to dry then shape the first layer and lay the second. Hopefully on Monday night I will have time to shape the second layer then it will be time to ensure the hull is true. Hopefully there will be little sanding and filling required (I can dream can’t I).

I have been spending my time redrawing sections of the plans I have. Between the 3 sets of bought plans, there are several differences. (and for two of the ships, the only major difference was the addition of the helo deck. One would assume that the hull lines etc should have lined up between those two atleast). What I have done is taken the most detailed set of plans and I am redrawing the other sets to match the specific sizes for the superstructures, guns, life rafts, (read all details). It isn’t so bad as I can trace the hull and basic structure blocks from the good plans and then draft the specific to each ship details on top. I had to remember how to make the 3rd view when you are given two views in a drawing (haven’t drafted in almost 20yrs). I downloaded a CAD program but I am working on that learning curve very slowly.

I will not be able to fiberglass the hull till the end of July or early August so once the hull is ready for the glass, I will set it aside and start to work on the moulds for the vacuformed structure and gun mounts. I will also be preparing the drawings for the photo etch radars, stanchions etc.

Enjoy the pictures.

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James W.

Dry docked:
1/72 HMCS Assiniboine DDE 234-1960
1/72 HMCS Ottawa DDE 229-1960
1/72 HMCS St. Catharines-River Class Frigate-1944
On the slipway:
1/72 HMCS Camrose-Flower Class Corvette-1943
1/72 HMCS Trillium-Flower Class Corvette-1942

First row of foam rough sanded to shape. I have laid in the second layer and am waiting for the glue to dry. It is amost 30C out so the glue may be dry enough for me to finish the rough sanding of the entire hull tonight.

Just for information as it was a question on the Duane build, the cost of the hull so far for this build is:
price in Cdn $
Keel-5/8 MDF: $1.50 (used 1/3rd of $5 board)
foam 2", 1" : $4.50 (used about 1/3 of each 2'x8' sheet, total cost for both was $11)
adhesive : $3.95 (one tube not quite used for but not worth keeping)
drywall compound:$4.95 (one small pail, won't use very much at all probably enought for all 5 ships)
1 roll drywall tape $3.95 (for barrier between foam and fiberglass resign when I get that far again enough for all 5 ships)
resign and glass:??????

So for a total so far of about $20 (less fiberglass) the build is pretty cheap.

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James W.

Dry docked:
1/72 HMCS Assiniboine DDE 234-1960
1/72 HMCS Ottawa DDE 229-1960
1/72 HMCS St. Catharines-River Class Frigate-1944
On the slipway:
1/72 HMCS Camrose-Flower Class Corvette-1943
1/72 HMCS Trillium-Flower Class Corvette-1942

Interesting, looking good, scratch can work out cheep if you want it to,

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Simple but effective.

Hello,

Sorry I have been away for a while. I had to do some major work on my house to stop a leaking basement. Nothing like digging up a foundation through clay. While I was at it we also decided to reside the house and get all new windows. So not only did I not have any time but that money problem came up(money always finds a way to go places other than into my hobbies). Anyways, I am back now. The hull plug has been finished to rough shape. I am off this weekend to Toronto to get the supplies to make the mould of the hull. Hopefully I will get the hull plug fiberglassed on Saturday then finished and polished to start the moulding process on Monday. I will post pictures of the hull plug tonight once I get some new batteries for the camera.

James

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James W.

Dry docked:
1/72 HMCS Assiniboine DDE 234-1960
1/72 HMCS Ottawa DDE 229-1960
1/72 HMCS St. Catharines-River Class Frigate-1944
On the slipway:
1/72 HMCS Camrose-Flower Class Corvette-1943
1/72 HMCS Trillium-Flower Class Corvette-1942

To continue with the build, here are the pictures. The hull plug is now completely formed (before the bow and stern where not done). I have plastered the foam and used drywall tape to partially seal the foam as I believe that the resin for the fiberglass will eat the foam. After I sand down the plaster and am happy with the shape, I am going to papier-mâché the hull for a complete barrier and then fiberglass the plug. My only major concern with this plug is getting the front whaleback shape right. I have tried to make this class of ship several times since high school(20yrs ago) and have never been satisfied with the front end and always scrapped the project. This time, it’s looking good.

The best tool I have bought for this build is a model railway foam cutter. After cutting(with hobby saws) and sanding the foam blocks for most of the hull, I came across the cutter in my local hobby shop. What a time saver (and a hell of a lot less mess). With the cutter(which is a hot wire between two prongs) I can cut the foam to shape using the hull frames as guides and then just finish sand the foam rather than cut the blocks to shape by sanding as I was doing. This should save a lot of time on the rest of the hulls I am building.

The photos show the roughed out hull and the stern. I have put a coat of plaster on and it was not dry when I took the pictures so they will look rough. I will post better pictures when the sanding is done before the papier-mâché starts.

Enjoy.

_________________
James W.

Dry docked:
1/72 HMCS Assiniboine DDE 234-1960
1/72 HMCS Ottawa DDE 229-1960
1/72 HMCS St. Catharines-River Class Frigate-1944
On the slipway:
1/72 HMCS Camrose-Flower Class Corvette-1943
1/72 HMCS Trillium-Flower Class Corvette-1942