The Ship Model Forum

I've just recently come across these battleships (never studied French ships) and didn't see a thread for them so here we go.

After searching the board and the net I've come to realize that photos of the three ships are hard to come by. I'm interested in Lorraine in particular after she was re-built and supporting the Allies in France in 1944. Does anyone know of any good sources (internet, print, etc...) for photos/plans of Lorraine from that time period? I found plans for her and Bretagne over on http://www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr/02fonds-collections/banquedocuments/planbato/planbato/listebato/listebato.php but they are from 1913.

Also, I found a 1/700 resin kit of Lorraine in her 1944 fit ( ) from H-P Models. I've tried finding a review or build of the kit but have come up short. Can anyone comment on any aspect of the kit?

Ultimately I want to build the Lorraine as she was off beaches during Operation Dragoon as well as do a few drawings/paintings of her throughout her years of service. My mothers side of the family is part French, my mother happens to be named Lorraine, and upon hearing that there was a French battleship with the same name she's wanted a painting ever since

Any and all help is appreciated guys.

Thanks in advance,
-Mike

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Drawing Board:
1/700 Whiff USS Leyte and escorts 1984
1/700 Whiff USN Modernized CAs 1984
1/700 Whiff ASW Showdown - FFs vs SSGN 1984

Slipway:
1/700 Whiff USN ASW Hunter Killer Group Dio 1984

Mike,

One of the best reference regarding Lorraine is this book "Les cuirassés de 23500t" by Robert Dumas and Jean Guiglini. This French book covers all ships of "Courbet" and "Bretagne" classes with lots of photos,drawings and tips vey useful for the modeller.
You can get it here : http://www.avions-bateaux.com/en/catalo ... e_193.html.

HTH
Gilbert

waiting for the french book (higly recommended) some image from russian sources and from wayne scarpaci
ciao peppe

http://dash63.livejournal.com/ one more illustration from this site
ciao peppe

Awesome guys, thanks a million for the line drawings and the info!

Les Cuirassés de 23 500 Tonnes sounds like its the best bet as books go. While looking around on the net for a stateside copy I keep finding the 1980 edition. Is that the only one available or is there a newer one out there? The French website doesn't mention and I just want to be sure I'm not missing out on a newer copy with extra stuff Its a shame I didn't take French in high school, took Spanish instead, d'oh! Guess I'll learn the hard way I always wanted to learn it anyway so it'll be a neat experience. I put in a request at my local library to see if they track down a copy. They're usually pretty good about finding books within their network. We'll see what turns up. If they can't find it I'll order a copy.

How's Wayne's French BB book? I have his US BB book and was not very impressed by it. I bought it mainly because I love his paintings and was thrilled when I found he released them in a book. I got it only to find that they are TINY (maybe 3"x5" at most) and horribly pixelated, same goes for the line drawings Being an artist I know all about taking precautions to make sure your work isn't pirated but that's a little extreme, oh well. Is the French one the same way?

Thanks again guys!
-Mike

_________________
Drawing Board:
1/700 Whiff USS Leyte and escorts 1984
1/700 Whiff USN Modernized CAs 1984
1/700 Whiff ASW Showdown - FFs vs SSGN 1984

Slipway:
1/700 Whiff USN ASW Hunter Killer Group Dio 1984

Mike, the French website has the latest edition (04/2005). Photos are normal to large size and drawings are double page format. Even without speaking French at all, there are lots of photos and drawings. And, if you'll need some additional assistance, as I own a copy, i will help you

Gilbert

Available kits (all in 1/700):
HP Models Provence (1940)
HP Models Lorraine (1944)
Delphis Models Bretagne

Gallery:
1/700 Delphis Bretagne by Jim Baumann

_________________
Martin

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." John Wayne

Ship Model Gallery

I might order the Delphis Models Bretagne class battleship in 1/700, any comments/impressions/accuracy etc about the Delphis model ?
Thanks in advance.

Check out the 1/700 Delphis Bretagne by Jim Baumann - he makes comments on the quality of the kit.

EDIT: Here are a few photos of the Delphis kit parts. Newer castings I've seen have the funnels as part of the hull. HP France is in the background.

_________________
Martin

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." John Wayne

Ship Model Gallery

Thanks again Martin, compared to the HP kit, in your opinion wich is better, casting wise. Delphis or HP ?
Thanks in advance.

The Delphis kit, even though it's older, is better cast, in my opinion.

_________________
Martin

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." John Wayne

Ship Model Gallery

Thanks Martin for your input !

Yes !
The Delphis kit so far has awesome casting