The Ship Model Forum

Hi all, Started this build last week Thought I'd put it up here. It's also over on Britmodeller - keep the aeromodellers in touch with the sea ;?)

Anyway, The Airfix Air-Sea Rescue Launch isn't bad at all. The hull went together very neatly and generally, the detail looks OK if a bit heavy in places. It first saw the light of day in 1978, and I reckon they did a good job.
I removed, with a razor saw and 3mm chisel, the moulded on rails and nets..

and made new ones from plastic strip

Then I did the same for the hand rails on the trunk..and thinned down the aft hatch


As the war progressed these boats were given more armament. ASRLs had a strengthened rear deck to support the Oerlikon, so I decided to add one. Ummmm, I probably should have done this before painting and gluing the deck to the hull, but hey, building in a rational fashion is for sissies....What I've done is backed up by a photo of one of Dean's Marine's boats....looks about right anyway, well, I think so.


Now I have a bit, possibly a lot, of tidying to do, he said, noticing the skewed rail...
I'm really enjoying this build. My dad, who was in the RAF during WWII bummed a ride in one. He said that when they got back in he had trouble walking from the pounding of a high speed run in a lively sea...
Hope you like it so far...
Fraser

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

The Whaleback has many stories attached to its history, especially after running a muck which resulted in the destruction of many on one raid, hense upgrade in deck armour and weapons. Tried as I might, I can't understand why more of these wonderful kits are not made, mine where built out of the box, the way you're heading, this is going to be a wonderful looking RAF rescue boat, and I may have to nick those ideas and perhaps be brave enough to build another, making it number 4.
Look forward to seeing more progress in the near future.

ps
If you don't mind, have a look at JBA's spaceman 3 build, although a little over-scale, those 2 domes are honestly worth a look on their own.

Thanks for pointing me to JBA's diorama...nightmare stuff. absolutely first class build. I can live with the slightly overscale-ness!
I really hope I can do justice to the little beast!

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

Well, couldn't let Airfix's solid plastic hip baths stay,so out with wire and solder...




I think it's a reasonable improvement. It only took all day...and a lot of trial and error - emphasis on error!

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

well now....a step-by-step from you!!

Fab looking work- knowing you are of an artist persuasion I reckon the paint will really lift this vessel.

Try and aim for painting the hull in diagonal brush strokes--the double diagonal planking was always evident- if not in cracked seams( rare) certaibly in slight undulation. painted brishstrokes at a constant angle really give life to the otherwsie elegant but featureless hull--same goes for most MTB;s and Fairmiles etc etc



Jim Baumann

_________________
....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

Thanks for the comment Jim. I am, as I said, enjoying this one. I've stuck on a few decals. Can't use the roundels as
they're horribly out of register - I've appealed to Airfix for new ones...

The ones for the fore deck went down a treat with a bit of microsol. Looking at their pristine-nessI need to start thinking about weathering. Now I think you said something about the paint job? One of my favourite tasks, but I am a bit perplexed.

Okay, the deck would have been pretty scuffed up, though, as I understand these things, the RAF boats would have been kept pretty tidy? yes? no? Most of the shots I have of MTBs (John Lambert's books etc.) show them looking reasonable and they had, I think, a harder life. Sailors are generally pretty house proud. So...I need to think about this. By the way the dark marks on the deck are shadows...
F

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

You're doing a wonderful job, please keep going
During the 2nd World War things were tough everywhere, and while trained sailors would keep their ship, ship shape, there was only so much you could do with what little you had, weathering wasn't crazy, but none of these would have won a beauty contest, knocks and dents painted over, these were after all, ships of war during war time.

Too right. Tricky bit is getting weathering right, I've seen MTB covered in rust...difficult with a wooden hull.It's so easy to get carried away with weathering - it's fun.

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

So, more bits added... I looked at the W/T aerial in what photos there are are and thought bugger that...then had second thoughts and sort of dared myself to do it. The end result after many bungled attempts is almost OK. The rings are offcuts of ally tube, sanded thinner. The 'wire' is fly tying silk.


Here they are in place, far from perfect but I don't think I can face doing them yet again.

I'm happier with the Oerlikon. I tarted up the kit offering with steel tube for the barrel and a left over mounting and shield from a D J Parkins Oerlikon set.

I've also put the life raft in place, although from what photos I've seen, it could go almost anywhere that was sort of out of the way...
There's still a surprising amount to do - I need to replace the kit windshield which is really thick and I'll probably do new ammo boxes while I'm at it... Then there's a few more guns, scrambling nets, boat hooks and....
F

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

looking pretty cool!


More pics soon!
apropos cage ariels...

have a look at 'barking mad ' Bill Livingston ( ) who made them in 1/700

described here

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=49186&hilit=tiger&start=80


and also Dave Griffith who makes them in Caenis line ( he is also mad!)
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

Cheers

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

Yikes! I can hardly see what I'm doing now! let alone get that fine. Actually the bit that is really sticking in my craw at the moment is that god-awful over-sized, over-thick RAF Jack - anyone know where I can get a smaller, finer one...or do I start painting shim copper?
F

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

Although I have long forgot what and where they come from, Timmy C, will know about these fantastic 1-72 sailors (figures) for other parts have you tried Corwall Models ? They do a very good range in 1-72 and R/C.

Not Jacks, the jack, the flag! the ensign. It's horribly big and printed on very thick paper. I think I know the figures you're talking about, but of course they're RN not RAF!
Cheers,
F

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

Well now, time for Artist fraser....

here is what I would do in that huge 1/72 scale of yours ...

I love paper for making flags...( good medium for painting on..!)

1) get 2 x small union jack decals ( 1/700 should do it- maybe 350...? )

2) get 2 RAF roundels decals in appropriate sizes ( ship decal sheet--left overs from your aircraft building)

3) apply decals to paper flag, seal with matt varnish and using watercolour paint the light blue--should give a pleasing translucence....

4) when dry, insert flag twixt tissue paper and crinkle using tweezers--the tissue paper will soften the radius of the bending and prevent the decals cracking

5) Varnish again to prevent moisture ingress and give permanence


Voila!-

Flags in paper...
see below




Cheesr

Jim Baumann

_________________
....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

Nice! For some reason I wasn't thinking about painting, d-oh. I once had a precious roçç of drafting linen for sails etc. Lent it to a 'friend' to cut a couple of sails. Never got it back... it would have been brilliant for this, however... I have paper I have paint and I'll give it a go - though I ordered a decal sheet from Cornwall model boats...just as a back up y'understand.....
Thanks for the tutorial, as always, spot on.

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

@coaster:

Great work and a lot of trouble to you since you are doing.

The model also had ever built, but not nearly as great as you
Class work.
http://www.modellmarine.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1031

_________________
Please excuse my bad English! Thank you.

USS Wad Sworth (FFG 9)
Minesweepers of Dokkum Class
H.M.S. York (Type 42)

I like the yellow version you chose. It is indeed a nice contrast to all the grey warships. I noticed that you took the challenge of those aerials very well!
F

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

Yes, I had this model for the first attempts Sun.
The threads could have been something more subtle.
Now my model remains and such.

_________________
Please excuse my bad English! Thank you.

USS Wad Sworth (FFG 9)
Minesweepers of Dokkum Class
H.M.S. York (Type 42)

On mine too, what I used taxed my eyesight as it is.

_________________
website http://fjmayart.com/index.html
in progress,
scratch build 70' Mtb
1/700th Kalinin

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, just noticed that flag. Could you possibly make your own (decal paper) or worse comes to the worse buy a 1-72. You're doing such a good job so far, it'll be a shame to knock the edges off by a flapping sheet of concrete, just my view and only trying to advise and help.