Calling all RN Dido-class (1940) fans

[Donald]

I've settled for the 1941 scheme on HMS Naiad. I've shaded the tan deck so it can either be taken as (i) a painted deck worn down to bare wood or (ii) just a very weathered, sea-washed unpainted deck.

Some nice details on this Flyhawk kit: the unpowered boats have keels (I suppose they are actually dagger boards) moulded and they have provided a lot of PE parts. There's enough anchor chain left for me to use on other kits.

[Donald]

Does anyone know what the three upright posts (see attached photos) between the bridge and the C turret mount are for? I've already cemented the three plastic parts provided by Flyhawk onto the deck before realising that there are better PE items in the bonus packet provided with the kit. They might just be supports for an awning although one of the PE parts (the most forward) looks like it supports an aerial running up to the mainmast. It would be nice to know what purpose they serve before I try and model them.

[tjstoneman]

The three upright posts (Parts GB-13-3 or A3/4/5) are (removable) stanchions to support derricks for deploying paravanes or embarking ammunition - they rarely appear in photographs. Part A11 does not support an aerial running to the mainmast (there is no clear path for such a wire, with superstructure and both funnels in the way); photos show a wire with insulator at the lower end, running from the crosspiece at the top of this component to the upper crosstrees on the foremast, presumably a wireless aerial.

[Donald]

Useful information re. stanchions. Many thanks. You're quite right, the wire leads to the foremast. I'll get the part with the crosspiece glued on tomorrow which will pretty well complete the model.

Moderator Edit: Donald's completed Naiad is here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=361825

[DaveW.]

I'm just wondering how viable it would be to convert the FlyHawk 1/700 model of HMS Naiad, to one of the 4th group of verssels in this class (Black Prince, Spartan, Diadem etc).

It seems almost sacrilegious to be 'butchering' any FlyHawk model but I've always had a soft spot for HMS Spartan, because of her sadly short wartime career and I've been poring over the photographs and plans in Raven and Roberts' book 'British Cruisers of WWII'.

Has anyone else had similar thoughts or actually completed such a conversion ?? If so, any advice would be most welcome.

Thanks.

DaveW

[FrancisMcN]

Have you seen the Ensign No 2 Dido Class by H Lenton and A Raven? This has a centrepiece profile drawing of Black Prince plus reasonably useful deck plans for the late batch Didos.

The big challenge of starting from the Flyhawk Dido would be how do you achieve the same level of fine detail in the new bits that would be required like the funnels and rearranged bridge and other superstructure!?

[DaveW.]

Hi Francis, I think the point you make about replicating the FlyHawk detail on any 'new' parts is highly valid.
From my own perspective, the task required to lower the deck level upon which 'Q' turret was sited, as well as maintaining the level of details, is beyond my own meagre skills, so this entire idea might have to remain just a fanciful dream.

However, thank you for mentioning the Ensign book, of which I have a copy but had forgotten all about in my obsession with the 'Improved' Dido group.
Having dug it out, it reminded me that some examples in the earlier groups of these vessels didn't ultimately have, or end up with, a 5.25 mounting in the 'Q' position.

HMS Phoebe had a quadruple 40mm installation in 1942.
In 1943, HMS Cleopatra also had a quadruple 40mm fitted in that same position and, in addition, had the 4 barrel 2pdr pompoms in the waist position, replaced by quadruple 40mm weapons as well.
Finally, there's a lovely photo of HMS Argonaut in 1946, with a 4 barrelled 2pdr pompom fitted on a more elaborate 'bandstand' in the 'Q' position, which was carried out in 1944.

In the latter three cases the only alterations are to the weaponry, rather than to any of the ship' structures, so these are obviously a more attractive option to consider (I'm favouring HMS Cleopatra).

I must say, the centrefold illustration of HMS Black Prince, in the Ensign book, is superb. I'm almost tempted to fit it in a picture frame and hang it on my wall.

Thank you, once again, Francis for your kind thoughts; they turned out to be very useful indeed

DaveW

[tjstoneman]

One could also consider three of the early members of the class, which, on commissioning, only carried 4 main armament turrets, with the missing fifth one being substituted by a 4" starshell gun (Bonaventure had this in "X" position, Dido and Phoebe in "Q" position)

[therese]

I used the 1941 Naiad to build 1945 Dido a little while ago.
That is not nearly as much modification work as the improved ones (e.g. Black Prince), with their pom poms or starshell guns instead of Q, but I'd love to follow that build.
My modification work was limited to degaussing cables, a few twin Oerlikon platforms, masts and radars. I did not manage to get the detail level to match Flyhawk, but who could really do that justice?

[DaveW.]

From my own viewpoint, I think the 'Improved' Dido group, with their lowered and beautifully proportioned profile, were some of the most aesthetically pleasing vessels of their timespan.
I suppose I'm just going to have to wait until FlyHawk produce them, although I won't be holding my breath

I can't really grumble though, as, in recent years, a fair number of RN subjects have now appeared on the market, after what seemed like a lifetime of being largely overlooked (in 1/700 plastic).

However, I just wish that the Fiji/Crown Colony class, as well as the Town class, would suggest themselves to a manufacturer - and it's the same with the US Navy's Brooklyn class.
Ignoring such incredible vessels, in modelling terms, amounts to sad neglect

DaveW

[zs180]

I bought a WEM Dido many years ago and still have not built it (I have a large amount of unbuilt models in my stash). When FlyHawks's HMS Naiad became available I just had to go for it. Comparing the two showed that the FlyHawk offering was clearly superior in every respect (WEM's Dido is one of their early subjects). I have been wondered what to do with the WEM Dido and came to the conclusion that I will modify it to become a member of the second group. Thus Naiad can be built more or to her original configuration and I will not feel sorry for destroying the details of the WEM kit. When (I/or will I ever) make it is the biggest question, though.
As for the Town/Colony class I have both the L'Arsenal Sheffield and Jamaica in my stash, both beautiful and intimidatingly well-detailed models.

[JAPS]

Hello everyone
I just bought 1/200 scale model of HMS Naiad from polish publisher GPM and I would like to make a imitation of hull platting.
Does any one can help with photos or drawings ( shell expansion outer bottom etc)?
Thanks
Best regards
Chris

[Maarten Sch�nfeld]

Hello everyone
I just bought 1/200 scale model of HMS Naiad from polish publisher GPM and I would like to make a imitation of hull platting.
Does any one can help with photos or drawings ( shell expansion outer bottom etc)?
Thanks, Best regards
Chris

The closest thing I found in the Greenwich online collection was the shell expansion plan for HMS Ajax, a Leander class cruiser.

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objec ... ject-48882

[JAPS]

Hello Maarten.
Looks preaty nice. Maybe on Dido class was simmilar.
Thanks.

[NavyShooter]

Here's a video that one of our club members did about his HMS Dido.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csYdfuB ... ctorShawzy

[Vlad]

I tried to reconstruct the camouflage pattern as best as I could, not taking into account the latest image I just found



The colors are a bit off but give a nice indication. The port side of Euryalus is rarely photographed; I've in fact seen only one image and she shares the same camouflage pattern of Charybdis. As you would have it, her Starboard side is no where to be found on film. Cleopatra shares the same pattern as Euryalus with minor deviations and she too is only portraying her starboard side. As Charybdis was not fitted with the 5.25" I had to guess the pattern slightly around the turrets.

As the colors, I used the same combination as I think is applicable to other warships (HMS Prince of Wales), though I have no proof: MS1 / B5 / MS3/ MS4/ MS4a and this discussion is not closed.

The image Dick posted can be ordered plus 2 more from the UK National archives for less money and much (much) better quality than at the IWM

ADM176-247-59 1-3

Has there been any more recent insight to update the above colour interpretation of this camouflage, now that we know more about the camo colours? And the fact PoW was wearing MS1 / 507A / MS3 / MS4/ 507C.

[EJFoeth]

WOMEN WORKING IN A DOCKYARD. JULY 1941. WOMEN IN WARTIME TAKE UP MEN'S WORK IN THE NATIONAL EFFORT. SOME OF THE MANY JOBS UNDERTAKEN BY WOMEN IN THE DOCKYARDS.. � IWM (A 4513) IWM Non Commercial License

I'd probably go with similar as HMS Rodney MS1/2/3/B5/507C? The image above (IIRC Euryalus) is pretty clear on B5 as it's written on the bulkhead! I have MS 3 there so that's clearly wrong. The portside is highly speculative as I 'copied' Charybdis' pattern and filled in a few blanks; massive artistic license is allowed. These ships and Cleopatra shared the same pattern, but variations are observed.