1/400 Canadian Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (scratch)

[Neptune]

I'll try to log my build here as I progress.

The project started a while back as I was looking for a small, compact ship with bow thruster and conventional propulsion for RC purposes on smaller ponds. The scale should be 1/100 to fit with my other large scale ships.
I also wanted it to be relatively simple since I love to build hulls, but didn't want to get bogged down in infinite details.
AOPS fits all of those criteria. However, there are no plans available of these vessels, so I decided to embark on a journey to make my own.
Luckily they spoiled us with plenty of construction pictures that give at least an idea of the frame shapes. Some interpolation between known object sizes and the ship gave me a good starting point.

After creating the plans, I decided to create quick 1/400 model to evaluate my drawn frames. I did make my drawings in 1/100 and scaled them down.
First the test model had one frame that looked off, but I wasn't sure which 1 of 2 frames was the odd one.
That's where phase one stopped. I needed to look for a way forward without spending too much time on it.

Salvation came when I found some waste insulation board. I decided to cut it up and hot glue it between the frames to get a better view of the frame shapes.

[Neptune]

Next step was finding that odd frame, adjust its shape and trace that new outline. I only glued the blocks on the inside, so I could easily put a piece of paper between the frames and blocks.

I still wasn't very satisfied with this and wanted to build a complete 1/400 version. This hull wasn't foreseen for that and adjusting it would have been really difficult as those blocks were really well glued and I'd need to adjust all frames to accept the parallel sides.

I therefore decided to build a new hull.

[Pieter]

Nice to see you posting on the Picture Post board again. And an interesting ship as well. Have you decided which ship of the class you will be building?

[Neptune]

Hi Pieter,

been building some Ships in bottles, which I believe don't really fit here.

Not entirely sure which version/ship I'll build. The RC version isn't off the table, so I'm thinking about a Coast Guard version and Navy version. That said, the drawings I did find were all for the Navy version, while I see on the Coast Guard version (called Donjek), that it has bilge keels (odd for an icebreaking hull) and a very different poop deck lay-out... So it would require more designing.
I guess time will tell when I arrive at the final stage, where I need to detail.

[Neptune]

So, some progress. Why did I build the way I did?

I use scrap styrene pieces to fill the space between frames. As you can see in previous post, it's a jolly, non-gitting collection.
Milliput, the 2-part epoxy filler I use, is a rather sturdy material, that requires quite some force to flow on and around the pieces of styrene.
I didn't mount the parallel sides because I wanted to support the styrene pieces from the inside with my fingers to avoid them caving in under the force required to spread the milliput.
With sides mounted, this would have been difficult. I also know that I need at least 2 to 3 applications of milliput if I don't want any dents, so during 2nd application, I fill the gaps with the parallel sides.

Then finally the pictures:

And for those unfamiliar with the subject:

The Coast Guard version: (first of 2 ships is just launched for fitting out)


And the Navy version:
https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Canadi ... -class.htm

[Neptune]

At this point, I had several ways to move forward.
I opted to start building the aft bulkhead with the ROV or drone hangar gate.
This was the most difficult part during the research and plan creqtion stage.
Building it wasn't that hard, since my plans are quite detailed.

It will be largely hidden underneath the helicopter deck in the end.

On the other side, i cut out one of the side panels and glued it to the side. Some extra parts, mostly aft and the aft edge of the lifeboat openings, were removed because they will be replaced by 0.3mm thick pieces to be more realistic.

[Timmy C]

That's officially the vehicle garage, actually - no dedicated drone/ROV space, though storage is storage so it can certainly be used for that.

Looking good!

[Neptune]

I see, well I guess for the CG version it'll carry those, considering the A frame over the stern to launch such vehicles.
On the Navy version that stern looks really cramped with that big crane and the boats parked.

Working again in several areas. I made the rescue boat/fast boat areas (roughly).
Also continuing on the bow area.