Calling all Buckley-class/Captain-class (DE/APD) fans

[Capt652]

[MartinJQuinn]

That looks sharp, Timm.

[Capt652]

Hi all.

I've been working on my Buckley, mostly on a new base. I kinda liked the type of base that the Dragon Buchanan came with, even though mine was was warped/twisted. I made a new replacement for it out of hard wood so I made another and used lamp risers for pedestals for my Buckley. I did a little head scratching trying to figure out how to use the lamp riser as purchased. The lamp products have a goofy size thread, 1/4" / 27 pitch thread. The risers have a female threaded base and a male threaded stud on top. Nothing else has that size thread. So I clamped the riser up side down between two pieces of wood in a vise and then drilled a 1/8" hole through the centerline. Then I cut the top thread off. I drilled 1/8" holes in the wood base and the bottom of the ship at the proper spacing and used the lamp risers as 'spacers' with 1/8" brass tubing through the drilled holes. Now my ship is attached to the base for easy handling. I only glued the brass tubing into the wood base so I can remove the ship from the stand if I want.

I painted the sides of the hull with primer after taping to simulate the plating. This link shows nicely the alternating recessed and proud plates. http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/im ... 669502.jpg I applied masking tape to the low areas and then sprayed a light coat of primer to build up the thicker areas.

This picture of England after the attack, http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/im ... 663503.jpg has me wondering where is the 20mm sponson one level up from the main deck? Was this area removed? The vertical bulkhead in this area shows lots of empty bolt/rivet holes.

I am finding that the GMM PE railings fit first rate along the main deck. The only interference is with the anchor chain structure with either plastic removal or PE trimming to allow the railing bottom to touch. I AM amazed that the chocks and railing line up very well. I am using the railing with netting. Mr. Perry made the relief etch L/R very nicely. That sure adds to he detail!

Timm

[Timmy C]

According to the captioning on that photo which Jim McLaughlin (user "buckley") sent me, the platform was initially blown off by the kamikaze attack, and the remaining parts were removed prior to the picture being taken.

[sixman]

Timm,

Using lamp risers for the base will work with a machijne screw from the bottom of to base into the riser and nut epxoied into the hull. Use 1/4 x 28 (UNF) threads. Length of the machine crew will depend on the thickness of the wood for your base. The difference between the 1/4 x 27 of the riser and the 1/4 x 28 of the UNF threaded screw/nut will not matter.

[HMS Zulu]

At the start of the thread, it didn't look like anyone had built the 1/700 Pit Road Buckley. I've built it (a long time ago now) and it's a very good kit, you get two in a box and builds very nicely. Unfortunately it looks like in between several moves to various cities for University i've lost mine, so looks like i'll get another set, not that that's a bad thing.

If I recall correctly, it also includes transfers (decals) for the RN Captain class too

[Capt652]

I wanted to post a couple pictures of my Buckley progress...

I have my stand finished, the hull plating ready, and the main deck railings attached. The railings at the bow have a gap where they meet, I will mess with that when I add the jack staff and bracing.

Next I will paint the hull and main deck 5N and 20B respectively, the superstructures (in sections) and deck houses too. It looks like assembly will be tricky where the forward parts and the deckhouse meet along with the PE breakwaters so I want to paint all the sub-assemblies before I try to make everything fit. I did dry fit everything so I am hoping for few surprises.
Timm

[HMS Zulu]

I was lucky enough to find an unbuilt Buckley in it's box yesterday, which I intend to build as an RN Captain class Frigate. Has anyone attempted this before (in any scale), and/or have illustrations of the following changes to the RN Captain's (copied from Wikipedia)

Sea-keeping equipment

Oiling fairleads were fitted to the edge of the hull by the anchor winch.[13]

Additional lifesaving rafts were fitted, big ones fitted on sloping launch skids aft of the funnel and small ones fitted aft of the searchlights.[13]

Crow's nest.[14]

Wind deflectors were fitted on the leading edge of the bridge area and a canvas covered shelter on the quarterdeck for depth charge crews to provide better weather protection.[14]

The steel work around the binnacle was replaced by non-ferrous materials.[15]

Gunnery

The bridge layout was significantly altered, of which the biggest part was the addition of a two-tier director which improved visibility and gave better protection to the equipment.[14]

Gun shields were fitted to the main armament; on some Captains, a spray and blast shield was fitted to B gun only.[14]

[FrancisMcN]

FWIW, the WEM photoetch for the Trumpeter 1/350th USS ENGLAND covers most of these RN Captain class modifications. If you look at the review of this set elsewhere on this site (sorry can't seem to do a link) you should get the right idea.

[HMS Zulu]

Thanks, that's a great idea. I've e-mailed WEM to see if they could give me a copy of the instructions for the PE. For a ship, i've settled on HMS Bickerton thanks to this useful photograph which shows an attractive camouflage scheme

http://www.naval-history.net/Photo16frBickerton.jpg

Cheers, Rob

[Timmy C]

You can't read the fine print, but it should give you a general idea of what parts are included for the RN version in the WEM set: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/pe ... 4-p-05.jpg

[HMS Zulu]

Thanks Timmy. Wonder if WEM would consider downsizing the set to 1/700

[Capt652]

Hi all.

The GMM PE set for USS England also covers the Captain class.

Here is the review, http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/pe ... tails.html

Timm

[HMS Zulu]

Thanks Timm. I've had no luck contacting WEM so if anyone has a set of instructions for any of the Captain class PE sets, please let me know.

Cheers, Rob

[Timmy C]

Rob, if you still wish to see the instructions for the GMM set, let me know and I'll scan/take a picture of them at a legible size.

[HMS Zulu]

That would be much appreciated Timmy, i'm in no rush but would be very useful.

Cheers, Rob

[Timmy C]

All right Rob, here you go. The overall views are a little blurry, but you can still read the words. I took closeups of the parts specific to the Captain class.

[HMS Zulu]

Many thanks for those. I'd have thought it would also have included other things such as the turrets fitted to the main guns, and extra 20mm and lack of torpedo tubes etc on Captain's

[Graham Boak]

This is the GMM set, for USN ships not RN Captains.

[HMS Zulu]

WEM have also kindly sent me the instructions for their set, so should be able to make a decent go of it. Currently awaiting the book 'U boat killer' which was written by someone who served on HMS Bickerton so will wait till that arrives. Also now tempted to give the 1/350 Buckley a go and use the WEM set to turn that into a Captain