Calling all Queen Elizabeth-class (1914-1947) fans

[mflake]

I would like to model the Trumpeter 1/700 Queen Elizabeth (1918) as the Warspite (Jutland). I have the AOTS Warspite book and it appears the only change I would need to make is to leave off the platform under the foretop. However, I wanted to check with someone on this forum who had Burt's British Battleships book before proceeding. Any other changes necessary? TIA

[tjstoneman]

Check the after funnel searchlight towers in AOTS photos; all five of the class were completed with two searchlights on low towers, but the kit has the later fit of four on tall towers; the two searchlights aft were initially sided on the after superstructure, being moved to the centreline and on the mast after 1917 (as depicted in the kit). Also, WARSPITE had her maintopmast removed "in 1916" - I cannot find a more accurate date, so don't know if this was before or after Jutland.
Tim

[mflake]

Thanks for pointing out the difference on the funnel searchlight platform. Now, about mounting the searchlights on the aft superstructure. Were they mounted on the deck, in tubs, on the corners or somewhere back toward the mast? I can't tell from the pictures and the only 1915 overhead view on a drawing does not show any searchlights at all on the aft superstructure.

[tjstoneman]

Diagram E1/2 and E1/3 on Page 74 of the AOTS book shows two 40" searchlights fitted directly on the superstructure deck, one on each side.
Tim

[mflake]

Thanks, Tim. I have new glasses, so I can't use that as an excuse. I'll have to go with the story that they are badly smudged. I'll clean them off and go have another look.

[Phil R]

After looking closely at the colour stills of the Valiant ,apart from the two tubs on the quarterdeck containing 20mms ,there seems to a third ,larger tub containing something black(?),set further aft.Has anybody any ideas what it could have been ? To me it looks like a quad Pom-Pom mount ,but I didn`t think that Valiant had extra 2pdrs fitted at that time.

Thanks Phil

[mifune]

After looking closely at the colour stills of the Valiant ,apart from the two tubs on the quarterdeck containing 20mms ,there seems to a third ,larger tub containing something black(?),set further aft.Has anybody any ideas what it could have been ? To me it looks like a quad Pom-Pom mount ,but I didn`t think that Valiant had extra 2pdrs fitted at that time.

Thanks Phil

I think you mean this. Tub for 2 20mms side by side! Looks like a medicine pill when looked from above. I think it was added 1942.

[Phil R]

Thanks Mikko,that looks to be the answer.

Many thanks Phil

[Phil R]

Does anyone know what the blob at the very top of Valiants main mast is ,Please? I thought it may have been a radar dome or aircraft homing beacon.

Thanks ,Phil

[Timmy C]

Is it in other photographs? It looks to me like it's in a different focus plane, and thus maybe some junk on the camera lens or that ended up on the print.

[Captain pugwash]

Yes it does look like a blob on the camera but i think its another basket type lookout further up and atop is the antenna, below it and in between there also looks like an antenna shaped like a dimond.

Got this from ship craft of QE by les Brown of the Valiant 1943.

I also need some help in finding 4.5in brass barrels for my QE 1/350, twenty is what I need, been looking on a lot of sites with no luck so far.

[mifune]

Looking at mid to late war pictures of Valiant it seems something happened to her tube like supports under the cranes. Were they boxed somehow?

[Dave Spencer]

Hello one and all. I`m not sure where to introduce myself to the forum, but this seems as good a place as any.

I am just about to build my first ever ship, not including an Airfix Tirpitz about 40 years ago. All of my experience is building WWI and WWII aircraft in 1/48, using resin, etched brass and rigging. After about a 5 year hiatus and in search of inspiration, 1/350 ships did it for me. Having read around the internet to find a ship to get me going, HMS Warspite seemed perfect.

Then, after reading the Pontosmodel thread about their Warspite detail set, I got my wallet out. I have my mitts on the Academy kit, but am currently awaiting the arrival of the detail set. Can`t wait to get going on my hands and knees again, looking for bits of brass in the carpet.

I have seen some of the stunning work in the gallery section, but this has raised a question. For a build depicting the era Academy intended, do I need to add a life boat (terminology?) with davits (?) either side mid ship between the smaller gun turrets? If the answer is yes, could you point me to where the particular life boats I will need are (davits too). Being a wings with wires type, most of the aftermarket companies for ships are not familiar to me.

I am relying you guys, as the lure of 1/32 WNW biplanes is strong.

Regards, Dave.

P.S. I get the impression, judging by recent releases, that this is a good time to get in to ship building.

[Phil R]

Hi Dave ,and welcome to MW.If you are getting interested in Warships ,this is the place to be!

Regarding the open boat and davits between the twin 4" guns amidships, according to the Anatomy of the ship(AOTS) book on the old lady ,she didn`t have them in 1942.These were fitted pre-war as I included in my build of her.
I`m going in the opposite direction to you ,I`m getting interested in aircraft again ,after a gap of ten years,mainly because of some of the latest Airfix aircraft kit ,IE the Seafire 17 ,Lynx ,and Swordfish ,well at least they are naval aircraft.

Good luck with your build and I hope you enjoy it!

cheers Phil

[Rob-UK]

I'm just starting my Acadamy 'Warspite' and full Pontos set, and have been doing some research.

I would like to backdate to earlier in the war. The kit appears correct for a short period in 1943 as depicted, although she was about to loose her aircraft and later gain more 20mm mounts.

To back date to 1942 after her Puget refit requires the removal of some 20mm mounts; 2 on the stern, the 6 around the catapult, the middle 2 at the base of the bridge tower (but keeping the other 4) and the 2 on each of A and Y turrets. The camoflague in '42 was the horizontal 'block' pattern. This all seems fairly easily acheivable.

To back date earlier seems too much, her masts would both need alteration, especially the foremast which would need the top mirroring and loosing the radar lantern, part of the bridge wings would need alteration, AA fire control amending, solid screening around 4 " mounts changing to open railing, all 20mm mounts removing and the mounts on turrets B and X changing to flat platforms with quad 0.5" mounts. There would be various other alterations, but these seem too much for me to tackle, also partly as the Pontos wood deck has holes cut for the 20mm tubs.

I hope you enjoy building yours Dave, I'm itching to start on mine although its going to be a massive task and will be lucky to finish her this year.

[Guest]

Phil R, thanks for that. Have you considered the 1/48 CA Walrus with markings for HMS Manchester, Suffolk and Cumberland? A difficult build, but worth it. I remember building the Revell 1/48 Catalina in the markings of the machine that spotted the Bismarck, a while back.

Rob UK, thanks for the info. I have seen pics of that blocky looking camo, and quite like it. It used to take me six months to finish a 1/48 Fokker DVII, so this kit may never get finished. Sadly, I have just bought the 1/350 Tamiya KGV. I just can`t help myself.

[briyeo]

Gentlemen, as a very new member here can I say how very interesting and informative this section of the forum has been to me already. The level of modelling skill shown is a little off-putting to myself as I arrived here while pondering firstly if I should buy the Academy Warspite kit, and secondly if I would actually be able to build it.
My modelling skill level would have to be described as moderate at best, I have built models most of my life, of all kinds, most recently (10 years ago) it was Warhammer Space Marines for my son
I don't think I would consider the detailing kits; it would be a straight out of the box build if I do take the plunge. I have seen this kit described as suitable for moderate skill level, would that really be the case?
I bought the Airfix Warspite some years ago, just to keep as an unbuilt kit. I have a great love of the ship as my late father served on her, he was with her from the refit in Pugent Sound up to the attack by the Fritz X bombs at Salerno.

While I am here I wonder If I could get some opinion on this issue? The other day I came across (online) an extract from Navy News September 2011, in it was a question from a Warspite veteran asking
" Does anyone know why on HMS Warspite, the X turret traditionally manned by Royal Marines, was manned by Seamen. I was a member of X turret's gun crew on Warspite."

That is interesting to me as my father was part of the Royal Marine contingent on Warspite and also a member of X turret gun crew. He operated the mechanism that rammed the shells and cordite charges into the breach as well as loading the AA weapon on the turret top. What an experience that must have been. Does anyone have information on this? I know it was manned by RM when my father served on her, but did she have X turret manned by seamen during WW2?

Seeing the aircraft recognition charts in some of the bridge photo's here made me smile. I remember my dad saying that they were told not to worry about recognition, just let anything up there have it because no allied aircraft should be flying over them anyway.
I have written to the gentleman who asked the question above and I�m looking forward to receiving a reply, and maybe having the opportunity to find out more about his experiences on Warspite .
Should I buy the kit? Where would I put it when I had finished it? Decisions decisions.

[Timmy C]

Academy's Warspite is definitely one of the less finicky kits in 1/350 scale in terms of tiny parts. That, plus the relatively low price, makes it suitable for someone just getting back into the hobby. You can read the review of the kit here, if you haven't already: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... eview.html

[briyeo]

Thanks, I may need some magnifying device for the smaller parts, but anyway I have ordered the Warspite kit. Long term project I think.

[Ensign Jay]

Thanks, I may need some magnifying device for the smaller parts, but anyway I have ordered the Warspite kit. Long term project I think.

He he he - I can't build without one these days