Calling all Vosper 70' MTB fans

[Noddy4000]

I realise this is bumping an old thread but I am very interested to know if anyone has currently got one of the Italeri 1/35 Vosper kits on the go? I'm still slowly collecting items for the Elco build but it's so damn hard to stop ogling the Vosper (and the Schnellboot...and the M.A.S.) and would love to see what others have been able to do with the kit.

[coaster]

There are several builds over on Shipwrights - a couple with interesting mods as well. Well worth a look, I've been bookmarking them as an Italeri Vosper is just about the only thing in my stash - to be started when I finish my scratchbuilt effort...
Links:
http://www.modelshipwrights.com/modules ... _id=188556
http://www.modelshipwrights.com/modules ... artid=5253
http://www.modelshipwrights.com/modules ... rd=&page=2
Try google as well.
F

[Noddy4000]

Wow. Some super work there. Many thanks for the links .

The comments about the variations in armament between some of the Vosper craft reminds me of a story I heard years ago. My elder brother's then possible/prospective father-in-law had served as skipper of a MTB/MGB in the Channel and told us about an occasion when his flotilla had got into a punch-up with a group of E-boats, off the French coast. He described how, after the shooting was all over, they found the E-Boat they themselves had knocked off beached and abandoned, with no-one around on the shore.
Apparently seeing a golden chance, Mr Ludlow said they went in alongside to take a look and discovered the crew had left all the things they shouldn't have; papers; log books; the works. While some nabbed all the documents they could, he said some of his gun crew went over with tool bags and came back a surprisingly short time later with one of the E-Boat's main armament, plus every bit of ammo they could find. He said his gun crew wanted one because they thought it was a decent bit of kit and would give them more clout.

The most interesting part of this, for me, is that - as Mr Ludlow put it - after they had used the gun in several engagements they had to go "replenish" their supply of ammo. He always told his commander that he was taking his crew out for some "training exercises" (which apparently left the chap impressed with this particular boat's zeal) but was actually hunting E-Boats so they could nab more ammo. Seems they did this on such a regular basis that E-Boats spotting a lone MTB mooching around near their side of the ditch used to disappear pronto.

Leaves me wondering just how unusual some boats' armament was.

[coaster]

Great story, was that a short MTB or a big' un like a Fairmile 'D'? I think a 40mm might have been a bit heavy for a 70ft Vosper....unless some serious shoring up was done! Conjures up a hell of an image....

[Noddy4000]

I need to get in touch with my brother anyway so I'll be sure to ask him if he can recall which type of MTB/GB it was - and maybe also where Mr Ludlow was stationed.

Would make for a fascinating display piece, having that kind of history behind it.

[coaster]

It certainly would!

[FrancisMcN]

Italeri has now published pictures of the 1/35th RN figures set for their Vosper

http://www.italeri.com/news_scheda.asp?idNews=471

[coaster]

They look pretty good...however, ahem, I have never seen a picture of anyone on a short boat wearing a Duffel Coat. Wet. They always seem to be wearing a fairly eclectic assortment of waterproof kit.... So, paint the Duff black - there, fixed.

Looks like another load of plastic on my wish-list...

[FrancisMcN]

I have never seen a picture of anyone on a short boat wearing a Duffel Coat.

I asked my 89 year old father-in-law about duffel coats on short Vospers as he spent 1944 - 45 at Felixstowe on those sort of craft as a Junior Rating (Radar Plotter).

He said that he wouldn't have been wearing one at sea but the officers often did.

[coaster]

I have never seen a picture of anyone on a short boat wearing a Duffel Coat.

I asked my 89 year old father-in-law about duffel coats on short Vospers as he spent 1944 - 45 at Felixstowe on those sort of craft as a Junior Rating (Radar Plotter).

He said that he wouldn't have been wearing one at sea but the officers often did.

A bit drier in the cockpit....