Calling all FIGHTING MERCHANTMEN fans (not Liberty/Victory)

[Freighter]

Graham,
Depending on whether you want to model a specific ship or period, check out the following websites:-

http://smmlonline.com/articles/doxford/doxford.html

which gives some details of the Doxford type 'standard' ship and also points you in the direction of the fleets that operated them.

Additionally, take an evening browsing through the photos on

http://www.photoship.co.uk/

or

http://www.benjidog.co.uk/allen/index.htm

Hope this helps

Jim S

[Harry @ BFM]

Graham,

I have a Collier and Empire type B kit that will be available soon.

[Graham Boak]

Jim: thanks for the tips, I have saved the URLs for future reference. For period, I would say WW2 to match most of my warship kits, but I've no preference for individual ship other than being available in kit form rather than being scratch-built: some kitbashing welcomed. Oh, and a North-East builder (Tyne/Wear/Tees) would be nice.

AR, PetroS: OK, you're pushing on an open door, I'll place them on my next order to WEM, which will be soon.

Harry: Sounds good. At the moment I don't know what an Empire Type B is, although I would assume from the Niko kit title that Empire Darwin was one, and hence it is a standard Doxford ship? Which collier are you doing - I presume it is from the Waine book?

[Freighter]

Graham,
You said you were looking for reference books on Empire ships - nobody has mentioned
Wartime Standard Ships - Volume 1 - Empire ships of World War 2
and
Wartime Standard Ships - Volume 2 - The Oceans, the Forts and the Parks

Both books by WH Mitchell and LA Sawyer

I obtained a second-hand volume 3 of this series (WW1 standard ships) from Amazon as they're probably long out of print. The data/photos/history are an excellent piece of reference. Recommended

Jim S

[MT Hopper]

I am uncertain as to whether this is the correct place for my question. If not then sorry.
I am a newbie to ships and to modelling so please excuse the basic nature of my query.
Are there any plans or drawings, kits etc for Q ships aka Mystery ships?
I understand that only one British vessel (Hyderbad?)was purposely built as a Q ship and that all others were draftees?
Cheers
Will

[Guido]

Hi, Will!
Thanks for visiting the Fighthing Merchantmen thread.
This thread is mainly about War Transports, while Q-ships were sub hunters in disguise.
I am no specialist on the Q-ships, even though it is quite a fascinating aspect of British naval warfare.
If there is no Q-ship thread as shuch in the "Call All" section of forum, I�d recommend to post your question in Main Forum.
Good hunting!
Guido

[Rick_H]

Please excuse me for visiting this thread so late. I am just starting the Niko CAM ship. Was hoping to identify which specific ship(s) are represented.

For identifying features, I'm torn between the shape and layout on one hand, and dimensions on the other. I saw the notes earlier that identify her as Empire Darwin, and I can see the physical resemblance. But when I measure the kit, I see a 46' beam, and Sawyer and Mitchell, as well as the internet references seem to say the ships had a 56' beam.

Does anybody have a reason to say the kit is the right dimensions for Empire Darwin, or are we just going on the ship's length and layout?

Thanks,
Rick

[Guido]

Hello, Rick!

Would like to share a few photos of the kit's parts?

After checking a few sources, I agree that 56' beam is the proper measurement.
I am willing to bet that the kit is not right. However, I think the measurements are not that important as long as you have fun with building the kit and enjoy the experience.

Cheers,
Guido

[Rick_H]

I will work on some photos right away. for this build, my requirements are 1) a CAM ship for a friend and 2) an Admiralty disruptive camouflage scheme, or something like it, for interest.

For ship types that I know, I would be a bit more interested in accuracy, but I have found so few photos of CAM ships with names associated that I am going to bend a bit, to have fun just as you say. I remembered the Telford project from a few years ago, and was hoping for some inspiration there.
Thanks,
Rick

[Jim Smith]

Just re-visiting this topic. I'll search out and post some pics of the CAM ships from HP Models that were in the Telford 'North Atlantic Convoy' display back in 2006/7? One was a 'Doxford' type standard ship similar to the Niko Models one. I'll also post a few pics of my post-war Doxford which I've just completed.

The other was based on the Auriguani - picture shown here:-

http://www.webring.org/l/rd?ring=nr;id= ... dex%2Ehtml

Rick_H, How did your build go? - I'd like to see some pics.

BTW - there's a little information of ship names, pics, operational details on this website:-

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/CAM_ship

Jim S

[Guido]

Thanks for the update and the links!
Cheers,
Guido

[Jim Smith]

Here are the pics:-
Doxford Freighter (like the Niko model of Empire B)

CAM ship based on Auriguani (note: HP Models bow is too sheer - appears the modeller designed the bow section which included the acoustic hammer - see previous reference). It looks too much like an icebreaker.

Finally, a Doxford freighter post war - this one modelled as 'Kafiristan' - Hindustan Steam Shipping Company (Common Bros of Newcastle on Tyne). Rick_H you wanted something with a NE England connection.

Jim S

[Guido]

Beautiful work, Jim!

[ontos0311]

This must be the place, I need some help on trying to locate plans of HMS FOYLE BANK.
Built June 1930 by Harland & Wolff Ltd., it was the first conversion of Auxiliary Anti-Aircraft Vessel (Sea Going)
Displacement 5582 gr tons
Dim: 426 3/4(OA)(PP) x 57 1/4 x 26 1/4FT
Machinery: 2 shaft Diesel motors, BPH 2900 - 12 knots
Armament: 8 - 4in AA(4x2) 8 - 2PDR AA(2x4) 4 - 20MM AA (4x1) guns

My interest is twofold. First is my attempt to model HMS FOYLE BANK at 1/96 scale and secondly a relation named Seaman Jack Foreman Mantle, VC. On 4 July 1940 anchored off the SE breakwater within HMS FOYLE BANK was attacked by 33 JU 87 STUKAS
and apparently hit by a total 22 bombs. with one shot down, she sank to the bottom with 176 men killed out of a total crew of
19 officers and 279 crew.

Semper Fi,
Paul Mantle Jr.

[Guido]

Hello, Paul!

Sounds like a great project.
1. Have you contacted the buidling shipyard for plans? http://www.harland-wolff.com/
2. Try to located Dave Wooley here on MWS. He might be the guy to show you the proper way to Admirality plans, if thesy exist.

Good luck!
Guido