Calling all Colossus-class (WW2 & modernized) fans

[Pieter]

Hey Al, I have been using these plans a lot last year when working on my HMS Glory build. The only markings I could find are a simple P1.2...for the port side directors and S1, 2 etc.. for the starboard side. Glory lost her directors before the Korean war so I did not need more information.
This is another cutout of the drawing, maybe this can help you identify the type.

[Maarten Sch�nfeld]

Thanks, Pieter!

Mk IV director I quickly found through Wikipedia.

These are available from MicroMaster in 3D print, scale 1:350.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/MCWWJ ... rectors-x4
You can ask Simon if these could also be printed in 1:700.

[Al Newman]

Hi Maarten and Pieter, thank you very much for both the information and advice, Al.

[Mike@IHP]

Hi Maarten and Pieter, thank you very much for both the information and advice, Al.

What year are you modeling Colossus? I've manufactured injection-moulded styrene parts for the class in 1/700 before 1947 and have researched every unit. I might be able to help with parts and details.

Mike Bartel

[Al Newman]

Hi Mike thank you for responding, timeframe will be about the same as your kit before being loaned to the French and fitted with 40mm Bofors, as for parts, thank you for the offer but I have the Heller kit in 1/400. Thanks Al.

[Mike@IHP]

Hi Mike thank you for responding, timeframe will be about the same as your kit before being loaned to the French and fitted with 40mm Bofors, as for parts, thank you for the offer but I have the Heller kit in 1/400. Thanks Al.

Heller kit is basically accurate but what are supposed to be 20mm twin mounts are actually directors for the 40mm mounts. As far as I can tell, none of the ships ever carried the originally-intended 20mm twins. I made them for my kit as Heller made them for theirs, but I'm including extra directors to replace them in future kits.

Mike Bartel

[Maarten Sch�nfeld]

... Heller kit is basically accurate ...

Well, it is, but it has only one nasty error:

The stem (sharp edge of the bow) is about seven mm too far to the rear. The curve of the stem is therefore much too pronounced.

Knowing this, it is not difficult to correct, by adding a strip of plastic of 7mm width, filing and sanding to shape, blending in with putty. Like this:

Final sanding is still required. Note that the anchor hawse pipe is also in the wrong location and needs to be placed much more forward. This was how I discovered the error: I made a forward deck according to the plans, and the anchor hawse pipes ended up far forward of those in the hull! What was wrong??? Apparently: the stem.

[Al Newman]

Thanks for the further information Mike and Maarten, Al.

[PaulC]

Hi folks,

Any ideas on the colours Colossus wore in this 1945 photo? Seems to be a variation on the standard Admiralty scheme of G45 with the B20 hull panel. There are other photos showing the contrasts better.

There are extensions to the panel fore and aft in a lighter colour. Could the panel B20 with the extensions a lighter blue like B30, or maybe the panel darker like G10, with B20 extensions? Seems the intermediate colour was on the starboard side of the island too (like B20 was used on the main turrets of some capital ships and cruisers).

[tjstoneman]

The photo of Colossus may be a somewhat over-exposed shot of a scheme worn by several of the class, showing her in an Admiralty Standard scheme, with its specifications followed to a greater extent than in some other classes. The directive said:
"Paint the following white:
1. Undersides of platforms and all horizontal projections not normally visible from outboard.
....
4. Part of hull either below chine or normally in shadow due to flare. ..."
Better examples can be seen on others of the class, for example HMS Pioneer: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item ... /205121347 (originally of the same design, modified for her aircraft maintenance ship role) - note the textbook application of white under all sponsons and overhangs, plus the area under the flare of the bow and stern.

[PaulC]

Thanks so much TJ! I've seen a number of photos and I did have a fleeting thought about the possibility of white, but there it is. It now makes sense!

See other Colossus images: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item ... /205016251

[Mike@IHP]

1/700 Triumph is the next Colossus variant from IHP. Kit will represent the ship in 1946 and will feature enclosed bridge, stern flight deck walk, YE antenna on funnel moved from mast, changes to AA and radar fit, more MKIV directors and a complement of Seafires and Fireflies. A decal sheet for the flight deck markings, BPF markings for the aircraft and the White Ensign will also be included.

[Al Newman]

Looking for some more information if anyone can help please. What ships boats did HMS Colossus carry and where. Any help appreciated, thanks Al.

[Mike@IHP]

Here's GLORY's paint guide and colors from 1945; the Colossus wore a similar scheme. This is the paint guide from our forthcoming kit.

Some photos show white accents added around sponson areas; these may have been to combat shading.

[PaulC]

Hi all,

Thought I'd share what I did with my Colossus kit - 1945 in the paint scheme shown in the photos posted above - thanks to TJ Stoneman for helping with the correct colours (G45, B20 and white). Very similar to Glory's 1945 scheme.

I used some Corsairs from the parts stash, and made my Baracuda's from Trumpeter Helldivers! I think the aircraft roundels may be wrong, but I used what decals I had.

[MartinJQuinn]

Paul - that looks good!

[Dan K]

Better than good.

[Mike@IHP]

Hi all,

Thought I'd share what I did with my Colossus kit - 1945 in the paint scheme shown in the photos posted above - thanks to TJ Stoneman for helping with the correct colours (G45, B20 and white). Very similar to Glory's 1945 scheme.

I used some Corsairs from the parts stash, and made my Baracuda's from Trumpeter Helldivers! I think the aircraft roundels may be wrong, but I used what decals I had.

It does look really good. I might offer some BPF decals separately if there's need.

Mike Bartel

[PaulC]

Thanks guys!

@Mike, appreciate the offer, but it's already done and I'm happy with the look.

[Pieter]

Nice to see another Colossus build. Excellent result, Paul.