HMCS Snowberry 1/72 Waterline Conversion

[Earl Greybeard]

Greetings one and all.

I have acquired a copy of the old Revell 1/72 Flower Class corvette. As you may know, this is a full-hull model, but I need to build it as a waterline in order to fit and be visible in the space I have for it. Has anyone tried this?

In the old days, I would just hack off the hull bottom roughly, and then rub the assembled hull against sandpaper taped to a workbench. But this is a large model that may need additional reinforcement around the waterline to withstand such treatment. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Many thanks, Ray in Nottingham UK

[Killerbeans]

I just did this to a 1/144 Fletcher. I checked my refs, and applied tamiya tape (1/4" approx) to the top of the bootstripe, let the botton run wild. I then checked, and pressed it down firmly. I scribed to that bottom edge, lightly to start, (4-5 passes) then deeper. I then used my xacto saw to cut, going slowly. 3/4 of each side, then tied the ends together. Patience counts here. I intend to JB weld some plastruct I beam at two points to screw the hull to my base. Those will line up to the holes under turrets, or house, whichever works best.
HTH,
KB

[Earl Greybeard]

Many thanks KB.

So, you went for an accurate cut up front rather than a rough cut and sand. I am afraid some of the technical terms were lost on me, but do I gather that you did reinforce the structure in some way at the newly-open waterline base. (with Plastruct I beam). I will look into that product, which I have never heard of before

Best wishes, Ray

[Killerbeans]

Any thick stock can be used, I have some on hand. Have you decided how to fix the hull to the base?