Flower Power - Revell's Flower Class Corvette in 1/144
Posted: 11 Jul 2016, 11:06
Armour has rather got in the way in recent years with precious little time for boats so Armour is dropped for the foreseeable future to try to redress the balance.
I'll justify this to myself by arguing that I'm trying to increase the broad appeal of the site. IMO if it doesn't the site is going to wither and die.
So it's an off with the perennial favourite - The Flower Class Corvette, well known to modellers through the Matchbox/Revell 1/72 offering available this past 40 yrs.
And if you need persuading as to it's appeal - check out Vlad's wonderful work...
http://www.plasticarmour.com/phpBB3/vie ... f=31&t=889
The size of the 1/72 has put many off so Revell have come to our rescue with an altogether more bijou offering in 1/144.
Reviews are generally good
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/inde ... ette-1144/
http://www.scalemodellingnow.com/hnmari ... s-corvette
The hull shape and superstructure are basically sound with Revell having skimped on the detail in fittings and weapons.
Aftermarket accessories are eagerly awaited and if the popularity of the 1/72 is anything to go by should arrive in profusion given time.
The Flower Corvettes found wartime fame as N Atlantic convoy escorts - originally derived from a Whaling ship design they were a cheap pragmatic solution to quick availability of vessels needed to combat the U-boat packs. They appeared in many different colour schemes, a bonus to us modellers and the aim is to build several with differing and contrasting schemes.
My first choice is going to be HMS Crocus that achieved fame after ramming U-boat 333. She was configured as an RN Corvette, (Canadian designs differed somewhat) and interestingly had different camo schemes either side of her hull
We'll cover the colour scheme in due course.
References comprise those currently available
Mark Hawkins on Shapeways is doing some very interesting pieces in 1/144 that will be highly necessary including a Quad Vickers gun set that is essential for HMS Clematis. Check his site out
https://www.shapeways.com/designer/hawkins751511
So it's an off...
Instructions are new for Revell in being in full colour
Revell have chosen to model HMCS Snowberry possibly the archetypal corvette and one that was photographed extensively.
There were multiple differences between vessels after refitting.
For those of you (Thats' you Vlad !) with an interest, Crocus had a number of peculiarities that I'll list
1) Raised "Solid" 4" gun bandstand surround
2) Sloped 4" gun (along with most RN corvettes but not Royal Canadian Navy)
3) Superstructure supports done as 4 girder boxes not 3 as per Snowberry
4) Round "later" lattice Radar 270 lanternsurround
5) No Carley raft platform amidships
6) Carley raft "curved" rails f'ward of aft splash plate
7) Asymmetric colour schemes
Thankfully she had "low" depth charge rails as per Snowberry
The stand is robust and supports the hull securely
Hull fit was good thought the separate transom not quite so and needs a bit of filler
Both decks fitted snugly without too much misery
The aft superstructure also sits nicely
The roof needs a little filling as we wont be using the Carley platforms amidships
Dry fitting teases...
Smell the sea air, listen to those gulls
Thanks for looking
Rob
I'll justify this to myself by arguing that I'm trying to increase the broad appeal of the site. IMO if it doesn't the site is going to wither and die.
So it's an off with the perennial favourite - The Flower Class Corvette, well known to modellers through the Matchbox/Revell 1/72 offering available this past 40 yrs.
And if you need persuading as to it's appeal - check out Vlad's wonderful work...
http://www.plasticarmour.com/phpBB3/vie ... f=31&t=889
The size of the 1/72 has put many off so Revell have come to our rescue with an altogether more bijou offering in 1/144.
Reviews are generally good
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/inde ... ette-1144/
http://www.scalemodellingnow.com/hnmari ... s-corvette
The hull shape and superstructure are basically sound with Revell having skimped on the detail in fittings and weapons.
Aftermarket accessories are eagerly awaited and if the popularity of the 1/72 is anything to go by should arrive in profusion given time.
The Flower Corvettes found wartime fame as N Atlantic convoy escorts - originally derived from a Whaling ship design they were a cheap pragmatic solution to quick availability of vessels needed to combat the U-boat packs. They appeared in many different colour schemes, a bonus to us modellers and the aim is to build several with differing and contrasting schemes.
My first choice is going to be HMS Crocus that achieved fame after ramming U-boat 333. She was configured as an RN Corvette, (Canadian designs differed somewhat) and interestingly had different camo schemes either side of her hull
We'll cover the colour scheme in due course.
References comprise those currently available
Mark Hawkins on Shapeways is doing some very interesting pieces in 1/144 that will be highly necessary including a Quad Vickers gun set that is essential for HMS Clematis. Check his site out
https://www.shapeways.com/designer/hawkins751511
So it's an off...
Instructions are new for Revell in being in full colour
Revell have chosen to model HMCS Snowberry possibly the archetypal corvette and one that was photographed extensively.
There were multiple differences between vessels after refitting.
For those of you (Thats' you Vlad !) with an interest, Crocus had a number of peculiarities that I'll list
1) Raised "Solid" 4" gun bandstand surround
2) Sloped 4" gun (along with most RN corvettes but not Royal Canadian Navy)
3) Superstructure supports done as 4 girder boxes not 3 as per Snowberry
4) Round "later" lattice Radar 270 lanternsurround
5) No Carley raft platform amidships
6) Carley raft "curved" rails f'ward of aft splash plate
7) Asymmetric colour schemes
Thankfully she had "low" depth charge rails as per Snowberry
The stand is robust and supports the hull securely
Hull fit was good thought the separate transom not quite so and needs a bit of filler
Both decks fitted snugly without too much misery
The aft superstructure also sits nicely
The roof needs a little filling as we wont be using the Carley platforms amidships
Dry fitting teases...
Smell the sea air, listen to those gulls
Thanks for looking
Rob