HMS Vimy, V&W class destroyer, WWII, any kits?

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Seeking a kit for a V&W class British destroyer from WWII. Does anyone know if there are kits for a V&W, and/or can anyone tell me where there are some good places to look[8D]

Thanks in advance,

DJ

2

There used to be a V&W from WW1 in 1/700, but I cannot remember who put the kit out.

The only other British DD from WW1 is the Mary Rose (M Class) in 1.350 by White Ensign.

Regards,

Jeff Herne

PS: I think I know someone who has a V&W kit he may be willing to part with.

3

Jeff, thanks again for responding to one of my questions. I’d be really interested in that V&W kit if he’s willing to sell. The model will be a gift to my Dad’s best friend who was on a raft in the Atlantic after being sunk by U-66. The Vimy rescued him and those on his raft after 3 weeks of survival on the sea.

Thank you,

DJ

4

DJ,

Any chance you can get me a copy of that story??

We have a feature on Modelwarships.com called ‘In Their Own Words’, about naval vets relating their experiences. I’d love to post that story up.

Lemme know, in the meantime, you can read the 2 stories we’ve put up (we just started the feature a couple of weeks ago).

Actually, if ANYONE has a father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle naval story, I’d be interested in hearing it. Word files work nicely!!

Thanks,

Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com

5

He wrote a book about his experience. The book is still in print and is titled “In Peril on the Sea”, written by Robert Bell and D. Bruce Lockerbie. It is available on Amazon.com

6

There is about a dozen books under that title out.

Is it about the RCN, a sailor in the RN, or one of 6 Merchant Navy seamen, or a family that got lost?

7

There is also a metal kit of the HMS Versatile in 1/350 by Skytrex.
http://www.skytrex.com/
There is a review of the kit on the SMML home page.
http://www.smmlonline.com/reviews/models/v_w/vwskytrex350.html

8

Teddy, the book I’m talking about was written by Robert Bell, and D. Bruce Lockerbie. It’s the story about the family.

vvsc thanks for the reference. If I can’t find a kit, it will have to be the metal one.

DJ

9

Deans Marine is offering a V class destroyer, HMS Verulam, scale is not given but the model finishes at 1.15m (about 4’).
This is an operating RC model, but can be built static. It costs 260.95 from Model Dockyard in the UK. That is Pounds, not dollars.

10

The Deans Marine kit is to 1:96 scale. Check your refs for Vimy as I think that it was one of those Vand Ws that were converted for convoy escort work by eliminating one boiler, and therefore a funnel, and using the extra weight availability to add more bunkerage. Some were designated WAREs but i can’t remember what it stood for.
I have built a Deans Flower which I converted to HMS Gardenia, as built.
Dai

11

WAIR conversions removed the conventional armament and replaced it with dual purpose AA guns, basically turning the DDs into AA ships.

Jeff

12

Should have worked that out myself Jeff. Never the less some of the VandW class were adapted as longe range escorts with the mentioned changes.
Dai

13

thanks everyone for the help. Looks like I’ll be purchasing the Skytrex kit.

DJ

14

As a further bit of info Vimy had a different funnel arrangement to most of the other ships in her class.
The fore funnel was not as thin nor as tall as the later members of the class. There is a photo of her in Janes All the Worlds Warships 1918/19. This book should be available at your local library as it was re issued only a few years ago.
Dai

15

Thanks Dai, I might contact the Imperial War Museum for more info. Will probably have to scratchbuild the funnel.

DJ