So, this is going to be my starting point on this model. (Thanks to the kindness of a fellow modeller on another GB forum, from whom I purchased this kit today. He started it 16 years ago and has been sat in a box ever since). I am building it as a ‘sort-of’ commission build for my window cleaner. A couple of weeks ago whilst doing my windows he saw me in my model building shed in the garden…one thing led to another…discussion went to the La Malouine as his grandfather served on her during the war and the ill-fated PQ17 convoy and he asked if I would be interested in doing it for him.
Jump forward a couple of weeks and another thread (my Super Hornet WIP on other forum) and ‘fellow modeller’ mentioned this kit as my conversation was about PE and my headaches with it! Long story short, I ended up buying it from him today.
Have to finish up my Hornet first which will take a few more days and then I’ll make a start on this beast that will give me a couple of days to get some paints as I need to change the current splinter cammo scheme of the Snowberry to the “typical 2-colour Western Approaches scheme. The hull is essentially the standardised design offered on plate 23 of Confidential Admiralty Fleet Order 679/42” (and also for the headache (which has already developed just looking at what I have let myself into) to go away.
Any tips/help etc. would be greatly received during this build.
And this is where I hope to end up, a typical 2-colour Western Approaches scheme.
I’ll follow this with interest, Steve - I have a hankering to build a 1/144 Flower class next year, to balance the U-boat that I really must get finished! I’ll just sit here out of the way, if that’s OK, and pick up some tips[:)].
I wish I had the stickers but I used them on my project as stencils.
My Compass Rose, I handpainted with the stencils as I needed to change the number and color. And I wanted a hand painted look. My guess would be that the hull number was repainted after every North Atlantic convoy by a sailor overside in a chair.
My profession is type on buildings so these tasks are fun for me.
Here’s a straight on of the type. The 6 would just be an inverted 9. That’s not always the case in type but proved to be true here.
And the stern.
The height of the type on the bow is 0.36 inches and the height of the type on the stern is 0.29 inches. At 1/144 so double it of course.
I know how you feel WRT courage…this is a massive step into the unknown for me. Never tried a ship before…let alone all the PE which always gives me grief!
I find that painting sub assemblies with ships really helps. Verticals and horizontals are different colors and it saves masking.
Also, I suggest getting her onto a base, either a temp or the final. otherwise I bust stuff off as I go.
Looking at photos of your ship, the kit matches her pretty well. As an early Flower, she no doubt had the short forecastle, mast forward of the bridge and narrow bridge wings when commissioned.
My guess would be she was modified and radar added in 41 or 42.
That would match the kit.
The photo you posted sure looks like the 4 inch gun forward is an open mount. Very unusual. Other pictures show a shield.
Otherwise the Pom Pom at the after engineroom casing and the Oerlikons on the bridge match the kit.
The number of depth charge tossers (4 in the kit), hedgehog launcher etc. it’s hard to tell.
Small detail noted in Wiki- she flew both the white ensign and the tricolor.
Of course I had to chime in here. I used a different Wheelhouse configuration. Now, mine is R.C. Yes! I saw the option and took it. The After Deckhouse is removeable to address the electronics and there is a hidden hatch over the rudder that is watertight!
I chose to do a generic " Flower" because I just like the little ships. The thing is the model, even with ALL it’s delicacy is a lot tougher than it looks. At the time I had access to a whole machine shop so all guns are turned brass for Barrels and Machined Recievers Breeches etc.
The Prop is from Rivabo( Cast Bronze.) But to get scale performance the Rudder and Prop are slightly over scale. Hey, This Puppy weighs just over twenty pounds with Battery installed. It’s a large Motorcycle Gel Cell laid on it’s side.( Low down for ballast.)
Sorry, I get carried away. Your work will show a beautiful job when done.I am watching! Any Flower is fair game for me. I have of course the “Big Un” then some in 1/350 ,oh, one in 1/87 too!
That sounds like some of the things my Dad spoke about. He was Merchant Marine. Engineering. Five ships gone from under him. Never set foot on a ship again. The burns he got weren’t totally disfiguring, So in that he was lucky. he always had his eyes light up when he spoke of those " Brave Little Ships"
Well, I’ve done lots of ships, maybe a dozen, including several Aircraft Carriers with lots of PE. One problem is when the hull is all together, it may not fit on my bench. I do have a rigging stand that I keep beside the bench (adjustable in height for tall ship rigging). Bases clamp to a small top, and since I do often build a base as I work on hulls, that may work okay. If I finish hull and base first, I can clamp it on that and work on subassemblies on my bench it may work. I have started on the main gun which I intend to detail more, and make a scratch turret/shield.
And so it starts Finished up my Super Hornet this morning then had a massive clear up in the shed to make room for this ‘little’ puppy. Never realised just how messy/dusty the shed had got, took me a couple of hours!!, but now it’s clean and tidy…ready to start making a ‘new’ mess.
In a few weeks you’ll be like the rest of us. One square foot of actual work space. Ship on the tops of paint bottles etc. Great looking area right now.
that will give me a couple of days to get some paints as I need to change the current splinter cammo scheme of the Snowberry to the “typical 2-colour Western Approaches scheme. The hull is essentially the standardised design offered on plate 23 of Confidential Admiralty Fleet Order 679/42” (and also for the headache (which has already developed just looking at what I have let myself into) to go away.
Finished up my Super Hornet this morning then had a massive clear up in the shed to make room for this ‘little’ puppy. Never realised just how messy/dusty the shed had got, took me a couple of hours!!, but now it’s clean and tidy…ready to start making a ‘new’ mess.