Airfix Vosper MTB

[Stormerhmv]

Made a start on my Airfix Vosper, after looking at the parts, I decided to order a few replacements from Coastal Crafts.

Im waiting for the Postman at the moment

The plan is to use some of the unwanted Airfix parts to modify the old Revell kit that I found in the attic, Id like to put the Bandstand on the stern of the Revell boat.

I havent been able to find any Reference material regarding the twin gun "towers" that are on the side of the wheelhouse on the Revell at all, at least I havent discovered a boat that had them arranged as on the Revell kit.

Im planning on building the Airfix kit using a mix of CC parts and a bit of scratch building.

Made a start on the wheelhouse interior, well, at least Ive removed the castings that I didnt like:

Ive also built the 4 piece hull, the deck doesnt fit well and will need a bit of filling.

It will only fit properly under pressure so Ill have to glue it down in stages using clamps.

Normally Id paint the deck before fitting but I cant do that with this one because of the filling and bending required to join the parts together.

Last up is a pic of the old Revell Vosper that I found in the attic showing the twin tub gun arrangement.

If anyone has any information on this type of gun placement, id be very gratefull for any help.

Thanks for looking

[longshanks]

The boat Revell have depicted is a Vosper design, made / modified in the United States and served in the Russian Navy

Kev

[Stormerhmv]

Hi Kev, the boat number on the Box artwork matches to an American built boat.

Photos of the real boat dont match up to the Kit Design though.At least as far as the turret Arrangements

[longshanks]

What number is on the box artwork?

[Stormerhmv]

375

[longshanks]

375 was an American built Vosper armed with 1 x twin 0.50 Vickers in a single Mk V turret. 2 x 21" torpedoes and two depth charges. She served in the Mediterranean, many of these boats had additional weapons added i.e. 20mm Oerlikon and MG on pedestals.

The license built Vospers for the USSR were built with 2 x twin 0.50 Brownings in Mk 17 turrets, 1 x 20mm, 2 x 21" torpedoes plus 2 x depth charges. This is what the Revell kit appears to be armed with. Conclusion IMHO Revell made up a number.

If your going to build her I would suggest a large dollop of artistic license

Kev

[Stormerhmv]

Thanks Longshanks, unfortunatley, Ive now got two of the old Revell boats, one came up cheap on ebay and I couldnt resist.

Think Ill build a fantasy one and try to find more about the Russian boats before building the other one.

My stuff arrived today from Coastal Crafts, Im impressed, well packed, crisp mouldings, good etch with good instructions.

Also got the right paints so I can crack on with building tomorow.

Heres a few pics of the CC stuff for anyone who hasnt seen it before

The 21" tubes are for the Revell kit, the rest for the Airfix boat

Edited May 24, 2016 by Stormerhmv

[longshanks]

Quite a collection you have there....

Looking forward to seeing what develops

Kev

[Gremlin56]

That is a heavy investment you made Should be an interesting build

[Stormerhmv]

I fitted the deck last nicht and carved/Sanded all the unnecessary Bits off. Took ages to do,but now I can start building at last.

I'll post a few pics later today.

[longshanks]

Some information for your Revell build

I've found a set of plans for the Vosper/USA/Russian boats in Allied Torpedo Boats by John Lambert & Les Brown. The plan is A4 size and good enough for a 1/72 model. A good reference book for anyone interested in Coastal Forces

Plus Eduard have a photo etch set available for the boat

http://www.eduard.com/store/Ships-and-submarines/1-72/Vosper-M-T-B-1-72.html?cur=1&force_sid=222dc022383f3694336927573f1282fb

Hope this helps

Kev

[Stormerhmv]

Thanks for the info and the plans.

Ive already got the Eduard PE for Revell kits, I may steal one or two bits for the Airfix.

Ive just read your Airfix Vosper build from start to finish, I must say, after fiddling with little bits of plastic, tin foil and wire this morning, I dont know how you managed to do all that detail with that amount of realism. Absolutley fantastic.

Heres a few photos of this mornings attempt, laughable compared to your work, Ill have to live with it as its the best my sausage fingers combined with failing eyesight can do...thats my excuse anyway

So..on with the photos, deck fitted, Bandstand supports, toe lines and Boat hooks removed, Portholes added.

Needed loads of filling at the bow, either I glued it together badly, or the deck was too short?

Still needs a bit of filler over the old Toe lines, I think I can get away with the scratches under the Bandstand and ammo boxes as the new parts should cover them.

I think ill sand the mushroom vents off as well and use the ones from CC instead.

Wheelhouse parts reworked, no further comment Might have to change up to 1.35 scale after doing the Vospers !

I need to order a few small Razor saws for the resin bits and a folding tool for the PE. ( Never worked on PE before, should be interesting).

The Resin Barrels on my CC oerlikon are both bent, I need to work out how to straighten them up before building the bandstand.

Thats all for tonight, thanks for your help.

[longshanks]

I seem to recall I needed filler at the front end.

Nice to see the old Vosper being upgraded again.

Bent resin barrels I would suggest the following

Tape the barrel to a straight edge, you may need to slip plastic strip or similar under some parts so that it is supported along its length.

Dunk in a mug of just boiled water. Leave for a couple of minutes and then change for cold water. Give it 5 mins and you should be OK.

Keep up the good work

Kev

[robgizlu]

Nice work Stormerhmv. I agree with Kev - nice to see the Airfix Vosper being revisited. Like you I built one using the Coastal models accessory bits (very nice they are too - though I also had bent resin Oerlikon barrels, the white metal is better). Martin does some decals as well which sit very nicely and improve on the kit versions by about 200%. I have a couple of the Revell kits that just seem too much work to begin on. The AKAN paints need a bit of persuasion to spray but I think the colours seem very authentic.

My build is here - if you are interested - I've just reminded myself that I used Vallejo Cleaner and water to dilute about 1-3 (or 4) Diluent to paint

http://www.plasticarmour.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=113

Keep it coming

Rob