HMS Invincible 1980

[Phil Reeder]

It`s about time I built a "Bird-farm". As everybody and his dad(s203) is building the Airfix Illustrious,and being the awkward sod that I am,I decided to have a go at the Invincible,as she appeared during the Falklands "Do".

I bought some Jecobin plans of the Vinny from WEM,there are 3 sheets to 1/16th to the foot ,which depict her in 1980.These are very detailed and are just what the doctor ordered.At first sight ,i thought this would be an easy convertion,Oh No its not,up to press,I discovered fifteen major differences ,so it should turn out to be quite a challenge.

I`ve made a start ,by putting together the hanger and hull.Luckily there are no differences in this area.I was quite impressed with the fit of the hanger area,I had no probs with it.(well done Airfix!!)

Hers the first of many(I Hope) pics

Bye ,Phil

The two openings on the port side should be of equal depth on the Vinny,and piece of plastikard has raised the aft of the two openings.Also the platform alongside the forward opening has been removed.

The assemble hull and hanger,it suffered from slight warping in some areas

two stout squares of plastic reinforce the hull

The aft "Goalkeeper"platform is removed

this area is then rebuilt using plastikard,milliput and putty

Edited October 18, 2010 by Phil Reeder

[Mike]

Very interesting Mr Reeder

[Shar2]

I'm looking at doing a conversion of Lusty to Vinnie circa 1990 as this was the time I served on her. So actually a far easier conversion than yours Phil. Although the Sea Dart and associated gazebo, (blast deflector), looks to be the most awkward part of the build.

[Chris Hewitt]

This looks good

[ferny]

Shar2 took the words right out of my mouth! Will be watching with interest.

Oh i have a few bits of PE left over from mine if you need them.

[mrvr6]

if they make a hermes in 1/350 il buy it in a heartbeat as my father in law served on her in the late 70s

ps i wonder why the hermes got no publicity in the falklands despite being the flagship?

[Phil Reeder]

if they make a hermes in 1/350 il buy it in a heartbeat as my father in law served on her in the late 70s

ps i wonder why the hermes got no publicity in the falklands despite being the flagship?

I think the Hermes got more publicity,due to having a TV film crew,along with Brian Hannaran,on board,remember"I counted them all out,and I counted them all back" Invincible had a certain royal personnage serving on board,and they wanted to keep the press well away from him!!I agree a 350th Hermes would be very nice,how about it Airfix?

Back to the build,this is turning out to be a much more involved build than I first thought.A lot of sawing and cutting,around the front bit.Pics to follow.

Cheers ,Phil

[Phil Reeder]

The fos`cle has undergone major surgery,and following the plan ,I`ve started to rebuild this area.I must say ,that I think scratch-building is easier!!At least you don`t have to alter anything!!

Bye ,Phil

Most of the cutting has been done ,just the "Ski-Jump" support needs removing.

A new deck has been made from 40thou PK

A start has been made on the Sea Dart area,and surrounding structure

This area from the Jecobin plan,showing the "gazebo"it`s gonna be some job making that!!

Edited October 2, 2010 by Phil Reeder

[Shar2]

Looking good Phil. will watching your Gazebo build very carefully.

[Chris Hewitt]

that some changes to the bow area,looking good

[Phil Reeder]

I`ve added the flight-deck,after first removing the "ski-jump",and the front part.I was quite impressed by the fit of the large part,at least it was in one piece,not three as per Trumpeter.A start has been boxing this in.I will have to make a new "ski-jump"for the Invincible,as the one she had ,when first built,was a completely different design.Before i did all this I painted the quarter -deck on the lower stern ,a teak colour.(Thanks to Shar2 )

Bye Phil

[ferny]

Looking good , thats some serious surgery your doing.

[jimbuna]

An incredible amount of work but I suspect it'll be well worth it in the end.

[Phil Reeder]

I`ve been a busy boy.as the weather was so lousy,I`ve beavered away at the vinny.The basic shape of the revised "Ski-Jump"has been made,it was a lot smaller than the Lusty`s ramp!

Cheerio,Phil

[Chris Hewitt]

Very smart,I think that her ramp was only 8%

[jimbuna]

The HMS INVINCIBLE and ILLUSTRIOUS were both originally fitted with a 7-degree ski jump, while the ARK ROYAL featured a 12-degree ski jump when it was commissioned in 1985. Both the INVINCIBLE and ILLUSTRIOUS were later refitted with a 13-degree ramp.

http://www.wingweb.co.uk/aircraft/Harrier_...-Jet_part2.html

[AnonymousDFB1]

Very nice as always Phil

[Shar2]

http://www.wingweb.co.uk/aircraft/Harrier_...-Jet_part2.html

The bigger ramps on the refitted carriers also housed two junior messes.

[jimbuna]

The bigger ramps on the refitted carriers also housed two junior messes.

A bit noisy during flight operations I should imagine LOL

[Shar2]

A bit noisy during flight operations I should imagine LOL

Oh yes! but at least it was over quite quickly. My bunk was right under No3 spot where the SHAR's used to land. I can sleep almost anywhere now.

[jimbuna]

Oh yes! but at least it was over quite quickly. My bunk was right under No3 spot where the SHAR's used to land. I can sleep almost anywhere now.

I've always boasted the ability to be able to sleep on a clothesline but I doubt I could match you there

[Mike]

Not much of a ramp on the Vinny, was there?

[Phil Reeder]

Not much of a ramp on the Vinny, was there?

Yep,thats right it isn`t very big ,these ski-jumps were invented just a couple of years before the Invincible was complete.Having said that,HMS Furious ,during the attacks on the Tirpitz ,in april 1944,had a similar ramp fitted ,as she had a short flight-deck,and it was needed to help get the Barracudas airborne ,carring a 1600lb bomb.There`s nothing new under the sun!!Edit: Just found this in the Warship Profile on the Furious:

Cheers ,Phil

Edited October 4, 2010 by Phil Reeder

[moaning dolphin]

Just a quick one Phil' have you checked the profile of the bow. I seem to remember when Lusty had her refit, they fitted a totally new bow section, Not sure if it changed the profile much. Cracking build though!

Cheers now

Bob

[Phil Reeder]

Just a quick one Phil' have you checked the profile of the bow. I seem to remember when Lusty had her refit, they fitted a totally new bow section, Not sure if it changed the profile much. Cracking build though!

Cheers now

Bob

Thanks ,Bob,will have a look at that,but from what I`ve seen already,I don`t think there was much difference.No more sawing ,Please!!!

Cheers,Phil