Steve Jones

I remember growler pulling 'Kent' out of her berth on at least one occasion - those paddles were fascinating to a junior sprog flag wagger! Steve

look lovely kits - wonder if there's a type 14 in the pipe somewhere?

thanks Geoff, thats just what I needed! Steve

Mike, Shar2 - thanks very much! at that price I may as well buy another Admiralty Glorious and build it from the deck up, just like Rosyth dockyard did! Steve

slight change of topic - I see 'Seaforth' are due to release 'British Cruisers of the Victorian Era' by Norman Friedman, due for release on 31/10/2012. Is this a re-release and if so, does anyone have any info on what to expect with this book (line drawings/photos etc)?

I was on 'Kent' when we fired a couple of broadsides prior to paying off in '79 - well worth watching, but try not to smell the cordite!!

got the 1919-1945 and this one's on pre-order. If it's as good as the 1919-45 book it will be awesome!

Does anyone have any info on what the HP 'Glorious' is like? How much work is needed, does it include PE etc. It's listed on their website @ 150 euros - I wouldn't want to pay that price unless the kit is top knotch! Steve

Brilliant - what an idea to have hatched from scratch! The paintwork and seascape are superb! Steve

Jens, i have some photos in AOTS Dreadnought which shows the semaphore arms and in some they appear to be painted the same colour as the superstructure whilst in others they are definately painted a darker colour and have a white band on the 'arms', much like a railway signal - possibly they were varnished wood? Steve

Graeme, matelots were not generally issued with water bottles and haversacks but did have army style tin hats. in MTB's and other coastal forces they were usually issued with a thick white woollen roll neck pullover and black seaboots (wellies!) which quite often had thick white socks rolled down over the tops. They also had the ubiquitous duffel coats. There are quite a few cottage industry manufacturers who make figures for coastal forces and Vanguard publish a small booklet with details of many of the rigs worn by jack, which may prove useful. Steve

artificial hair? now that's something I haven't tried! will give it a go tho! Steve

NIce build - might persuade me to re-start mine (been in a box for years). Takes me back a bit though - we followed 'Blake' into Pompey when she paid off in 1979 - that was some decomissioning pennant! Steve

Chris, just to clear up some confusion regarding the Phalanx - Manchester had hers fitted at the same time as the 'go faster' strip was added to her sides - I remember cos I was there! Also, on the signal deck starboard side, just aft of the cross passage beneath the foremast and next to the ladder down to the boat deck, there was a large 'box' fitted to the deck in that corner for a vent to the engine rooms (not present on the port side) with the flag locker on the outboard side of it (vent facing forward). Hope this helps...