robgizlu

Was thinking the very same - odd for a WW2 vessel Keep it coming Beefster Rob

Beautifully done Stuart - lovely finish and base - what a kooky machine! Rob

Man cannot live by ships alone! I've been inspired by some of the recent builds and WIPs here in AFV so I've dug this out of the stash This version has the transparent parts But also contains the original plastic opaque. It was bought as I recall as it was cheaper. Knowng Bronco's reputation I anticipate it will be a detailed build - the instructions promise as much... Instructions are line drawn and comprehensive The scheme will depict a Wessex recon division vehicle and is likely to feature a single figure as yet undecided, together with some minor Panzer Art stowage which is winging it's way. And here's one in the flesh Construction begins with the engine though I'm not certain it will be on display And chassis which is suitably complex and definitely un-Tamyia-like! Fit is precise but fiddly and fitting the chassis sids involved some fettling... More soon - Thanks for looking Rob

That is lovely work Jeff - hull smooth and I like the Shelter deck Rob

Well as promised - here's some pics of my Swordfish Models Delivery. I've been waiting to order for some while and was interested to see how they'd compare to Micromaster and . It's a shame that they have replicated many offerings already long available in the aforementioned ranges (art least for RN items). Delivery is also pricey at a flat 15 Euros to UK (from Belguim). Unique to their range is the dedicated RN bridge equipment, Air lookouts and the 30ft Motor Pinnace that I'd not come across before. The pieces are well printed with delicate attachment points that should be easy to free up. They'll only really show up after painting. I especially like the voice tubes that festooned RN WW2 bridges. Black Cat do them as singles Detail is not as sharp as Micromoaster IMHO The winch set does not appear in any other range and though mundane will be very useful on larger ships I was expecting big things with the ladder set but to my mind they are siginifcantly undersized - certainly too narrow for RN ladders. I've included a Micromaster offering in the photo which I feel is slightly too large and also an etched Infini offering whihch to my eye seems the right size. I struggle with etched ladders and would have liked a reliable set of 3D printed offerings - these unfortunately are not them... We'll see how the above look when they come to be painted. Rob

Thanks Andy - In the earlier set of pics from Manchester - divisions on the front of AV are definitely visible though nowhere near as pronounced as on the kit The later front-on photo does not appear on the net but does feature iin Les Browns "British Escort Destroyers". I cannot see any "grid" markings with a magnifyer though it is possible If they are there, then they are not very prominent. As to the HACS..........I've used the "Tribal" offering from Micromaster...... https://micromaster.co.nz/collections/royal-fire-control/products/1-350-royal-navy-rangefinder-director-mkiiw-type-285-mod-1-x1-rn-tribal-class It seems to be identical - though I have lopped the bottom off. To my miind the Wiki stern pic is definitley misattributed time-wise. I'm certain that it represents AV 1944 Wasn't aware of "Red Tobruk" - I'll check it out Regards Rob

Transforms the aircraft - Smashing! Rob

So to the bridge - where most of Avon Vale's differences exist. The "wing" platform originally housed a single 20mm Oerlikon each side. It's apparent in this pic of AV before she had her bow torpedoed, with grateful acknowledgement to IWM collections The gun platform - you will see extends forwards to the bridge "indent". This is unusual for Hunt Type 2 vessels - most did not extend so far as is modelled by Atlantic I had been studioously "scraping" the side wall thinner until it dawned on me that there wasn't room to get a "Double" remote oerlikon in there as appears in later photos of AV Duhh - penny dropped........................................... At the same time - I sanded back the raised "ridges" on the bridge frontage and covered with a smooth sheet of plasticard to match AV's later appearance Then rebuilt the gun patform with it's distinctive "pocket" to allow full roatation of the double Oerlikon mount Then set about Drilling and "squaring" the windows just below the wind deflectors.... Producing drilled "squares" using a file is always hard - this will just about do. I presume this was the Asdic office atop the bridge HINT - to produce the wiind deflectors - choose your horizontal piece - and stick it down onto masking tape that itself has been attached to a Takeaway container lid. For the supports choose an appropriate width piece of plastuct rod - here it's 0.8mm. cut pieces to length and using dilute PVA glue stick them to the horizontal piece. The PVA will aloow you to fiddle and gt the spacing right. when you are happy and with the glue drying, gently use some Tamiya Extra thin glue to touch the base attachments. Let dry and this will leave you with serviceable wind deflectors. There's a prominent duct visible in the photos - I first mistook it for stairs on the hull side-on view. Here it is modelled after carefully removing 2 deck lockers at the bridge base I also carefully cut gratings out for the bridge from a White Ensigns set And as you can see the oerlikon sits snugly, the HACs mounting has been sanded and the original Micromaster piece cut down to size. It sat very snugly just above the aft bridge rail More soon. I also received an order from "Swordfish Models" that I'll put up later on for interest together with my thoughts on the items Rob

I'm liking this more and more Rob

Looking extremely Marvellous Rob

Order is restored to the Universe......................................................................................................... Rob

My thoughts too, sincere condolences Rob

Looks magnificent Rob

Museum piece!

Lovely touch Rob

Wot mark said Rob

Ouch - that's Nice 😎 Rob

Very striking - like the crisp finish Rob

That is an absolute Delight - beautifully finished and the radar dome really gives it heft! Rob

On a serious note - if you've used pastic cement then Tamiya extra thin will "dissolve" it and it's quite possible to lift it. if you've used PVA glue that should budge with gentle pressure. It'll be a compartively small job to sand down and repaint And yes - like my brethren above the reason I know all this is................................................................. Rob

Jeff - several boatyards deliberately offset the superstructure to starboard to account for increased fuel oil storage on the port side .................................. Rob

Cracking looking etch - nicely bent Young Sir Rob

Once again I feel like a mortal catching glimpses through the clouds seeing the Gods working above Such clean precise work........ Rob

I honestly have No idea what he's on about................................

Ilan - that is a Cracker - beautifuly finished and weathered Rob