PF Naughton

Hi, From all the posts I'm not fully sure if the OP wants to try and build a model to generally represent HMS Thunderchild or if he wants to try and build the specific version of the ship described in the video he posted. If he wants to try and build the specific version of the ship described in the video (or something close to it) he could try and get a copy of the old Heller/Eastern Express/Oginik 1/400 scale Battleship Potemkin and cut down the hull. The Potemkin (sometimes also sold as the St Panteleimon) molds are very old but they seem to apparently get reused frequently enough that you could hopefully find a copy fairly cheaply. Due to the old age of the molds the details in the kit a fairly soft and sometimes not all that well formed (in the version that I bought some pieces were quite warped). However, since the intent would be to mostly only use the main hull and some other miscellaneous parts it should be a fairly easy (and hopefully cheap) task to hack the kit up as needed. The original Potemkin was about 378.5ft x 76 ft (115.4 x 22.3m) according to Wikipedia. At 1/400 scale that equates to about 11.4in x 2.25in (289mm x 56mm). As such, if you wanted your model to be in 1/350 scale that hullform would equate to abou 331ft x 66.5ft ( 101m x 19.5m). Below is a picture off the internet (from Naval-Encyclopedia.com) showing the Potemkin in its normal configuration. And below this is a quick image I pieced together in Powerpoint, with the forward freeboard cut down, the forward turret lowered and converted to a round shape, two of the funnels shifted aft, with the midships and back end reconfigured a bit. In such a conversion you could probably get away with reusing the base kits funnels, small boats, cranes, anchors, pilot house, conning tower and other fittings (provided that they aren't too poorly molded), scratchbuild the extended upper deck and aft gun, and add other 1/350 scale details if you wish. Regards Pat

Hi, Oops, I should have watched the video in the OP's post first, since my thoughts touch a little bit on some of the things mentioned in that video. So I have reworked my post below. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A thought to keep in mind is that is that while HMS Polyphemus was a real world Torpedo Ram, during the Victorian era the Royal Navy also had a number of ships that have sometimes been described as "Steam Rams" which may fit closer to the description of the Thunderchild in H.G. Wells original story. Specifically, I believe that HMS Glatton, HMS Rupert, HMS Conqueror, and HMS Hotspur, kind of all fall into such a category. Interestingly they tend to feature stuff like a bow ram, kind of low freeboard (especially forward), and heavy gun turrets or mounts concentrated forward, like described in the video that the OP posted. And along similar lines, (as noted in the video posted by the OP) HMS Victoria along with her sister ship HMS Sans Pariel also kind of fit into this category, though they tended to be clased as battleships and not rams. In particular both these ships had very low freeboard forward, very big guns forward, a bow ram, and twin funnels (similar to those described in H.G. Wells original work. As such, I would suggest that a ship like HMS Conqueror, HMS Rupert, or even HMS Victoria/HMS Sans Pariel could potentially be a good candidate for a model to represent HMS Thunderchild. Regards Pat PS. Images from Wikipedia

Hi, Your build looks really nice Pat

Your diorama turned out great.

Hi, Your build looks great. Pat

Hi, That's a great build of an interesting tank.

Thanks for the follow up. I wasn't sure if the decal on the flight deck was original or something after market as well. Pat

Hi, I like your build. It looks like a really nice mostly straight out of the box build. I wish my builds looked half as good Pat

Hi, your build looks great

Hi, that looks nice.

Hi, your build looks great. The Challenger II is a nice looking vehicle. Pat

Hi, I like your build. It looks great. Pat

Wow, I always thought that 1/700 scale was kind of small, but you really brought that model to life with your build. It looks great

Wow, that turned out really nicely

Hi, I remember seeing the old Matchbox 1/72 scale kit way up on an upper shelf at a toy store when I was young, but could never afford it. A few years back when Revell re-released it I snatched up a copy but have been too afraid to start since my building skills are still not that great. As such I also ended up buying a copy of the 1/144 scale kit when they released that, but its also got me a little apprehensive. Fortunately I also think that I picked up a Mirage Hobbies 1/350 scale Flower class kit around the same time, so maybe I will start there first 😃

Hi, That's an interesting build, and it turned out great. Regards Pat

Hi, Your build looks great. I wish that someone would make an injection molded plastic kit of the Type 42, 22, 21 and Leanders in something a little bigger than 1/700 or 1/600 scale, as my eyes and fingers are getting to the point that those scsales are getting a bit small for me. 😐 Pat

Hi, Your build looks great. I have long wished that someone would make some injection molded plastic kits of some of these and similar escort type vessels in a reasonable scale. PAt

Hi, Your build looks great. Pat

Hi, Your build looks great. Pat

Hi, I think that I hav this kit in my stash too. Can't wait to see how your build turns out. Pat

John, I concur with both your thoughts. ArnoldAmbrose's build is great, and I would have loved to see Airfix do a 1/600 scale convy set too. 🤔

Hi, She looks similar to this picture of HMS Invincible from Wikipedia. Regards Pat HMS Invincible, Battle of the Falkland Islands (Warships To-day, 1936) - Invincible-class battlecruiser - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invincible-class_battlecruiser#/media/File:HMS_Invincible,_Battle_of_the_Falkland_Islands_(Warships_To-day,_1936).jpg

Hi, While I usually prefer full hull models, waterline models are also nice and I will mix and match depending on what's available. In addition, though I like the fact that full hull models can potentially give a better feel for the overall look of a ship, I realize that sometimes the model maker has to guess at some things below the waterline. And sometimes those guesses aren't necessarily all that great. A good example of this to me is the Heller 1/400 scale La Fayetter class frigates. If you look at the lower hull provided on that kit compared to what the actual ship looks like you can see that it is a fair bit off. Pat

Hi, Your build turned out great. Pat