AntPhillips

Hi Chris, Is that a What If updated Malta Class trying to hide at the back? Even if Im wrong that some great scratchbuilding skills on display Ant

Hi CGP, I dont know if you've seen this link, it's a set of photos of a builders model of HMS Alamein, it does show some great detail: https://stefsap.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/hms-alamein-dd-builders-model/

Cheers Geoff

Hi CGP, Looks good so far I've got a similar build going on in between other projects, I've purchased both the Atlantic Models etch set and Simon at MicroMaster has printed me the ships boats and floats together with the main armament, quintuple TT's and anchors all in 1/325 scale, I also plan on getting the Model Monkey directors too. I'm not aware of anyone doing the STAAG's as yet but Black Cat have recently released some Hazemeyers, so I'm hoping they might have a go at the STAAG's too. I was planning on dropping a line to Ben at Black Cat to see if he'd consider resizing from 1/350 to 1/325, although I'd also consider 1/350 as close enough if not. Here's a pic of my progress: As you can see I've replaced the Frog decks with Plasticard and rebuilding the bridge block is my next step and probably the reason the build has paused lol Happy modelling Ant

Back in the day maybe, but take a look at this pic taken as USS San Antonio entered Devonport a few days ago and this after just 18 days after leaving Norfolk , pic by saturn_ecplise on Reddit:

I'll second Rob's comments, Simon at MicroMaster is great to deal with, I recently bought some parts to enhance my part built Frog 1/325 HMS Trafalgar, I contacted him through his Facebook page and asked if he could print some parts from his 1/350 range in 1/325 scale, and yes he can and at no extra cost either. And delivery only took 3 to 4 weeks from New Zealand to Wales.

Whilst I've seen a few of these WHIF's of Royal Navy Tomcats, I've always thought that the Tomcat would have been too large for the Arks limited deck size, and the RN would have been more likely to follow what the USN did with the Midway Class and replace the Phantom with Hornets. Of course if the 2 CVA-01 class had proceeded then the procurement of Tomcats would have made good sense

I'm pretty certain that Frog didn't do a Daring, you maybe thinking of their 1/325 Battle Class, initially released as HMS Trafalgar but also boxed as HMS Cadiz IIRC. Coincidentally, Peter at Atlantic Models has both a 1/350 Battle and Daring Class on his future projects list.

Lovely model, my great uncle served aboard her from November 1947 right up until 17th April '49 so left her immediately before she departed Shanghai for the Nanking station. I presume its the Atlantic Models kit?

Yes you're right Matt, the engine deck is an overlay part that sits on top of the track guard piece on Sprue A: The engine deck and forward upper hull are on sprue B: Hence my supposition that the mystery Sprue C is in fact a late engine deck and an alternative forward upper hull with a second side opening hatch. Of course I could be wrong but fingers crossed I'm not. And apologies for repeating the photos but they're the easiest way to illustrate where I'm coming from. Ant

I'm hopeful that Airfix will at some point release another version of the kit with the later engine deck and side opening bow gunners hatch that were originally included in the CAD renders, there are parts on the sprues that are marked as "not for use" on both versions released so far, and the mystery sprue C surely will appear at some point. I doubt this will be this year, possibly it might be in next years release list, and maybe, just maybe the wheels will be corrected, as Academy are involved in its development, there is a precedent as their initial release of the M3 tanks included suspension bogies that were too high, they produced a sprue of new parts that were included in later releases. I really do hope that the kit sells well for Airfix, the box artwork will certainly appeal to impulse buyers, and those buyers may not be as bothered about accuracy issues as some of us that are longer in the tooth or dare I say more nerdy . I certainly didn't start this thread with the intention of putting Airfix down, but if they want to become a player in the 1/35 marketplace they need to accept input from those with more knowledge of the subject matter. I don't profess to be an expert on all things Cromwell related but I listen to the discussions with those that are and even at my ripe old age I enjoy the learning process. With my engineering background I like to think that if I was part of the Airfix design team on this kit, I'd be kicking myself about these minor errors and would be vowing to get it right next time. As I've already said I bought both the kits, I actually preordered them as soon as they were announced to show my support for Airfix, I'm not unduly disappointed but feel that its more a case of the proverbial "spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar". Happy modelling Ant

Hi John, Both kits share the same plastic, and have the same early engine deck and top opening so called "suicide" hatch, see pic below: Hope this clarifies. That said, from the sprue lettering (there is no sprue C in either kit) it does look as if there may be plans to offer other versions, incidentally the sprue shown in the recent Airfix Model World mag has a slightly different layout, see screen shot pic below, notice that the glacis plate has 2 horns as it would if both side entry hatches were fitted, yet the hull part has the top hatch, confusing or what: Ant

Best wishes Crisp, hope you're back at the bench soon, but at your own pace, don't rush back too soon, I'm sure we can all wait.

Hi Das, You might be misinterpreting the photo, it doesn't have a split barrel, well not split along its length anyway, it has 2 slide moulded barrels with different muzzle brake shapes and a separate muzzle brake end:

@Mike Starmer sorry to say you're correct they call up Humbrol 159: Ant

Another great book if you can find a copy is Leander Class Frigates by Jim Allaway, published by HMSO 72 pages of black and white photos with lots of detail shots.

Some detail shots, pistol ports without bolt heads: Two types of cupola: Those wheels: Sprocket details: Link and length tracks: and details front: and back: Rubber band tracks: Hope these and the earlier pics help to get a feel for what's in the box. Ant

Some more pics, first up engine deck for @Bullbasket

Hi John / Stuart, The kits have some good and fine detail included, but the 6 bolt wheels are a big letdown, and the lack of bolt heads on the pistol port, although to be fair they were wrong on the original renders released over 12 months ago, but nobody noticed it then . I'm no Cromwell expert but I've read the engine deck is apparently a C/D layout, I will post some specific pics later. The plastic is identical in both kits, and one thing that is apparent is that neither kit has a Sprue C, and as Sprue B is the upper hull parts with C/D engine deck and split drivers hatch area parts, I'm hoping that Sprue C has the F engine deck and side opening drivers hatch and will feature in a future release, as there are some other parts that are marked as not for use, including a second 75mm barrel with a slightly different muzzle brake design, and a late turret front with angled bottom on open area, a third mantlet type and also the curved tow rope brackets for the front hull, as used on later hull types. The quality of moulding is excellent with some finely moulded parts: I preordered the kits with Airfix, and paid £29.99 each plus £4.15 each postage (even though they actually packed them together), I have seen them available online at prices well below this e.g. £26.99 incl postage from Tiger Hobbies. On the whole they are good kits, just a shame about those wheels, as once you've seen it you can't unsee it. Happy modelling Ant

And just like London buses, not just 1 Tribal super set, but 2 from Black Cat Models: https://blackcatmodels.eu/en/detail-sets/270-tribal-class-detroyer-early-fit-detail-set.html https://blackcatmodels.eu/en/detail-sets/271-tribal-class-detroyer-late-fit-detail-set.html

MicroMaster are going to release a new all in one super set for the Trumpeter 1/350 Tribal Class ships, you'll still need to fix the lack of shear at the bow but this should fix everything else: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MicroMaster/permalink/1819360758223557/

I received today 2 of the brand new Airfix 1/35 Cromwell Tanks that I preorder way back when they were first announced, they've released 2 kits a Mk.IV and a Mk.VI, when these were originally announced and the initial CAD images were shown there was a lot of interest as not only would it be Airfix's first true foray into 1/35 but they seemed to indicate that the Mk.VI kit would include a type F engine deck and the sideways opening drivers hatch. Somewhat disappointingly to some when photographs appeared a month or so back showing built up examples it was noticed that neither kit seemed to include the options shown in the CAD renders and a couple of errors were noticed namely 6 wheel bolts instead of the originals 8 and a lack of bolt heads around the pistol port. Having given both kits the once over this evening I can confirm that the plastic is the same in both boxes, not as bad as it sounds, as Airfix have simply included parts for both options, it's just the instructions and decal sheet that differ between boxes. There's a lot of plastic, and each box is probably twice the size of the Tamiya Cromwell box. The moulding does look sharp, and there is the option of injection moulded link and length tracks or rubber band style tracks too, although in both my kits these were just bundled in and were twisted, I've now laid them out flat in the box (yes it's that big) and I'm sure they'll straighten out ok in time. Both kits have the same engine deck and drivers hatch arrangement and its the same arrangement as the Tamiya kit. Although as they are provided on separate sprues, Airfix could yet provide other options in future releases. And as mentioned above the wheels do only have 6 nuts, but nevertheless on the whole I'd say there is more positive than negative, but Airfix have missed an opportunity to offer something different, but as this is actually their first attempt at 1/35 I think it's a good effort, it's just so annoying that it could have been very good with just a little more forethought. Hopefully the F deck and alternative drivers hatch will appear in a future release.

Bronco have corrected the engine deck in all subsequent releases. I've got a part built IVa, it does include a lot of spare parts applicable to earlier versions, but the fit of parts around the drivers hatch leaves a lot to be desired mainly down to the plastic being so thin that I suspect it warps coming out of the mould. I had to use several pieces of plastic as internal braces to keep it all flat and joints perpendicular.

Todays treat, shame Airfix got the wheels wrong, nothing that a bit of mud won't cover up though:

I ordered a set of WEM USS Oliver Hazard Perry etch last night, I had to set up an account as what I thought was my old one wasnt recognised but no problems in ordering otherwise. That's good news Mike.