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Well this was a very fun project. Who could resist a toothy shark’s mouth and the svelte lines of a Fairmile D? First off, let me say that this NeOmega offering would make an excellent model just out of the box. It is very finely executed. The resin hull is nicely molded—I saw none of the bubbles and pinholes that others have reported. Many features I was prepared to scratch build are included, such as the towing shackles fore and aft. You still have to be prepared for some scratch building if you want to get detailed. The mast is a good example of this. Oh, I mentioned in the WIP that the use of PE to provide details on the deck surface particular to an MTB D, is innovative and effective, allowing the same hull molding to be used for other D versions. The 3D prints are crisp and detailed (the twin Vickers for example), albeit the material with which they are printed is very brittle and care must be taken to avoid their shattering. I was very pleased with the torpedo tubes, which required no additional detailing. All that said, as good as the prints are, if Micro Master is offering something, I’m in. They are world class. You can compare them to the esteemed Lambert drawings, and every bolt, rivet, and mechanical detail is there. But, again, this is to take nothing from NeOmega’s offerings. In this build, I learned three things. First, how to properly dry brush. You can get very pleasing results through this technique. Secondly, how to make and use stretched sprue—very handy. Lastly, I learned that I really like the weight and heft of a resin hull. I may have to add some lead weights to the hulls of future builds if they are not resin 🙂 Particulars of the build: - NeOmega’s Fairmile D MTB (obviously) - Micro Master: 6 pdrs, twin Oerlikons, dinghy, smoke floats, and flotanets ( the last two left over from my Flower build) - Flag, Above and Below Graphics—a veteran-owned Canadian company with fantastic offerings - Vallejo paints, using @robgizlu’s formulas, and artist oil washes (no rust this time around) - Anchors courtesy of @Steve D whose offer to print replacements for my shattered ones was most kind and much appreciated Anatomy of the Ship was my main reference, but I had lots of help from other forum members sending pics and reference photos in PMs. Thanks! So . . . here is how she turned out: (See the errant prop shaft peaking out from where I displaced it through ham-handedness?) I would just like to reiterate the thanks I expressed in the WIP for all the support and encouragement I received while posting during this build. It was all most appreciated! All the Best, Jeff

Hi Folks, Here is the new build! This will be built alongside the Vosper as this is approaching the paint stage which I've got to admit is my least favourite task. Mainly because I'm C*** at it. The build will be built on Christians latest hull a 'Fairmile D' @ 1/72 complete with spray rails and rubbing strake which he has kindly let me have the first one. http://www.mtbhulls.co.uk/home This picture is the inspiration for the build, taken in Bastia, Corsica. The hull is a superb rendition of the Dog Boat hull requiring very little in the way of preperation, a few air bubbles and the odd blemish. Great job Christian. After washing, sanding with wet and dry, washing it was primed with Acrylic grey primer. Thanks for looking in Kev

Fairmile D MGB 660 Atlantic Models 1/350 The Fairmile D has to be one of the most popular boat used in the narrow seas, certainly by this reviewer. Following on from the earlier Fairmile boats the D was designed purely as a gun boat to take on the German S boats, although it never matched the speed of the S boats the armament was such that if intercepted they could easily overwhelm the German vessels. When fitted with even heavier weapons and torpedo tubes, these boats were able to take on much larger craft with considerable success. Around 229 D’s were built between 1942 and 1945. The Model The kit arrives in a small cardboard box filled with polystyrene peanuts, and comes complete with single piece hull, a small resin block and a small etched brass fret. The main hull, which is around 2 inches, (50mm) long, and is a beautifully moulded item, although the review example has one very small remnant of a moulding stub on the stern, but this is well below the waterline so when using in a diorama it may well be ignored, unless the modeller is really picky, even then they will easily be removed with a sharp scalpel or a few swipes of a sanding stick. The rest of the hull and "superstructure" is very clean and nicely done. Another small bag contains the rest of the resin items, namely the dinghy, life rafts, 6pdr mounting, twin 20mm mounting and 2pdr mounting. The rest of the parts come on a smallish etched brass fret. As can be seen in the photo there is quite a bit of thin resin around each of these parts that will need to be carefully removed with a sanding stick or scalpel. Construction begins with the assembly of the twin Oerlikon mounting with the fitting of the two guns to the resin mounting along with the separate sighting and laying frame. Two single Oerlikons, each consisting of the barrel with sights attached and which have to be folded to shape, the two sides of the breech section and the gun shield. These are then attached to the moulded pintles on either side of the bridge The 6pdr mounting resin part is fitted with the sight and armoured top box before being glued into position. With the weaponry fitted to their respective positions, the bridge is fitted with the windscreen, the anchor is mounted on the foredeck and the mast glued into position and fitted with the small yardarm and upper mast section with gaff attached. The ships wheel is fitted as is the hatch aft of the bridge, along with its associated railings. The rest of the ships railings can then be fitted in their respective positions, and that is pretty much it, unless you are going to mount the model in a display case, in which case the four propeller shafts, propellers and two rudders can be fitted. Since there are a number of Fairmile D versions being re-released the etch sheet does have quite a lot of spare parts which can be used to modify this kit into the boat of your choice according to the references you are using. Conclusion This is another great re-release, and Peter Hall should be thanked for bringing this wonderful little kit back on the market. As usual the resin moulding is superb with absolutely no sign of defects such as pin holes etc, only the tiny bit of moulding stub needs to be cleaned up. It is also another great kit for those new to resin and etch which lends itself to a whole raft of different scenarios for a diorama or vignette. Review sample courtesy of Peter Hall of

Coastal Craft History Volume 3 Fairmile D MTB/MGB/FPB Coastal Craft Histories This is the latest volume from Coastal craft, entitled The Fairmile D MGB/MTB/FPB. The book continues the landscape format allowing authors the space for the excellent side views. As usual the profiles, based on those by John Lambert and text are by Mark Smith with the editor being Neil Robinson. This volume has a selection of the kits and accessories that Coastal Craft sell, along with a short forward accompanied by three period photographs of MTB 731. There then follows the history of the Fairmile Company and their earlier boats, followed by four pages on the Fairmile D design, covering the following sections:- Design Fairmile D hulls Engines Torpedoes and Depth Charges Armament Colour Schemes Each of these sections of text surround the profiles on the first six pages, there is then a break in the text for some of the larger profiles before beginning again from page 12 through to page 16. The next thirty one pages return to the larger profiles which show the many and various colour schemes used on particular boats. Each of the full colour profiles, some with plan views are beautifully drawn, and comes with information and history about the particular boat, as well as the colours used. There are also useful notes on the references used if the modeller would like to go further in their research. Conclusion The Fairmile D has to be my favourite type of British boat, I don’t know quite why, but it may be the power of their armament, their sturdiness or the fact that they could, and did take on the German S Boats with some success. This volume is filled with well drawn profiles and information that will be great for modellers or Dog Boat aficionados alike. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of