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Yet another. The Mirage kit with quite a few Micromaster-NZ and Black Cat accessories. I had to build the minesweeping guides and rollers, and also modified the galley to its revised position ahead of the funnel (with its new stove pipe on funnel). It is in an 507A/507C/MS4a scheme, but I clearly used the earlier WEM version of 507C with its warm tone (based on Snyder & Short research I assume) - when I touched up parts of the hull it was with Sovereign's 507C with the correct bluish hint. Mmmmm. Crewless again. Cheers, GrahamB

Sorry about this - finally getting around to photographing models completed over the last year or so. A couple more to do. This is Starling Model's excellent 1/350 Algerine Class minesweeper. I added some more detail around the m/s gear (a couple of parts were missing from my kit) including guard rails around the main winch. There appeared to be quite a lot of variation in this area. The model is that of HMS Espiegle, of the 12th Minesweeping Flotilla, in the Mediterranean ca. 1943. According to Jack William's lovely book (The Algerines), HMS Espiegle was known as "The Potato Patch" because of her green and brown camouflage. I've interpreted this as the army colours Light Stone and Dark Slate Grey. Could be wrong though. Cheers, GrahamB

After completing my scratch SS Servia a few months ago I thought I’d happily return to an aviation subject for my next project but unfortunately the nautical bug seems to have bitten quite hard so it looks like it will be another ship project after all ! Initially I was looking at building an early RN destroyer in 1/72 (HMS Jason caught my eye as did the Acorn and early tribal classes). Being based in SE London the obvious starting point was a trip to the Greenwich archives which I did in May. I could blather on about the visit for ages, suffice to say that unrolling sets of original plans from the late 19th century is a superb experience. Anyway a change in personal circumstances means that for the next year or so I will be based in Exmoor with a reduced workspace so something of that size wasn’t going to be feasible. I then stumbled across the Seaforth title on RN Trawlers and Drifters and finally decided on a Round Table class minesweeper (its on the cover). The book includes many sets of useful plans but they are quite small, Cornwall Models can supply sets of the MMI plans at 1/96th so that settled it. The finished model will be just over 1foot in length so a much better fit in my temporary mini workshop. The plan was to use primarily wood and metal in this project instead of plastic but again because of space and limited tools I opted for plastic. Step #1 was to cut out the hull cross sections and profile from 1.5mm plastic sheet. I don’t own a power fret saw so I opted to create each cross section as 2 halves clamping each pair together so that they can be sanded to be identical in shape. For the prow I made a brass insert to ensure a crisp line and filleted this into the profile. The shear lines in the plans do not extend aft of the propeller so all I had to go on for the shape of the stern section was a plan view and profile. I built the shape up with various addition cross sections that were sanded back until I had a shape that I was happy with. The sections between these were filled with balsa to provide a solid base for the plastic skin. Once this was done I made a simple jig to hold the spine straight whilst the planking is done. My approach on this is to use quite thin plastic sheet (0.5mm) and to then build up the hull from the inside with more plastic and resin. The smoothing process means that the original planking is almost completely sanded away in places. I used some auto filler to get a nice smooth finish and then set about the transom which extends all the way around the sides up to the fore deck. This is quite a fiddly job as it splays out at the stern rather than being vertical. I started by using printer paper taped in place to get a rough shape and then gradually refined this eventually moving to card and ultimately plastic sheet. The shape is too complex to do in a single piece so I made the stern section and then butt jointed the side sections to this. More auto filler, more sanding and this is where it stands currently. The next step will be the hull plating, the plans do not include a shell expansion but there is a set in the book for another class and I’ll use these to create something that is hopefully reasonably credible.

I wanted to build an Indian Navy minesweeper, and since we used Yevgeniya class, I was wondering if a kit of it is available (on Hannants pref.)

R310 r-boat Bergen, Norway 1945 the 'money shot' A little history ... R-boat, or Raumboot, was a class of light minesweepers designed to work in coastal and shallow waters. They were also employed in mine laying, escort, patrol and sea rescue. By war's end, 424 boats had been built, with about 140 surviving. These vessels were ordered in blocks, with some weight and size differences among them. R310 was launched June 10th 1944, belonging to the R301 series. They were unique in having two 21" torpedo tubes, were the heaviest at 160 tons, and were referred to as Geleit-Räumbooten, or escort minesweepers. All twelve ships of this series formed the 21. Räumbootsflottille, and were based in Bergen Norway. With cessation of hostilities, all surviving ships returned to Germany. On 21st June 1945, the German Mine Sweeping Administration (GMSA) was formed by the Allies. Their task was to clear some 600,000 naval mines that both sides had laid in the waters of the North Sea and Baltic. To spare the lives of Allied seamen, it was decided to use not only captured ships, but also former crewmen of the Kriegsmarine,(approx. 300 and 27,000 respectively). Until a proper new uniform became available, the crews continued to wear their former uniform, but without any eagles or swastikas, and also received a moderate pay. The Soviets were very suspicious of this formation, thinking it was the beginnings of a new German navy. As a result of this pressure, it was disbanded in January 1948. It was replaced with a civilian organization "German mine sweeping formation Cuxhaven", but still used equipment and personnel from the previous organization. R310 did serve in these post war mine sweeping duties, but was taken, along with many other r-boats, as a war prize by the Soviets in November of 1945. regards, Jack

I am building 1/72nd scale model hulls in glass-fibre for some WWI and most WWII and later CF types over the coming months. The two scales have been chosen to match the most popular scales of the model kits currently available from the likes of Italeri, Revell and Airfix etc. so that modellers can add their favourites to their existing fleets of PTs, HSLs, MTBs, MAS and E-Boats. In 1/72nd scale I have done; Fairmile B, Fairmile D with and without scallops, 72ft RN HDML and RAN 80ft version, Australian 80ft ambulance launch like Krawarree, USN WWI and WWII Subchasers, AMS/YMS/BYMS minesweeper, RN 80ft WWI Elco ML, USCG 83ft Wheeler, HAM class minesweeper, Camper & Nicholson long MGB, Ford Class SDB. The list of wartime boats is very long and will include; all RN long and short MTBs and MGBs (at least 20 different boats), RN SGB, MLs, all 4 MFV's, 105ft MMS, all RAF HSLs, 56ft and 60ft RAF GSP, hopefully some RAF STs and RSLs, most RASC vessels (I still need plans for several), USN PTs, USAAF 63 and 85ft AVRs, also a German R-Boat and an FLB-V and the Australian Halvorsen 62ft fast supply launch. Post-war hulls will include; RAF Vosper RTTL, RAF 63ft GSP, RAF 96ft Krogerwerft D-Boat, RN Brave, Dark and Gay class FPBs, Ton class minesweepers and also some foreign boats such as the Nasty Class PTF and possibly German Jaguar and Schutze Classes. I have also already done a few in 1/35th scale; Fairmiles B & D and the 72ft HDML. I intend to continue this project over an extended period and I welcome requests to move any favourites to the front of the queue. I have an album of some previous builds; http://www.flickr.com/photos/25721684@N00/sets/72157632269542118/ Regards, Christian.

I am trying to find a photograph of the Algerine Class minesweeper HMS Minstrel, pennant M445 in 1945-1947 period. I have located a photo of her after transfer to Thailand, and there is a very poor reproduction in Jack Williams' volume on the 11th Minesweping Flotilla. Otherwise there doesn't seem to be any photographic record of her in RN service. If anyone can help I would be very grateful. Peter

Round Table Class Trawler 1:700 White Ensign Models The Round Table class was the name given to a group of eight armed trawlers built by Aberdeen based shipbuilders J. Lewis and Sons and Hall, Russell and Co. The ships of the class, in order of launch date, were Sir Agravaine (T230), Sir Galahad (T226), Sir Gareth (T227), Sir Geraint (T240), Sir Kay (T241), Sir Lamorack (T242), Sir Lancelot (T228) and Sir Tristram (T229). The ships were all commissioned as minesweepers, but two were converted to danlayers, designed to lay buoys (dans) in order to mark the safe channels cleared by minesweepers. Each vessel displaced 440 tons and measured 135 feet in length. They had a complement of 35 and were armed with a single 12 pounder anti-aircraft gun, a 20mm anti-aircraft gun and a pair of anti-aircraft machine guns. Minesweeper equipment was comprised of a bow mounted acoustic hammer of the type also found of the slightly smaller class of MMS Motor Minesweepers. This White Ensign Models product arrives carefully packed into a sturdy white corrugated cardboard box, with the parts safely ensconced in bubble wrap and packing foam. The kit is comprised of a one-piece hull with most of the superstructure and deck details cast in place, a second casting block with all of the smaller resin parts attached, and a small fret of photo etched brass details. Unlike other 1:700 scale WEM kits, this ship has been cast in full hull rather than waterline configuration. According to WEM, this is because these ships were, unsurprisingly, prone to rolling in any kind of seaway, which would result in them showing a lot of their lower hulls. It won’t take long to sand off the desired amount of hull if you want to though. The hull is a superbly detailed piece of casting, easily the equal of anything I have seen from other resin producers. Fine details such as portholes, ventilation cowls and the mounts for the larger anti-aircraft weapons are all beautifully rendered. It really does have to be seen to be appreciated. The smaller resin details include the bridge, the signals platform, the single, angled funnel, the lifeboat, the whaler and other small parts such as the searchlight. All of the parts will need to be cleaned up to some degree in order to remove traces of the casting block attachment points or flash. The final details are provided by way of photo etched brass parts. The fret includes the parts for the 12 Pounder gun and the 20mm anti-aircraft gun, including the armoured shields for both. Also on the fret are the two wheelhouse machine guns, railings for the bow and the gun deck, rigging, rudder and propeller. Brass rods are provided for the masts, and precise dimensions for these parts are given in the instructions. The instructions are very easy to follow and include large, clear orthographic and axonometric drawings. A full colour profile is included as well, which will certainly help with the painting stage. Conclusion With this model, WEM have provided us with an unusual but fascinating subject from the wartime inventory of the Royal Navy. It goes without saying that it is an extremely small model, but despite its diminutive style, it isn’t lacking in detail and it should prove to be a rewarding build. A degree of patience (and a steady hand) will be needed in order to deal some of the smaller and more delicate parts, but the end result should be well worth it. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of John at

Pics from Chris D HMS Wilton was an important if small ship for the Royal Navy and Mine countermeasure warfare. she was the first ship where the hull was built from Glass Reinforced Plastic GRP or better know as fibreglass. Also know as HMS Tupperware! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Wilton_(M1116) Thankfully this ship has been saved by the Essex Yacht club and has been refurbished into their club house at Leigh-On-Sea, credit to those guys for doing it. http://www.tca2000.co.uk/EYC.htm