Jump to content

HMS Illustrious


Recommended Posts

When I was on there it was with Seakings so when used for a park they were just shunted forward and dumped. To use Chewitts example above (please don't take it as critism because it is a lovelly build!) To get the Seaking out would be quite an evolution as its tail pushed. It can be situated in that position if it was man handled or a mangler was used (a flat powered unit that lifted the tail wheel and moved the aircraft but was it self manhandled - if that makes sense - used on smaller ships and in the hangars for carriers so they don't gas out the matelots!). For a Seaking and I am assuming similar for a Merlin, I can only ever remember one being parked there, if there wasn't enough room on deck they would be struck down. It would be positioned ready for flight with the 'Bum line' (as explained above) being the forward line. It was quite a useful spot for aircraft undergoing test flights and ground runs, because it could recover and be worked on without affecting the rest of the flying ops, although it got a bit ropey sometimes with a spread cab, without blades tethered, when Zoomies were taking off!

Hopefully that is now clear as mud!

Bob

Edit: For clarification - a mangler moving a SHar - http://imageload.co/8997981-hms-invincible-aircraft-carrier.html

Don't park it like this! - http://www.cargolaw.com/2000nightmare_singleonly13.html#Illustrious

But to prove me wrong http://piqtured.photoshelter.com/image/I0000Wl7uOj9I5r4 but this is for display purposes only and not operational!

And at last an aircraft wraped up on 0 spot! Wasn't difficult to find at all! http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Navy/EHI-EH-101-Merlin/1066791/L/

Hope these help a bit more!

Thanks Bob, excellent pics.

I tried moving my inboard Merlin but it's well stuck down and I don't want to ruin the flight deck paint job, I think it's parked now!!

Cheers

Nick

Edited by Nick Charnock
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

crew_zpsbksahl0i.jpg

Thanks Kirk, figures are L'Arsenal resin and North Star which I got through WEM while they were still going. I think the L'Arsenal ones can be bought direct but I can't find the North Star ones anywhere else at the moment. They're both fiddly, easily broken and close up look like WW2 sailors, not carrier deck crew but in this scale I think they're ok. I'd definitely use them again.

Do you know of alternatives?

Sorry - only just clocked that I'd missed your reply. The only other 1:350 figures I've ever seen were some flat photo etched jobbies that didn't look that impressive, so I won't even try to find out what they were. Your painting skills at this scale are pretty impressive and certainly mask any anachronistic uniforms - as far as my eyes can tell anyway!

Is it nearly lighting up time?

Kirk

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry - only just clocked that I'd missed your reply. The only other 1:350 figures I've ever seen were some flat photo etched jobbies that didn't look that impressive, so I won't even try to find out what they were. Your painting skills at this scale are pretty impressive and certainly mask any anachronistic uniforms - as far as my eyes can tell anyway!

Is it nearly lighting up time?

Kirk

What a fantastic build and very enjoyable way to spend time drinking my coffee reading your WIP thread. You have done the kit a great credit! Looking forward to seeing her finished!

Thanks guys, appreciate the comments.

Lighting time is some way off (might try and get the wired at the weekend), been busy with work etc., but managed to get the base roughed out and just about started on the type 23 escort (separate WIP).

base%202_zpsy5vkdfnt.jpg

base_zps0xqpyl11.jpg

Cheers

Nick

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I always love to see the Airfix Lusty especially when builds like this show just how nice a kit this is when enhanced with a bit of brasswork! Nice job, looking forward to your Kent build.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Thanks for the comments guys!

Looks superb, really, really good!

What sea state are you aiming for? A little bit of rolling?

I think so yes, although I'm a bit nervous as I've only really done flat with a bit of texture before and I don't want to mess up the base after all the work on the ships.

May do a bit of a test piece first.

Cheers

Nick

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nick,

I am looking forward to seeing this come together. :goodjob:

When you do the base you need to consider that as the two ships are in very close company that the sea between the two ships where the wakes interfere will be quite agitated see picture below.

Replenishment-at-sea-between-the-EU-NAVF

I hope this helps.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nick,

I am looking forward to seeing this come together. :goodjob:

When you do the base you need to consider that as the two ships are in very close company that the sea between the two ships where the wakes interfere will be quite agitated see picture below.

Replenishment-at-sea-between-the-EU-NAVF

I hope this helps.

Seek out andrewa's Operation Corporate Carrier Battlegroup build on here - he got the churned up sea between two ships in close company to look really convincing. (And if you haven't already seen that build, be prepared to have your flabber well and truly gasted).

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just as a matter of interest, would ships intentionally get this close during real world operations? I'm not knocking the superb build here - it's just for future reference as I'd like to attempt the same pairing. I've been trying to find pictures of these 2 together during Neptune Warrior 2005(?) but have so far drawn a blank. If I understand correctly, the exercise took place largely of the coast of Scotland where I guess mirror-calm waters are something of a rarity. :)

Kirk

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kirk,

In answer to your question, it depends on what the ships are upto, but normally no they do not sail in such close company as depicted in this diorama for any length of time. The reason for this is that it is a risky business and the ships have to increase water tight integrity and increase manning at key positions. This is known in naval parlance as NBCD State 3 Condition Yankee with Special Sea Duty men closed up.

The main reasons for coming into close proximity are:

RAS - Replenishment at Sea where two ships run on a parallel course with lines between to exchange stores and fuel (see the picture in the post above).

Officer of the Watch manoeuvres - hard to describe really but normally results in charging round the ocean at max chat trying not to crash into the other ships playing the same game. I was told a story once about a Type21 Frigate riding up the fan tail of a US destroyer which should give you an idea of how close they get.

Goofing - where ships come close to salute, have a look at each other or to have their photographs taken. The photos taken of HMS Somerset in my build log are a good example as they were taken from HMS Invincible.

Other reasons to be close (but not that close) are Plane Guard where an escort hangs off the quarter of the Carrier by a mile or so to pick up any unfortunate WAFU who has fallen in the sea. And then there is Goalkeeping where a frigate places itself between a High Value Unit and a threat, which results in lots of charging around the ocean and tight turns and why Officer of the Watch manoeuvres get practiced.

I hope this gives you an insight. :coolio:

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...