Clogged Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) Just completed this Revell 1/72 Flower Class Corvette, based on HMS Bluebell. Well its a big piece of kit. And I knew this model would require a big commitment. Not just in time but also in expense. The basic kit is basic and poorly scaled. If you were to assemble the model straight from the box you would get an out of scale bath tub toy. There is is a distinct lack of detail, and the plastic parts are far too thick for the 1/72 scale. Having searched the internet for build logs for this model I quickly discovered that there were a number of ways of approaching the build. Some people just enjoyed creating an out of the box ship model. Some people wanted to create a remotely controlled craft, and finally some would opt for the improved fully detailed version. This is what I did. Photoetch parts for this kit are available from David Parkins. Figures are available from Gunthwaite and cloth flags from BECC scale model flags. I used Humbrol enamel paints for the body work, oil paints for the wooden decking, and vallejo acrylics for the figures. A lot of superglue, plastic glue, epoxy resin and soldering was used to put the whole thing together. Plus a variety of brass wires and EZ Line and suture materials were used for the railings, rigging and main structure supports(eg the pom pom gun stand). Finally a piece of MDF was used for the stand that replicated the plastic stand provided. Eventually I'll build a Jarrah glass case. The biggest challenge was the photo etch assembly. Each PE part was a little project in itself. The instructions were sometimes difficult to interpret as they would lack a picture of the desired end result. Hence the need for good references from books such as Anatomy of the Ship Agassiz, and Flower Class Corvettes by John Lambert, and the internet. On occasion I would in fact re order a photoetch part from D Parkins and remake the item in question. It was a challenging and satisfying build. Having so many sub assemblies it was more like making a lot of smaller models that all came together on one ship. You have to be prepared for the long haul. Finally if you can, check out the article in Fine Scale Modeler and the corvette build by Kevin Wenker published in April 2012. Edited November 13, 2023 by Clogged 68 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 That's an incredible project! Absolutely superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clogged Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thankyou very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 That's a simply excellent model, really like the crew, they really bring it to life! I have the 'premium' boxing of this monster still in its box - I fear that's where it will stay until it gets sold on - just don't think I have the patience any more to get a result anywhere near as nice as you have... Stunning ship! keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimHead23 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Absolutely fantastic! Those Gunthwaite Miniatures are the bee's knees aren't they? Tremendous work. Regards Jim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clogged Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thanks Guys. I should have included some figures with blue naval uniforms to break up the appearance a little. But they would have been too cold standing on the deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckb1 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Great build of the Flower, love all the little details like the work on the Oerlikons and 4" mounting. As for the Ships company you can hear the Jimmy barking "SHIPS COMPANY TURNING FORRARD< DIIIIIIIIIIIIIISMISS" The finish on the crew is excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Outstanding,a truly epic example of this kit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Bloomin' fantastic (sorry about the pun)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thanks Guys. I should have included some figures with blue naval uniforms to break up the appearance a little. But they would have been too cold standing on the deck. I think they're perfect as it is. I especially like this little cameo. I wonder what they're talking about. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Cracking job Matey !! Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob 1 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) That is a superb build, very good indeed, and the members of the ship's company are supreme! Edited September 21, 2015 by Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clogged Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thankyou very much. Appreciate the comments. Feel free to imagine what the 2 officers on the bridge are discussing. Maybe they're thinking 'when will that scrap heap of a tanker start moving so the convoy can continue!' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 great work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 commendable quality modelling there - quite brilliant from bow to stern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billydick Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 That is fantastic ... the figures are the icing on the cake BillyD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Brilliant piece of work,looking for the "Cruel Sea" sound effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Fanbloomingtastic. That is nothing short of wonderful. I've been a fan of these little ships ever since I read "The Cruel Sea" many years hence. Just looking at yours brings it back. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Brilliant; you can feel how bloody cold it is on deck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clogged Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 Thanks for the comments. I recently read the Cruel Sea by Nicholas Montserrat who actually served on a Flower Class Corvette! What a great read. Then I purchased the film The Cruel Sea which had been digitally remastered. Can't recommend it more highly. Brilliant vision, great encounters with U boats. A must see! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Montserrat would have been my uncle by marriage... had he not died many years before I met my wife! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashman Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 These 1/72 naval builds are always impressive, well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastmcc Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 simply stunning... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clogged Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 Thanks for the comments. I would love to see another 1/72 scale model ship becomes available such as this one (with PE accessories). Maybe a destroyer but no bigger. I dont think anyone would have the room, money, time to build anything bigger! Even a destroyer I guess would be 1 and 1/2 times longer/bigger than a corvette? But how impressive would a 1/72 destroyer look!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darby Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Damn fine job on that. I'm just waiting for my 1/350 Spiraea to turn up so I can have my 'Cruel Sea' moment. Hopefully the cat won't trample over this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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