Jessica Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 On 2016-09-19 at 6:51 AM, robgizlu said: Detailing continues with the Bridge. I have really no idea what the curved metal bits at the front represent but they are prominent in the original pics and seem peculiar to Crocus They look as though they're what's left over after a couple of floodlights meant to illuminate the upper decks were removed. The lamps and shades are gone, leaving only the goosenecks. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modelholic Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 (edited) Some sort of vent system maybe? Tom Edited October 13, 2016 by Modelholic bad spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 Thanks for the comments team. Jessica, Tom - good thoughts - I guess we'll never know though either way still peculiar to Crocus. Colour Scheme One of the nice things about modelling boats vs AFVs is Colour. The Colour schemes for Corvettes by 1942 - the date that Crocus is depicted roughly fell into 2 groups - "Western approaches" using white predominantly with patterns of pastel blue or green and Admiralty Disruptive patterns. Alan Raven's "Warship Perspectives Camouflage Vol 2" asserts that most RN ships were camouflaged by WW2 contrasting with the often uniform greys at war-start. HMS Crocus wears an admiralty disruptive scheme, possibly due to her duties which at late 1941/early 1942 essentially had her operate out of Freetown on the West African coast versus N. Atlantic duties. There are only 2 original colour photos of wartime corvettes that I can find on the web, both well known showing HMCS Weyburn and HMCS Regina I think what is striking is the miscellany of colours, reality is often a lot less tidy than book illustrations. I'm currently reading "The Battle of the Atlantic - The Corvettes and their Crews: An Oral history" which I highly recommend. A fascinating account of life aboard these glorified trawlers. What is notable is that the crew continuously painted the ships, largely it would seem by hand - No compressors! The tidy schemes we modellers so love are contradicted by the photos above - just look at the camo demarcation - not very straight in the bottom pic! I am fortunate that there are 3 excellent photos of HMS Crocus from 1942 depicting both sides. The camo scheme on Crocus is principally notable for it's contrasting patterns from side to side which has previously caused confusion with some sources misidentifying Crocus on the basis of the starboard picture which had it's pennant number erased by wartime censors. The original Imperial war museum provides the original image highlighting the "negative" pennant letter colouring. It's unclear how common this practice was of different camo schemes per side. For many Corvettes we only have single images of one side. The first issue is what colour the background paint is. Logically the choices are 507c Light grey and MS4 Light grey both in common use in 1942. The late and revered John Lambert in "Warship Perspectives - Flower Class Corvettes in WW2" depicts Crocus like this (again failing to recognise the starboard side differed from port) He suggests that the dark camouflage colour is 507A - Royal Navy dark grey though suggests MS4 as a background. This is possible though the other contender is MS1 - a Blue black colour common on Disruptive schemes. Examining the Port side.... ...several things are apparent. The dark camouflage is in fact 2 different colours with the divide occurring amidships. The stack is definitely a different colour from the hull and superstructure as is the 4" gun. Similar variations in tones are evident on the starboard side. The top of the funnel is a darker colour than the superstructure though is split about half way down to a lighter colour. The aft 2 pdr platform is likely a different shade from the hull, the aft-most hull camo continues onto the superstructure; it's less clear in this pic as to whether the dark colours are 2 different shades. The dark bow streak continues backwards and includes the bridge support "lattice" and likely the Galley too. Studying Admiralty disruptive profles in Raven's book it's apparent that it was quite common to have the stack in a greeney grey MS4A. These schemes typically mix MS1 and a lighter blue B5 with a background of MS4. I've opted to portray Crocus in these colours, though it's entirely possible that she had a background of much lighter grey 507C wth Dark Grey 507A forward camo, with a lighter grey or blue rear shade. All conjecture but hopefully distilled with some rational reasoning. (Lawd - I miss the debates about Dunkelgelb) More soon, thanks for looking Rob 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 So it's a go on the paint scheme using AKAN paints - available from Coastal Craft Models. These paints deserve to be more well known. They spray really well with a slightly satin finish and to my eye have very well matched colours. The only single drawback fro me is that they come in little pots rather than dropper bottles. I decant them into dropper bottles which I find makes diluting and mixing shades altogether easier. I have several good art shops locally and always wander around to see if there's any thing that would benefit modelling. I found a "Jakarflex" flexible curve that I use to cut smooth curved lines in masking tape which makes the whole process a lot easier than doing freehand.. Rob 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 (edited) Thanks for the tip with the flexible friendly line marker I used the number 1 set in this paint range for my Vosper MTB 74 I liked them they layed down really great nice work so far looking forward to the next update cheers. Beefy Edited October 13, 2016 by beefy66 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 I don't seem to be able to post more than 6 or 6 pics in a row? Thus the breaks.... I've used "MS2" for the deck which is lighter than 507A often used as a colour on Corvettes particularly earlier in the war. I used Vallejo Model Air Medium Sea Grey : Light grey 4 ; 1 as Akan don't do MS2. I opted for Green for the Semtex walkways... Sadly I've not been able to paint the starboard camouflage as I ordered the wrong size letter masks from Mal at "Miracle masks" - Duhhh some more are winging their way - once again - Big Thaks to Mal. So I switched to the bridge. Painting wood is never easy. I used the technique suggested by TristanR http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235001404-u-991-172-type-viic-u-boat-revell/&page=4 and like him used Lifeclor paints as washes onto a wetted surface And then onto the bow wood area... ....aiming for a more washed out weathered look than the bridge The stack and the 4" gunshield receive "MS4A" Planning ahead I opened the pack of 20mm guns from L'Arsenal. I looked at the shields and tried to figure out how the supports would fit - the shields have holes cut where the supports should fit. Either I'm missing something or there's a fault in the etch. I emailed them over one week ago but have heard nothing back which is disapointing. Save me from myself and let me know if I AM missing something The rest of the set is ace. I'll need to cut some new shield from plasticard. Thanks for looking Rob 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 I like the way you're going with this colour wise, looking good. The timbers decks appear very realistic L'Arsenal 20mm I seem to recall this being mentioned on Armourama/model shipwright but can't find the post now. I agree the way forward is plastic card shields. Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modelholic Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 (edited) Looking at the etch pic. study the bottom right support and the shield at the bottom next to it. I would suggest a bend behind the ' branch' of the support upwards (to this viewpoint). to match the left hand support visible in the top pic with the two branches filling the gaps in the shield. But plasticard might well look better with the branch supports splayed over the back. Tom ps I've a copy of The Anatomy of the Ship: Flower class corvette 'Agassiz' if you think it'll help with anything I'm happy to have a look Edited October 13, 2016 by Modelholic added ps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollsroyce Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Hi Rob Was really enjoying this but all pic seem to have gone? Hope its just a glitch and they return... Great work Cheers Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Model Monkey Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 Brilliant! The paintwork is very crisp and clean. Great tip about Akan paints and I must say that the Jakarflex looks like a VERY good tool for camouflage patterns. Have to get one of those! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangor Lad Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 This model has been on my 'to-build' list for some time. Great topic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 (edited) On 10/14/2016 at 3:52 PM, rollsroyce said: Hi Rob Was really enjoying this but all pic seem to have gone? Hope its just a glitch and they return... Great work Cheers Guy Hi Guy - No idea how that glitched out Just pleased that they are back. On 10/13/2016 at 8:07 PM, Modelholic said: Looking at the etch pic. study the bottom right support and the shield at the bottom next to it. I would suggest a bend behind the ' branch' of the support upwards (to this viewpoint). to match the left hand support visible in the top pic with the two branches filling the gaps in the shield. But plasticard might well look better with the branch supports splayed over the back. Tom ps I've a copy of The Anatomy of the Ship: Flower class corvette 'Agassiz' if you think it'll help with anything I'm happy to have a look Thanks for the offer Tom - re the book - I have a copy which has been useful. Thanks Kev, Model Monkey and da iawn "Bangor Lad" from a Swansea boy (originally). I received an Email from Mélaine at L'Arsenal - it is a fault in the etch and he'll be sending a revised piece which is excellent service. It would appear that Félicitations are in order - All the very best from me. Mal Mayfield sent me a replacement mask in the correct size (My mistake) in record time - Huge Thanks and another shout out to Miracle Masks. Work can resume. The Xtradecal decals laid painlessly. The hull colour is Vallejo Model Air 71.056 formerly labelled as "Black Grey" though confusingly now labelled Dunkelgrau I applied an AK deck wash to the......ummm....deck I feel like I'm finally making some progress. Thanks for looking Rob Edited October 17, 2016 by robgizlu Update - iclude pics 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimHead23 Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Picked this up late in the day but what a beautiful paint job that man! Looking forward to the end result. Regards JIm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 Thanks Jim - appreciate+++ Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollsroyce Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Hi Rob All pics did return. Wow that is a really neat paint job and got to be proud of the number in the camouflage. Good job Cheers Guy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Cracking paint job, those masks are the biz Looking forward to your next post Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clogged Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Loving this log. Great work. I personally have great success with the use of oils to get a wood effect. Its very easy, just a lots of small dabs of about 3-4 different browns are applied, then a small bristle brush is used to drag the oil paint along the deck. Can get a very convincing look IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilOP Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 I really like what you have done with the lifeboat, some great inspiration for the plain vac form life boat on my Yawl project. And thanks for the tip on the RN paint set, that will come in handy for my next couple of projects. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murdo Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 That's really coming along well. the reversed decal is incrediblt effective. Thanks for showing the Akan paints. I ordered a set of these for my 1/350 HMS Zinnia. They arrived today. Yippee! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted October 25, 2016 Author Share Posted October 25, 2016 Thanks for the comments Fellas. Vents and "things" get planted....... .. And work continues logically on the superstructure/bridge When I built the 4 window lattices I hadn't realised that there is a subtle slant on the kit piece I'll know for next time but it means I had to build up the bottoms for them to fit the aperture - not ideal. And let the record show that Mélaine @ L'Arsenal sent me an Email today to tell me that the replacement etch for the 20mm Oerlikons is in the post and that I get a 10% discount off next order. Now that is Customer service. Utter respect You can't ask for more. Thanks for looking. Rob 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Continuing to maintain the standards we've have come to expect Rob. Must dig out and check my L'Arsenal oerlikons. Agree with you excellent service, anyone can make a mistake it's how they deal with it that counts. Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsyouruncle Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Looks stunning so far. Really like the look of these Corvettes with the camouflaged hulls. Enjoying watching the progress. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dads203 Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 That's really coming together now, some fantastic painting 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Just read through this thread for the first time Rob. A lovely mix of research and paintwork. Bravo sir! A lovely subject coming to life. Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin56 Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Beautiful work Rob, the deck and the hull camo are great. Like it a lot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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