1/35th HMS X-Craft submarine (X24)

[general melchett]

Hi all, this is the Merit X-Craft submarine which I recently built for Airfix Model World, and jolly good fun it was too. A sterling effort by Merit though there were a number of errors and omissions that needed to be dealt with to model a truly accurate X-Craft and some scratch work and a few embellishments were needed along the way. A quick, fun build and a complete change from my usual 1/700th scale stuff, saving, in the process, a fair bit of eye strain. The small Eduard PE set which included a correctly sized screw, upper horizontal deck panels and detailed ballast tank vents was used and the known issue with the single side hydroplane/rudder control mech and rods dealt with as they should only be fitted to the right side, not both. The kit went together without any fuss.

 

I certainly learnt a lot about these amazing machines and the brave souls that manned them, heroes, to a man...

 

References came via the excellent Paul Kemp book, 'Underwater Warriors', thanks to Chris (Whitestar12chris) for highlighting the publication, the IWM and Royal Submarine Museum Gosport archives and information from the nearby ex-Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough, where many X-Craft were built. The 1953 film 'Above us the Waves' provided useful images and information on the W&D chamber as well as some of the surface details, (the boat used for filming, XE08 was actually a later, improved version but the chamber and certain exterior details were essentially the same).

 

A quick list of the main improvements made to the kit;

 

Scratch-built 'Wet & Dry' diver's compartment including a hand-pumped WC, diving light, flood valve and two watertight hatches with furniture.

 

Replacement attack periscope, ACO Mk XX magnetic compass tube and night periscope.

 

Scratch-built entrance hatch inner facing and locking handles.

 

Scratch-built hydroplane/rudder control mechanism added to the drilled out centre of the plane. 

 

Early style attack periscope base structure made from brass rod.

 

New base plate detail, speaking tube and replacement Hezlet safety rail added to the snorkel mast.

 

Shortened and sleeved side cargo fitting and release attachment points.

 

All flood holes drilled out and correct pattern drilled into dive plane.

 

Scale cable and fitting parts added from scrap resin and lead wire.

 

Two fairings added to the front upper hull area, (Merit just had two indentations for some reason).

 

The model was painted using various shades of Admiralty Dark grey, NATO Black and rusting and weathering added from several AMMO-MIG and AK products. 

The White Ensign decals on the small kit provided sheet weren't used as they were oversize, although one did end up on the base.

At some point, I may well make a base from seasoned hardwood and use polished brass finials to support the model along with a brass nameplate.

 

Thanks for looking, hope you like it.

 

Melchie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the additions made to the basic kit,

 

The hatches were just simple discs devoid of any detail so these were fabricated from plastic card and scrap PE. 

 

 

 

The 'W&D' compartment was made from 1mm plastic card, wet and dry grit paper (for the anti-slip flooring), scrap resin and plastic rod for the WC pump, diving light, valve and watertight hatch parts.

 

 

 

 

 

The kit's side cargo attachment parts were fictitious and were replaced with lengths of brass tubing and eye connection hooks made from the ends of the unused hydroplane actuator rods. As I was four short extras were made up from scrap plastic.

 

 

 

All flood holes needed to be drilled out as they were only portrayed as indentations. The hydroplane part had them as raised 'pips' for some reason (also incorrectly placed), so these were removed, the new pattern marked out and holes drilled in the appropriate places. The brass screw blades are also seen here as is the replacement two-way hydroplane/rudder actuation hub mechanism and enlarged hole, the kit part is way too small, now everything moves freely as per the real thing).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2017 by general melchett

[JohnT]

Strewth.  That's model making of the top rank.  Very nice indeed and absolutely superb wee modifications.

 

As for the subject matter those submariners were either incredibly brave or incredibly bonkers, probably a bit of both.  Either way my hat is off to them.

[whitestar12chris]

Cracking job Melchie, glad the references helped.

 

All the best Chris

[Courageous]

Excuse me General, can we have another pic with something for scale? Thank you sir!

 

Stuart

[Paul E]

That's a very nice model. I like very much

[HL-10]

That is superb!

I especially like the little bit of interior you built.

Lovely finish

[general melchett]

Many thanks chaps, appreciated as always.

 

Cheers Chris, the 'Underwater Warriors' book really helped and was a totally fascinating read...the Tirpitz attack was straight out of Boys Own and although didn't result in her sinking it did enough damage to the keel to ensure she never took to the high seas again.

 

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I especially like the little bit of interior you built.

 

HL, the interior's well worth doing as it's easily visible through the open hatch. I wanted to shove a muted LED in there but time and a looming deadline precluded this. 

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Excuse me General, can we have another pic with something for scale? Thank you sir!

Stuart, I'll sort a comparison image out later this afternoon... I've been putting off, but now I finally have to face the Christmas hordes, wish me luck...I'm going in, flags unfurled!

[longshanks]

6 hours ago, general melchett said:

now I finally have to face the Christmas hordes, wish me luck...I'm going in, flags unfurled!

 

Don't forget the bugles or are you more of a bagpipe man .....  

 

Cracking job on the tin cigar, has a certain atmosphere. I can smell the sea and stale sweat _etc.

 

Love  it !!

 

Kev

[Darby]

Excellent! I've just finished reading 'Underwater Warriors' and now I know there's a 1/35 X craft available I may be tempted. I'd rule out the Welman one man job out though. Now job; that's a positively disgusting word.

[general melchett]

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Don't forget the bugles or are you more of a bagpipe man .....   

I'm more euphonium and Jew's Harp than bagpipes and buggles Kev....quite frankly the sound of 16 cats fighting in an empty oil drum doesn't quite do it for me....but then again it would help if Darling got around to actually learning to play the mystical beast instead of just standing there pumping it for all its worth!

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I'd rule out the Welman one man job out though. Now job; that's a positively disgusting word.

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I totally agree Darby old sport, the Weland one-man sinkable Water-Closet doesn't look too inviting to me either, or for that matter, hygenic, probably best it's only a one-man affair.........ah, one-man affair, now that's a positively filthy phrase. 

 

[Bugle07]

Superb work there General. The W&D compartment is a brilliant touch, and the finish on the paint is spot on. 

 

Hope you managed to survive the hordes yesterday. Going to brave them this morning myself, not looking forward to it.

 

One-man affair.....just wrong.....

[general melchett]

 

Good luck Bugle, you'll need it. Mercifully we came through relatively unscathed, (a few minor duelling scars from errant shopping trollies and pine needles, but nothing serious). This was due in no small part to Lady Melchett junior's wise intervention, as we were able to collect all outstanding manner of Yuletide oddities at the local Tesco 'megastore' thingy. While it's only a mere mile away it still took us 40 minutes to get in and attempt to park up the old jalopy........never again I say, (and I say that every year!).

[beefy66]

This is a wonderful kit and you have done a very good job on your build and I echo what HL-10 said

On 22/12/2017 at 9:25 AM, HL-10 said:

That is superb!

I especially like the little bit of interior you built.

Lovely finish

 

beefy

[MikeR]

Great stuff!

 

Mike.

[The Tomohawk Kid]

An epoch ago I made the Darnell radio control model, it was dynamic diver and worked a treat until a pal lost it in a local reservoir. I ended up of the front page local newspaper and eventually the article was syndicated to the Sun andI made a radio appearances to boot. All becacuse the local police SCUBA team found it on a training sortie, they were under the threat of closure at the time so they made a bit of a splash of it all.

 

All very embarassing, I can tell you.

 

I recall one frosty Boxing day morning sailing it on the Brayford, because the water was cold I could hold it at persicope depth ripping across the still water, which is hard to do with a dynamic diver normally.

 

Thomo.

Edited December 23, 2017 by The Tomohawk Kid

[Pete in Lincs]

So, now the term your Generalship has come to fruition!

And very nice it is too, Sir, if I may make so bold.

As you say, a fitting tribute to those brave men.

 

And you were either brave or foolhardy to set orf to Tescoland yesterday.

I was out and about the city & environs delivering the falling down juice.

Lines of stationary traffic everywhere, only avoided by going the long way around.

Of course that included a saunter though Waddo village to get out to Hykeham.

I was impressed by her ladyships festive decorations to Melchett towers.

Flags of all nations eh? And in alphabetical order. Of course the flag of certain

central European country beginning with G was missed out. Or did the hounds eat it?

BTW, the snowman looks pathetic. One of Darlings efforts? What did he use for the nose??

 

 

[general melchett]

Thanks, fellas, really appreciate the comments. 

 

Thomo, fascinating story regarding your RC submariner exploits. Lost and found...probably thought they'd come across an unexploded bomb. The Brayford eh, sounds like there's more than a few of us from around this way.

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And you were either brave or foolhardy to set orf to Tescoland yesterday.

 

 

 

I was all three, to be honest, Pete... as you say the place was in total gridlock so we broke out the picnic table, mince pies and Chablis and cracked open a fresh deck of cards while chit-chatting with the hoi-polloi as they sat patiently in their vehicles, some bearly suppressing their fury. Darling, who was chauffering at the time just plugged himself into the Blue-Tooth and listened to the rugby, occasionally screaming or chortling in frustration.

The Mem pulled out all the stops this year, even hand-sawed the largest Norwegian Spruce in the grounds festooning it in searchlights, flak emplacements and barbed wire, why, she even put a big fairy on top, (but Darling got vertigo and splinters after a while and had to come down for a cup of Ovaltine and a good talking to).

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BTW, the snowman looks pathetic. One of Darlings efforts? What did he use for the nose??

I apologise about the snowman...for some reason he thought it would be a good idea to use boiled rice as there wasn't any snow to be had...you really don't want to know what he used for the nose, it's the time of goodwill to all men after all...

[Pete in Lincs]

1 hour ago, general melchett said:

he thought it would be a good idea to use boiled rice

Y'see? It really doesn't pay to curry favour with the lower ranks.

 

Merry Christmas from the other side of the big city.

[TheBaron]

That looks terrific Admiral, err I mean General!

Some lovely modulations of tone and a succinct report on the build process to boot - kudos to you sir.

 

[general melchett]

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Y'see? It really doesn't pay to curry favour with the lower ranks.

Well, it was a Balti out of the blue to be honest Pete, he's a decent enough chapati even though he claimed his Naany made him do it. I tikka'd him off and told him 'don't talk such Roti my Ladu', all this argy-bhaji will get us nowhere. He said he was only Rogan Joshing and just needed to korma down, switch on the Dheli and relax with a nice cuppa char. 

 

Baron, thank's for noticing the modulation, I've been trying out different modulizationisms on various subjects recently including a few big busts....and I'm not referring to the Memsahib...with acceptable results, but more about them later. The editor wants more maritime subjects in the magazine and so I've been ordered to the front to perform my duties for King and Country, flags furled and extra-thin cement at the ready.

 

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Merry Christmas from the other side of the big city.

And yes, Merry Christmas from the posh end, (least ways it was before we got here)...

 

In fact, Merry Christmas to one and all .....hope it's a good one and Santa brings you all manner of plastic, resin and vacform goodies.

Now, I've packed the twelve gauge and we're off to do a bit of Yuletide sleighing, the peasants love us and would expect nothing less.

[The Tomohawk Kid]

On 23/12/2017 at 18:03, general melchett said:

Thanks, fellas, really appreciate the comments. 

 

Thomo, fascinating story regarding your RC submariner exploits. Lost and found...probably thought they'd come across an unexploded bomb. The Brayford eh, sounds like there's more than a few of us from around this way.

 

 

I hasten to add the sub was not lost in the Brayford, it was lost in Blackmoorfoot Reservoir on the tops above Huddersfield.

 

The story took a bizarre twist after I got the sub back off the Rozzas. I was contacted by a lady called Pamela Mitchell from somewhere down on the South Coast, she had seen one of the newspaper articles about the incident. What I didn't know despite living in Huddersfield, Broadbents a Huddersfield engineering company had built some of the X Craft and she thought my model was connected to this company, which it was'nt. Anyway she travelled up to see me one Saturday morning, no amount of persuading her, would deter her from believing that my model had no connection with the Broadbent's manufactured X-Craft (she was a very elderly lady and was very persistant despite me saying you could get the basic fibreglass mouldings new at the time from Darnell!), other than I  happen to live in Huddersfield.

 

Obvisouly as we chatted it turned out she had had some connection with the submariners of the X-Craft (she was an ex WREN, I think) and had written a book called "Tip of the Spear" about the raid on the Tirpitz. She wanted me to donate the model to a musuem down south for display and would I refurbish it as well! Despite it being on the bottom of Blackmoorfoot for several months, the model was still worth several hundred pounds, which was not an insignificant sum 25 years ago. To cut a very long story short, I swapped the model (un-refurbished) for a signed hard back copy of her book, which to my shagrin I have still not read. She was going to get the model refurbished by the museum and display it, 'till this day I don't if that happened to the model, it could be well pride of place in a musuem somewhere for all I know!

Edited December 25, 2017 by The Tomohawk Kid

[Kris B]

Indeed, it is stunning build. Also photos are very good. Super model. 

[general melchett]

The story gets even more interesting, I can imagine her insisting that you were 'a man from the ministry' and it was all to do with the hush-hush projects going on there. It would be great to know that your model is currently residing in the museum, fully refurbished, trousers on. What sort of state was it in after it's time under the waters of the reservoir? I've heard of the book but never read it...maybe time to correct that...

 

Thanks Chris, glad you like it. It's a great little model and good fun to build, might go for a Bronco Seehund to accompany it... 

 

 

[The Tomohawk Kid]

11 hours ago, general melchett said:

What sort of state was it in after it's time under the waters of the reservoir?

 

 

 

 

Being a dynamic diver it was perfectly salvageable, it would have needed new servos and reciever as well as the WTC being rehabbed. The hull would have needed to be rubbed down and repainted and some missing detail replaced.

 

I had the Darnell S Class sub as well and that was a ballast pumper, ingeniously it used a reverse action steam engine and pressurised WTC to pump ballast, which was heart stoping when pumping to surface as it took so long, but it worked! However, Darnells S Class was a cowbag to trim and transport being so big, which is whey it didn't get many run outs and is still in my loft.

 

I bought the OTW Type VII U Boat which is still available, which at the time and still maybe the state of the art ballast pumping model subs. Its still in its wooden box awaiting building and now may well be my retirement project now.

 

Here is the OTW site its well worth a poke around as they make some facsinating models:

 

 

http://www.otwdesigns.com/

 

Thomo.

Edited January 1, 2018 by The Tomohawk Kid

[seadog]

Only just saw this...a really beautiful piece of work, General!