GrahamB Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 (edited) Some years ago, I completed a Combrig HMS Monmouth kit and was intending to follow this up with the also unfortunate HMS Good Hope. A change of plan happened when I saw the image of HMS King Alfred in 1917-18 dazzle camouflage when she was used as an Atlantic convoy escort. I contacted the IWM Collections and purchased the photography/digitising of the Admiralty’s camouflage Order HMS 32 for this ship (then not available on-line). My local photoshop did a fantastic job of combining the port and starboard images and printed them at extremely high resolution on top-quality paper. All the tiny blue-ink stamps indicating the colour for the scheme (White, Black, No.1 Blue Grey, No.2 Grey) are there. The framed print is a great addition to the art on my living room wall. The kit is built more or less from the box but with some modifications that several of the Leviathan Class received during WW1, including the moving of the lower casement 6” guns to the main deck – these turrets are from AJM – and a reduction of the boat complement. A large element of the modifications can be seen in the profile of HMS Drake in Norman Friedman’s British Cruisers of the Victorian Era. The Perkins Identification Album British Warship Recognition Vol.III: Cruisers 1865-1939, part 1 is also a good source as are the images of the builders’ model of HMS Leviathan in David Hobbs’ Warships of the Great War Era – a history in ship models. Unfortunately, the only image of HMS King Alfred is small and not of good quality. I excluded the foremast derrick (as per HMS Drake) but replaced them with what appear to be two smaller derricks (for coaling/ammunitioning?) – only a guess at the correct placement. I left the aft-bridge wings as they were as the photo appears to show them – in HMS Drake they were removed. The fore-bridge on HMS King Alfred also appears to have been enlarged at the rear but I could not really see what needed doing. Two large rafts are added to the rear of the aft superstructure. I made some attempt at the cage aerials, but only in using three lengths of the thinnest Uschi thread. Painting was done with a variety of media but two of the dazzle colours were from the WEM range, namely GW02 #2 Grey and GW13 #1 Blue/Grey. I am not convinced these are correct if the Order’s colours are anything like prototypical – the No.2 Grey is darker and more bluish (GW02 #2 Grey is a medium grey, possibly slight greenish) and the No.1 Blue Grey is a more saturated blue (GW13 #1 Blue/Grey is hardly tinted blue at all). I chickened out of following the Order but added some NARN B5 blue to the blue grey – but not enough, I think. All in all, a great model from Combrig and I’ve got my eyes on their new Cressy/Aboukir/Hogue next. Cheers, GrahamB Edited September 14, 2020 by GrahamB 37 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Lovely work. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancona Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Blimey, another one ! Just seen your lovely HMS Douglas, and now this, what a beautiful model, the dazzle scheme is excellent but what is making me shake my head in wonder at the moment is the rigging...all those funnel stays...in 1/700, highly trained pet spiders, it has to be !!! Cheers David 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamB Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share Posted September 14, 2020 Ta guys. The spider has gone on a well-deserved rest cure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Excellent! A superb example of 1/350 maritime modelling. Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IJNfan Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 That is one unique looking dazzle! very nice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangor Lad Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Fantastic build and finish. I have recently had a hankering to build some vessels from this period but don't feel confident enough to do the kits justice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Really like that! Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnoldAmbrose Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Gidday Graham, that's a rather striking camo scheme. Well done on the model. Regards, Jeff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pazeroo Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Beautiful work. Rigging is especially impressive. Weathering also superb. I aim for this sort of quality in my own work, but I fear I have some way to go! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 A "like" is not enough. Superb modelling and painting: utterly convincing. When I think of the bodge I can make of a 1/72 model,.... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugle07 Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 Well, well done on this, the paintwork is great! But ohhhh the rigging! I'd have stuck everything together trying to do that! Great job. Geoff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcdood Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 The ship looks great and the rigging really elevates it to another level. Brilliant work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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