AndrewCJ50 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Dear Friends The 11,000 t HMS Hermes has the distinction of being the first purpose-built aircraft carrier in the world. She was laid down in 1918 but had a protracted development that did not see her commissioned until 1924 (The Admiralty wanted to learn from trials with Argus and Eagle). One of the concepts of the time was to operate float planes which were to be recovered by more or less motoring into the hanger from the stern! Another throw back from an earlier era was her spotting top to control her 5.5” guns in ship to ship battles. Nevertheless, with the island to the right and her flared and enclosed bow she looks remarkably modern. A drawback of the small carrier was a relatively small aircraft fuel storage and struggling to accommodate larger modern aircraft. Nevertheless, in August 1939 she took onboard 814 NAS and her Swordfish and this is how I imagine that her Swordfish might have looked before camouflage took over in the FAA. Admittedly the ship might have been in home fleet grey by then too, but most of her previous career had been spent in light grey scheme of the Far East. Her main wartime claim to fame was ironically in an attack by her Swordfish on the Vichy French Battleship Richelieu in July 1940. Sadly, Hermes was annihilated by practically the entire Japanese dive bomber fleet that had attacked Pearl Harbour when she was spotted fleeing modern day Sri Lanka on 9th April 1942 by a Japanese carrier task force. This is the excellent 1/700 Flyhawk kit boxed as for 1937 which includes the Swordfish. Apart from using brass rod for her masts and yards, together with Eduard 1/700 RN and carrier crew members it is practically out of the box. Rather than decals I used masking for the deck markings. I used Mig’s oil brusher paint to weather her deck from aircraft landings. I hope you can see, if you look carefully, A Swordfish with folded wings on the stern hanger deck waiting to go up to the flight deck? I hope you can spot some seamen populating the 'goofers gallery' Andrew 65 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnoldAmbrose Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Gidday Andrew, at the rear of the island, just fwd of the large crane? This is a very good model of a ship that sometimes is overlooked I think. Regards, Jeff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich G Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Really nice work, the level of detail is astounding, great effort! Rich 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hewitt Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Superb work ,love the detail ,you helped me make my mind which ship to do next .HMS Hermes,thanks for sharing . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joao Augusto Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Wonderful! Wonderful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 What a fantastic model you are to be congratulated on your modelling skills, well done 👏. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Lovely build - super detailing and finishing Looks Great Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 25, 2021 Share Posted March 25, 2021 I got a shock with the 20p in shot for scale..that is mightily impressive, and unbelievable in this size, excellent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancona Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 I'm with Valkyrie on that, beautiful model, highly detailed ....and then the 20p piece, and everything drops into place, amazing ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Lovely work, first glass build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick b Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Superb model Andrew, I have recently acquired the 42 version and hopefully can do it justice as you have here. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Juliet Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 WOW! Would be great if someone could Photoshop one of your photos into being suitably aged! Super build Andrew - congratulations!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim R-T-C Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Lovely work and I like the addition of the figures, really brings the ship to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewCJ50 Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 Thanks Guys Mick, good luck with the 1942 version. Her AA suite was upgraded - slightly! Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angus Tura Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 Andrew, I'm just getting into ship models. Your model is absolutely beautiful and an inspiration. I'm interested to know what you've used. Is there a build log anywhere? Specifically, if not, what are the figures? Are they etched, or 3-D printed? Thanks and congratulations, Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aayin1941 Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 +1 to Alan’s question on the figures!?! They must be like 2.5 mm high 👀 Absolutely historic this ship, great detail at scale! thx for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadman Posted April 22, 2021 Share Posted April 22, 2021 On 4/3/2021 at 4:45 PM, Alpha Juliet said: WOW! Would be great if someone could Photoshop one of your photos into being suitably aged! Super build Andrew - congratulations!! It's a fantastic example of model making. Here's hoping that AndrewCJ50 doesn't mind... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bianfuxia Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 Incredible work! I mean, rigging on a 1/700 biplane. Enough said! A fantastic model. My overwhelming reaction to the pictures is how seasick I'd feel sitting up in that top-most observation cabin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Juliet Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 Wow - that's one MASSIVE 20p coin you have there!! Superb modelling there fella! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-boat 55 Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 Outstanding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamA Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 Great job Andrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewCJ50 Posted May 7, 2021 Author Share Posted May 7, 2021 Dear Colleagues I loved the historic 1930's photo transformation, that was clever! The figure sets are pre-painted photo etched figures from Eduard. They look a bit better if you add a bit of white glue to their heads, otherwise they all look like they are in a Lowry painting! I wouldn't have minded being in the spotting top provided the ship wasn't rolling or the funnel gases being blown forwards! Regards Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyOD Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Tis is my first visit to the maritime bit, what a build. The detail on those Stringbags is better than I could achieve in 1/72! The 20p piece though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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