robgizlu Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 Well it's been a while since I wrote a thread so with the Autumn term well underway here goes with Black Cat Models' second iteration of the LCI (Large). These vessels ran from 1 - 349 and a large number were requisitioned by the Royal Navy. It differed from later variants in having a lower angled bridge rather than the round "Castle" from the later variants that I depicted here I really enjoyed the last kit so "98" will be the second and there'll be a third along soon. I stumbled across the "Sprue Cutters Union" podcast recently which features amongst others, Chris Meddings, a superb modeller and ediotr of the E-magazine Ship modeller. It's well worth a listen though light on maritime subjects. Much discussion was recently had about the inspirational effect of original photos and the boost they can provide for modellers - I agree. We are lucky to have some superb images of LCI RN 98 courtesy pf the Imperial War Museum collection. She was delivered and commissioned by the RN in November 1942 - likely sailed across the Atlantic by a British crew from her place of building at Hingham Massachusetts. Here she is in UK waters at a site unknown and certainly unrecognised by me. She remains in "USA" colours that I take to be Ocean Grey hull and Haze Grey topsides. It's notable how grubby and worn she is. I find the photos very evocative and have wanted to build her since I first saw them. Here's a further photo of a sister vessel with a slightly different scheme though likely same colours "98" is unusual in having her main mast aft and a fore mast at the bridge. Here's a plan diagram indicating that some might have been fitted with Staysails though I've found no photographic evidence to support this References Nav Sourcehttp://www.navsource.org/archives/10/15/15idx.htm Landing Craft Infantry and support - Rottman & Bull - Osprey Publishing Weathering Brief I plan for this to to be as mucky and worn as the photos illustrate So here's the kit which is very similar to the previous release Decals will clearly need to be sourced from somewhere else! The Black cat instructions are pictorial and very user-friendly I'd previously formed a base whilst working on "375" The sea sculpt is acheived by simply pressing in the hasp of the padlock multiple times It's a pretty straightfrward job to free the hull from the casting cradle - so it's an off and nice to be blogging again More soon Thanks for looking Rob 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 Looking forward to another wonderful build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnWS Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Hi, Rob. Great to see you back with another ship. I'll be following along to watch the master at work. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goji308 Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Pulling up a chair and I’m looking forward to your project. All the best to you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 A nice little subject to start the ball rolling there Rob. Your builds are always a must to watch , carry on good sir . Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Great to see you back building on here again and another very interesting subject will be taking notes. Stay Safe beefy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 You have just gained another ‘watcher’. As you know I’ve just taken delivery of this kit, so I’ll hold off building until I’ve watched your progress. So chair drawn up. Jon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcdood Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 If this is anything like 375, it will be a great model, looking forward to seeing it develop. Martin. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Hi Phantom Enough swanning around matey, time to get down to some real work....... Stay safe and avoid the numpties Kev 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 @robgizlu I forgot to ask. Where do you get the styrofoam from ? Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted October 27, 2021 Author Share Posted October 27, 2021 Thanks Fellas - that is a nice welcome back!! 8 hours ago, Faraway said: @robgizlu I forgot to ask. Where do you get the styrofoam from ? Jon Jon - 4D Models https://modelshop.co.uk/ the dark grey is not as easy to work with as the pale cream but easier to sculp with sand paper and tougher - on balance I prefer the softer cream coloured variety. HTH Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceman 29 Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 Glad to read you again, Rob, this is going to be a great topic! 😜 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adm Lord De Univers Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 On 27/10/2021 at 20:17, robgizlu said: Jon - 4D Models https://modelshop.co.uk/ the dark grey is not as easy to work with as the pale cream but easier to sculp with sand paper and tougher - on balance I prefer the softer cream coloured variety. HTH I use this type from 4d models too, but I take it outside and take a lighter to it. David 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted November 2, 2021 Author Share Posted November 2, 2021 Thanks for all your kind comments - you ARE a nice bunch Solderman (Jon) nice to see a face . I rather think it should be obligatory. So having attended the Avon show back in August and being very impressed with the standard of entries, as a little divertissement - I dug this out of the back of the cupboard and it's has occupied me for the last few months in between lots of non-modelling events and sheer overload at work. Should just say by way of chat that I've been to the cinema twice in the last 5 days - not having been for at least 4-5 yrs previously Saw "No time to die" which was enjoyable and worth seeing but more importantly saw Dune yesterday. Wow, in fact thrice Wow. Spectacular and outstanding particulary with Hans Zimmer's soundtrack on a cinema set up. Highly recommended, can't wait for part 2 which apparently has now been green-lighted given that this part one has reached a threshold of success. So back in the marine modelling groove I managed to get a few hours in today. I'll air my reflections about this particular vessel so that should anyone build "98" after me they can work with disagree or add to my analysis. As I said in the previous thread - we are lucky to have 2 very fine IWM images which to me at least are highly inspirational. "98" was an early version so let's go back to the pictures and analyse what needs adding or subtracting fro the Black Cat base kit Blue - Small derrick that needs adding - peculiar to "98". No bow anchor visible Red - No Landing/beaching ramps present at this time Black - 2 masts, once again peculiar to the very early vessels with a third at the bow that I presume was there to rig an aerial. The main (aft) mast is surprisingly wide and robust These vessels were brought across the Atlantic and the hull grime is testament to a well used "working vessel". The items just foward of the bridge on the outer walk are chairs for troop seating. She still carries US style rafts. Some pics show RN Carley floats instead Yellow - These are definitely depth charges that don't appear on later variants certainly not those pictured around D-day. This ship arrived UK in Nov 42 and you wonder what it's duties were up till D-day. Whilst training for beach landings would have been obligatory, I wonder if she was used on escort duties or harbour defence given the 4 x 20mm oerlikons - it would certainly explain the depth charges. Orange - I intially thougth this was another depth charge but under higher magnification it's larger and appears to be an oil drum? White - I've no idea what this round wheel shaped object is. ?emergency wheel - anyone got any ideas? Red - there's an object on the covered deck gangway - no diea what it is ?? I initially thought that these hatchways were cloth as per the Fairmiles but they do seem to be solid. Notably there are no chimney vents at the aft superstructure and jst abaft the bridge structure - other vessels had these ( Parts 65 and 68 for the LCI 125 Black Cat build) Here they are on 127 and here's another IWM photo of an unnamed LCI at ?Malta showing the chimney stovepipe (yellow) Black - she's carring depth charges in a different la out. Red - Evidence that the ship's dinghy was stowed amidships on occasions. some pics fail to show the dinghy or it's propped up againt the one of the fwd Deck hatch covers. So - on with the build. The number of superstructure portholes varied, "98" appears to have only one each side which is drilled and then presented with a scuttle. I spent quite a bit of time running the reverse side of a no11 blade along the flat sides to remove the printing "lines". Some fine sanding sticks further complete this and it seems worth doing. Black Cat Models don't do 20mm Oelikons with barrels raised. This is how they appear most commonly in wartime photos so with apologies to Ben - I've opted to use a mix of Micromaster who provide "raised" oerlikons and Black Cat. In truth the Micromaster are more detailed and have casing bags. The Black Cat have straighter barrels and are slightly less fragile. All the LCI variants seem to share these fiddly girders at the bow The IWM photos show that the masts were tapered and I find the Master 1/700 offerings ideal for these smaller 1/350 vessels Heights were proportioned from the schematic plan pictured earlier BTW the Superstructure and bridge sat very squarely and neatly with only the minimum of sanding needed. That Ben makes exceedingly good Models! Trying to bring some order to this build I detached all the pieces needed in the (likely vain) hope that I will only need to prime and paint everything in one single go. Because Ben has designed generic sprues so as to cater for a 3 LCI variants - there are a lot of pieces that are left over - invaluable for the spares box to detail future builds So - first primer over everything.... and I've found a use for used lateral flow tests.......... Here she is primed and here's "My study in grey" I'm enjoying this - I think they were wonderful craft - utilitarian and essentially throwaway, though many survive still. HMS Colombo has been released and those Big Boys came round and made me.................. Coming soon to Matthews shipyards. And very finally - after listening to the "Sprue Cutter's Union" podcast, when they lauded VMS varnishes, I thought I'd try some, and true to their recommendation I found the satin sprayed beautifully on the GR.5 build. Highly recommended!! Thanks for looking and don't forget Dune Rob 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 51 minutes ago, robgizlu said: not having been for at least 4-5 yrs previously Saw "No time to die" which was enjoyable and worth seeing but more importantly saw Dune yesterday. Now that's just freaky, this mirrors my own recent cinema activity and although I enjoyed Dune like first time round, I wasn't prepared a part one ending. How the h@ll did I miss that, hope we haven't got to wait to long for the next part. Back to the build and she's moving along quickly. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adm Lord De Univers Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 Thanks for the Dune and Bond recs, seems like I'm going to the cinema - twice - then. Were those depth charges present at dday? Seems slightly strange to have them with troops onboard, but useful for using these ships in a different role outside landing and/or as a decoy in aerial reconnaissance? David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted November 3, 2021 Author Share Posted November 3, 2021 22 hours ago, Adm Lord De Univers said: Thanks for the Dune and Bond recs, seems like I'm going to the cinema - twice - then. Were those depth charges present at dday? Seems slightly strange to have them with troops onboard, but useful for using these ships in a different role outside landing and/or as a decoy in aerial reconnaissance? David David - they do not seem to be present on most of the D-Day ships. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 On 11/2/2021 at 8:21 PM, robgizlu said: Saw "No time to die" which was enjoyable and worth seeing but more importantly saw Dune yesterday. Watched Dune at the weekend not at the Cinema and was a little bored by it but as missus b keeps telling me I am turning into a right old grump so have just ordered a Grinch suite for Christmas and told her no presents for her this year I think they said 6 weeks before the cast can come off. Seriously good information you have here on these very important ships Rob and looking forward to more progress carry on Sir grand Job. 👍 Stay Safe beefy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 3 minutes ago, beefy66 said: 6 weeks before the cast can come off Who's, yours or Mrs B? Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 11 minutes ago, Courageous said: Who's, yours or Mrs B? Mine she does not take no for an answer no matter how hard I try. Stay Safe and if the missus picks up the rolling pin RUN beefy 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share Posted November 15, 2021 Yes.....quite. Thanks fro looking Rob 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 These little ships just seem to fly together great work so far and very neat paint job.👍 Stay Safe beefy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 The thought of sailing one of those across the Atlantic does not fill me with glee! Lovely work, though 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny L Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 (edited) Hi Rob, Another great model on the way. Below are some comments on a couple of things and a potted history on LCI(L) 98. Regards Danny Blue - Small derrick that needs adding - peculiar to "98". No bow anchor visible Portable anchor davit. It does not show up in many photos but the deck fitting for it does, a piece of tube about 12 to 18 inches high. Black - 2 masts, once again peculiar to the very early vessels with a third at the bow that I presume was there to rig an aerial. The main (aft) mast is surprisingly wide and robust Bow mast. “Antenna Pole Starboard for boats” 97 to 136. 161 to 187. 239 to 318. Orange - I intially thougth this was another depth charge but under higher magnification it's larger and appears to be an oil drum? “55 Gal gas tank”. Some carried more than one in the stern area. White - I've no idea what this round wheel shaped object is. ?emergency wheel - anyone got any ideas? Wheel. It could be a “spare”. Just above the rudders there is a “Steering Gear Room” and a large piece of kit (motor and hele shaw pump ?) with a wheel on it of a similar size. Red - there's an object on the covered deck gangway - no idea what it is ?? I initially thought that these hatchways were cloth as per the Fairmiles but they do seem to be solid. Oerlikon spare gun barrel box. It was supposed to mounted on the deck but some were mounted in this position. LCI(L) 98 LCI(L) 98 Left the USA towards the end of December 1942 and arrived in Plymouth in the middle of January 1943. One of the first LCI(L) to arrive in the UK. Remained in the Plymouth Command until the end of April 1943. While there she went to Appledore where a series of trials were carried out. In May 1943 she moved to the Portsmouth area and came under Force “J”. Temporarily attached to 200 LCI Flotilla. The rest of this Flotilla was made up of LCI(S). Still under Force “J” she sailed to Chatham at the beginning of August 1943 to be converted to a “Stand-by HQ ship”. The refit was completed on the 15th September and for a short period she was classed as a “Landing Craft Control”. She left Chatham around the middle of September and went to Southampton. After moving to Cowes in October 1943 she was reclassed as a “Landing Ship Headquarters”. LCH 98 was one of the first four LCI(L) to be converted to LCH. The other three were 167, 168 and 239. Still part of Force “J” LCH 98 moved a short distance to Portsmouth in February 1944. Around the 15th April she became part of “K” LCT Squadron, Assault Group “J” 1, Force “J”. On the 6th June she was operating off Nan Green Beach, Juno Area. The CO was Lt L.F. Stinton, RNVR and the 1st Lt was S/Lt F, Baines, RNVR. On board was Commander R.F.C. Struben, RN, the DSOAG Nan Green Beach. LCH 98 remained in Normandy until the third week in August 1944 and then returned to Southampton. At the end of October she became part of the Support Squadron Eastern Flank. Allocated to HMS Turtle. On the 1st November she took part in “Operation Infatuate II” as part of the Support Squadron Eastern Flank. By December 1945 she was back in Plymouth and part of 280 LCI(L) Flotilla, Plymouth Command. LCH 98 Sailed for New York in early January 1945 for redelivery to the USA arriving around the beginning of March 1946. Edited November 19, 2021 by Danny L date 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted November 20, 2021 Author Share Posted November 20, 2021 Danny - always great to hear from you and your knowledge and insights are invaluable ! Thanks for all of the above - This sort of detail is what makes ship modelling so rewarding. The round of drinks I owe you at the bar is rapidly expanding Best Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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