Stephen Allen Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 HMS Conn, Senior Officer's ship of the 21st Escort Group, in March/April 1945. Conn is flying a Jolly Roger, signifying the Group's success in sinking three U-Boats in a single cruise in March 1945. Conn is depicted in a modified Admiralty Scheme 'C', white and B55, with Carley Floats painted up in the red and yellow pattern used by some late war RN and RCN units. Conn shows most of the alterations made by the RN to the original US Buckley class Destroyer escort design. These changes included enlarged bilge keels and additional top weight in the form of 120 additional depth charges to help overcome excessive rolling in a seaway, shields to the 3 inch main armament, additional Oerlikons, a Director Tower to the bridge, and a weather shield right forward to protect a 2pdr 'pom pom' bowchaser when carried. A HF/DF aerial sits atop the mast. Other RN additions included extra Carley Floats, a 27 foot whaler carried under Quadrantal davits in the port waist, and a canvas shelter for depth charge crews just behind the after 3 inch bandstand. Snowflake Rockets are carried in the bridge wings, and 2 inch rocket flare rails are attached to 'B' gun shield. Foxer acoustic torpedo decoys sit each side of the after depth charge rails. For those who haven't followed the build, yes, it is an operating model, running two 380 Kv brushless outrunners with separate speed controllers. The basis is a fibreglass hull from Southern Cross Models based here in Australia. The entire superstructure lifts off to access the working bits and fit batteries etc. For a more detailed explanation of why I painted things the way I did and how the build came together please see the work in progress log. Thanks to everyone who followed along and answered questions or offered suggestions along the way and also for the inspiration I received from watching the completion of many other fine RN builds on the board in the last few months. cheers Steve 42 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Drover Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Holy smokes, that things humungous. Nice result for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autle Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 My goodness that a real beauty, what a stunning looking ship. I reckon there's more that a few hours gone into this but it's paid off. great modelling skills all round, well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnWS Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 She's a beauty! The build was enjoyable to watch. Great attention to detail & an awesome result. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitriy1967 Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 A magnificent ship! Great job! Have any tests been carried out on the water and is there a video? It would be very interesting to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adm Lord De Univers Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Steve - a fantastic end result and an exemplary build log (that i will be 'borrowing' heavily from for my slightly smaller, 1/700, rendition of HMS Louis). As Dmitriy has also requested, I would love to see her on the water, although I still maintain she deserves to be safe and sound in a museum. Preferably one near me. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Allen Posted February 4, 2022 Author Share Posted February 4, 2022 To paraphrase a famous quote: ’A model ship in a display case is safe, but that is not what radio controlled ships are for’. I did ballasting and operating/maneuvering tests before final fitting out, but I need to do a final ballast check, adjust, a range check with the receiver (sailing beyond control distance is a bad thing, the failsafe is ‘full stop’ but then you have to do a recovery) then off we go. I will admit that any first voyage involves some crossed fingers and overcoming my own reluctance - my record is four years between completion and first voyage for my Thornycroft MTB. I have worked hard to make this an easy boat to set up prior to the pond, with the only pondside preparation needed being switching on. This avoids the need for fumbling around rigging/ boats, inserting batteries and lifting the superstructure on and off at the pond, which is bound to end in tears There should be some more good photos and a video to share soon. One of the club members has a much better camera than mine, and a lot more skill, so I am hopeful of some good shots on the pond. cheers Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 What a Fabulous model - I can just keep looking and looking at the detail. I admire your sang froid as to taking it sailing!! Congratulations on a Magnificent build Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Derbyshire Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 Splendid Job sir/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maginot Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 Superb modelling work. The detailing is immaculate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 Truly modelmaking at its finest. Steve, I'm in the hyperbolic habit of commenting that lots of models are "outstanding" or "fabulous". It's kind of a grade inflation. Consequently I have completely run out of suitable words to apply to this one. It is very good work. I know little about ships but I do know a fine model when I see one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinChipmunkfan Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Agree with Bertie superlatives do not do it justice- museum standard. Well done sir!! Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancona Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 On 09/02/2022 at 13:54, Bertie Psmith said: I have completely run out of suitable words to apply to this one Wot he said, stunning result, just gobsmacked !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Allen Posted June 19, 2022 Author Share Posted June 19, 2022 Corresponding with NeilH on his build of HMS Rupert reminded me that I had yet to post any photos of Conn in its natural environment. The first voyage was delayed for a bit as I waited on the right combination of weather and water that wasn't too toxic - we have had a great deal of rain and consequent blue green algae and other nasties this year. Happily I can report that Conn does very well in the water and looks the part, even the water cooperated on the day by looking like a mucky estuary. I think the black and white photo at the end just looks so much more atmospheric. V&W next, HMS Vidette as a Long Range Escort.🙂 cheers Steve 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick b Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 Superb Steve, can’t wait for the Vidette build ! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 Hi, not sure how I missed this first time around but it looks great- well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitriy1967 Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 A museum-quality ship and even floating on water. That's great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sohoppy Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 that is just wonderful., so envious.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRMRL Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 Thats a whopper, very impressive as a model, even more so as a bonafide floating ship 😄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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