Vosper 70ft MTB, scratchbuilt to 1:48th scale

[Steve D]

Following on from my build thread (Vosper build thread), here are a few pictures of the completed model

 

MTB 34 was one of the first batch of 70ft MTB's built by Vosper's as part of the 1939 contract, completed in August 1940.  She was converted to a target tug (CT23) in 1943 and sold in 1945.

 

The drawings for the project were taken from the 1991 Model Shipwright plan and John Lambert's plan for marine Modelling international.  In addition, details were confirmed from the IWM builders drawing that both these plans seem to be based upon.  All rescaled to 1:48th scale and re-drawn.  The colour scheme shows her with the 4th MTB flotilla based at HMS Beehive in Felixstowe in 1941 with very distinctive blue (B15) and white bands as illustriated in Coastal Craft History Vol 1

 

Below is that actual vessel  at speed

 

 

and the colour artwork from the Coastal Craft book.  The torpedo chute bands are indicative of a senior officer in command

 

 

The hull of the model is timber on ply frames, diagonal planked as per full-scale practice, the rest is a combination of brass, wood and some 3d printed items.  The model has no commercial components, though the props were cast in bronze by Shapeways to my drawings

 

She is shown weathered, not pristine, mounted on turned brass pillars and an oak base.  A single crewman walks the deck to help people understand the scale and she carries a rigged danbuoy on the port side

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here she is next to my last model, a Schnellboote to the same scale, for size comparison showing how relatively diminutive these vessels were

 

 

 

 

Thanks to those who followed the build thread, I hope it was interesting and informative.

 

I'll be back very soon with a new thread

 

Cheers

 

Steve

[Bandsaw Steve]

Once again Britmodeller only offers a ‘like it’ option and not a ‘love it’.

 

A beautiful model very promptly built.  

[Dancona]

Dear Steve, that is a little jewel, the subtle diagonal planking on the hull, the striking colour scheme, the slightly scuffed look, it is simply beautiful, and you bashed it out in no time at all, I am in awe 

 

Thanks for sharing this, just lovely !!

 

Cheers

 

David

[ArnoldAmbrose]

Gidday Steve, it's a superb model of the boat, with extremely good clutter detail. 🙂 As you said the crewman is a good idea for the boat size and the schnellboote gives a good comparison of their adversaries. Regards, Jeff.

[Steve27752]

A beauty.

[beefy66]

These photos make me think it is 1/72 scale but I know it is not great job Steve so much detail and great weathering.  

 

Stay Safe

beefy

[PAUL67]

A truly excellent build Steve…looking forward to the next one….

Paul

Edited February 24, 2022 by PAUL67

[longshanks]

Excellent representation of an early MTB.

Spot on in all aspects from detail to weathering

Your best to date Steve

 

 

Kev

[Brian Derbyshire]

Greetings Sir

Museum quslity....Well done sir

Cheers Brian.

[Steve D]

17 hours ago, Bandsaw Steve said:

A beautiful model very promptly built.  

Thanks Steve, I seem set on a path of reconstructing examples of all WW2's coastal forces

 

17 hours ago, Dancona said:

the subtle diagonal planking on the hull,

Cheers David, with all models there are things we like and things we don't like so much, and to me, the thing I like most this time is that you can just see the diagonal planking, as you can in the real boats, in particular once they have been at sea for a time.  I'm also happy with the torpedo chutes in the timber hul.  That was not great on the Schnellboote, (pigs ear emoji) way too much filler needed.  I took a lot more time and care in the drawing on this one and it paid off

 

17 hours ago, ArnoldAmbrose said:

with extremely good clutter detail.

Thanks Jeff, I never quite know when to stop with the clutter, but study actual deck pictures and you never see a clean sweep in wartime, kits are all too clean imho.  I also love adding little things like the buckets, almost a signature of mine

 

15 hours ago, beefy66 said:

These photos make me think it is 1/72 scale

Cheers Beefy, that's a bit of a back-handed compliment given the larger scale should be better, however, I know what you mean.  As I said in the build thread, I had a bit of a disaster with the weathering meaning more repainting than I wanted.  This has given a thickness to the finish that is very far from perfect.  I promise to get better at this stage of the build process....  More practice needed, we never stop learning

 

15 hours ago, PAUL67 said:

looking forward to the next one….

Cheers Paul, actually so am I, I have some exciting things to talk about next time, first post coming very soon

 

14 hours ago, longshanks said:

Your best to date Steve

I appreciate the comment Kev, though personally, the SGB is still my favourite

 

3 hours ago, Brian Derbyshire said:

Museum quslity

Thanks Brian, that is always my aim and who knows, maybe one day some will end up there

 

Thanks again guys for all the likes and comments, I just try to do the best my now very clumsy fingers allow

 

Cheers

 

Steve

[ArnoldAmbrose]

5 minutes ago, Steve D said:

Thanks Jeff, I never quite know when to stop with the clutter, but study actual deck pictures and you never see a clean sweep in wartime, kits are all too clean imho.  I also love adding little things like the buckets, almost a signature of mine

Gidday Steve, I agree with that. In my ships it's lockers, hawser reels, winches etc. Different scale and hence less detail on mine but yeah, pre-stealth days pile the stuff on! Regards, Jeff.

[Vince1159]

Absolutely gorgeous,lovely job....

[robgizlu]

Superb model exquisite detail and beautifully finished - I just love that scheme and the Dan buoy is a thing of beauty.

You must be proud of that Steve 

Rob

 

[Faraway]

Now that is simply stunning. 

Jon

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

That sir is some Beautiful work. 

[stevehnz]

That really is quite gourgeous. I can't think of a single aspect that doesn't appear "just right" to me. 👍

Steve.

[Brian Derbyshire]

Used to be coastal craft at Bembridge  IOW .One was MTB 21 ,the owner after a chat .         he showed me around he had ships drawings ,which showed" Issott franchini? " Petrol engines, .Take my hat off to those gents.

[JohnWS]

Very nice, Steve.  Great attention to detail, as always. 

John

[GRK]

That really is excellent, I struggle to make some kits so to see how people make things from scratch is amazing!

[Steve D]

2 hours ago, Brian Derbyshire said:

showed" Issott franchini? " Petrol engines

That's right Brian, the pre-war ones had Italian engines, but they naturally could not be sourced after the war started so we had to make do with US built Packard marine engines which were not as powerful and chipped the speed somewhat

 

Cheers

 

Steve

[Richard E]

Another exquisite example of the model shipwright's craft: I think the speed with which you create your models is almost as admirable as the exceptionally high standard that you finish them to,

[Steve D]

On 25/02/2022 at 10:13, robgizlu said:

I just love that scheme and the Dan buoy is a thing of beauty.

It certainly is different Rob, and getting those diagonal lines to line up when perfectly amidships was interesting.  Ever since I saw that picture of a Danbuoy being launched from a Flower, I had to find a reason to make one.  Seeing them aboard the MTB's synched that

On 26/02/2022 at 10:34, stevehnz said:

I can't think of a single aspect that doesn't appear "just right" to me.

That's all I'm aiming for Steve, trying to get the model to look in period, its a never ending journey

1 hour ago, JohnWS said:

 Great attention to detail,

The joys of scratch-building John, as you know, all the detail (and errors) are your own.  The daft detail (like how many handwheels the smoke machine had) are the things I love.  BTW, the answer is three but I managed to knock one off  

27 minutes ago, GRK said:

I struggle to make some kits

So, give up with kits, the sense of freedom is amazing.  Unshackled, make can whatever you can find enough detail on 👍 People seem to spend more time making kits because they change them to get stuff right or add detail.  Personally, I think starting from scratch is actually easier

 

11 minutes ago, Richard E said:

speed with which you create your models

Thanks Richard, finally being retired is certainly a help when it comes to speed

 

Thank you all for the likes, I'm glad my little project was interesting.

 

Cheers

 

Steve

[thekz]

It's all very cool and atmospheric, stunning in places.

I just wish the sailor's face could be more expressive

[phildagreek]

My word that is very smart, nicely done.

[Flintstone]

Steve,

You have made a fab model of the Vosper.

I look forward to seeing the BPB model take shape.

Regards

Kevin