1/144 HMCS Snowberry -- Revell, Aftermarket, and some Scratch

[Jeff.M]

Well, here is one tough little Corvette, which,, if you followed my WIP postings, you'll know was resurrected from a fall of about 574 scale feet. This is my first plastic build in well over 50 years, as I have been here-to-fore a "sticks and strings" builder.  I had originally planned on displaying her in a diorama at anchor so I could have her flying the Canadian Blue Ensign from her jackstaff (see more below) that HMCS Sackville flies, but I waited too long into the build to safely cut the hull to mount her on water glass.  I was just not up for learning the technique of sinking the model in styrofoam and attempting to model a realistic seascape this time out.  So just picture her as being pierside.  I know some pics of these little workhorses show them battered and rusted beyond belief, but I wanted to keep that aspect, while realistic, somewhat more subdued and subtle.

 

Particulars of the build:

--Basic model: Revell.  Okay(ish) out of the box with some clunky and out-of-scale moldings

--Aftermarket additions (a must in my opinion): Pontos, which is superb with its PE, wooden decks, and turned brass parts.  Micro Master.  Almost all of the weaponry except for the 2 pdr is from them.  World class, the best there is and absolutely astounding. The odd Shapeways piece here and there was also used (hit and miss).

--Archer rivets on the hull.  Now out of business, but there are other sources.

--Decals and flags.  Above and Below Scale Graphics.  This is a veteran-owned company in British Columbia.  Andrew was most accommodating about producing one-off special orders like the Blue Ensign and was quick, very reasonable in pricing, and a pleasure to work with. Markings on the DCs, smoke floats, hedgehog mortars, and the microscopic DC depth setting charts on bulkheads on the weather deck aft are by them as well.

--Paints.  Mostly Vallejo acrylics

--Weathering.  Artist oils and a few AK products

 

So here she is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for all of the looks, likes, and encouragement I received during this build.  You all made it a pleasure!

 

Best,

 

Jeff

 

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2024 by Jeff.M
Typos

[ArnoldAmbrose]

       G'day Jeff, congratulations of a superb model, even more so after the fall and repair. The weathering is very good, showing how these little ships and their crews battled not only their human enemy but extreme weather conditions as well, in very unforgiving oceans. Tough ships and tough men and I think you've done them proud.

       Regards, Jeff (the other Jeff 🙂).

[Jeff.M]

2 hours ago, ArnoldAmbrose said:

       Tough ships and tough men and I think you've done them proud.

 

Thanks so much. I hope so!

 

Best,

 

This Jeff 🙂

[ArnoldAmbrose]

2 hours ago, ArnoldAmbrose said:

Jeff (the other Jeff 🙂).

 

4 minutes ago, Jeff.M said:

This Jeff 🙂

This could get confusing. 

 

Regards, Jeff (one of 'em. 🙂)

[theskits62]

That is really stunning well done, I love all the small details that you've added and the careful weathering that together really make it shine. Brilliant work !!

[Andy H]

Wonderful work in overcoming such a setback. One to be truly proud of.

[mick b]

Outstanding work Jeff, BZ

 

Mike

[Toryu]

Fantastic detail!

[beefy66]

Great build Jeff and an excellent WIP so much to take from it with all the extra details you have added.  

 

Stay Safe

beefy

[junobeach]

Jeff this is beyond words. The work involved to finish this build is incredible!

I did not know you could get the aftermarket rivets. And I thought my build was tedious, this is simple incredible!!!
Cheers Dennis

[Jeff.M]

@ArnoldAmbrose @theskits62 @Andy H @mick b @Toryu @beefy66 @junobeach,

 

Thanks so much for all of your kind words. I don’t know how to pull out each of your individual comments and to respond to them in a single post, so I will say that, in the aggregate, they are most appreciated and gratifying. 

  Best,

 

Jeff

 

[Adler Leon]

Thats a stunning paint job, really looks the part.

Terrific.

L

[robgizlu]

Smashing rendition Jeff (not a double entendre!)  What sets it apart is the excellent rivetting on the hull 

The Detail and weathering are spot on.

Great WIP too

Congrats 

Rob

[Jeff.M]

9 hours ago, Adler Leon said:

Thats a stunning paint job, really looks the part.

Terrific.

L

Thank you L, I really appreciate it. 
 

Best,

 

Jeff

[Jeff.M]

4 hours ago, robgizlu said:

Smashing rendition Jeff (not a double entendre!) 

Rob,

Such comments from the very accomplished modelers on this site are very encouraging. On to the next one when resources (and spousal approval) permit!

 

Best,

 

Jeff

[robgizlu]

41 minutes ago, Jeff.M said:

On to the next one when resources (and spousal approval) permit!

 

Best,

 

Jeff

We Certainly have that in common Jeff!

Rob

[thekz]

Cooooool 

[Donald]

Wonderful model. The wear and weathering is done to perfection. I must dig out my old copy of Monsarrat's Three Corvettes.

[javlin]

You Finished it Jeff!!She looks really good and the finish and weathering look spot on Sir.Anything else up next?

[Quimp Slattery]

That’s really really good! In fact I think it’s the best one I’ve ever seen built. It’s the painting that makes it so exceptional, makes it feel real. 
 

You have inspired me to build the one that’s been lurking in my loft for far too long. It’s now queued up in my mind for a build in 2025. It’s not my usual thing nowadays but if I could produce something half as good as yours I’d be very pleased. 
 

[Steve D]

Sorry to be late to the congratulations party Jeff.  It's a great model  and beautifully well finished, please place it in a case and no more bouncing it off the floor...

 

The paint job is exceptional, you should be justly proud of it.

 

What's next? a scratch-build I hope

 

Cheers

 

Steve

 

 

[Jeff.M]

On 8/24/2024 at 1:54 PM, javlin said:

Anything else up next?

Thinking along the lines of coastal forces. We’ll see . . . 
 

Best,

 

Jeff

[Jeff.M]

13 hours ago, Steve D said:

 

What's next? a scratch-build I hope

Gosh, Steve. The spirit is willing, but the knowledge and equipment/tools are weak. 
 
Best,

 

Jeff

[Steve D]

1 hour ago, Jeff.M said:

but the knowledge and equipment/tools are weak

If you're looking at coastal forces Jeff, check out my MTB and MGB build threads, nothing there you've not done on this build bar a little silver soldering and that's easy....

 

Cheers

 

Steve

[Jeff.M]

8 hours ago, Steve D said:

nothing there you've not done on this build bar a little silver soldering and that's easy....

 

Cheers

 

Steve

Steve,

 

I’ve looked at those threads, and I am afraid there are just a tad more advanced skills and techniques involved in your builds than just soldering. 😊

 

Best,

 

Jeff