H.M.S. Surprise (Cannons)

It took a couple of days to finish the assembly of all 42 cannons but what's a ship without them.
You may notice that the more detailed cannons have about 27 parts each as they will be readily seen on the ship as opposed to the the less detailed ones which have about 14 parts each. Those will not really be seen except for the fronts of them.

H.M.S. Surprise (Rubbing Strakes Completed)

I have just finished the rubbing strakes and the main shape of the stern (Captains Quarters). Now all that remains for the stern are the windows and decoration but that comes later on. For now over the next few days I will be spending my time building 42 cannons.

H.M.S. Surprise (Stern, Keel and Rubbing Strakes)

I have now started on the stern, keel and rubbing strakes. I like doing this part as it starts to ad to the ornateness to these wonderful ships.

H.M.S. Surprise ( Main Hull Planking Completed)

Just finished the main planking on the hull (whew). Now it is just a question of sanding and filling the seam lines. If you have ever single hull planked a model ship before the one thing you will notice that one has to place the strake on the hull when it is wet. However when these strake's dry they have a tendency of pulling away from each other and as a result seams begin to show between the strake's. So what I do is before sanding I will grind down scrap pieces of the appropriate wood down into sawdust mix with white glue and then place it into the seam lines and allow them to dry. Followed of course by sanding, and more sanding, and more sanding, and...

H.M.S. Surprise (Planking of the Bottom Hull).

One thing I have discovered when planking is to always watch out for knots in the wooden strake's. The strake always breaks so easily at the knot and so is not recommended when planking long sections of the hull. What I find a little disconcerting is that I seem to coming across more of them than is normal. Planking along the bow of the hull is the most difficult. The strake has to not only follow one curve but two. So it is a good idea to make sure your strake's are good and soaked.

H.M.S. Surprise (Hull Planking Continues)

I managed to cut out the cannon ports and complete the base hull planking on the upper part. Now comes the planking for the bottom part of the hull. That part is done with a copper coloured wood called Sapelly.

H.M.S. Surprise (Hull Planking Begins)

I don't care what anyone says, hull planking is the most difficult part to do when it comes model ship building.
One would think that with a kit this expensive ($700 CDN) Artesania Latina would have provided strakes for a double planking the hull option. Though single planking the hull does produce a more realistic effect when done right, double planking produces a much smoother and cleaner look.
I would recommend that anyone wishing to get into wooden model ship building to pick up" Planking Techniques for Model Ship Builders" by Donald Dressel. It is a must if you wish to venture into model ship building.

H.M.S. Surprise (Beginning)

Yesterday and today I managed get the frame together and install the lower deck and planks. So all in all I think it's a good start.

Next comes the fun part in which I sand the frame work to the curvature of the hull. This allows proper installation of the hull planking and makes for an easier and smoother job.

In case anyone is wondering the woods used for this ship are Sapelly, Walnut Basswood, Boxwood and of course Plywood for the frame work.

H.M.S. Surprise (Arrival)

Today I picked up Artesania Latina's 1/48 scale English Frigate H.M.S. Surprise as portrayed in the movie "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World".
This model is big, weighing in at about 30lbs, length is about 4,1/2 feet, 37,1/2 high and about 19" wide.
Building the hull I suspect is going to be a bit of a challenge as it is a single plank on hull format. In other words very little room for error.
The rest of the kit appears to be straight forward.
One thing I do notice about this kit is the incredible amount of laser cut parts which of coarse is a bit of a God send as it negates the need for large scale plans and it reduces the need for measuring to a great degree, however a disc in PDF format is supplied in case one may feel the need to print off full size plans. I may just do that.
The quality of the woods as always when it comes to Artesania Latina kits is first class. However I seem to notice which seems to be running problem with AT kits is they always seem to supply less rigging then is usually required. One can always of coarse pick up some proper thickness croquet thread. It is cheap enough. You can write the company for more rigging of which AT is quite cooperative in the matter (experience). However it does take time.

From the box top"
The French Frigate Unite built in 1794, was taken with no resistance from the neutral harbour of Bona in the Mediterranean on the 20th of April 1796 by the British Frigate Inconstant. She was purchased for the Royal Navy, renamed Surprise, and armed with 24X32 pounder carronades on the upper deck.

In October 1799, 100 of Surprises crew recaptured H.M.S. Hermione 1782 who's crew had mutinied against her officers in 1797, by boarding from the ships boats, led by Captain Hamilton (sorry no Jack Aubrey).

Surprise was sold in 1802 at the time of the Peace of Amiens, reflecting the decision to reduce the size of the Royal Navy after peace had been signed with France.

P.S: During the time in which I will building this model I will be posting building updates during its construction, however during this time my post may not be as regular as they usually are. I am sure you can understand why.

Consolidated B 24 D Liberator (Pregnant Cow)

Here are some images of Monogram's 1/48 scale Consolidated B 24 D Liberator (Pregnant Cow). This model represents the aircraft Teggie Ann which took part in the raid on the Ploesti oilfields in Romania during world war two. If you wish to read more on Ploesti you may do so here.

From Wikipedia"

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft Company of San Diego, California. Its mass production was brought into full force by 1943 with the aid of the Ford Motor Company through its newly-constructed Willow Run facility, where peak production had reached one B-24 per hour and 650 per month in 1944. Other factories soon followed. The B-24 ended World War II as the most produced Allied heavy bomber in history, and the most produced American military aircraft at over 18,400 units, due largely to Henry Ford and the harnessing of American industry. It still holds the distinction as the most-produced American military aircraft. The B-24 was used by several Allied air forces and navies, and by every branch of the American armed forces during the war, attaining a distinguished war record with its operations in the Western European, Pacific, Mediterranean, and China-Burma-India Theaters.

Often compared with the better-known B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 was a more modern design with a higher top speed, greater range, and a heavier bomb load; however, it was also more difficult to fly, with heavy control forces and poor formation-flying characteristics. Popular opinion among aircrews and general staffs tended to favor the B-17's rugged qualities above all other considerations in the European Theater. The placement of the B-24's fuel tanks throughout the upper fuselage and its lightweight construction, designed to increase range and optimize assembly line production, made the aircraft vulnerable to battle damage. The B-24 was notorious among American aircrews for its tendency to catch fire. Moreover, its high fuselage-mounted Davis wing also meant it was dangerous to ditch or belly land, since the fuselage tended to break apart. Nevertheless, the B-24 provided excellent service in a variety of roles thanks to its large payload and long range.

The B-24's most famous mission was the low-level strike against the Ploesti oil fields, in Romania on 1 August 1943, which turned into a disaster because the enemy was underestimated, fully alerted and attackers disorganized.

Bristol Beaufighter TF.X Composite

Here is my composite image of Revell/Lodela 1/32 scale Bristol Beaufighter TF.X flying through the clouds.

Images of the model can be seen here.

Saladin Class Upgrade Composite

Here is my composite image of my kitbash 1/537 scale Saladin Class Starship U.S.S. Tamerlane with upgrade on a fly pass of Uranus (stop giggling). Images of the model can be seen here.

AT - ST and Millennium Falcon Composite.

Here is my composite image of MPC's AT-ST (all terrain scout transport) with MPC's 1/58 scale Millennium Falcon from Star Wars passing overhead.
Images of the AT - ST model can be seen here.

Images of the Millenium Falcon model can be seen here.

Phantom Mustang

Here are some images of Monograms 1/32 scale North American P 51 D Phantom Mustang.
Everything is connected. I just need a couple of double dees to make it go.

Xebec Re Post

Here are some images plus a composite of Amati's 1/60 scale Xebec armed vessel 1753. The following description is taken off Historic Ships. "Used by Barbary pirates, Xebecs were equipped with both sails and oars. They featured a distinctive hull with overhanging bow and stern. The lateen rig allowed it to sail close hauled to wind, giving it an advantage in pursuit or escape. The oars allowed the Xebec to approach vessels that were becalmed. Sea-going Mediterranean peoples used Xebecs as corsairs and built them with a narrow floor to achieve a higher speed than their victims.but with a considerable beam that enable them to carry an extensive sail plan. They carried a crew of 300 to 400 men and mounted 16 to 40 guns". My only complaint about this model is that it did not come with a double planking option considering the cost $260 Cdn you would think they would have done so. I should point out that this kit does not come with any instructions, plans only. So one should have some model ship building experience before attempting this model.

Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics YF-22 Composite

Here is my composite image of Testor'e 1/32 scale Lockheed YF 22 Rapier prototype against a blue sky.

Images of the model can be seen here.
From Wikipedia" The Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics YF-22 was a prototype fighter aircraft designed for the United States Air Force. The YF-22 was a finalist in the United States Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter competition, and examples were built. The YF-22 won the contest against the Northrop YF-23, and entered production as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. The YF-22 is similar to the F-22, but with differences in the cockpit, tail fins and wings.

The USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program was conceived in the early 1980s, to provide a replacement for the F-15 Eagle. The Air Force issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the fighter in September 1985, then modified the RFP to include flying prototypes in the final selection. Proposals were submitted by Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed, Northrop, and McDonnell Douglas in July 1986. Lockheed and Northrop were selected in October 1986 for the demonstration phase, ending in a flyoff of prototypes. The companies had previously agreed to form the Lockheed/ General Dynamics/Boeing team and Northrop/McDonnell Douglas team.

The Lockheed team designed the YF-22 and the Northrop team designed the YF-23. Two examples of each prototype were built for the Demonstration-Validation phase: one with General Electric YF120 engines, the other with Pratt & Whitney YF119 engines.

The YF-22 was given the unofficial name "Lightning II", after the World War II fighter P-38, by Lockheed, which persisted until the mid-1990s when the USAF officially named the aircraft "Raptor". The F-35 later received the Lightning II name in 2006.

The YF-22 first flew on 29 September 1990. Flight testing began afterwards and added the second aircraft for each competitor in late October 1990. The YF-22 with GE engines achieved Mach 1.58 in supercruise. Flight testing continued until December 1990. Following flight testing, the contractor teams submitted proposals for ATF production.

Bristol Beaufighter TF.X

Here are some images Of Revell/Lodela 1/32 scale Bristol Beaufighter TF.X.

From Wikipedia"

1941 saw the development of the Beaufighter Mk.IC long-range heavy fighter. This new variant entered service in May 1941 with a detachment from No. 252 Squadron operating from Malta. The aircraft proved so effective in the Mediterranean against shipping, aircraft and ground targets that Coastal Command became the major user of the Beaufighter, replacing the now obsolete Beaufort and Blenheim.

Coastal Command began to take delivery of the up-rated Mk.VIC in mid 1942. By the end of 1942 Mk VICs were being equipped with torpedo-carrying gear, enabling them to carry the British 18 in (457 mm) or the US 22.5 in (572 mm) torpedo externally. The first successful torpedo attacks by Beaufighters came in April 1943, with No. 254 Squadron sinking two merchant ships off Norway.

The Hercules Mk XVII, developing 1,735 hp (1,294 kW) at 500 ft (150 m), was installed in the Mk VIC airframe to produce the TF Mk.X (Torpedo Fighter), commonly known as the "Torbeau". The Mk X became the main production mark of the Beaufighter. The strike variant of the "Torbeau" was designated the Mk.XIC. Beaufighter TF Xs would make precision attacks on shipping at wave-top height with torpedoes or "60lb" RP-3 rockets. Early models of the Mk Xs carried metric-wavelength ASV (air-to-surface vessel) radar with "herringbone" antennae carried on the nose and outer wings, but this was replaced in late 1943 by the centimetric AI Mark VIII radar housed in a "thimble-nose" radome, enabling all-weather and night attacks.

The North Coates Strike Wing of Coastal Command, based at RAF North Coates on the Lincolnshire coast, developed tactics which combined large formations of Beaufighters using cannon and rockets to suppress flak while the Torbeaus attacked at low level with torpedoes. These tactics were put into practice in mid 1943, and in a 10-month period, 29,762 tons (27,000 tonnes) of shipping were sunk. Tactics were further adapted when shipping was moved from port during the night. North Coates Strike Wing operated as the largest anti-shipping force of the Second World War, and accounted for over 150,000 tons (136,100 tonnes) of shipping and 117 vessels for a loss of 120 Beaufighters and 241 aircrew killed or missing. This was half the total tonnage sunk by all strike wings between 1942 and 1945.

Beaufighter TF Mk X

Two-seat torpedo fighter aircraft. The last major version (2,231 built) was the Mk X, among the finest torpedo and strike aircraft of its day. The later production models featured a dorsal fin.

Lysander Composite

Here is my composite image of Revell's/ Matchbox 1/32 scale Westland Lysander MK III flying over a muddy river.

Images of the model can be seen here.

From Wikipedia"
The Westland Lysander was a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft. It was used during the Second World War. The aircraft's exceptional short-field performance made possible clandestine missions using small, unprepared airstrips behind enemy lines that placed or recovered agents, particularly in occupied France. Like other British army air co-operation aircraft it was given the name of a mythical or legendary leader, in this case Spartan general Lysander.

104 British-built Lysanders were delivered to Canada supplementing 225 that were built under license at Malton, Ontario (near Toronto) with production starting in October 1938 and the first aircraft flying in August 1939.

The RCAF primarily operated them in the Army Co-operation role, where they represented a major improvement over the antiquated Westland Wapiti which could trace its origins back to 1916.

Initial training was conducted at Rockcliffe, Ontario (now a part of Ottawa, Ontario) with 123 Squadron running an Army Cooperation school there. Units that operated the Lysander for training in this role in Canada include 2 Squadron, 110 Squadron (which became 400 Squadron overseas) and 112 Squadron.

414 Squadron RCAF was formed overseas with Lysanders, joining 2 Squadron RCAF, 110 squadron RCAF and 112 Squadron RCAF and all four were ready to begin operations when the high losses suffered by RAF Lysanders put plans on hold but they continued training with the Lysanders until replacements were available.

118 Squadron and 122 Squadron would be the only units to use their Lysanders for active duty operations - 118 in Saint John, New Brunswick, and 122 at various locations on Vancouver Island where they performed anti-submarine patrols and conducted search and rescue operations. During the same period, 121 Squadron used the Lysander for Target Towing duties, with a high visibility yellow and black striped paint job but by late 1944 all Lysanders had been withdrawn from flying duties.

Spitfire MK 22 Re Post

Here are some images of Revells 1/32 scale Supermarine Spitfire MK 22 former Matchbox molds. If you buy this kit you will find that a lot of parts could have been easily made into a single part which can be annoying at times. Still it's the only 1/32 scale MK 22/24 on the market.

Space Shuttle Discovery Composite

Here is my composite of Tamiya's 1/100 scale Space Shuttle Discovery orbiting the Earth over a Hurricane.

Images of the model can be seen here.

Arado Ar 196A-3

Here are some images of Revell's 1/32 scale Arado Ar 196A-3 Seaplane.

This is an amazing kit. The fit and detail is excellent. Certainly a far cry from the Revell of old. I love technology especially when it comes to model kits. However despite the excellence of this kit I do have a couple of points of contention. The first being some of the instruction panels. Some of these panels show assembly instructions for the starboard side of the craft when the assembly is meant for the port and vis versa. However this is common mistake that I am sure will be remedied on subsequent re releases but if you decide to purchase this kit just take note and be careful.
The other problem are the canopies. They come in the kit as a series of flat panels of which have to be assembled as opposed to receiving the canopies fully formed. The problem I have with this is that on the main central and back canopies you can see the attachment tabs through the top. You may wish to remove these before assembly though putting them together will be a little more difficult. Why Revell chose to make them this way is anyone's guess.

From Wikipedia"
The Ar 196 was a shipboard reconnaissance aircraft built by the German firm Arado starting in 1936. The next year it was selected as the winner of a design contest, and became the standard aircraft of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) throughout World War II.

In 1933, the Kriegsmarine looked for a standardized shipboard reconnaissance aircraft. After a brief selection period, the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (German Air Ministry, RLM) decided on the Heinkel He 60 biplane. This was one of a line of developments of a basic biplane airframe that appeared as a number of floatplanes, trainers, and fighters. Deliveries started in a matter of months.

By 1935, it was clear that the He 60's performance was lacking, and the RLM asked Heinkel to design its replacement. The result was the He 114. The first prototype was powered by the Daimler-Benz DB 600 inline engine, but it was clear that supplies of this engine would be limited, and the production versions turned to the BMW 132 radial engine instead.

The plane proved to have only slightly better performance than the He 60, and its sea-handling was poor. Rushed modifications resulted in a series of nine prototypes in an attempt to solve some of the problems, but they didn't help much. The Navy gave up, and the planes were eventually sold off to Romania, Spain and Sweden.

In October 1936, the RLM asked for a He 114 replacement. The only stipulations were that it would use the BMW 132, and they wanted prototypes in both twin-float and single-float configurations. Designs were received from Dornier, Gotha, Arado and Focke-Wulf. Heinkel declined to tender, contending that the He 114 could still be made to work.

With the exception of the Arado design, they were all conventional biplanes. That gave the Arado better performance than any of the others, and the RLM ordered four prototypes. The RLM was also rather conservative by nature, so they also ordered two of the Focke-Wulf Fw 62 design as a backup. It quickly became clear that the Arado would work effectively, and only four prototypes of the Fw 62 were built.

The Ar 196 prototypes were all delivered in summer 1937, V1 (which flew in May) and V2 with twin floats as A models, and V3 and V4 on a single float as B models. Both versions demonstrated excellent water handling, and there seemed to be little to decide one over the other. Since there was a possibility of the smaller outrigger floats on the B models "digging in", the twin-float A model was ordered into production. A single additional prototype, V5, was produced in November 1938 to test final changes.

10 A-0s were delivered in November and December 1938, with a single 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 15 machine gun in the rear seat for defense. Five similarly equipped B-0s were also delivered to land-based squadrons. This was followed by 20 A-1 production models starting in June 1939, enough to equip the surface fleet.

Starting in November production switched to the heavier land-based A-2 model. It added shackles for two 50 kg (110 lb) bombs, two 20 mm MG FF cannons in the wings, and a 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17 machine gun in the cowling. The A-4 replaced it in December 1940, strengthening the airframe, adding another radio, and switching props to a VDM model. The apparently mis-numbered A-3 replaced the A-4, with additional strengthening of the airframe. The final production version was the A-5 from 1943, which changed radios and cockpit instruments, and switched the rear gun to the much-improved MG 81Z. In all versions, 541 Ar 196s (526 production models) were built before production ended in August 1944, about 100 of these from SNCA and Fokker plants.

The Ar 196C was a proposed aerodynamically-refined version. The Ar 196C project was cancelled in 1941.

The plane was loved by its pilots, who found it handled well both in the air and on the water. With the loss of the German surface fleet the A-1s were added to coastal squadrons, and continued to fly reconnaissance missions and submarine hunts into late 1944. Two notable operations were the capture of HMS Seal, and the repeated interception of RAF Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley bombers. Although it was no match for a fighter, it was considerably better than its Allied counterparts, and generally considered the best of its class. Owing to its good handling on water, the Finnish Air Force utilized Ar 196 solely on transporting and supplying special forces patrols behind enemy lines, landing on small lakes in remote areas. Several fully equipped soldiers were carried in the fuselage.

Arado in Allied hands

The first Arado Ar 196 to fall into allied hands was an example belonging to the German cruiser Admiral Hipper captured in Lyngstad by a Norwegian Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk M.F.11 seaplane of the Trøndelag naval district on 8 April 1940, at the dawn of the Norwegian Campaign. After being towed to Kristiansund by the torpedo boat HNoMS Sild, it was used against its former owners, flying with Norwegian markings. At 0330 on April 18, the Arado was evacuated to the UK by a Royal Norwegian Navy Air Service pilot. The plane was shortly thereafter crashed by a British pilot while on transit to the Helensburgh naval air base for testing. At the end of the war, at least another Arado Ar 196 was left at a Norwegian airfield and kept in use as a liaison aircraft by the Royal Norwegian Air Force for a year on the West coast.