Hello Everyone,
I have been 'tinkering' with doing the above for some time now, to the
extent that we are now doing (one so far) models in resin. To this end I have
been posting the following message on several forums. I initially asked the
question "what next in 1/144th scale?" following on from my first
model the Fairmile B class ML, an anti/submarine patrol boat.
'Little Ships' I have defined as MGB's, MTB's, PT
Boats and various types of patrol type craft. My interest is Allied craft
predominantly from WW2 with WW1 and modern craft thrown in.
The following is the posts I have put onto a number of forums --
OK, at this stage this is
the order of preference so I will most likely be releasing one resin model
(kit) at a time in the following order (perhaps):
1. Vosper MTB. The more
common wider (19’3”, 1941-2ish) version as opposed to the much narrower (14’9”,
1939-40ish) type. As far as I can tell the wider hulled boats included numbers
57-66, 73, 75-98, 222-245 and 347-362. This type has recently been released in
1/35th scale by Italeri and 1/72nd scale by Coastal Craft
Models.
2. US Elco 80' PT. this
one would need to include two cabin castings to cater for the different
(slightly) positions of the starboard gun tub. I haven’t quite sorted out boat
numbers yet, but do have the info available.
3. PBR Mk II.
4. Monitor (prog 4) plus Cmd
& Control version.
5. PCF Swift Boat.
6. ASPB 1st
Generation and
7. US Higgins 78' PT.
This next list are
distinct possibilities depending of course on the level of expressions of
interest, they have all been mentioned at least once:
British Power Boat Co. MGB
(71’6”), MTB (71’9”) which could include the earlier 70’ & 63’ MGB and
MA/SB types.
Elco 70’ & 77’ PT
Boats (there were also RN MGB/MTB versions).
The WW1 55’ CMB (could
also include the 40’ version).
BPB Co. 63’ ASRL (like the
Airfix 1/72nd one).
‘Miami’ class ASRL.
The Korean War PTF ‘Nasty’
boat.
The Fairmile D class
MGB/MTB.
‘Tacoma’ class Patrol
Frigate – don’t have anything on this ship.
PACV – likewise, don’t
have any info only a photo.
These next ones are of
particular interest to me:
The SOC-R boat. Check out
“The Navy’s Best Kept Secret” on ‘youtube’ and the movie ‘Act of Valor’, only
released in Feb in the US.
The WW1 80’ ML.
The HDML, the smaller
‘maid of all work’, the larger one being the Fairmile B class ML already
available.
The modern CB-90 boat,
designed in Sweden I think and being evaluated/used by the USN as an RCB
(Riverine Cmd Boat).
The LCSM. This one is
rather obscure and was a landing craft conversion used on the Arakan coast in
Burma.
Having said all this I
need to point out the following –
Please be very patient
with this rather comprehensive list, but you guys (and girls of course if there
are any ladies interested) can help me (and yourselves) a great deal in
bringing these models to fruition by offering to help make the masters.
My plan is to include
brass etch parts and crew figures.
My caster friend and
part-time patternmaker has very limited time to devote to making any masters
and while he would like to tackle the Vosper and Elco boats (perhaps) I really
would like others to ‘have a go’.
I already have a candidate
willing to do the PBR so the others are up for grabs. Please don’t be (too) frightened
to put your hand up.
While the models I do are
waterline I fully appreciate the desire to have ‘full hull’ models so I would strongly
suggest that we have a separate piece made for those who wish to either mount
their model on a stand or if in a diorama have the forefoot showing.
Please keep in mind this
is all about 1/144th scale models/kits only.
Cheers,
Roger in OZ (Bendigo,
Australia).
“Roger’s Little Ships”.
Modelling Allied Light
Coastal Forces.