Converting the Calypso back into a minesweeper?

dhenning

1+ on FDD's AM CD...that was the first item I purchased after getting the kit.  I also have photographs of the AM238 from when my wife's Grand Father served on board to help with accuracy. The big problem I ran into;  was these Sweepers are nearly as varied in their equipment fit-out  as was the "Fletcher" class DD's .

There seems to have been only a basic continuity between the ships. Many items were changed at various times when the ships were hauled in for Yard work.   My photo's of AM 238 show some interesting changes that were made to the bridge area and DC equipment from the 43 time period to the 44/45 period.

One set of pics show the "garland" in 43 with single mount 40mm's on the waist and no gun directors.  A 44 pic shows her with "twin 40's" and still no director....yet the end of the war pics show her with twins...directors....and NO Depth charge racks or K-guns.

The ship research can be much frustration when it comes to figuring out an accurate fit-out for any time period.

What I came up with was a "HYBRID" of her...artistic license if you will,  employing certain features that just looked better and leaving off others.  So its basically a 45 fit without gun directors or DC racks,..but hey?...looks ok to me.

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I found the link to the Dumas Whitehall kit after I had started the build and decided against it due to display limitations and the fact that my build was going to be a static replica.  Now if I ever do it again,..I will go with the DUMAS kit....

Dullcote-I am about halfway done with my Lindberg Minesweeper kit conversion/modification into the USS Pirate AM-275.  Started with the bridge and have done several of your changes as well.  Going to use the kit 3" gun, but H&R Products 20mm and twin 40mm.  I am at midships now, have built a new fanhouse to match the one on the Pirate, built the gun director tub, and will probably start on the masts and exhaust stack next.  I am trying to avoid overdoing AMS, since I have had to retain the motorized function (kit was a gift from my sons for our swimming pool flotillia), but have of course started way down the wrong path for that!  Only compromises so far are the screws holding the deck down over the battery/motor access area and the switch (may do some sanding on it and make it look like a scuttle). Wll have to make the masts removable for action in the pool.

I know the sweeping gear is very rough (like the rest of the kit), but it is a start at least.  Thankfully, the Floating Drydock DVD has some great drawings and good photos are available of the Hazard at Omaha's Freedom Park.   Would love to see some photos of your project.

CG Bob-thanks for the info on the 1/96th kit.  Have seen links to it before, but started down the course of converting the Lindberg kit into something that looks like an actual ship (plus the gift factor).  Would like to keep the scale collection going with the 1/125 YMS class sweeper, but don't know if anything will be left of the Revell "Exploration Vessel" after I start trying to make it resemble it's humble origins.  Have found some drawings of the YMS class.  Now I just need some good info on the Calypso to see how much work I am getting into!

Exactly!  Do you know how many #11 blades it took?

A better option would be using the Dumas USS WHITEHALL PCE 856 as a starting point.  The WHITEHALL kit is in 1:96 th scale, and has a vac formed hull, stack, and whaleboat, Sintra decks, laser cut wood cabin parts, and styrene cabin parts.  The weapons, deck details, and props are extra.  

www.dumasproducts.com/product_info.php

I had contemplated that conversion last year.  Lot of "Re-work" and scratch building involved.

It looked to me to be more trouble than it was worth.  I decided just to go with the Lindbergh "Mine Sweeper" kit and rework its components since the basic shape seemed to be on the money.

My reasoning was due to the Wife's GF having served on the AM238 USS Garland during the 2nd half of WW2.  

Even still the kit needed much scratching to bring it up from a toyish look.

The dual 40mm's and the 3/50 needed heavy reworking as did the sweep gear and floats.  The Weather bridge was close to correct in layout, but all controls, gear and com components had to be made.....including the radio hut.  The searchlights and 20 mm's needed to be scratched and so too the flag bag lockers.  All railing and stanchions must be replaced.......and the Main sweep gear Winch....wow!!........anyway...its a lot of frustrating work to make it resemble and actual MS.....but it has been worth it............I'm at the 95% stage with it now and only need to complete the rigging and add some additional deck clutter to be able to say this beast is done.

Actually it wasnt all bad...just more scratch than I anticipated (advanced modeler syndrome)

Anyways.......good luck on whatever you decide to do!!!

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