Revell Canadian Corvettes and U-Boats

Hi there,

I totally understand - what else could you do?  I know that I would have been powerless.  It sounds like an fun build.  Have you decided which corvette and VII they will finish as?

Cheers, Rick 

Aurora-7 wrote:

The two should look good on display together, especially since they're in the same scale.

 

They look even better as rc models operating in the local pond together.

RTimmer wrote:

Hi there, I totally understand - what else could you do?  I know that I would have been powerless.  It sounds like an fun build.  Have you decided which corvette and VII they will finish as? Cheers, Rick

I plan to do the VIIC as Peter Cremer's U-333.

I'm not sure about the Corvette, though. From what I've researched, the Revell kit is an ex-Matchbox kit and it really is meant to be built into a Canadian built Corvette that served in the British Royal Navy so it's overall layout is oriented to the RN style ship. So I could build it as the HMS Crocus, which gave the U-333 a terrible fight in WWII but I may get another Corevette for that build and convert this to a standard RCN early Flower class Corvette. 

CG Bob wrote:

Aurora-7 wrote: The two should look good on display together, especially since they're in the same scale.   They look even better as rc models operating in the local pond together.

Yes, I've seen many an RC conversion postings on the web for these kits while surfing for my research. RCing is a bit out of my league, though.

Aurora-7 wrote:

Yes, I've seen many an RC conversion postings on the web for these kits while surfing for my research. RCing is a bit out of my league, though.

  Why do you think rc is a bit out of your league?  For the corvette, all you need is a good basic 2 channel radio (starting at $40), a motor ($15 & up), battery ($15 & up) and charger ($10 & up), electronic speed control  ($30 & up), some brass tubing, u-joint to conect the motor to the prop, and some pushrod material.  If you can build the basic kit and add lots of after market parts, you can install radio gear and make the boat fully operational.  The U-boat will cost more to rc, close to $500 extra.

Crikey!  Tell me, do you sell house mortgages too?  Just kidding!

CG Bob,

As tempting as it is to see my corvette actually taking to the water, what time I have available is barely enough for building static kits, let alone 'sailing'. I've got lots of kits to catch up on.

The original Matchbox kit was of HMS Bluebell built in 1940, its Canadian derivative 'Snowberry' was built in Canada for the RN but was loaned to the RCN on completion.

The Snowberry version requires some changes to the porthole configuration, and there are variances in the Radar housing shape, and carley float shapes.

The third version USS Saucy which I think was introduced when Revell took over production, was originally HMS Arabis, transferred to the USA in 1942.

They do make up into splendid models especially if enhanced with after market bits and pieces.

I have built both Bluebell and Snowberry and they remain firm favourites.

 Good luck with your project

Thanks, GeargeW. The VIIC and Snowberry just came in yesterday. Their box dimensions are identical to each other.

Yes, I found plethora of web sites and information about this particular kit and various builds done of it. I have no idea what particular ship I’d like to do now other than one being in the RCN service. I won’t start this project until 2009.

just remember:

U 333 changed appearance quite a lot during her career.

even added a second wintergarden, first with a 3 cm cannon, later with a quadruple 2 cm.

 ULAD produces a decal set for the U 333 "maling", three little fish

 

 

The Revell Snowberry kit (which I built a couple of years ago - see my forum photo!) actually includes all the parts for the Bluebell version, though for some reason the kit only includes instructions for Snowberry and USS Saucy. I seem to remember it even includes the hull number decals for Bluebell. The kit also includes two different radar "lanterns" - one round, the other octagonal - and two types of 4" gun shield. I have a document somewhere on my PC which lists all the steps needed to build Bluebell from the Revell kit; I'll post it here if anyone is interested.

The USS Saucy variant represents the ship immediately after being put into USN service, with minimal modification -  converting it to a USN corvette in later war service would require a bit more work, including a replacement deck gun (US 4" or 3"/50).

rabapla wrote:

just remember: U 333 changed appearance quite a lot during her career. even added a second wintergarden, first with a 3 cm cannon, later with a quadruple 2 cm.  ULAD produces a decal set for the U 333 "maling", three little fish

 

Thanks for the heads up on that. I'll have to consider which version to do. 

Hi folk. Ive just come across your thread on the Snowberry and U boat. I recently purchased both the kits and am impressed with their quality. Ive already built the  U boat as the early version 552 which Im using to teach myself how to use an airbrush with along with having a go at weathering for the first time.

As for the Snowberry this is my main reason for posting here. Id love to build it as the Bluebell and Im hoping you can follow up on your willingness to post here the details of the build instructions. I mailed Revell a week or two ago requesting the details but they have yet to respond.

Id also like to convert it to  rc but Ive never done anything like that before so your list of items is usefull. I dont suppose anyone reading this can tell me how to adapt the deck to allow access to the innards?

 I used to do modeling some 30 odd years ago and have just returned to it now my kids are grown. Ive a lot of catching up to do as my last experience consisted of open box - follow instructions - do basic paint job - finished. So Im hoping you can help me out with some suggestions as to how I proceed.

Anyway thanks for a great thread with usefull info.

Antony

Hi Antony,

The Revell Saucy/ Snowberry is  basically Bluebell, with minor differences.

I built my Bluebell when it was issued under the original Matchbox label, and the Snowberry when released by Revell.

The kit differences are fairly minor, but to do a proper conversion to Snowberry there is a change in the porthole configuration, and the Radar lantern is probably the biggest noticeable difference. The carley float arrangement is also different, and of course the camouflage scheme is also different

If it's any help to you here are photos of Bluebell and Snowberry that show key differences.

These show the differences in the radar lantern, Snowberry top and Bluebell below.

Here the different carley float arrangement can be seen.

 Note the wooden decking , this would also apply to Snowberry.

Finally a  broadside shot of Bluebell.

Both these models have been enhanced with after market items and scratch built deck furniture in the case of Snowberry.

IF you intend to do an r/c conversion a search of the web will bring up information, but such a conversion may well have to sacrifice some detail for practical reasons if you are to sail her.

 Hope this helps

 

Thanks for the photos George. Originally I bought a copy of the Snowberry for my son, Christmas before last. I watched as the ship took shape with some envy. I guess its what bought me back to have a go at modeling again myself. I got my Snowberry a couple of weeks ago but so far all Ive done is put the hull quarters together.

I took a look at the optional extra kits available last night and was staggered by the detail on offer. Things have come a long way since the early/mid 70s. I also totted up what it would cost me to buy them all - from  just the one company - GLS - an amazing £344. I shall build this one as is I think, except for making it RC - but having seen these detail kits I shall have to get another one.

Probably adding lots of delicate brass etched enhancements is not the best thing for a sailing r/c model, so an oob build may be the better option.

This link of great value to corvette modellers contains a feature on r/c conversion.

http://www.cbrnp.com/RNP/Flower/contents.htm

Good luck with your project.

Antony,

I was just looking over my box of the Snowberry kit this weekend, figuring what how to finish it. From what I understand, to finish her as an early HMCS Corvette (which I'd like to do) , I'll need to do things like reduce the ovalnessof the stern and various fitting changes. I'll proabably start it in late spring. I'm still struggling with my 1/72 Revell Gato that I'm finishing as Tautog at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Very inspirational work on yours, George! When I found that website about Corvettes last year I couldn't believe it! It's perfect for a builder.

I built the Snowberry last year, and ended up sanding much of the molded wood decks off from the reasearch I saw. I love the kit its very busy on deck and looks great. I have a new computer now which I hope the new OS will allow for posting photos here easier for me.

I had to replace the kit glass with clear sheet styrene as the molded plastic glass will not fit at all. Be aware of this. Its not hard to correct and looks better anyway.

 

I'm currenty finishing the CMK interiors fro the VIIC and looking forward to getting them installed, as I've cut the hull, and and almost ready to install them, so I've got at leat another two months on this.

I'll try to get my Snowberry photos up.