Although I am a wargamer, it does not preclude me from looking at various magazines about related hobbies. When the opportunity arises, I usually have a good browse through model railway, model aircraft, and model boat magazines as they often have articles that might be of interest.
Whilst out shopping this morning with my wife, I happened to see the October 2010 issue of MODEL BOATS on sale in a newsagent. What caught my eye was the 'Free Plan!' banner on the cover, and when I flicked through the publication I realised that it might be something I could use at some time in the future.
The 'Free Plan' is of a 144th-scale World War I British Destroyer, HMS Mandate. The model is not intended to be an exact-scale one, but what is termed in the model boat hobby as a 'stand-off' scale model. In other words, it looks like what it is supposed to represent, but some of the more delicate detailing has been left off, and the hull shape and superstructure are simplified versions of the original. As a result, such models tend to be somewhat more robust than exact-scale models, especially as they are designed for sailing and not just for display.
The method used to construct the model is straight forward and quite simple, and it struck me that I could easily adapt it to build similar 'stand-off' waterline model ships for wargaming. The plans (and the explanatory article that was inside the magazine) have already been added to my archive, and one day ... sometime soon I hope ... shall build a model or two that have been inspired by the 'Free Plan!'.
Whilst out shopping this morning with my wife, I happened to see the October 2010 issue of MODEL BOATS on sale in a newsagent. What caught my eye was the 'Free Plan!' banner on the cover, and when I flicked through the publication I realised that it might be something I could use at some time in the future.
The 'Free Plan' is of a 144th-scale World War I British Destroyer, HMS Mandate. The model is not intended to be an exact-scale one, but what is termed in the model boat hobby as a 'stand-off' scale model. In other words, it looks like what it is supposed to represent, but some of the more delicate detailing has been left off, and the hull shape and superstructure are simplified versions of the original. As a result, such models tend to be somewhat more robust than exact-scale models, especially as they are designed for sailing and not just for display.The method used to construct the model is straight forward and quite simple, and it struck me that I could easily adapt it to build similar 'stand-off' waterline model ships for wargaming. The plans (and the explanatory article that was inside the magazine) have already been added to my archive, and one day ... sometime soon I hope ... shall build a model or two that have been inspired by the 'Free Plan!'.
1/144 scale ships? You'll need a bigger table for a fleet action...
ReplyDeleteTim
Tim,
ReplyDeleteOr a large lawn?
All the best,
Bob
Isn't your lawn on a bit of a slope? That'd call for some very creative scenario writing!
ReplyDeleteTim
Besides wargaming, model boating was an old hobby that I still get into occasionally. That boat plan is by Glynn Guest, and is my favorite model boat designer, mainly because of his simplified building methods. I have built several hulls using his system and thought it would be great for waterline wargame ships.
ReplyDeleteTim,
ReplyDeleteYes, which is why it is great for recreating the Water Ski Championship in 1/72nd-scale!
In truth, I was thinking more of a Northamptonshire location at some time during a forthcoming July ...
All the best,
Bob
Could this be the WW2 Pacific island-hopping game we've been vaguely discussing for about 15 years?
ReplyDeleteTim
Jhnptrqn,
ReplyDeleteI have some of his earlier designs in my archives. In addition to the plans of the 'M' Class destroyer I have:
- RCNS 'Whistler' (A generic Cold War Canadian AS Frigate by Eris Kennedy)
- HMS 'Tanganyika' (A 'Colony' Class World War II Cruiser by Glynn Guest)
- HMS 'M34' (A World War I Monitor by Clive Halliwell)
- HMS 'Matador' (A 'M' Class World War II Destroyer by Glynn Guest)
- USS 'Hanford' (A 'Fletcher' Class World War II Destroyer by Glynn Guest)
- USS 'Hanley' (An 'Allan M Sumner' Class World War II Destroyer by Glynn Guest)
- USS 'Bodega Bay' (A 'Casablanca' Class World War II Escort carrier by Glynn Guest)
- USS PCE (A World War II Patrol Craft Escort by Glynn Guest)
- USS 'Hibbard' (An 'Arleigh Burke' Class Cold War Destroyer by Glynn Guest)
It is a much longer list that I had originally thought … and it does not include the merchant ship designs that I also have in the archives.
All the best,
Bob
Tim,
ReplyDeleteIt might just be the excuse I need to do it!
Having looked at the list of model plans that I have, quite a few of them would be suitable.
Could we be seeing the return to the New Stanhall Islands? You never know ... we might just!
All the best,
Bob