I subscribe to Readly, and this gives me access to a wide range of magazines and newspapers. Amongst these is Model Boats magazine, and earlier this week I was reading the May issue in which I read an article that particularly interested me.
The article was by Ashley Needham and explained how he had built a very simple model boat whose design was based on the RMS Titanic. He named it the Mintanic, and in outline it certainly resembled the Titanic.
He built his model so that the main superstructure was removeable. This is normal and allows the ship modeller to access a model's motor or motors, its radio-control receiver, and any batteries that it might require. In this case, Mr Needham turned this necessity to his advantage and modelled three other superstructures so that his model boat could be used to represent four ships rather than one. He chose to base his alternate superstructures on prototypes with three, two, and one funnels, and the end results were very different in outline.
I'm not sure if this concept is applicable to model ships that wargamers might wish to use on their tabletops (or lawns!) ... although I can remember some wonderful 20mm model warships being used in RAPID FIRE games many years ago.
Doing something like this is not as far-fetched as it might at first appear. The escort carriers used by the Allies during the Second World War were built using converted or adapted merchant ship hulls, therefore it might be possible to build a simple hull that could have a removeable escort carrier superstructure that could be replaced with that of a freighter, tanker, or amphibious assault ship/attack transport.
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For D-Day type games, I have pondered getting some small scale Destroyers to provide close in fire support, as they did come in rather close to the shore. So 1:1200 or smaller would give the impression of distance, once I get some sea and beach modelled...
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteSome years ago I took part in a wargame about the Salerno landings. The figures and vehicles were 20mm, the landing craft were 1:300th, and the offshore fire support was provide by 1:1200th model ships. It worked quite well. There are some photos here = http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~warden/ww2/Battles/salerno.htm .
All the best,
Bob
I wish they still sold Model Boats here in the states. The idea of using one hull and different superstructure is interesting. Another Model boat magazine had the same idea for smaller boats. I wish I had bought that magazine. Also, the free pilot boat plan is based on a 41' U.S. Coast Guard utility boat. I built a model of one back 40 years ago. I still have it, although I stripped it down years ago.
ReplyDeletejhnptrqn,
DeleteCan't you read it online using a service like Readly?
The free plans are a real bonus, and over the years they've inspired me to build several model boats that I could use for wargaming, although most are long gone.
All the best,
Bob