The Ship Model Forum

Back like the proverbial bad smell, had a few goes at scratchbuilding the Ikara Leander, I served in three, but was never happy with the result. This time I am taking the part route, a few years ago bought a 1.72 scale hull from Fleetscale, but then all model building crashed when the youngest decided to ignore standing orders and produced a grandkid, God I thought our own kids had been time consuming and trouble!

But with Captain Trips on the prowl we cannot have him at weekends as normal, so I have dusted off the hull and unfolded the plans:

Really impressed with the hull, most of the external fittings have markings, shafts, keels and so on, the only odd exception is the 177 sonar is produced but there is not even a mark for the 184. The fibreglass is sturdy and very smooth on the external facings. I have started by lining the top opening to give me something to fit the decks to. Also to outline the Mortar Well and 199 Well.

Fitting the rudders will be a challenge as they mount under the 199 well, very little clearance to get the rudder tubes above the waterline and then fit the control cranks. Later models of the Leander dropped the 199 as the new 2016 sonar had beam steering that could in-sonify under isothermic layers, would be lot easier to work with the rudders on those.

Most of the deck will be made from 3mm ply, which I find nice a rigid fit, but two sections of the forecastle have a diamond pattern gripping tread, not sure why the area between is left smooth. Sourcing the diamond pattern deck took ages, getting it from the US was going to cost me about £30 per A4 sheet, lucky I dropped on some from Spain, will review when they get here. For now those deck sections are being fitted with 2mm ply to allow for the 1mm acrylic sheet with the pattern.

HI THERE this will be a very lovely model when done as I like these frigates an you've got a crackin hull there from fleetscale. I have bought two hulls from them in 1/72 scale type 22 HMS CAMPBELLTOWN F86 an a type 23 HMS NORFOLK F230 an they turned out great but this is not cristium of you but I just wondered why you did not fit the rudders first then the 199 ? is it all glued in place ? but a little patience an you may be ok how much clearance in mm is there ? AN I bought some single tread antislip an double tread antislip an im sure I see diamond pattern on this site for about only £6 a sheet on ebay if you want the details I will post them here
chris