The Ship Model Forum

I have GOT to get my Studio back to working condition (hurricanes and floods, and then something that was discovered in my throat, kept interfering with the new Studio).

Because these builds are inspiring, and I just started to re-build USS SF when the first flood happened…

The Astoria Build is amazing, and I have been looking for a HMAS Australia for a while now.

I think I need to replace m Midship DDs with your (Matt’s) Kraken stuff…

DAMN! That is some EXCELLENT work!

MB

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OMG LOOK! A signature

Working on:


1/700 (All Fall 1942):
HIJMS Nagara
HIJMS Aoba & Kinugasa
USS San Francisco
USS Helena
USS St. Louis
USS Laffey & Farenholt
HIJMS Sub-Chasers No. 4 - 7
HIJMS Sub-Chasers No. 13 - 16

Hey MB, thanks for your kind words... and good to have you at the workbench again!
I hope something might happen even with the Australia if you were a bit patient

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Battle of Savo Island Collection (all 1/700)
Recently completed: USS Wilson DD-408
At works: USS Astoria CA-34 | USS Patterson DD-392 & USS Bagley DD-386 | HMAS Australia
Prep stage: USS Vincennes CA-44 | Yubari | Kako

Vlad:

Just coming across this thread now. I will watch with eager anticipation what you do with the Aoshima HMS Kent kit. But so far, looks great!!!

A few years back, right after the Aoshima kit was released, I sat down and tried to figure out what it would take to convert a kit of HMS Kent to an HMAS Australia circa 1941-1943 using photos of HMAS Australia available on the internet and in various published reference works. Here is my list of modifications--which you might find of use:

1) reduce height of turret bases to match broadside photos of HMAS Australia
2) reduce height of catapult turntable to match height of turntable in broadside photos of HMAS Australia
3) create single latticework searchlight platform for placement aft of catapult
4) raise level of flag deck platform aft of bridge
5) raise height of funnels
6) reduce height of lowest level of bridge
7) remove weatherdeck amidships
alter foc's'l deck forward of breakwater to wooden planks (don't know why this smiley is showing up instead of the number eight)
9) produce new ADO platform (forward main gun director platform) atop bridge to a wedge-shaped or faceted front face (more research is required here--its appearance may have changed over time)
10) remove weather deck and add splinter shields for 4" HA guns
11) add long walkway/catwalk from flag deck to aft pom-pom platform
12) add searchlight platform athwart or wrapping around the forward funnel (configuration is not clear from photos)

I also found the following drawings online for planned alterations as part of her late war refit, though I cannot recall which website I found them on, and will remove them if there are restrictions on their use elsewhere. There might be details here that you might find useful:





Anyhow, hope this helps!

Best,

Mike E.

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Mike E.

Hi Mike,

thanks for sharing your list, you´ve definitely nailed many of the differences. We´ve worked with Brett Morrow and spent many days aiming to address - hopefully - all the necessary modifications so our list was even longer than yours. We focused also on details not covered in the Kent kit like additional differences on the main bridge, shielded torpedo mounts, side chutes on the hull etc. etc. down to mast details and individual deck vents. There are 2 items in your list about which caught my attention:

1) reduce height of turret bases to match broadside photos of HMAS Australia
I´m not sure about this but I admit I haven´t noticed much difference. I cross-checked my model (which is in the meantime nearly ready) and I don´t see noticeable difference. Have you considered that the Aoshima kit bases partially "sink" into the recesses in the deck planking?

6) reduce height of lowest level of bridge
I haven´t used the Kent bridge at all, there are more differences there. I replaced the whole bridge with PE that I designed based on the few available plans (incl. the one you posted) and many photos, so I can´t comment on the kit´s bridge.

Once again, thanks for your willingness to help, I hope you´ll like the build

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Battle of Savo Island Collection (all 1/700)
Recently completed: USS Wilson DD-408
At works: USS Astoria CA-34 | USS Patterson DD-392 & USS Bagley DD-386 | HMAS Australia
Prep stage: USS Vincennes CA-44 | Yubari | Kako

Wow , these prints are incredible !

For those interested, I just posted a separate review of 1/700 3D printed figures and Walrus from MRY-SFW STORE that I bought in relation to this build.

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Battle of Savo Island Collection (all 1/700)
Recently completed: USS Wilson DD-408
At works: USS Astoria CA-34 | USS Patterson DD-392 & USS Bagley DD-386 | HMAS Australia
Prep stage: USS Vincennes CA-44 | Yubari | Kako