HMS Gloxinia 1/700 Black Cat Models

[zs180]

This is a short description of the build of HMS Gloxinia, originally HMS Begonia, an 1/700 scale model of Black Cat Models. This is a fairly recent release and I have yet to see a completed build of this kit online, although some pictures of the 1/350 version completed can be found. I set out to build this kit as one of four short-forecastle Flower-class corvettes serving in the Mediterranean at the beginning of 1941 as part of my planned diorama. I decided to convert the kit to show HMS Gloxinia because there was a photograph of acceptable quality showing her, albeit at a later date with numerous modifications. The Flower-class comprised a lot of small, unglamorous ships, therefore one cannot expect to find many useful pictures of a particular member of the class. Consequently, my conversion was based on much guesswork based on information gathered from available sources like the aforementioned picture, pictures of a large-scale model of the ships, pictures of ships completed at the same yard at roughly at the same time, printed material (Ensign 3, ShipCraft Special, Anatomy of the Ship and Warships Perspectives) and can by no means can regarded as a precise reconstruction.
The kit itself is very nice with the hull and most details 3D printed and a small photoetch sheet. Print lines are barely noticeable, whereas the PE railing is a tad too thick. There are two metal rods, cut to measure for the mast and yard and a nice decal sheet. Extra parts are provided for the other similar Flower-class releases, which is a useful feature regarding the brittleness of the 3D printed parts.

Construction started with the hull whereon strakes were simulated by layers of Mr. Surfacer sprayed on, the number and location of portholes was altered, PE rigols were added and some parts, like the printed-on anchors and the armour plates, not appropriate for Gloxinia, were cut off. Likewise, I removed surplus printed-on depth charges, printed-on ladders and relocated some of the deck equipment. The quarterdeck was considerably altered with WEM’s PE minesweeping reel, scratch built smoke generators and roller fairlead added along with other miniscule details. The bridge was also much changed with wings and solid splinter shields cut off, the latter to be replaced with much more realistic looking PE railing covered with PVA glue simulating canvas. Bridge equipment was rearranged and complemented with PE flag locker, additional voice pipes, signal lamps and a semaphore. Scratch built sounding gear along with a boom, was also added. The funnel received a PE grille replacing the original 3D printed one. The mast had a finer PE Jacob’s ladder (WEM) added. Carley floats and boats were largely unaltered with the kit parts being satisfactory. Only davits were further detailed with griping spars and some additional small cable reels were added. The same applied to the armament, solely the 4” gun barrel was replaced with a brass barrel (Master Model). Railing was WEM PE (forecastle) and kit’s PE (the rest). PE ladders were added throughout using the kit’s PE and Flyhawk PE parts.

The kit in its orginal form with the main components dry fitted:

With unwanted details removed:

After some details were added:

[zs180]

Painting was done using Colourcoats’ AP 507A (hull, steel decks) and AP507C superstructure, equipment, both lightened. WEM teak was used to paint a smattering of wood deck found at places. The model was lightly weathered using AK and 502 Abteilung products, because the ships was only half a year into service at the time modelled.

[zs180]

More pics of an advanced stage of the build:

[Quincy]

Outstanding built!!



Bob

[MartinJQuinn]

Beautiful work, as always!

[zs180]

Thank you, guys!

[zs180]

Rigging was done using Lycra, Caenis and stretched sprue with insulators fashioned out of PVA glue and painted black. Flag decals included are a White Ensign and signal flags showing the ship’s pennant number.
25 3D printed crew figures from various manufacturers were used to populate the decks, most of them gathering at the starboard boat davits, where a dinghy as about to be lifted aboard – the small boat itself will be seen in the completed diorama.

A dog can be seen next to the anchor windlass.

This was a relatively fast and straightforward build thanks to the excellent kit. It took me two months to finish. Meanwhile I finished the diorama showing HMS York and HMS Ajax and this ship, of which another post will appear soon.

[Pieter]

Nice buil. I hope you will finish building the full diorama soon.

[zs180]

Thank you, Pieter!
In fact the diorama is already finished.
It will be featured soon in the 'Completed Models' section.

[SG1]

Beautiful build, Bravissimo!

[zs180]

SG1, thank you very much!