1/400 Canadian Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (scratch)

[Neptune]

I'll try to log my build here as I progress.

The project started a while back as I was looking for a small, compact ship with bow thruster and conventional propulsion for RC purposes on smaller ponds. The scale should be 1/100 to fit with my other large scale ships.
I also wanted it to be relatively simple since I love to build hulls, but didn't want to get bogged down in infinite details.
AOPS fits all of those criteria. However, there are no plans available of these vessels, so I decided to embark on a journey to make my own.
Luckily they spoiled us with plenty of construction pictures that give at least an idea of the frame shapes. Some interpolation between known object sizes and the ship gave me a good starting point.

After creating the plans, I decided to create quick 1/400 model to evaluate my drawn frames. I did make my drawings in 1/100 and scaled them down.
First the test model had one frame that looked off, but I wasn't sure which 1 of 2 frames was the odd one.
That's where phase one stopped. I needed to look for a way forward without spending too much time on it.

Salvation came when I found some waste insulation board. I decided to cut it up and hot glue it between the frames to get a better view of the frame shapes.

[Neptune]

Next step was finding that odd frame, adjust its shape and trace that new outline. I only glued the blocks on the inside, so I could easily put a piece of paper between the frames and blocks.

I still wasn't very satisfied with this and wanted to build a complete 1/400 version. This hull wasn't foreseen for that and adjusting it would have been really difficult as those blocks were really well glued and I'd need to adjust all frames to accept the parallel sides.

I therefore decided to build a new hull.

[Pieter]

Nice to see you posting on the Picture Post board again. And an interesting ship as well. Have you decided which ship of the class you will be building?

[Neptune]

Hi Pieter,

been building some Ships in bottles, which I believe don't really fit here.

Not entirely sure which version/ship I'll build. The RC version isn't off the table, so I'm thinking about a Coast Guard version and Navy version. That said, the drawings I did find were all for the Navy version, while I see on the Coast Guard version (called Donjek), that it has bilge keels (odd for an icebreaking hull) and a very different poop deck lay-out... So it would require more designing.
I guess time will tell when I arrive at the final stage, where I need to detail.

[Neptune]

So, some progress. Why did I build the way I did?

I use scrap styrene pieces to fill the space between frames. As you can see in previous post, it's a jolly, non-gitting collection.
Milliput, the 2-part epoxy filler I use, is a rather sturdy material, that requires quite some force to flow on and around the pieces of styrene.
I didn't mount the parallel sides because I wanted to support the styrene pieces from the inside with my fingers to avoid them caving in under the force required to spread the milliput.
With sides mounted, this would have been difficult. I also know that I need at least 2 to 3 applications of milliput if I don't want any dents, so during 2nd application, I fill the gaps with the parallel sides.

Then finally the pictures:

And for those unfamiliar with the subject:

The Coast Guard version: (first of 2 ships is just launched for fitting out)


And the Navy version:
https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Canadi ... -class.htm

[Neptune]

At this point, I had several ways to move forward.
I opted to start building the aft bulkhead with the ROV or drone hangar gate.
This was the most difficult part during the research and plan creqtion stage.
Building it wasn't that hard, since my plans are quite detailed.

It will be largely hidden underneath the helicopter deck in the end.

On the other side, i cut out one of the side panels and glued it to the side. Some extra parts, mostly aft and the aft edge of the lifeboat openings, were removed because they will be replaced by 0.3mm thick pieces to be more realistic.

[Timmy C]

That's officially the vehicle garage, actually - no dedicated drone/ROV space, though storage is storage so it can certainly be used for that.

Looking good!

[Neptune]

I see, well I guess for the CG version it'll carry those, considering the A frame over the stern to launch such vehicles.
On the Navy version that stern looks really cramped with that big crane and the boats parked.

Working again in several areas. I made the rescue boat/fast boat areas (roughly).
Also continuing on the bow area.

[Neptune]

And some more progress.
Finally shaped both 0.3mm inserts for the poop deck and cut the helo deck level to size.

And finished that odd bow. The reason I assembled it like this, is because the real ship seems to be designed like that as well. A lower bow, including anchor pockets, up till the mooring deck. Then from the mooring deck up, the platings follows a different outline.
Below the mooring deck you have an obvious knuckle, but on the mooring deck, there is an inverted knuckle, which is nearly invisible from the side.

[marijn van gils]

Another very interesting scratchbuild!

[Neptune]

Thanks Marijn.

And some more progress. After mounting the bow and inserts on the aft, it was time for another session of puttying to better integrate those parts with the rest of the hull as well as solve some dents.

After some issues with the stern bulwarks, I decided to cut those off from the inserts and make the bulwark in 1 piece from some brass (PE sprue leftover).

Now again sanding and continuing with the propeller skegs, of which you see the beginnings test fitted on the hull.

Lucky for me, she is nicely balanced in upside down position on those funnels.

[marijn van gils]

That will make a big difference once sanded!

Wha putty do you use? Milliput superfine (white)?

[Timmy C]

Lovely skegs!

[Neptune]

I indeed use white Milliput (Superfine). This one was nearly 1 year old, so this project basically got front seat because I wanted to consume the Milliput. It's relatively expensive, I had used only a tiny amount of it and I know after some time it gets difficult to mix or doesn't harden out properly anymore.

After sanding of the last putty application, it was time to put a sacrificial coat of primer, to trace the last dents etc.

[Neptune]

Time to carry on. A very distinctive feature is that bow cover. So time to add it before adding more filler.

[Timmy C]

It's what gives their oddly sleek appearance! Looking good.

A little recent imagery to whet the appetite:

[Neptune]

Thanks for that picture Timmy,
I decided a while back that she'll become a Navy version. Considering this Trident, it might as well be this one.

It's also pretty clear my canopy is too high and steep on the bow, but I won't be correcting this as I do not have that personal connection these vessels as I have with most of my merchant ships.

Time to add the skegs, rudders and end pieces of the lifeboat recesses. This more or less completes the side profile.

It's become clear that my plans aren't up to a large scale RC version.

[MartinJQuinn]

Nice work. I truly admire you folks who can create something from nothing!

[Neptune]

Thanks Martin,
I admire people like yourself, with such patience to work with so many small pieces. I suffer from a lot of tremors due to my physically demanding job, which leaves me with a hit-and-run technique for placing details, even when I pre-drill things, glue ends up everywhere.

That said, this model has little detail, so that should be fine. In the meanwhile I couldn't stand the crappy canopy shape, so I decided to rebuild it after all. This time the front part will be much lower, creating a slightly steeper angle. Also the shape will be reworked to create a sharper angle on the sides, which seems to be the case on the real ships.

This is where I got before I decided to remove that canopy again. She needs some extra filler in some dents.