Calling all Royal Navy V-class & W-class fans

[Guest]

yes , quite a few V & W Class ships had the 2 pounder single gun - your replacement option is the White Ensign photoetch set for the V/W Class which
has a photo-etch 2 pounder gun in 1/700 - which is suitable , you would have to research the actual ship you intend modelling - but in 1918 most of them had the gun fitted

[73north]

Hi
just to give the superb news that Showcase Australia Models HMS / HMAS Vendetta SW002 ) has now been released - and is available to buy direct from them for $ 50 Australian Dollars
The Model is very accurate and is an Injection plastic kit with etched brass parts and extensive decal sheet, full hull, which can be built as WW1 HMS Vendetta or post WW1 HMAS Vendetta.
Retail Price: $50
Please sent email to valribbonp51d@gmail.com to place your order. Thanks
I have ordered mine to day , plus added on recorded delivery airmail postage , for � 40 which is a great buy

[JCRAY]

I received mine weeks ago from Hobbyeasy.

[73north]

I received mine weeks ago from Hobbyeasy.

Yeah , I know - but you never said that in this thread, respectfully
-
and my original post, here was just to let others know its still available from Showcase Models
as Hobby Easy and other retailers are sold out , so I am trying to be helpful and drum up business for Showcase Models and help make the kit
a roaring success , as I feel with this kit , its buy now - or regret later !

[Guest]

Paid �40.15UK for mine, yet to buy in Oz, it would only cost you �27.80, so if you have any family out in Oz, I'd get them to 'gift' you one direct.
Hobby Easy ain't cheap!

[73north]

yes
It is actually cheaper to buy Direct from Australia for me ( as no UK supplier is left with any for sale - they're sold out )
and on Ebay the remaining examples of HMS Vendetta are selling for double what Showcase are charging --

[Guest]

I looked for another from BNA but they don't stock Showcase stuff.

If I may be so bold, which Australian outlet do you use?

[73north]

I looked for another from BNA but they don't stock Showcase stuff.

If I may be so bold, which Australian outlet do you use?

Hi
I ordered direct from Showcase Models themselves -

http://www.showcasemodelsaustralia.com. ... s-vendetta

you use the e-mail at the bottom , and pay using pay-pal
there are a few examples for sale on ebay , but the vendor is charging double the original price

I can also announce that I am getting a second V W Class rangefinder ( the one in front of the T shape main rangefinder ) made specially for me
I have uploaded the photo where the red arrows show exactly what I am talking about - the ' hooded ' rangefinder , namely

if anyone needs one - I will post the link here when it is produced in 1-2 weeks - so you can order direct from the CAD Designer
and fit it to your ShowCase Models Vendetta -

This is needed as if you want to portray the ships after 1922 , you will need it for the Model
as the Showcase Model has definitely not one fitted ( 1918 configuration ) -
I checked with the instructions leaflet from Showcase Models - and this is a fact
( I plan to convert the Vendetta to HMS Walker )

kind regards
David
posted online -

[rotley]

I have Showcase Models Australia's 1/350 scale HMS/HMAS Vendetta kit. I had assumed the Vendetta was in its 1933 configuration when handed over by the Royal Navy to the RAN but 73north's above post suggests it is actually in 1918 configuration (if I have read his post correctly).

Anyway, I want to model the Vendetta as it was in the Mediterranean as part of the Scrap Iron Flotilla when involved in the Tobruk Ferry Service in 1941.



Ultimately I would like to model all the destroyers of the Scrap Iron Flotilla. I already have the 1/350 HMAS Stuart kit. I am considering ordering another 3 HMS/HMAS Vendetta kits to convert to HMAS Vampire, Voyager and Waterhen.

The Vampire was built as a V-class Leader which differed from the V-class. There were substantial differences in the superstructure and the V Leaders at construction had 2 triple torpedo mounts.

Voyager and Waterhen were W-class which as I understand differed only slightly from the V-class in having 2 triple torpedo mounts and a taller main mast.

I am looking for any references and/or plans, whether on-line or printed, that will show these ship's appearance around this time, changes to weaponry, camouflage pattern etc. I know some of the Scrap Iron Flotilla ships had 'acquired' Italian weaponry around this time. I found a couple of photos on-line of this but stupidly did not 'bookmark' the page at the time and have not been able to find them again.

Would Alan Raven and John Roberts, Man O�War 2: V and W Class Destroyers, or Anthony Preston, V & W Class Destroyers: 1917-1945 give me the references I need?

[Brett Morrow]

Several good reference points are `Kookaburra Photostream`on Flickr, the RAN Historic archives, and of course the AWM.
There is a treasure trove of reference material within the photostream.
The AWM has shots of captured Italian 20mm Breda`s fitted to the V/W`s.

Does anyone have any information/details on the hooded rangefinder?
I came across this unknown Mk rangefinder, and was wondering if this could be the rangefinder in question.

[JCRAY]

I have the ManOwar I love it but it is dated.

[73north]

I have Showcase Models Australia's 1/350 scale HMS/HMAS Vendetta kit. I had assumed the Vendetta was in its 1933 configuration when handed over by the Royal Navy to the RAN but 73north's above post suggests it is actually in 1918 configuration (if I have read his post correctly).

Anyway, I want to model the Vendetta as it was in the Mediterranean as part of the Scrap Iron Flotilla when involved in the Tobruk Ferry Service in 1941.



Ultimately I would like to model all the destroyers of the Scrap Iron Flotilla. I already have the 1/350 HMAS Stuart kit. I am considering ordering another 3 HMS/HMAS Vendetta kits to convert to HMAS Vampire, Voyager and Waterhen.

The Vampire was built as a V-class Leader which differed from the V-class. There were substantial differences in the superstructure and the V Leaders at construction had 2 triple torpedo mounts.

Voyager and Waterhen were W-class which as I understand differed only slightly from the V-class in having 2 triple torpedo mounts and a taller main mast.

I am looking for any references and/or plans, whether on-line or printed, that will show these ship's appearance around this time, changes to weaponry, camouflage pattern etc. I know some of the Scrap Iron Flotilla ships had 'acquired' Italian weaponry around this time. I found a couple of photos on-line of this but stupidly did not 'bookmark' the page at the time and have not been able to find them again.

Would Alan Raven and John Roberts, Man O�War 2: V and W Class Destroyers, or Anthony Preston, V & W Class Destroyers: 1917-1945 give me the references I need?

I can confirm beyond doubt the Model is 1917 era , and no gun control tower only a T shape range finder - later rangefinders fitted were wider
and above all , mounted higher up on the bridge ( I have looked at HMS Vendetta and Bruce plans ) and I have 16 old postcards of various different V W Class ships

I have also been in touch with a Designer from MicroMaster who is going to make me a specially-made Gun Director in 1/350 scale , which other
modellers can order from him , if they wish

[Brett Morrow]

No searches supply any information on the `Hooded Rangefinder`
I believe you may find this to be a `Finder`Scope to aid the operators of the main stereoscopic Rangefinder which is incidentally a 9 ft scope. I think you will find it is the original fitted Rangefinder.
My previous attachment of a scope in question may in fact be the actual finder scope fitted, or very similar MK.

The Hooded scope fitted to the `Veteran`model attachment does not look anything like the units fitted to the Australian V/W`s, but closely resembles that fitted to `Stuart` but without what appears to be a lens aperture.
At parked position the apparatus follows the hull centreline, unlike that fitted to Stuart or Veteran.
I am open to any correction if any.

[Brett Morrow]

Here is a shot showing Waterhen and Stuart hooded scopes.

[73north]

Hi
I have the great pleasure in announcing that if you want to buy a gun control director for your 1/350 scale V W Class Destroyer -
then it has now been made and is available for purchase from MicroMaster ( Simon ) -
please have a look , I am certain you will be very impressed - it also includes the rangefinder telescopes underneath the sighting hood !
https://www.shapeways.com/product/Q8RL5 ... li=ostatus

I am trying to get more information about the amidships pom-pom platform fitted , some ( like HMS Veteran ) were in echelon , some sided
This is proving to be more complicated than I first though - I agree the 9 feet rangefinder is the original fitment - what threw me off was the fact that the T shaped 9ft rangefinder
definitely was raised higher later in the early 1920's than in 1917 , as displayed on the 1/350 HMAS Vendetta Model ( 1917 as built )
I am looking at Man O'War 2 on the V W Class Destroyers ( very interesting - you forget how much information was inside these great , little books )

kind regards David Walker

[Brett Morrow]

They are nice little `Fire control Directors`David, well done to MicroMark.
After doing a bit more research, I concur with you that the equipment in question is indeed a Fire control Director, and not a Finder scope.
The` Director` produced by Micro Master would undoubtedly be applicable to many units of the V/W class, anyone wishing to build one of the RN units will have to do their research to ascertain if this particular Director was fitted to their intended project.

As pointed out earlier, if you intend to build one of the Australian V/W`s you will require a different Director and Hood.
I cannot pinpoint the exact MK of Director fitted to all the RAN units, but this style of hood was fitted to a number of different classes including the S class, and Parker class flotilla leaders, the S class had a slightly different style hood.
Perhaps MicroMark would consider making this particular Director variant?

The Rangefinder `as fitted`was a Barr and Stroud 9`FQ2 coincidence scope, weather it was ungraded to a later MK between the wars is unknown. It would be a simple matter to use a scale calculator to see if the makers got it right in length.
I concur it is highly likely it has been refitted on a taller pedestal of unknown MK.

In the attachments, a more detailed shot of this particular Director hood, needed for the Aust. V/W`s, this is shown fitted to Flotilla leader HMAS Anzac, it more clearly shows the aperture cover fitted, does not appear to be a repeater dial.
Also, for those interested, a bridge/compass platform view of an Australian V/W, Waterhen?
Best Regards

[73north]

I have had a better look at the Vendetta kit , and the work to make it a 1939 era escort ship -
you would need to extend the forward bridge by 5mm and fit etch bridge windows , fit etch depth charge racks ( take away the paravanes )
if your ship had the 40mm pom-pom guns fitted , fit single pom-pom gun mountings either echelon or sided , - and make an amid-ships gun platform for them
Fit extra etch for the depth charge racks , 1/350 Cable drums for cable reels , get anchor chains instead of the etch ones ( if you wish ) -
get etch for the funnel cap grilles ( not provided in the kit etch set ) - get the rangefinder to sit higher , I think
this Brazilian H Class etch set might be a good donor set
https://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk/coll ... destroyers
if you want to super-detail the model further - then fitting brass 4 inch gun barrels is a great idea ( or 4.7 inch if you ship had them fitted )

[73north]

Hi
I have the pleasure of letting the forum know that if you want a bespoke nameplate to use for the Showcase Models HMAS Vendetta 1/350 Model Warship -
you can now get one made cheaply that will fit the kit display stand it like a glove -


I have had this one made and ordered it today - for HMS Walker - note the same seller could VERY easily get the Vendetta name made , or any HMAS Ship name , very easily
I enclose photos of the product - and the link to Shapeways product
https://www.shapeways.com/product/TXWZC ... d=62960150
If you got to the same link , you can see the guy does 1/600 name plates for different ships ( with 2 holes for fixing to a wooden or plastic base ) - you could easily get him to make you any size for another Warship - that you like , just register for free , on Shapeways

any questions please ask
kind regards

David

[englishgunner]

Hello all, a quick question - which of these guns did the scrap irons have fitted during WW11?, cheers, Will

[Brett Morrow]

Neither of the guns in your previous attachments Will.
If you refer to the main armament they were 4" QF MK V guns on CP II mountings.
If you refer to the AA gun fitted in place of the second torpedo tube mount, that was a QF 3" 12 cwt, which was probably a MK V.