1) The complete projected 40mm Bofors complement may not have all made it onto the ship, or some were removed quickly, as I couldn't find any photos of the 40mm single Bofors in Colossus at the stern during my research. Those 2 Bofors at the stern in the gallery were badly positioned, so it's possible with that, in addition to the war being over and the need for them not as necessary, they didn't last long there. The Heller kit doesn't model them there, either.hj1985 wrote:
Hi Mike
So lucky to find you here.
I recently bought IHP's 1/700 Colossus (a very nice quality kit with amazing details) and have some questions regarding the light AA weapon configuration.
I have no issue with Pom-Pom, but not sure about 40mm guns.
We know in July 1945, all Colossus' Oerlikon 20 mm guns were replaced by Bofors 40 mm guns.
Norman Friedman's research puts the approved 40mm total in Sept 1945 as 10 Boffins (replacing twin 20mm) plus 11 Mk.III.
http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... Review.htm
1. I think Part #D68 of your kit represents single Bofors, I counted 8 on the right and 11 on the left, totalling 19. There were also a further pair on each quarter of the stern at quarterdeck level as per Friedman, but I don't seem to find it.
2. Also I'm not sure what AA configuration Part #D82 represents.
3. Do we have any QF 3-pounder Vickers in the kit too?
If you could shed some light on this topic, it is much appreciated!
You're correct, Colossus herself didn't have the original twin 20mm for long, as they were landed and replaced with the 40mm Bofors mounts after she arrived in the Pacific. Our newer, updated version of the Colossus kit represents the ship mid-1945 or so onward. The other ships started landing two 40mm Bofors, one each from the forward port and starboard sponsons, and the kits all reflect that.
Warrior at the beginning of RCN service had the two 40mm Bofors at the stern at the corners of the open gallery. I have a photo to prove this, and the forthcoming kit will have them. She also had one saluting gun replacing one of the three 40mm mounts at the starboard aft gallery. It's hard to find good photos of this mount but we'll do the best we can with it.
2) Part D82 was the original Type 282 radar part for the kit, but we've since made a new, more accurate one thanks to some help. A sprue of 6 extras is being included with all versions of the kits now and the instructions updated for them. If you want some, let me know, I can get you a sprue of them.
3) The ships did not carry 3pdrs in the time periods we are marketing them.
Warrior and Ocean also had different bridge arrangements from the other ships. And Ocean was the only ship to mount SM-1 radar. We will be making new parts to properly represent them.
Now, we know about Warrior, but if you have photos of Colossus or the other ships with the 40mm mounts at the stern after mid '45, let me know so we can correct the kit.
Mike Bartel
