The Ship Model Forum

Hi all,
Today I present my model of the C-Class AA cruiser HMS Calcutta as she appeared prior to her sinking in 1941.

Kit is from Trumpeter, a fairly recent release, hence a low part count and fairly simple to build. As I wanted to keep the financial investment minimal for this build, I used exclusively stock and/or spare PE, including:
- PE Portholes (rainbow)
- Stairs and handrails (5star model)
- Mainmast antenna and semaphores (spares from WEM PE set)
- 102mm brass barrels (Master model)
- Remaining AA guns swapped for spare flyhawk parts
- Modelkasten 0.047mm rigging
Some slight modifications were needed to replicate her as-sunk appearance; primarily the addition of splinter shields around her main battery. I've seen some builds with additional changes to the superstructure (although the evidence that these changes actually occured seems inconclusive), so I would say my rendition is maybe 80% accurate.

This model took around 8 months to complete (very fast for my standards!) Hoping to tackle a more substantial subject in the near future.

As usual, feedback on my work is more than welcome!

Beautiful work Sherman. She looks sharp!!

Thanks Martin!
A couple more shots taken today.

Thanks for posting the photos of a well-detailed model of the ship.

It's probably too late, but I suspect she was never fitted with the after HA.DCT (Trumpeter part D12). Although not captioned as such, there is a photo of Calcutta in April 1941, which appears to show her without the planned after HA.DCT.
The photo (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C47598) was taken between 2100 on 6 April (when bombing of Piraeus harbour began) and 0315 on 7 April (when Clan Fraser exploded) - the only cruisers in the harbour that night were Ajax, Perth and Calcutta. Calcutta's movements between that incident and her loss would not appear to have given an opportunity for a second HACS to be fitted.

Looks sharp. And for the HA DCT, do we know what was there originally?

tjstoneman wrote: Sun Nov 30, 2025 10:41 am Thanks for posting the photos of a well-detailed model of the ship.

It's probably too late, but I suspect she was never fitted with the after HA.DCT (Trumpeter part D12). Although not captioned as such, there is a photo of Calcutta in April 1941, which appears to show her without the planned after HA.DCT.
The photo (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C47598) was taken between 2100 on 6 April (when bombing of Piraeus harbour began) and 0315 on 7 April (when Clan Fraser exploded) - the only cruisers in the harbour that night were Ajax, Perth and Calcutta. Calcutta's movements between that incident and her loss would not appear to have given an opportunity for a second HACS to be fitted.

To be honest that was just a very silly mistake; I was considering removing the HACS based off my interpretation of some other reference photos I got hold of. The cylindrical support is definitely there but nothing appears to be on top of it. Unfortunately, I ended up completely forgetting to remove the HACS before I started shooting my photos... was hoping it would go unnoticed! Hence the "80% accurate".

Excellent model! The camouflage and subtle weathering looks very good!

Very impressive! Congratulations!

Where you found the information about this fit?

maxim wrote: Thu Dec 11, 2025 11:46 am Very impressive! Congratulations!

Where you found the information about this fit?

Thanks Maxim!

There are a couple of photos of Calcutta wearing this scheme; furthermore a few other people have completed the ship as per 1941 fit although they have some slightly different interpretations of the changes made (e.g. splinter shield shapes).

http://mini-pla.la.coocan.jp/gallery/Ca ... cutta.html
https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/ind ... 1941-1350/

Thank you very much for the answer and the links!

Just beautiful.

Sherman, I had missed this thread, sorry for my belated comment
Your HMS Calcutta is just SUPER. Camo, weathering and rigging exquisite. Way to go!