HMS Blue Bell

[SteamBoatWillie]

This started out life as a RTR 1/48th scale Graupner Corvette model. I always fancied this model but it was ridiculously expensive so the idea got shelved. I then came across one at a bargain price, still in the box, and I was cheeky enough to offer less, which was accepted. I still feel guilty about that. After ballasting and adding a smoke generator I used it for a year or two before getting the bug again for a detailing and weathering job.

What I started with:

18-12-16-01GraupnerBluebellInaugural1.jpg (1.54 MiB) Viewed 296 times

18-12-16-16GraupnerBluebellInaugural16.jpg (1.63 MiB) Viewed 296 times

What I ended with:

18-06-22-07BlueBellUpgrade85.jpg (818.45 KiB) Viewed 296 times

02-08-22-02BlueBellUpgrade95.jpg (751.85 KiB) Viewed 296 times

21-06-22-06BlueBellUpgrade85.jpg (763.46 KiB) Viewed 296 times

21-06-22-02BlueBellUpgrade81.jpg (996.07 KiB) Viewed 296 times

07-08-22-27WiltonParkBlueBell11.jpg (1.52 MiB) Viewed 296 times

07-08-22-16WiltonParkBlueBell1.jpg (1.41 MiB) Viewed 296 times

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I know little about ships, but that is certainly a fine looking model. The idea of 1/48 scale is exciting for various reasons:
1) sheer size;
2) the detail and paint, etc., just as you have done--the figures, the rust, and so much more
3) the scale matches U.S. O Gauge trains, and I have long dreamed of a 1/48 tug boat with barges to carry train cars.

[SteamBoatWillie]

Thank you, I have a number of boat models of the same scale so they can sail together, a couple of deep sea tugs and a harbour tug as well as a minesweeper. Only two of them have had the painting and detailing treatment though, the others are on the list. I like 1/48th as there are plenty of suitable accessories available from the plastic kit world and the figures can be made to look effective without being too demanding of painting skills.

08-06-17-10JoffreEngineRoomCover3.jpg (957.8 KiB) Viewed 228 times

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27-05-21-04JoffreMonkeyIsland1.jpg (825.12 KiB) Viewed 228 times

18-04-10-06Joffree1.jpg (624.69 KiB) Viewed 228 times

18-04-10-01MMMinesweeper1.jpg (672.38 KiB) Viewed 228 times

30-01-22-13BlueBellUpgrade15.jpg (795.58 KiB) Viewed 228 times

[Rob1970]

That's quite awesome. I have the 1/72 Flower Class (original Matchbox kit) in my stash with the plan to make it RC, and -today- bought the STL files to go 1/48 scale. These pictures are inspirational.

[SteamBoatWillie]

I did once try the Matchbox kit and converted it to RC but, even when properly ballasted, it still tended to bounce a little and look a little toy like. Taking it up to 1/48th makes for a much more realistic model and you can ballast it to give a far more sedate movement that tends to cut through the waves rather than bounce over them. The one above has 2kg of ballast epoxied into the bow, 2kg epoxied into the stern, and 2kg midships in batteries, control gear and the smoke unit. She rides the water very well.

The Matchbox Corvette does go very well with the Revell U-Boat though as they are both the same scale! The U-Boat is a bit trickier to convert to RC as it has so little space inside, but it can be done.

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[HERMAN BIX]

Top job Mr Willie, dare I say that U Boat looks almost elegant in the water.
Beautiful photographs too, the mirror image of the U boat on the glass like lake is excellent.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

OOOH AAAHHH!