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[kendalboatsman]

Many years ago I started a research project on Q ships and found out quite a bit about them. Pictures were few and far between though, has anyone modelled a q ship working or otherwise.

I had wanted to build a fully functioning model for a working demonstartion. Sadly through job relocation and other issues I laid off modelling for a while but I hope to get going again real soon. I have already built a workbench frame in the loft ready to start building by easter.

Would love to see photos of any modelled q ships or advice on finding suitable plans.

Thanks
Clive

[KenP]

There is a semi-kit of a q ship. I think.
Westbourne Models used to stock it. It was expensive as  the fittings were all John Haynes, excellent quality as usual.
I've a feeling you could just buy the hull and plans.  You could try contacting Barry Shanks at Westbourne. It was a physically big boat

KenP

[tobyker]

I've just checked my copy of "My mystery Ships" by Rear-Admiral Gordon Campbell, VC, DSO, and there are only pictures of somewhat used bits of Q-ships (torpedo damage, half-sunk or beached ships) and a silhouette drawing of HMS Farnborough, showing gun positions etc. How frustrating.

[kendalboatsman]

I did a google search and came up with a wikipeadia article and some useful photos. I had wondered about using the Talacre kit as a basis.

[Colin Bishop]

It might be worth contacting the Imperial War Museum who are likely to have photos. You are unlikely to get much in the way of plans as Q ships were wartime conversions, usually by adding a false deckhouse to conceal their armament. I would have thought that Talacre would be a bit on the small side as a prototype being a single hatch coaster. Something like a Deans Melanie might be a better bet although it's a bit small to build in working features.

If you are willing to consider scratch building then there are several possible plans available you could use as a basis although you might have to scale then up. Some possibilities from the old ModelBboats range (which are now probably available via X Plans) would be:

MM/1171 SS Armora Tramp Steamer of 1911 length 35 inches
MM/1151 Grangemouth small passenger cargo ship of 1908 length 35 inches
MM/465 SS Hobo semi scale 4 hatch tramp steamer length 24 inches. This is a simplified model which could be scaled up as a basis for Q ship.

Underhill Plans also feature a 800 ton engines aft steam coaster of the period length 27 inches.

Good luck,

Colin