Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Submarines => Topic started by: g4yvm on May 30, 2011, 05:58:03 pm

Title: A Class models
Post by: g4yvm on May 30, 2011, 05:58:03 pm
No one seems to offer A Class submarines.  With such classics as Alliance just down the road (from me tee hee) and great story boats like Affray in our history, A Class would make great subjects I think.

Mind you I havent seen a T Class either, and considering the importance in history of Thetis, that seems odd too.

Maybe the U boats are just TOO exciting!

David
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: Subculture on May 30, 2011, 08:15:57 pm
Darnell did a T-class, now supplied by Models by Design. A chap is Australia did a model too, I think to a larger scale.

Andy
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: g4yvm on May 30, 2011, 08:29:21 pm
Ah yes, just found the MbD site. Thanks.

Just looking at the website (not very good if truth be told, no photos or bling to help me decide!), the contents of each hull seems to be just that, a hull.  I guess this is how he keeps the price down to a very reasonable sum, BUT, things like prop shaft A frames etc, the bollards, deck gear, guns etc etc and the wire guides...are all these available elsewhere or are they scratch build items?

I have emailed him!


D
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: Subculture on May 30, 2011, 10:04:28 pm
I think they just come as a basic hull. Darnell models always left the details to the builder. If you want something very comprehensive you have to look at kits like OTW or Engel which come with everything you need, although they don't do a T-class (OTW do a very nice S-class though).

I'm sure if you send MBD an email, they will be able to send you a picture or two of the hull.
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: Davy1 on May 31, 2011, 09:06:33 am
Royal Navy submarines are a little under represented in model form , in my opinion. And I would put this down to the "allure" of U boats and the much simpler form of nuclear boats with less fiddly detail.
It seems a pity because they were very significant in terms of numbers (e.g 70 U class built) and their influence on the outcome of wars.
If you come along to an AMS meeting (e.g Alfold) you will see some British subs and a fair number of U's. You will also see a very good A class at the Barrow sub day (Dave J's) T's seem to create difficulties because of the large variations in hull form.
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: Subculture on May 31, 2011, 11:32:23 am
Here's a list of boats I can think of, I'm sure I've probably missed some. Most are still in production, some are full kits, others a hull only. Some are out of production, but can be found on the secondhand market from time to time. Plenty to choose from if you want an RN boat, WWI boats are a little thin on the ground, most likely because they tend to be less popular with modellers.

OTW S-class
OTW Oberon class
OTW Valiant
OTW Trafalgar
OTW Vanguard
OTW Upholder
OTW X-craft
Sheerline Trafalgar
SWM Trafalgar
MBD U-class
MBD S-class
MBD T-class
MBD P-class
MBD X-craft
Diplock/ Craycraft E-class
Bruggen C-class
RPMTech Holland class
32nd Parallel Holland Class
Deans Marine K-class
Caswell M-class
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: pugwash on May 31, 2011, 11:38:50 am
Does seem a pity there are no A class models or our first Nuke Dreadnought.

Geoff
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: Subculture on May 31, 2011, 01:33:05 pm
Valiant as supplied by OTW is very similar in looks to Dreadnought. Haven't seen anyone build one of these up yet, which is a shame, I think it has far more pleasing lines than the chunkier Trafalgar class and should be considerably more agile too.
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: Davy1 on May 31, 2011, 06:52:31 pm
A very impressive list of kits from Andy but you will hardly ever see any of them, in fact.
So still plenty of scope for scratch builders and still too many U boats! %% (Sorry to all the U boat owners out there!)
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: Subculture on June 01, 2011, 09:51:17 am
The issue isn't so much lack of availability of models, or that these boats aren't out there. It's got more to do with the same people turning up at shows year in year out, and therefore you only get to see the same bunch of models, save for the odd addition or two that may have been added to their fleet.

In addition, modellers tend to favour kits that come complete with everything you require to get the boat in the water, minus radio etc. Many of the Brit boats are aimed at more experienced builders, as they come as hulls only leaving the builder to decide which system to use inside.
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: Davy1 on June 01, 2011, 10:18:36 am
Yes, I agree with that completely.
David is right with his original comment about A class boats too.
So chaps, stop building sleek nukes and U boats. Broaden your options! ok2
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on June 02, 2011, 03:45:22 pm
One
 of our members is disposing of a Craycraft E Class boat at the bring
and buy at Alfold this sunday, boat built, needs a module, worth a
punt... I am banned from purchasing it as lurking in a garage awaiting
the start of work is a 1/32 scale WWII T Class sub ( group 3 ). Its BIG ,
 about 8'5" :o
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: Peewee on June 02, 2011, 06:15:17 pm
I have to say i prefer the brit boats from a design angle, though i have a weakness for the Oscar class.  Subculture is right  about the basic hull, my S is only has the visual items and no tech and i know i am mad in building her as a first sub but who doesn't like a challenge every so offten
Title: Re: A Class models
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on June 04, 2011, 11:32:58 am
One
 of our members is disposing of a Craycraft E Class boat at the bring
and buy at Alfold this sunday, boat built, needs a module, worth a
punt...


Too late, its sold...out of the blue buyer locally.