Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Navy - Military - Battleships: => Topic started by: raflaunches on August 18, 2019, 06:18:39 pm

Title: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on August 18, 2019, 06:18:39 pm
Hi everyone

Time for something different from the Brown's Shipyard in sunny Northamptonshire.
Continuing from our 'can you guess what this is' thread last month, Steve has been busy finishing off HMS Adamant but has been building at fair pace the newest addition to the oddity fleet.
Wanting an aircraft carrier but finding that most have been modelled or being huge in 1/96 scale we decided that something smaller would be better and we chose HMAS/HMS Albatross, a seaplane carrier.
Steve has built up the hull from 6mm softwood frames and 1/32" plywood planks which was layered with 1/32" plywood plates. These are not the finished layer either, we are placing some 0.25mm plastic card to simulate the plating which can have the portholes punched out prior to fitment. Not drilling these ones out this time! Look at the huge forward deck area, three crane/derricks, a hydraulic catapult, two 4.7inch guns, four 20mm Oerlikon cannons, and possibly two Supermarine Walrus (or should it be Walrii?  {-) ) will be sitting on this area!


(https://i.ibb.co/cTghbT6/IMG-0999.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cTghbT6)


(https://i.ibb.co/GJVX0Gw/IMG-0987.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GJVX0Gw) (https://i.ibb.co/ctqN1Ms/IMG-0988.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ctqN1Ms) (https://i.ibb.co/rt0CFRn/IMG-0989.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rt0CFRn) (https://i.ibb.co/zQW22J4/IMG-0990.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zQW22J4)
(https://i.ibb.co/wsPXc69/IMG-0991.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wsPXc69) (https://i.ibb.co/MDgnS4H/IMG-0992.jpg) (https://ibb.co/MDgnS4H) (https://i.ibb.co/mBLD0dG/IMG-0993.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mBLD0dG) (https://i.ibb.co/9txrHfv/IMG-0994.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9txrHfv)
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: TailUK on August 19, 2019, 10:56:17 am
Walrus comes to us from Scandinavia so follows the English convention of being made plural by adding "es" at the end, thus Walruses!  Only words that originate in the Latin are ended "ii". 
It looks like another cool build and I'll follow with interest.  The plans I've seen show space for 3 Walruses. I'd be interested where you're getting aircraft from.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on August 19, 2019, 11:50:22 am
English language- don’t you love it!


At the moment I have bought for the project two Walruses from Deans Marine in 1/96 scale. They are vacformed items with resin and white metal details. I’ve got an Airfix kit which I’ll be using as a reference to add extra detail and finish to a good standard.
The project certainly piqued our interest and can’t wait to start on the detail work especially the catapult and cranes. :-))
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: rsm on August 19, 2019, 12:20:52 pm
GPM in Poland produce a card model of HMS Albatross in 1/200 scale. Might be useful as a reference.


https://sklep.gpm.pl/modele-kartonowe/okrety/1/200/hms-albatross
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: T888 on August 19, 2019, 12:25:42 pm
It looks like interesting build and I'll follow with interest, what Scale will you be making it ? 1/96?
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on August 19, 2019, 01:53:40 pm
We’re using a mixture of plans from Poland- Profile Morskie and Modelarstwo Okretowe which showed off an excellent build of the paper model a few years back. Some brilliant colour schemes to think about too!


The model is a mixed scale of 1/96 and 1/100 which is because of known scale fittings available and the metric scale used by our European cousins.


I thought I wouldn’t be planking a deck so soon but I’ve got a huge area to cover on the fore deck!
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: TailUK on August 19, 2019, 03:14:00 pm
In 1/96th you might want to think about laser engraved ply rather than individual planks.  It work pretty good in the smaller scales.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: derekwarner on August 19, 2019, 11:38:15 pm
Those three deck cranes with the lattice work in the booms and the deck skid chute will be a joy to build.......and test the soldering skills  :o


Have you scaled the main pipe size that was used for all of the tapered  VVV members of the lattice work?....

[Looks like Vv's on the sides of each boom & Xx's in the top & bottom faces]

I certainly can see the advantages in manufacturing two aluminium soldering jigs for all of this lattice work O0

Derek
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: mudway on August 20, 2019, 12:58:02 am
What period are you doing her? I have details of her original painting instructions from Cockatoo's archives.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: frogman3 on August 20, 2019, 09:52:06 am

HI Nick very nice modelling this albatross an its something   different :-)) that's why I thought id build tiger as  a helo carrier  something different an you  can really go to town on the detail what with thoses  cranes  on the flight deck  an what I like  about this ship is that as the flight deck is on the front never seen a ship like this before .  An I presume the reason for that is if the ship get up to full ahead it will enable the planes to take off easyier  into the wind  an its similar to my tiger build as my tiger is a helo carrier with guns as well.How big is the hull length an beam ? I shall be following your build
chris
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: TailUK on August 20, 2019, 11:04:15 am
Not much use maybe from the modelling side of things but you may find this interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dmNyts7f1w&t=39s
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: mudway on August 20, 2019, 11:21:57 am
This might be of interest.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thIq5g81048 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thIq5g81048)

Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on August 20, 2019, 12:04:37 pm
Hi guys


Not sure what period to build her in yet- lots of interesting schemes to choose from including as built minus the catapult. We’d be grateful for any info on her for this sort of thing.
I’ve got some laser printed decking to try out to see if I’m happy with the look of it- I’ve got quite proficient with individual strip planks so it depends on how far we want to go!


The overall length is 53 inches and 8.5 inches in beam- we loved the oddity of the hull looking like two ships melded into one.


Thanks for the YouTube videos- everything is helpful and we like to see proper videos of how they worked.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: Capt Podge on August 20, 2019, 12:29:02 pm
Thanks for posting those videos guys. Really interesting stuff - that's the sort of thing I'd like to see regularly on terrestrial T.V. Then I'd be less inclined to moan about the license  :-))


As for this build log, great to see another unusual one getting underway  :-) .


Regards,
Ray.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: Akira on August 20, 2019, 12:53:07 pm
What a unique build. I love it!
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 20, 2019, 02:05:14 pm
The training video is amazing, such complex mechanisms and procedures. Get one thing wrong and.....  As the guy desperately hanging onto the wing during the launch sequence at the end discovered. I hope he survived.

Imagine having to do that in mid ocean!

Colin
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: TailUK on August 20, 2019, 03:31:56 pm
The training video is amazing, such complex mechanisms and procedures. Get one thing wrong and.....  As the guy desperately hanging onto the wing during the launch sequence at the end discovered. I hope he survived.

Imagine having to do that in mid ocean!

Colin

There are quite a few training films on U Tube.  There am American catapult training film showing catapult ops on a Escort carrier, flying off Wildcats and Avengers.  My current favourite is Walt Disney's "Stop That Tank!"  an animated instructional film on how to fire the Boyes Anti Tank Rifle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkc2yAaU3CY
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: James Duff on August 26, 2019, 08:09:29 am
You're off to a great start, and it's a very interesting and unusual subject :)
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: Fred Ellis on August 26, 2019, 09:19:37 am
Hi

Have a look at this site for Walrus details https://www.net-maquettes.com/pictures/supermarine-walrus-walkaround (https://www.net-maquettes.com/pictures/supermarine-walrus-walkaround)
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: frogman3 on August 26, 2019, 09:22:14 am

HI Nick im lookin forward to seein this build come togeather  BUT COULD YOU PLEASE  PLEASE  PLEASE  PUT UP BIGGER PICTURES  IF POSSIBLE  so that we can see  all the detail  as thats whats makes a great build  in my opinin  an keeps it intresting  thanks  :-))
chris
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on August 26, 2019, 09:46:38 am
Glad everyone is enjoying the new build- more pictures coming later today of the hull  :-))


Hi Fred- thanks for the link- I’ll be studying them for the build.



Hi Chris- if you click on the images they will open up into much larger pictures with the option of low res or high resolution. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: frogman3 on August 26, 2019, 10:09:26 am
Glad everyone is enjoying the new build- more pictures coming later today of the hull  :-))


Hi Fred- thanks for the link- I’ll be studying them for the build.



Hi Chris- if you click on the images they will open up into much larger pictures with the option of low res or high resolution. Hope this helps.

OK Nick i'll try to click on images on imgbb  as you say but I live in a low megabyte aera an its a but frustrating as my pc takes time to load up the pics an more time to go back to your build that's part of the reason  TARNIS (Andy) has been loading my tiger build pics up for me 
chris
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: Rob47 on August 26, 2019, 10:16:11 am
Chorus
Use the site for posting pics no hassle then. Very easy to use


Bob
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on August 26, 2019, 06:16:24 pm
First picture of the continuation of the hull build.
The main bulkhead has been cut away after some examination of the real vessel and comparing plans to create the over hang
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on August 26, 2019, 06:19:04 pm
Upper deck fully sheeted in using 1/32” plywood. You can now see huge deck area to play with!
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on August 26, 2019, 06:21:13 pm
The anchor hawsers have been roughly cut away- note the odd un-even spacing of the holes! When you view from above the reason is clear but the starboard holes are situated further back than the port side.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on August 26, 2019, 06:25:41 pm
The rudder made from sheet brass with a brass rod pivot. We have kept it as per the hull plans we have because we have found that they tend to be more than enough to manoeuvre the model.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: frogman3 on August 26, 2019, 08:15:37 pm

HI Nick lovely big pics many thanks from me an I now can study the build without waiting for it to come up brilliant an the build looks great lookin forward to seein all the detail cranes an planes an such :-))
chris
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: dodes on August 28, 2019, 08:34:41 pm
Thought you would eventually build this one, always thought it was right up your street. As an interest did she not serve under a different name in the Nore command as a depot vessel at Harwich, could be wrong. Am sure you and Steve will finish with a museum standard model.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on February 23, 2020, 05:59:38 pm
Well its certainly been a while since the last update on this oddity!


Dad has been busy helping me rebuild the MG ZA Magnette since Christmas and I suggested that we take a break and do some modelling on the Sunday. So over the last two Sundays Steve has made the hangar hatch which also doubles up as the main access to the battery bay. The main superstructure/bridge area is now being constructed, not easy as we have two sets of drawings that conflict each other! So I suggested that he chooses one and sticks to that set of plans. The actual problem is hidden beneath the ship's boats either side of the bridge anyway so it isn't a big issue any way!
I had a go at doing some hull plating using 0.25mm thick plastic card sheet- certainly not easy and will take my time doing this part of the build for my Dad.



Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on March 08, 2020, 07:44:49 pm
Another update, getting silly actually having time to record progress of Dad's latetst project!


More forward superstructure made up to the level of the bridge wings, all constructed from 1/32" ply. Deciphering the plans has slowed his progress as trying to work out how the fore mast passes through the bridge area and if all the walkways have solid screens or stanchions with canvas screens. All part of the fun of looking at photos and comparing to the plans.


 
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: mudway on March 08, 2020, 09:48:13 pm
Not sure if you have seen these photos of her before or not.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on March 08, 2020, 09:54:12 pm
Wow, thanks Mudway


We haven’t seen those pictures before-extremely helpful- definitely adding to the research folder. :-))
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: mudway on March 08, 2020, 10:02:45 pm
Then you might not have these either.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on March 08, 2020, 10:07:43 pm
Now you’ve become my new best friend!


I’ve seen one of the launch pictures of Albatross but the rest are completely new to us. Might need to adjust some of the constructed parts to match.


Many thanks :-))
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on March 16, 2020, 06:58:25 pm
A bit more of an update:


The main superstructure and bridge is progressing well with the final platform cut out. The fore mast hole has been drilled and a brass rod slid in place to make sure it’s at the correct angle. The funnel will match this angle too. The two upper most platform decks are removable at this stage so hand stanchions can be added at a later stage and of course painted.

Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: mudway on March 18, 2020, 06:15:24 am
Have you seen these plans?
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on March 18, 2020, 09:08:09 am
Hi Mudway


No I haven’t seen these profiles before- I’ve seen some black and white sections a few years  ago but your pictures help a lot in deciphering the plans. I’m buying some ships boats this week in preparation for the fittings phase- two 32ft Cutters, two 35ft motor boats, one 27ft whaler, one 30ft gig, and one 14ft dinghy.


Many thanks for sharing your pictures, I’ll have to start assembling the catapult soon- my soldering skills are going to be tested!
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: Jerry C on March 19, 2020, 01:51:29 am
I drove past HMAS Albatross  Nowra only two weeks ago on a Holiday to Jervis Bay.
One large aircraft on downwind leg. Very low cloud so ID difficult. Maybe Orion?
Jerry.


Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: mudway on March 19, 2020, 08:45:26 am
Hi Mudway


No I haven’t seen these profiles before- I’ve seen some black and white sections a few years  ago but your pictures help a lot in deciphering the plans. I’m buying some ships boats this week in preparation for the fittings phase- two 32ft Cutters, two 35ft motor boats, one 27ft whaler, one 30ft gig, and one 14ft dinghy.


Many thanks for sharing your pictures, I’ll have to start assembling the catapult soon- my soldering skills are going to be tested!




I was out at the National Australian Archives yesterday looking up plans for some Cockatoo built ships. They were having trouble finding one set, so asked me if I would like to substitute another ship. I asked for Albatross and 2 boxes with 70+ plans arrived. The good ones are 1/96 scale. I put a ruler on the plans, so you can work out the size of an item in 1/96 scale.
Some individual plans were of cabins or even things like the steam ovens!

Props are 9’ 6” or 30 mm in 1/96 scale.

All up there are 52 photos, some are repeats as I use 2 cameras just in case. Let mt know your email address and I can wetransfer them to you. Nearly 50 mb in total. The photos are about 5,000 pixels each.

A taster of the lovely detail in them attached.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on March 19, 2020, 08:48:14 am
You, Sir, are a star!


Thank you very much they are stunning. Can’t wait to show my Dad the new pictures. :-))


Providing I can escape my work this Friday of course... not looking good at the moment.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on March 29, 2020, 10:47:32 am
Another update- with many thanks to Mudway for his help :-))


More bridge structure made- it’s becoming more blocky now and is all made from 1/32” plywood sheet.



Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: ballastanksian on April 01, 2020, 08:18:03 pm
Beautiful work chaps. The seaplane carriers intrigue me as well and look forward to reading your progress.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on April 01, 2020, 08:21:42 pm
Many thanks Ian


The pictures don’t show the height of the bridge superstructure very well- it’s a very dominant feature for a seaplane carrier. We owe Mudway for the photos he provided of the original Albatross so we could see the individuals decks better. Glad you like her so far. :-))
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on April 01, 2020, 08:31:13 pm
Some more pictures of the bridge area and a range finder.


Not quite level at the moment as it’s just sitting in place- it needs to be removable so it can be painted later on. We are not quite sure what the little hatches were for on the front of the bridge but they are very close to the hangar hatch. Could be storage for the canvas covers.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: ballastanksian on April 04, 2020, 12:05:46 pm

The inside of the hull gets a good dose of white gloss paint doesn't it? I recall Steve describing his methods of waterproofing a hull. Less smelly and complex than Fibreglass even considering Gloss's smell!!


Looking good.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on April 04, 2020, 12:44:27 pm
Thanks Ian


It certainly is, we always try to paint our models inside and out to waterproof as much as possible.
Some more pictures coming this afternoon, the funnel and aft superstructure have been started :-)
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: ballastanksian on April 04, 2020, 08:25:28 pm

Good, thanks for that Nick.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on April 04, 2020, 09:10:17 pm
Pictures as promised.



Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: ballastanksian on April 04, 2020, 09:37:39 pm
I do like bridges that have multiple layers like that. The 'Pagoda' bridges of Japanese capital ships are at the extreme end.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on April 04, 2020, 09:41:35 pm
That’s exactly what Steve said too! Just another nine decks to go- only kidding! :D
He has built a boiler intake- he has to make another to match- and it looks quite realistic in our opinion.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on April 26, 2020, 01:32:34 pm
Some more updates on Albatross. New platforms for ship’s boats and the 4 barreled 2pdr Pom Poms have been made from 1/32” ply. The structure behind the funnel is the ship’s forge workshop hence the three vents on top. The 4 inch guns have been borrowed from my HMS Coventry AA cruiser to make sure everything looks the part.

Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: T888 on April 26, 2020, 01:51:13 pm
Coming a long well Nick  :-))  you must be pleased with her ?
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on April 26, 2020, 02:14:24 pm
Coming a long well Nick  :-))  you must be pleased with her ?




Very much so, it’s nice to see her coming together  :-))
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: ballastanksian on April 26, 2020, 02:28:26 pm

A. Lovely work Steve and Nick.


B. C class AA Cruiser? Tell me more.... Have you drawings or lots of photos and a hull?


I always fancied building an AA cruiser but have loads of other projects to do first.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on April 26, 2020, 02:39:40 pm
Hi Ian


Sit down and I’ll tell you a tale of woe :}


About ten years ago I bought a set of Profile Morskie drawings of HMS Coventry (1936/1940) as an AA cruiser. Deans Marine do a brilliant GRP hull of HMS Curasoa- a very close sister to Coventry. I proceeded to build Coventry as she appeared in 1940-42 and I displayed my work in progress at a Deans Open Day but I didn’t put her batteries in and she blew off the table when a gust rushed across the courtyard. I recovered the hull and the destroyed superstructure and took it to work at Marham. For 6 months I meticulously rebuilt the upper works and it was time to bring her home- as I was carrying her through the double doors in my barrack block the unimaginable happened... the double doors caught the bow and the stern between them and the hull spun out of my hands and once again I was back where I started!
I’ve rebuilt most of her again and slowly finishing her off when I get the time. See what you think.

Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: ballastanksian on April 26, 2020, 03:00:37 pm

Well, she does look lovely, and despite your angst at her being badly damaged twice, your dedication to completing her is admirable. I would seriously consider making a carry case for her with a good stout handle and lots of foam blocks to hold bow and stern sides in place on the cradle and in the case. I can send you some foam blocks if you like with sticky backing?


I will look out the Profile Morskie drawings, though I am interested in C and D class cruiers generally!


Lovely work, and a model for sure that I want to see at a future Mayhem.
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on April 26, 2020, 03:35:45 pm
Hi Ian


Many thanks for the kind words and the offer, I’ve got plenty of foam blocks which we use where we can- we learnt to use them after the second accident!
Profile Morskie do several C and D class cruisers- Coventry, Colombo, Calcutta, and Delhi but they are all in WW2 schemes. The only plans I’m aware showing a C class in WW1 layout is the rare as rocking horse dung Norman Ough drawings with 6 inch guns as fitted. It’s one of the few missing from my plans library- I’ve ordered a copy from Canada but in this time I don’t know when it would arrive.
Plenty of time to complete her at the moment. Got plans within plans to finish all the unfinished models! I can hope {-)

Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: raflaunches on May 02, 2020, 06:50:04 pm
An update to Albatross ...


The parts from Shapeways arrived this morning (original expected delivery date was 14th May!). Two 35ft motor boats from Micro Master and two pom-poms from Mark Hawkins. I’ve got some etched brass oerlikons that I bought from Keith Jewel almost 10 years ago and we were waiting for a project to use them on.
It’s coming along nicely :-))
Title: Re: HMAS/HMS Albatross
Post by: ballastanksian on May 02, 2020, 10:35:02 pm

I have to say, those printed parts look annoyingly nice!!  :}