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[Backerther]

Hi Lou and Rob47
 I have just finished to see The Cruel Sea for over2 hours and been impressed deeply with every part of it as cruel,pitiful, too cold mentally and physically.....................in the battles of the Atlantic against the enemy subs in the winter.
It was terribly high waves in the North Atlantic especially in the winter where a great many of seamen were forced to fight
for their respective country.....


The Compass rose and other corvettes seemed to go on bravely,dynamically and powerfully such high seas ripping the waves by the bows.
I will intend to build my Snowberry with keeping the impressions I have of the movie in my mind.


Thanks
Kiyo

[lmagna]

Kiyo
Glad you were able to see it. Makes me think I should bring out my copy and see it again.


Another, not as good or well known, movie that shows real ships in the North Atlantic is a 1958 British movie called "The Key". Unlike The Cruel Sea, the story line is COMPLETE fiction, but the scenes of the tug at sea are real, and at times impressive. The ocean going rescue tugs of WWII were even smaller and slower than Corvettes! In that regard the movie is historically accurate. 

[warspite]

From Memory of the "The KEY", the weather in that was very calm compared to the cruel sea, running the tug back and forth to disrupt the training subs aim was a clever idea, though I suspect inaccurate as the crew would likely adjust to suit and get at least one or two either very close or actually hit the superstructure, adjusting the direction after the crew say the sub had fired would have been more effective.

[Backerther]

Hi Lou;


I am going to see "The Key" within this week as it is also interesting from the viewpoint that actual ships? might come up in the movie,which would be of some help when it comes to model ship building apart from the story line for me.


Kiyo

[lmagna]

The H.M.S. Restive (W39) an Assurance class Admiralty tug was used for the tug scenes on The Key. The scene that made me think a little was when they showed the work deck virtually under water and realizing that the crew had to work there even in those conditions!

While they don't go into too much detail about the work these tugs and others did in the North Atlantic in WWII they do touch on it a little. Think of the fact that they were "Escort" tugs and as such they went everywhere the convoys went. They had to do their work when the weather was at its worst and in almost all cases they had to do it alone while the remainder of the convoy sailed on. In many cases they welcomed the bad weather as it helped protect them from the U-Boats to a certain degree while they headed to safety at two or three knots with a damaged or disabled ship in tow.

Not trying to hijack your thread Kiyo, but if you like the tug scenes in The Key then you may also like the DVD set "MAYDAY Tugs Of War Europe, They Too Were Heroes" Rescues by the forgotten Tugmen of WWII. Two disks are a documentary and bonus features and the third is an interactive PDF E-book. https://www.amazon.com/Mayday-Tugs-Europe-book-included/dp/B00236WU70

[Backerther]

Hi Lou;


I have just finished to see again the movie"The key"which I thought was a kind of tragic love romance between David and Stella in the background of a armed tugboat in early part of WW2. But it was also interesting for me to know another life of the seamen and officers behind the war in those days in the UK.I have felt that they should look rather rich and have much emotional leeway even under the wartime than poorer Japan very much.!!!!


Please never mind of tiny deviations from the main theme of this thread,Lou.!!
I will welcome such useful deviations as you put on here for reference regarding the corvette or something like that.!!


Kiyo
 

[lmagna]

(I will welcome such useful deviations as you put on here for reference regarding the corvette or something like that.!!)
Hi Kiyo
I am again happy that you enjoyed the film. One never knows if others will like the same things that we have enjoyed.
I cannot think of too many more Corvette references unless you read Monserrat's books or possibly travel to Canada and visit the HMCS Sackville in Halifax.
If it turns out that you really like sailing the Revell Corvette, but with your large lake, would like something larger, then with the use of a filament 3D printer you could build a 1:48 scale version using the software developed by this guy: https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-models/hobby-diy/other/flower-class-corvette
I know of two people who are printing this model for static display using his files. He also offers a few other files that you can use to make several ships. https://www.cgtrader.com/bensworx His files do work and with time and some effort you could have a fairly unique larger Corvette or Frigate in your collection.

[Backerther]

Hi Lou;


Thanks for many information relating to my 1/72 Revell Snowberry.
My way of thinking on sailing a model ship/boat on the water is that I do prefer a rather small ship like a corvette,a destroyer
and a heavy cruiser at the largest, at larger scale like 1/48 or 1/72.
In other words,this means a comparatively larger model for a small vessel.!!!!
On the contrary,my room is so narrow to collect much larger corvette that I think 1/72 corvette is OK currently.
Pics below are 77 cm tugboat which runs on the water well enough for me,while 1/72 Snowberry is 88cm...


Kiyo

[lmagna]

I agree with you about size and scale.


When I started in RC Boating, one of my first models was the then Matchbox Corvette, I still have it and with only a small amount of work it can still sail quite well. But soon I found that I wanted a boat that could carry more weight and do something other than just sail back and forth aimlessly. Also I noticed that a three foot long 1:72 scale looked smaller out on the lake than a three foot long 1:32 scale ship at the same distance. Also all of the small details on a smaller scale warship tend to break more easily. :-(


So in order to keep things manageable, both in my workshop but in my car and on the lake i started building tugboats and today I sail almost nothing else. I do have a 1/72 scale 3D printed model of the USS Olympia of 1898 that is almost 5 feet long that I need to build. It will then be my largest ship.
[size=78%]


The boat I am using the most right now is a 30 inch tug very similar in looks to the one you show in your picture.


Lou    [/size]

[Backerther]

Hi Lou;


I think so too when it comes to model ship boating on the water,a larger boat of large scale for a small boat do look actually bigger when seen from distant place.
On the other hand,there are mainly three restrictions for me when deciding a model boat building currently as to its size.
The size of work shop, size of "sleeping bed for the model"(1.8m long),size of transportation car(luggage space is about 1.9m long)
From these background,I am naturally obliged to select the model ship less than 1.8m long at the longest !!!!!
To tell the truth,I am living in a small house typically in Japan possibly unlike yours...
1/2;1/15 scale luxury boat "Najade"(105cm long)   Very large scale!!
3/4;Very small work shop !!!! The aircraft carrier is 162cm long...
5/6/7;Sleeping bed for my Beauties... Outer length of bed is 1.8m long..


Kiyo

[lmagna]

Yes is probable that you are living in a smaller house than I am. But I have to share my house with my wife and I still have two kids at home who all take up more space than I have available for my boat hobbies! The only place I have where I could have a sleeping bed for my boats like you do would be the basement or the attic! My work space is also our eating table.


For vehicles to transport my boats I have three possibilities. My car is a Mini Cooper so you can guess how small that is.   Next, I can use my wife's car, (And most times do) that is a Honda CRV. It is able to pretty much carry any boat I can get in and out of the water. If I ever get it built and running I also have a 3D printed warship, the USS Olympia[size=78%] [/size]



Is almost as big as your carrier and I think that if I am ever able to finish it, that I will have to use the family car, a Honda Pilot, with the seats folded down! It is almost 152cm long!


My biggest problems comes in getting the boat into and out of the water as well as into and out of the vehicle. I am 72 years old and have had five surgeries on my back, hip and foot. I do not move as freely as I once did!  


Right now I have two boats that I can run. I have the 22" Southampton tug and the larger 30" Horizon Proboat 30. I suppose I could take both to the lake at the same time but usually I only take one at a time.

[Backerther]

Hi Lou;


Oh,what a coincidence in age with you!!


As for transporting and getting the ship into and out of water and my car,I have been using very primitive ways as seen below. But I made a another trolley after modifying a cart for farming use as seen below though not tested yet with the absence of opportunity to go boating for the carrier....
On the launching day and thereafter
1;The carrier in my car
2;getting th ship out of my car
3;Ready for launching
4/5;On the very launching ON THE WATER at last like this!!! toooo heavy of 25KG ..??


But new trolley was completed like this at last !!
6/7;foldable and stretchable up to 1.8m long made of aluminum
8/9/10;a handle and side guards are also detachable.
With this trolley ,I could go to the boating site at a time.!!!!

[lmagna]

It looks like you are very well set up for getting to the lake and running your boats Kiyo.


My cart may not be as nice or as solid as yours, but it has worked out so far with the boats I need to get to the pond and back home:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUUUIGK/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=f63359cea6fdd7688cffe864de81b914&hsa_cr_id=1810435525&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=538649db-2ef4-47e7-a87c-b1b050bc9e39&pd_rd_w=WnYM3&pd_rd_wg=SvubC&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_img&th=1

It has worked quite well and in addition my wife likes it because it folds up when not in use and stores out of sight. I addition I use a luggage cart:
https://www.amazon.com/Sutekus-Folding-Portable-Truck-Loading/dp/B07LBHXP6P/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=folding+wheeled+luggage+cart&qid=1639151177&sr=8-5
for getting the boat in and out of the water without having to get into the water myself.  This has worked well for me so far but I could see where it may not work as well if i was launching off of a dock high above the water, or from a gently sloping shore.

I did not pay as much as the Amazon samples I am showing but what I bought was much the same

Lou

[Backerther]

Hi Lou and all;
1:Once I used this one but I felt it a little bit weak for my carrier...


Anyhow,RC boating is pleasant,isn't it..!!?
2;1/96 HMS Fencer
3;1m class cabin cruiser boat "Princess"with a water-cooled brushless motor of 2050KV 3S,150A ESC
4;77cm Tugboat sailing with a scale like speed ..??
5;1m class "JupiterF-99"wooden model with a water-cooled brushless motor of 2250KV 3S,120A ESC
6;105cm Krick Najade with a brushless motor water-cooled
They are very good runners currently on the water now in service.


Getting back to my subject of this thread.. Revell HMCS Snowberry 1/72 plastic model under building to be finished by next March to take part in my Beauties group for sailing !...
7/8;Foredeck has almost been built like this..


Both RC boating and building are pleasant for me.!!!

[Backerther]

Hi all;
A little progress was made like this.
A winch and anchor chains were set and I got the chains longer enough to let them use for mooring a buoy in the future at our local lake on a very calm day.

[lmagna]

Nicely done, did you motorize them?

[Backerther]

Hi Lou;
Yes,I did it in the very beginning.

[Backerther]

Hi all;


My Snowberry is going securely and slowly ahead like the real one,to go for expected happy sailing on the water.
A 4-incher main gun is recent works as per the instruction manuals.
1;Cutting out the openings for aiming the targets.
2;Done!
3/4;Assembled after painting and boring the muzzle
5;The gun mount was set on the platform where many shells were ready to fire ..?
   As this is a small corvette so that no space to raise such shells from the shell room under the deck was to be realised...?

[lmagna]

Nicely done Kiyo


Yes the circle of shells around the platform was the ready ammo that would be used first in any gunnery action. The 4" gun could fire a round about every five or six  seconds. This was as a rule, a little faster than additional rounds could be brought up from below through the ammo handling system and placed in the breach. Especially in rough weather where it was not uncommon for water to pour down the open ammo hatch and into the ship adding to the general discomfort of all concerned. 

[Backerther]

Hi Lou;


Thanks for your comment together with a very interesting information on the gun mount as well as its relating story of the crucial and cruel warfare in the North Atlantic operations of convoy....A corvette Less than 1000 ton of displacement must have been so hard to sail beyond our imaginations especially in the winter in terms of its seaworthiness.....just like a leaf in the rough water...   My late father was a chief engineer of a small cargo liner nearly the same as the corvette before and after the Pacific war though just an infantry during the war in east New Guinea on the front line...76 years ago...


Pics are my seaworthy JupiterF-99 like a RC crawler on the land..??ha-ha-ha

[lmagna]

Your cabin cruiser looks like it can be a lot of fun on a windy day! I have run my Matchbox Corvette in similar conditions many years ago.


The real Flower class Corvettes were very seaworthy............ but at the same time they were also extremely uncomfortable as they rolled even in calm waters. It was not uncommon for ma corvette to roll 40 degrees to each side in heavy seas and do it VERY fast. Their motion in the water would make even strong sailors seasick! But according to records no seaman was ever lost overboard due to sea conditions on a corvette.


If your lake gets that rough sometimes it will be interesting to see how she will look when you finally get to take her out on a rough day. I know that with mine it was a little scary at times.

[tonyH]

Very seaworthy but the US modified ones, based on the bulk of the Canadian built ones, seemed to have a lot more top-hamper as well.

[Backerther]

Hi Lou,
To tell the truth,I am not confident at all about sailing on such a rough water with my Snowberry, so I may get her sail on calm water unlike the real ship...


Hi tonyH;
Thanks a lot for your comment and so nice a pic of corvette.!




1/2/3;I know the terror of our lake from some sailing experience in the past as seen below...
as if she were to sink in a sudden windy weather on a trial sailing...as if hit by a torpedo....


4;I wish to sail a scale boat/ship on this kind of surface....except a skipper

[JimG]

Hi Lou,
To tell the truth,I am not confident at all about sailing on such a rough water with my Snowberry, so I may get her sail on calm water unlike the real ship...

The Corvette can take rough water with no problems , especially if you have properly waterproofed it. I used to sail mine in conditions where I had water breaking over the bridge when going head first into waves.It used to get some water inside as I had not fully sealed off the hawse holes but generally no more than a few teaspoonfuls. I did not have a removeable deck, the superstructure was removeable with coamings around the hatches. Access to the inside was reduced but omce everything was fitted there was never any need to get in and replace it, only access needed was to charge the batteries.
Jim

[lmagna]

Hi Tony


The 18 American corvettes were pretty much used just as they were received from the British, Ireland, and Canadian shipyards. The only immediate changes made were the removal of the British 4" mount forward and in the modified Flowers the two pounder on the boiler room casing. These were replaced with an American DP 4" forward and a 3" at the after end of the boiler casing. This made them more heavily armed than the British/ Canadian ships. Very few if any superstructure modifications were made with the possible exception of the bird cage radar being replaced with a later model lighter radar mounted on the mast instead of the platform behind the bridge. A few of the US ships were also equipped with a quad 40mm mount where the British ships had the 2 pounder located but this was only done on ships located in high enemy aircraft areas. Some of the later ships also had hedgehogs added and the forward 4" reduced to a 3" DP gun. Other than the ships equipped with the quad 40mm I don't know of any other alterations that would have increased the top hamper.


I don't know if I would have taken an aircraft carrier very far off shore in weather like that Kiyo!!!!    I suppose that if buit right they are no less seaworthy than other ships, (After all several of these carriers and more survived a hurricane in the Pacific in 1944.




It was a wonder that so few ships were lost, but a number of them were damaged.


My Corvette was similar Jim. The forecastle was permanently glued down forward of the gun platform/breakwater. The after deck was also permanently glued except I did it with silicone  glue incase I needed  to remove it for rudder maintenance some day, (I never have) I installed a combing under the boiler room casing and even with the rear deck completely under water no water could get in that way. The bridge mid deck was attached using magnets and had a gasket underneath similar to what Kiyo had done, except that mine was a continuous seal instead of shorter pieces like he has done.  I also have had solid water go over the bridge when heading into the waves and would roll 45 degrees when turning with the wind and waves coming from the beam. I always found those days of sailing great fun but even though I had great faith in my corvette they were also a little nerve racking as well.