l've been talking to Stephen M. of Stirke Models and expect all but one of my molds to be sold within a few weeks. Stephen and I discussed a plan for me to continue making hull plugs (which I enjoy, versus laying up hulls, which I dislike), and sell them to him for mold and hull production. My next project is the HMS Abdiel/Manxman Class cruiser minelayers. I have good plans and the hull is small with a simple shape. The I-400 hull project is stalled until I can get the plugs back so I hope to complete the Abdiel plug by early October. Jay Jennings and I will start working on a nearly complete Tone plug next week and might finish the mold this fall. Bob P.
That sounds very cool. I hope you guys will take some future suggestions. I would like to see either Strike or Battlers have a QE in their inventory to see someday.
Eljefe has a good question. Maybe take a poll on what people want to battle most. I am sure that there would be a LONG list. Steve
Stephen M. and I talked about possible future hull projects and I mentioned the Warspite. I have the Anattomy of the Ship book on her and have been thinking about making a hull with accurate bulges, though they'd be a challenge to sheet due the their multiple steps and the restriction on number of bulges allowed. That hull would only be suitable for Warspite post 1937. I have access to plans for the reconstructed Valiant and QE. Again, the hull would only be suitable for those ships and not the rest of the class. A third alternative would be a hull suitable for the entire class prior to 1937, like Ralph Coles', but with bulges not modified for easier sheeting.. Bob
Jay brought Ralph's incomplete Tone plug over last week. There was an obvious problem with the bow being too narrow compared to the plans Mike Demarco sent. The plans Ralph had were not as good. The bow can easily be widened and the rest of the plug looks OK. Though not exactly like the better plans the basic shape is there. I think the plug needs ~20 hours of plastering and fine sanding to complete. When Jay has done that I'll help him make the mold. Bob
Awesome! I'm looking forward to it. While she may not be popular as a fast gun boat, I think she's got a lot of potential as a big gun torpedo cruiser. I'm also going to give her a whirl in treaty, where with her excellent speed, I think she might do well.
Jay's plan is to use the Tone as a Washington Treaty cruiser with all armament forward and maybe ranged out 15 degrees to either side. With her high speed she can overtake slower models and attack 'en passant', angling in and then away. Bob.
