Monitors grew out of the bomb ketches of the late 17th century. Designed to provide bombardment and naval gunfire support, they evolved into a peculiar form of warship with a couple very heavy guns, low draft to get close inshore, broad beam for stability and torpedo/mine protection, and high structures for observing the fall of shots -- they were also slow.
HMS Roberts was one of two monitors of the WW2 Roberts class, the other being Abercrombie. Interestingly, the WW1 Monitor HMS Roberts was of the Abercrombie class. Roberts was completed in 1941 and served in the Med and Europe. She has two 15inch main guns (the turret/guns were reused from the WW1 monitor Marshal Soulte), 4 dual 4inch HAA guns, 3 pom-pom mounts (1 8-barrel, 2 quad), and 20 20mm guns although I'm having trouble finding more than 18 in any plans.
Roberts, as part of Bombarding Force D, supported D-Day off Sword Beach on 6 June until the right gun burst late in the day. She returned to Portsmouth for repair on the 7th and was back on station by the 26th. One of her guns is outside the IWM.
More detailed history can be found on the web, in particular here http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono ... oberts.htm;, and in this book:
although this is more an operational history - I do not have any heavy duty technical references.
Combrig 70291 HMS Roberts Monitor, WW2
Not too many parts, and many aren't very big. They look well done and I do not see any breakage so we're off to a good start.
The instructions can best be classed as hints - there is a one page diagram
and a one (half) page assembly diagram. Please note they have greatly uncluttered the instructions by not using part numbers ….
There are no decals and no painting instructions. I have done some research that I'll discuss later and then make some decision.
As this is a waterline model, I'll need some ocean and will try Vallejo Water Texture gel for the first time.
I have a number of 1/700 generic aftermarket items that I may or may not use depending on time available. June is an ugly month time-wise and I'll have a 10-day stretch away from the bench, so I'm going to try to push hard early then have to pick again in July.
Back on the 6th !
