Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
Good evening All, this is my latest; my interpretation of the Airfix's Vosper MTB, issued in 1973. This was built specifically for the LMS '73 display planned for Telford this year.
The decals for the hull number are from my spares file as Airfix only provide numbers for 385-389 and I wanted to model 380 as that boat took part in the final MTB 'short action' in late April 1945. Weathering is limited as 380 was commissioned in late 1944 and disposed of in 1946, not much time to get overly worn. The MTBs tended to operate at night, cruising slowly to avoid causing a luminescent wake as they hunted enemy boats, then crash starting their main engines to launch an attack before escaping after lanching their torpedos or shooting up the enemy with automatic fire. This little vignette goes by the title 'Let us Prey'.
Scratch built bits include the ropes and anchor chain, rigging, HF aerial, the upper section of the mast and the other antennas. Antennas are made from various gauges of wire and pieces of paint brush bristles, the upper section of the mast from brass tube. Bridge transparencies are from acetate sheet and other transparencies are from Micro Krystal Klear. The Carly floats have been re-worked with thread and fine plastic card strips and I have also re-worked the smoke generator with fine wire.
The twin Oerlikon is a 3D print from Metallic Details and the mount and 'bandstand' base are white metal from Great Little Ships. Three of the ready ammo boxes are photo etch, but as only three are provided in the set I have scratch built the fourth from thin plastic card. The 2" flare launchers and the two twin Vickers machine guns are also from Great Little Ships. The three duffel coated figures are from Gunthwaite and the boat's cat is from a resin set of cats and dogs from a 00 scale railway set.
The base is painted 5mm foam board with AK Interactive 'Atlantic Water' and 'Water Effects' acrylic gels. The Atlantic Water had been on the board for about two weeks now, and is still not fully dry even though it is a fairly thin layer.
The Gunthwaite white metal figures are absolutely superb...
Not forgetting the boat's cat, 'Stan'...
I'm definitely not a maritime modeller, so the Airfix Rescue Launch and Revell's PT Boat are unlikely to make it out of the stash.
The decals for the hull number are from my spares file as Airfix only provide numbers for 385-389 and I wanted to model 380 as that boat took part in the final MTB 'short action' in late April 1945. Weathering is limited as 380 was commissioned in late 1944 and disposed of in 1946, not much time to get overly worn. The MTBs tended to operate at night, cruising slowly to avoid causing a luminescent wake as they hunted enemy boats, then crash starting their main engines to launch an attack before escaping after lanching their torpedos or shooting up the enemy with automatic fire. This little vignette goes by the title 'Let us Prey'.
Scratch built bits include the ropes and anchor chain, rigging, HF aerial, the upper section of the mast and the other antennas. Antennas are made from various gauges of wire and pieces of paint brush bristles, the upper section of the mast from brass tube. Bridge transparencies are from acetate sheet and other transparencies are from Micro Krystal Klear. The Carly floats have been re-worked with thread and fine plastic card strips and I have also re-worked the smoke generator with fine wire.
The twin Oerlikon is a 3D print from Metallic Details and the mount and 'bandstand' base are white metal from Great Little Ships. Three of the ready ammo boxes are photo etch, but as only three are provided in the set I have scratch built the fourth from thin plastic card. The 2" flare launchers and the two twin Vickers machine guns are also from Great Little Ships. The three duffel coated figures are from Gunthwaite and the boat's cat is from a resin set of cats and dogs from a 00 scale railway set.
The base is painted 5mm foam board with AK Interactive 'Atlantic Water' and 'Water Effects' acrylic gels. The Atlantic Water had been on the board for about two weeks now, and is still not fully dry even though it is a fairly thin layer.
The Gunthwaite white metal figures are absolutely superb...
Not forgetting the boat's cat, 'Stan'...
I'm definitely not a maritime modeller, so the Airfix Rescue Launch and Revell's PT Boat are unlikely to make it out of the stash.
- iggie
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
Superb! One of the best builds of the Airfix classic MTB I've seen...
Best wishes
Jim
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
Agree with Iggie !! If/when I get to mine I can hope it’s half as good. I certainly will refer to yours.
John Ratzenberger
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
Great work. The figures, the signals locker, terrific details make it a stunner.
David
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
Hooley Dooley, that is beautifully done!
David
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
You quite definitely absolutely ARE a maritime modeller...!!!
I thought your MTB and the base was pretty awesome, then I saw your figures...! I would have thought they were a much larger scale, the painting is so good...!!
Please do drag the other two out of the stash...
Please critique my posts honestly i.e. say what you think so I can learn and improve...
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
That is fantastic in all respects.
Nigel
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
My word David you’ve really gone the extra (nautical) mile in this!
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
Excellent job, really like that!
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
Lovely work! I look forward to seeing it in person!
Paul
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
Excellent job Natter - she’s a fiddly old kit but the end result is well worth it.
- JohnRatzenberger
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Re: Airfix Vosper 73' MTB
Looks even better just idlin’ along, what a scene !
John Ratzenberger
It's my model and I'll do what I want with it.
It's my model and I'll do what I want with it.