Interesting collection of model RN ships for auction

[brycheiniog1]

http://www2.ppauctions.com/auction.php?id=128

I hope they end up in a museum rather than being melted down..

Jonathan

[wildcat45]

Interesting collection. Some aspects of the models are very detailed, others very crude. For example no detail at all on the aft end of the hangar of one of the Type 22 frigates, but very detailed ladders on the gas turbine hatches aft.

It says they were used to test signatures, I guess this may have been wind or turbulence signatures as several of the models have add ons and additions that the real ships never got. The Glamorgan model for example has a radar or satellite dome abaft the bridge. Tarbarthess has what looks like a SCOT installation in her bridge. Again not in real life.

The carriers are interesting. Very crude but also accurate where they need to be. I think the Illustrious one was modified to test the newer mast she had fitted. Also I reckon modifications to the ski jump.

The Fealess model I guess was used to get the mounting of the SCOT units right on the mainmast.

I suppose they could be bought and restored/made more accurate, but to me as a RN geek, the interest to me is in the mods and additions that never were.

I guess a lot of this stuff is modelled in computer now.

Edited by wildcat45 on Monday 3rd November 07:40

[Eric Mc]

Yes - their attraction is not that they reflect accurately the ships in real life, but the fact that they modeled (literally) improvements and modifications - some which were never implemented.

[fatboy69]

I like those just the way they are.

I'm not a seasoned modeller or knowledgeable about ships so I can't comment on what they lack in detail etc however to the untrained eye they are reminders of long gone ships of the RN.

If I had the space, as well as having the money, I would love to have those on display at home.

Lovely stuff.

[Yertis]

Those should be going straight to one or other of the naval museums, given that we (for understandable reasons) have so precious few actual preserved ships. IMO, given their provenance, these are the next best thing.

[dr_gn]

wildcat45 said:

It says they were used to test signatures, I guess this may have been wind or turbulence signatures as several of the models have add ons and additions that the real ships never got. The Glamorgan model for example has a radar or satellite dome abaft the bridge. Tarbarthess has what looks like a SCOT installation in her bridge. Again not in real life.

I'd have thought they were for radar (or some other electronic signature) tests, otherwise they could have been made much more cheaply in wood.

[wildcat45]

I initially thought that, but some of the modes have obvious radar reflective areas missing. For example the Fearess model has a lot of radar reflective areas ( anchors pronounced edge on the bow flare). That just aren't there.

Just a guess, you could be right. I'm no expert.

I would love to find out what they were used for.

[dr_gn]

wildcat45 said:

I initially thought that, but some of the modes have obvious radar reflective areas missing. For example the Fearess model has a lot of radar reflective areas ( anchors pronounced edge on the bow flare). That just aren't there.

Just a guess, you could be right. I'm no expert.

I would love to find out what they were used for.

Maybe this kind of thing?

"As one of its first projects, NEL began building its Shipboard Antenna Model Range. The non-metallic arch of this structure supports a transmitting antenna which is positioned toward a brass model ship on a turntable. The ground plane under the arch simulates the electrical characteristics of the ocean, allowing research on the properties of shipboard antennas to be carried out."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy_Electronics_Labo...

and:

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/06/06/news/hancock...

[wildcat45]

dr_gn said:

Maybe this kind of thing?

"As one of its first projects, NEL began building its Shipboard Antenna Model Range. The non-metallic arch of this structure supports a transmitting antenna which is positioned toward a brass model ship on a turntable. The ground plane under the arch simulates the electrical characteristics of the ocean, allowing research on the properties of shipboard antennas to be carried out."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy_Electronics_Labo...

and:

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/06/06/news/hancock...

Interesting links there. That sounds like their role.