Hi Keith,

There is a great selection of references on the IWM site, options for a few Women too!! Some grand colour shots.

















Look forward to developments.

Al

Hi folks,

Another 1/35 scale figure from Wee Friends, this time a RN SIgnaller.

http://eshop.friendshipmodels.org.uk/epages/BT3667.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3667/Products/WF35045

Al

A couple more potential crew, I had fotgotten about.

Al

Be interesting to see what this TYPE of err 72inch 6 foot boat could take in the way of weapons upgrades,
eg., a would a D-Day era Twin 20mm bofors on a bandstand be seen on the same boat as the twin .50 Vickers tub?

Hi Jon,

The 40mm Bofors wasn't used on these boats as far as I know.

The 20mm Orelikon forward mounted was used on some boats in 1944 with the twin version used on Type II boats as a stern mounted weapon.

I've seen pics of 1942 boats with 20mm Orelikons fore and aft.

Al Ross can propbably give you some more exact data.

Cheers

Alan

I 'meant' 20mm Oerlicons....

[/quote]

I 'meant' 20mm Oerlicons.... [/quote]

Hi Jon,

Two references for the Boat that might be worthy of purchase.

Allied Torpedo Boats

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/5658

and

Vosper MTBs in Action

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/5608

No sign of a release date yet.

Al

Hi Alan
Great job on those figures,I may well invest in the Vosper when she comes out as the old 1/72 Airfix one brings back many happy childhood memories
Thanks for sharing
Andy

Hi Andy,

Thanks. There should be a good range of finish options with this one, so if funds permit I may get two.

Cheers

Al

Looks like you'll have no prblem filling the boat with life!
Great start. I'll enjoy to follow this thread, I am sure!
Cheers,
Guido

Hi Guido,

Thanks. If Italeri stick to past form then they will do a crew for the boat too, which may add additional crew possibilities.

Time will tell.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

I see Hannants have the kit listed at £99.00. Not in stock yet but I think at that price sales might be limited. I'll have to shop around when the kit gets released as I really want to get 2 for an early and late syle boat



Al

I've got mine on 'pre-order' for a bit less than that, ETA about Nov/Dec.

Judging by the gak Italeri did for the US & Kriegsmarine crew, I'll pass on the british crew, if any.

Hi John,

Yes, it's my intention to probably replace the few of the Italeri MAS Boat crew I used. However, I'll reserve judgement on any British Crew until they come out.

If I remember correctly when the ELCO boat came out it was £60.00 which I though was expensive at the time. For £99.00 the Vosper would need to be just about perfect to justify the expense, especially given the current situation.

Al

Another Wee Friends Crewman, this one was sclupted by Rendal Patton.





Al

Hi folks,

Well the kit arrived today so a look at some of the trees and parts.













Oh dear empty space D











Al

kit parts - a little damage to one of the parts but should eb fixable.



















Al

As with the other boats, PE, decals, rope and screws have been provided along with a small A5 booklet and instructions.







The booklet doesn't give alternative finish options and quite a few of the reference pics relate to MTB 71 which I photographed at IWM Duxford and are on site here:

http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net//features/3485

Decals



Glass



PE



Rope/Screws



Instructions









Finish Options!



Al

Hello Alan, thanks for posting the pictures, do I see another scratch-built interior coming on? The only thing that puzzles me is why Italeri provided flat photo-etched parts for the yardarms and aerials? There are some very delicate parts evident on the sprues, so why didn't they mold them in plastic? I'm already considering replacing their photo-etch with some scratch-built ones. It would be better still, if one of the after-market firms produced some replacements in brass. They are already out there for the radar antennae used on German night-fighters. Might be able to adapt them. Otherwise, everything else looks to be very good. I can't wait for Santa to bring mine! Al

Hi Al,

No, I don't think so, although all that open space is tempting, there would be less visable than on the MAS boat so whilst it might be fun it's probably not worth the effort in time. I doubt I'll get underway much before March as I have on going projects that need finished off first.

Great to finally see it released though.

Cheers

Al

Nice review of the long awaited Vosper Alan! Looks tempting I must say.
Julian

Hi Julian,

Look forward to your build

Al

I managed to resist buying the Vosper yesterday
Too many other projects waiting for attention at the moment, and that isn't counting work related either I'll probably get around to buying it next year but it will be relegated to the stash for the time being.
Cheers,
Julian

Hi Julian,

MTB 77 in the Med with the Breda will probably be my first option. I would like to start now but have many other things to finish off first. I also want to wait a bit to see what if any AM stuff might come along.

There was very little for the MAS boat which I thought was a bit odd.

Merry Christmas to you.

Al

I am still miffed that Italeri didn´t fit the bandstand with Oerlikon in front of the bridge. The boat looks naked without it................
Merry Christmas too mate Go easy on the Christmas spirit
Cheers,
Julian