I have been thinking about a group build that would give a wide range of possibilities to the ship model builder. Scapa Flow in the Shetlands has seen some rather dramatic events take place during and between WW I and WW II.
The possibilities range between WW I dreadnoughts in 1/350 and 1/700 scale afloat, sinking or sunk and WW II 1/72 U-boats sneaking into the Flow. Anyone else consider this a viable subject for a group build?
Julian

Hi julian; Great idea for a campaign I would sign up for this if the start dates are for the start of say November or new year 2012, because of other builds I,am committed two at present. Would be nice to see some RN stuff getting done

Lots of things going on Keith. January 1st 2012 as starting date shouldn't upset the running campaigns.
Julian

This is an intriguing topic--Scapa was also the locale for one of the most extensive salvage operations in maritime history.

--Karl

Hi Karl, yes, a large number of the scuttled German ships were salvaged or scrapped. That would fit in the frame as well
A rusted hulk on the sea bed with divers at work..................
Julian

Just concentrating on the German fleet several builds are possible:




Photos and map shamelessly borrowed fro Wikipedia
Julian

It is one of the largest sources of "radiation free" steel. Since the German Fleet scuttling the wrecks are safe from all the fallout from the testing in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Interesting idea for a Campaign. I'll be in as well.

Is it worth lifting this into a real proposal?
Julian

Hi Julian.

Sounds interesting. Jan 2012 would be a good start for me.

Are you thinking of any ship that was based at Scapa flow, or are you more thinking of events that happened there, for instance, The Grand Fleet sailing to meet the High Seas fleet at Jutland, or the scuttling of the high seas fleet or the Sinking of the Royal Oak etc.

Just to get an idea of the subects to be looking for

Si

Hi Simon,
The idea is to choose a subject that would give a huge amount of leeway to the model builders joining this campaign to head off in different directions. Time, scale, type of vessel would be a free choice as long as it can be connected to the history of Scapa Flow, (maybe someone could even be creative with Revell's Viking ship).
Julian

I have submitted a proposal for a campaign, i am curious to see if the subject will take off
Julian

Hi Julian!

Actually, the salvage work was even more fascinating: since most of the ships rested upside down, divers penetrated the wrecks thru the overturned bottoms and closed valves and doors to isolate the interiors from the outside water (since the ships were scuttled, there was no structural damage to the hulls). The water was progressively removed from the interiors and a series of towering tubes were built onto the hulls to reach the surface.

Then, shipbreakers in ordinary coveralls would climb down these tubes to work inside the overturned hulls ON THE SCAPA BOTTOM, removing salvageable gear and making the rest of the hull air-tight. When the ship was ready, high pressure air was pumped in and and the crews would sit at the tops of the access towers for a unique ride as the hulls separated from the bottom. Those men would start from being just feet from the surface to over three hundred feet in the air in a matter of seconds!

The towers were then removed and divers would carefully cut away any remaining superstructure while the hull floated upside down. Then, the hulls would be towed to graving docks in Scotland for final scrapping, all the while still upside down. This went on throughout the 'thirties up to the start of the Second War in 1939.

I doubt if there were any other salvage operation of its size, complexity, and scope before or since. This would be a fascinating use of the Konig class kit.

--Karl

Hi Karl, I have seen photos of the tubes they used to salvage some of the German ships. I have been looking for some reference on the sinking of the German fleet. I also still have the 1/350th Koning in my stash so that will probably be the subject of my build if the campaign takes off.
Julian

Have managed to get hold of these so far:

The Bull & The Barriers: The Wrecks of Scapa Flow by Lawson Wood
ISBN 0 7524 1753 3

The Grand Scuttle: The sinking of the German Fleet at Scapa Flow in 1919 by Dan van der Vat
ISBN13 : 978 1 84341 038 6

Julian

I am interested in anything that gives me a chance to sink something in a 3-dimensional brick of "water". I most likely would like to depict a sinking vessel as portrayed in the three photos you posted earlier.

However I have almost no knowledge of maritime history from this era or local, so any help in figuring out what 's available as possible modeling subjects would be appreciated

Hi Jeremy, the 3-D brick of water would seem to fit this campaign ilke a glove.
Do a google on:
sinking of the Royal Oak
Sinking of the German high fleet in 1919
Gunther Prien
Battle of Jutland
Orkneys
Should give you an idea of where you can head for
I have the Konig selected for this build.
Hope you decide to join the campaign,
Julian

Great, I'll check it out Julian and get back to you if I can get my hands on something that I'll be happy with.

I did notice this had been submitted. This weekend I will start an official sign up thread.

We are in the process of adding a campaign administrator, so there is some help and order coming.

No big hurry Jim, it doesn't start until 2012 Thanks for dropping a mail that you are working on it though, much appreciated
regards,
Julian

I might be in on this build, if only for the family connection with Scapa Flow. My grandmothers brother was a cadet aboard HMS Royal Oak when it was torpedoed by U-47. Unfortunatley he wasn't one of the lucky few that survived. His photo is on the front cover of Dilip Sarkars book Hearts of Oak. Im not sure if the Royal Oak is available as a kit but there a lot of other possible subjects to look into before the start date.

You are very welcome to join the campaign Stephen,
Regards,
Julian

Hello Stephen,
White Ensign has one in resin looks like the HMS Roval Oak at the right time.
I hope this will help.
Cheers,
Bruce

Hello All,
We Have 5 signed up! Come guys I counted about 10 who wanted this campaign, So let get this on on the books.
Cheers,
Bruce

I've signed on! A suggestion for the administrator: instead of the 'ENLIST' button shifting over to 'UN-ENLIST' after joining a campaign, it should instead say 'DESERT'!

--Karl

Welcome aboard Karl, thanks for enlisting
Julian