by Peter Fulgoney
1/700 HMS Royal Sovereign 1892 (Combrig)
Royal Sovereign was one of eight of a class following the decision to improve the HMS Trafalgar design. A number of the same type were ordered to ensure that the sailing characteristics were as near identical as possible for squadron integrity. Also another reason for so many new ships was that it had become policy that Great Britain should have the equivalent of the combined navies of two other countries. Ruling the waves was a reality in those days even at one million pounds per ship.
Barbettes carrying thirteen and one half inch guns were considered to be of less a weight problem than turrets, however this larger ship had an overall increase in weight which made it slower than desired. With its tumblehome design, and higher freeboard, although a “wet ship” was considered to be a good sea boat especially after a bilge keel had been added to decease excessive rolling. With seven other sisters of the class this was the largest number of the same design of any battleship. Although, in the end turrets were added to the eighth sister, but with unacceptable results.
The model depicts HMS Royal Sovereign with torpedo nets deployed although the ship never saw action, and was scrapped before the first world war. The ship could still sail with this configuration, but only three knots could be achieved. The nets are made from curtain nets painted black. They become easier to manipulate after painting.
There is more detail to add but this can only come after more research to achieve accuracy. The build is out-of-the-box together with brass rod for all the masts, and WEM HMS Tiger/Iron Duke photo etch. The paint is WEM Colorcoats with Revell white, and yellow. The rust, and smoke stains are the MIG powders respectively. The “sea” is straight form Jim Baumann’s tips off the net.
Peter Fulgoney June 2005.
