by Phil Reeder
1/350 HMS Onslow (White Ensign)
This model was orginally a WEM Kelly, but I was dissatisified with it, so I decided to convert it to another famous destroyer leader-HMS Onslow At first sight it seemed a easy task, but looking at the plans, from John Lambert and Profile Morskie, it would require a major rebuild. The modifications are as follows, hull-shortened by 5mm, and the stern amended to match the plans, also the Onslow had a longer focsle by 4mm. The forward deckhouse was removed, and a new one biult from plastikard, as was a new bridge structure.Many other minor mods were made.The kit stack was used, but reduced in height,and widith. The 4.7" mounts were scratch-built, with barrels from an old Tamiya Tirpitz 4.1 guns. The colour scheme depicts the vessel as she appeared in Dec 42,the colours used were AP507A/white. blues B30&B55. the Profile Morskie colour plan shows that only blue B30 was used , but I have an 8x10 print of the Onslow, taken on 15/12/42, and it clearly shows 2 different blues used. I`m very happy with the resulting model,and I don`t think the one will get recycled!
