by Horst Muerell
1/250 Harbour Defence Motor Launch ML1285 (Paper Model)
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML) were designed in 1939 to protect British harbours against submarine attacks. The boats were diesel-powered with 260 to 320 hp (depending on the manufacturer of the engine) and reached a top speed of 11,5 kts. The HDMLs were built by small yards spread all over the British empire (300 at home, 56 in the dominions and 74 under lease-lend). In service they proved to be very seaworthy with most reliable engines and were used as convoy escorts and subchasers in nearly all operational zones of WWII.
Technical Details:
Length: 22,00m
Breadth: 4,90m
Draught: 1,45m
Displacement: 54t
Speed: 11,5kts
Complement: 2 officers, 8 men
Total built: 430
MODEL
ML1285 represents a later type of HDML with strengthened bridge and improved armament. She was ordered 24 April 1942 at Thornycroft, Hampton, and completed 27 April 1943. The model is shown in the light-grey painting scheme with horizontal areas painted dark blue-grey, which was common for most mid-war coastal forces. The armament consists of a 2pdr gun forward, twin-Vickers machine guns on the bridge, 20mm Oerlikon aft and eight depth-charges.
ML1285 was handed over to Singapore government on 16 July 1946.
The construction of the model and the information about the original were based on the following sources:
• John Lambert Plan: Harbour Defence Motor Launch, Nr. L/S/19/A-D
• Allied Coastal Forces of World War II, Vol. 1, John Lambert
• The Design and Construction of British Warships 1939-1945 Vol. 2, David K. Brown
The Model is to a scale of 1:250 and 8,5cm long. It is made of grey-coloured card, the railings are of painted fly-screen.
