by John Bange
1/500 HMS Battleship (Kitbash/Scratch)
This is my Royal Oak, Ramillies, Revenge, etc. This is a "what if" display. I used the Eastern express 1/500 kit for my ship. These graceful old battleships were a welcome sight to anyone in a convoy during WW11. As usual, I made the hull out of cedar.
I thought she needed some updates. I got the idea after seeing the other two fine examples in this gallery. I started by plating over the casemate guns. They had to be "wet" on the trip to Murmansk. I added 4 power operated,dual purpose mounts used on the KGV's. I removed the small fleet of yachts supplied with the kit and gave her a Walrus floatplane and catapult. I added what 4 pdr's I could find and a pair of 40mm's. (The captain of HMS Nelson recomended them).
Photo etch radar, rails, and ladders finished off the details. she is painted to match an old black and white photo I found of Ramillies. Constant convoy duty would seem to me to have been very difficult and I have nothing but admiration for those who did it. Please forgive the liberties taken with this fine old vessel.
