Author Topic: HMS Onslow 1941  (Read 4538 times)

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Offline ship's doctor

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HMS Onslow 1941
« on: 17 September 2018, 09:21:07 »
I've made a start on my next build - HMS Onslow, O class flotilla leader 1941. The O class were the first of the wartime emergency programme destroyers, and used an unusual mix of armament depending on what was available. The first four including Onslow had 4x 4.7 inch guns, one quad torpedo mounting, and a mix of AA guns. The ships mostly served in the Arctic Convoys, and all 8 survived. Onslow is probably most famous for her part in the Battle of the Barents Sea in 1942, the Captain was awarded the VC for this action.

The hull is at 1/96 from Deans Marine Mouldeans range.

First steps were to trim and clean up the moulding, and then install frames.   

Offline karlgalster

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Re: HMS Onslow 1941
« Reply #1 on: 19 September 2018, 18:39:49 »
May I enquire what you will be using as reference information for the build?

Offline ship's doctor

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Re: HMS Onslow 1941
« Reply #2 on: 20 September 2018, 15:15:13 »
For references I'm using a few sources -
Raven & Roberts 'Ensign' book on O-Z destroyers
Profile Morskie HMS Onslow (though I've found a few errors)
Destroyer Weapons of WW2 (Hodges) 
Arctic Destroyers (G Connell)
Plus online photos from IWM, the 'world naval ships' forum and others

Offline karlgalster

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Re: HMS Onslow 1941
« Reply #3 on: 20 September 2018, 19:17:19 »
Terrific.
How about drawings?

Offline ship's doctor

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Re: HMS Onslow 1941
« Reply #4 on: 21 September 2018, 07:32:49 »
I may have splashed out and got the maritime museum plans ...  :-[

Offline karlgalster

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Re: HMS Onslow 1941
« Reply #5 on: 21 September 2018, 16:12:07 »
Expensive but no doubt excellent. Look forward to the build.  ^^^

Offline ship's doctor

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Re: HMS Onslow 1941
« Reply #6 on: 07 June 2019, 09:25:26 »
A little bit of progress ...

A frames and prop tubes have been installed - these are Raboesch M4 extended type shafts. Rudder built from brass sheet - will build this up into a streamlined profile later. Rudder linkages and servo installed.

Once the prop tubes and A frames were aligned correctly and tacked in with epoxy I used a small fibreglass kit to secure the tubes into the hull. This went a bit wrong as I think the fibreglass contracted slightly as it set - shafts would no longer turn freely, when taken apart the A frames were now about 0.5mm out of alignment. So I had to drill out the A frames and re-set in the hull - now working fine. Next time I would get the prop shafts fully installed, then align the A frames after. 

The motors sit quite low in the hull so I've made a mounting block to fit the hull section, there will be four mounting screws for each motor which can be used to adjust fine alignment.

Hopefully more to follow soon!