Modelling a 200 Series Seaplane Tender

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   G'day, my first post, from Down Under... 

I am scratch building a 200 Series ST to 1:12 scale and will be writing it up for Model Boats magazine (UK).  I've had to work up my own drawings as the Pritchard drawings are of the prototype which differs considerably from the production version.    

I would like some advice on finishes please.  I understand that in the war period the superstructure was all grey, but what shade of grey?  Light/medium?  Did the rooftops remain white, or were they grey also?  I have read that the interior, including the insides of the hull structure where visible in the well deck were white, is this correct?  Is the Trust's restored example correct in its colour scheme?

Sorry for all the questions - in fact, I have many more, but this will do for starters.

I would also be interested in any advice on the colour scheme used by Imperial Airways on their 200 Series tenders - it appears to be a white hull with "Imperial Airways" in large lettering with a number below, but the deck and superstructure finish is unknown.  I have written to the British Airways museum but not had a reply.

Many thanks in advance for any information.    

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Yabbie 1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 February 2009 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote Yabbie 1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Modelling a 200 Series Seaplane Tender Posted: 01 March 2009 at 10:16am
	G'day, my first post, from Down Under... I am scratch building a 200 Series ST to 1:12 scale and will be writing it up for Model Boats magazine (UK). I've had to work up my own drawings as the Pritchard drawings are of the prototype which differs considerably from the production version. I would like some advice on finishes please. I understand that in the war period the superstructure was all grey, but what shade of grey? Light/medium? Did the rooftops remain white, or were they grey also? I have read that the interior, including the insides of the hull structure where visible in the well deck were white, is this correct? Is the Trust's restored example correct in its colour scheme? Sorry for all the questions - in fact, I have many more, but this will do for starters. I would also be interested in any advice on the colour scheme used by Imperial Airways on their 200 Series tenders - it appears to be a white hull with "Imperial Airways" in large lettering with a number below, but the deck and superstructure finish is unknown. I have written to the British Airways museum but not had a reply. Many thanks in advance for any information.

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 March 2009 at 7:59am
	Sadly no infomed advice yet, why not cheat and go for a peacetime scheme? Meanwhile I want to see more photos of the model, it looks superb!.

Yabbie 1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 February 2009 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote Yabbie 1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 March 2009 at 9:41am
	Thanks Christian, glad to hear you like the model. Here is a rear view prior to the wheelhouse being temporarily fitted: I'm afraid I will need to save my other images for the article (they like them to be unpublished). A pre-war scheme would eliminate the problem of what shade of grey to use, but bring another in that the cabin sides were in natural timber finish and I can't be confident I could stain the different plywoods and timber I have used to a uniform colour. Most of the other questions - interior finish etc - remain. The model will have two brushless motors housed within the scale engine boxes and be equipped with working searchlight and running lights. At 1:12 scale it is about 950 mm long and target weight is 2.7kg to provide a good performance. I've still got quite a way to go, the large windows of the wheelhouse have meant that I will have to provide more internal detail than I originally hoped I could get away with. In the absence of information to the contrary, my best approach is probably to follow the colours found on the BMPT restored example. I have two volunteer crew members, but one has a beard - am I right in thinking this would not have been allowed in the RAF Marine Branch?

barnacle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 16 June 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 69	Post Options Post Reply Quote barnacle Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 March 2009 at 11:00am
	G'day Yabbie and welcome to the forum. Great looking model you have there, it'll certainly be something special when its completed. Paint schemes. I have no data to go on other than my experience of the schemes in use when I was in the Marine Branch. (Im prepared to be shot down on this) Im pretty sure that the grey used was Medium Sea Grey altho in later years the grey used by the Marine Branch was the same as the RN's light grey. Cabin tops were white. Well deck interior was grey but cabin interiors were white with grey decking. One guy who may be able to help you more is John Joyce, he runs the the RAF Marine Craft site and was on ST's out of Boston in Lincolnshire altho he now resides in NZ RAF Marine Branch As for beards in the Marine Branch. I can never recall seeing anyone sporting one but as to wether they were actually banned i cant really say. Certainly you would need a Doc's chitty for 'excused shaving' All the best

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 March 2009 at 11:14am
	A tinted varnish rather than a wood stain would solve that problem and if it don't look right you could paint whatever shade of grey over it anyway? I used a Spanish Walnut tinted satin varnish recently and was very pleased with the results, I gave the lighter wood areas 2 coats and the darker areas just the one, it all blended nicely. Just a thought. p.s. stunning model. Edited by Christian - 04 March 2009 at 11:15am

E.S.ChildsDrum1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 02 March 2005 Status: Offline Points: 43	Post Options Post Reply Quote E.S.ChildsDrum1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 March 2009 at 2:26pm
	Sorry about the last reply I hit a key and things went a bit haywire anyway - try again. Welcome Yabby1 I build MTB's to 1/16 scale and the nearest colour for standard UK small craft I have found to be Plasticoat 1148 Grey Super Undercoat for the hull and Forrest Green for the decks and Black Gloss for below the waterline. This paint expands and contracts with the temperature and does not crack. One other thing the screws revolve in opposite directions although on the full size boats they all revolve in the same direction, this I am told is due to water density. Happy modelling. Regards Ted Childs Drum1. Edited by ForumManager - 04 March 2009 at 4:29pm
	E.S.Childs

Yabbie 1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 February 2009 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote Yabbie 1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 March 2009 at 10:55am
	Thanks all for your thoughts which I am happy to "take on board". Have been experimenting with the wood staining but not really happy with the results so will probably stick with the grey. Of course the products available here in Australia differ. Still trying to contact John Joyce. I am not an absolute stickler for correct detail as long as the general effect is right and there are no glaring mistakes. For general interest I attach a photo of an ST in civilian service with Imperial Airways, as previously mentioned.

johnk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 March 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1355	Post Options Post Reply Quote johnk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 March 2009 at 12:44pm
	Hi there, Modelling not my top thing, like the full scale version!, but of course acknowledge the superb work that goes into them, and they do help very much to spread the word about these craft and thier history. Interesting re beards, RN of course you could wear a full set, with permission, Army and RAF moustache, not sure if restricted to officers or NCO's, had the micky taken when a sea cadet, was hauled before CO by 1st Lt when 13, had no idea what they were talking about when it was said I was seeking permission to grow! JohnK

barnacle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 16 June 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 69	Post Options Post Reply Quote barnacle Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 March 2009 at 12:33pm
	'tache's were allowed in the RAF for all ranks, only stipulation was that 'the upper lip shall be unshaven' (i guess to stop someone sporting a Hitler type) and that it should not go lower than the sides of the mouth. One guy i know was accused by the SWO of looking like a Mexican bandito...

phil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 April 2009 Status: Offline Points: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote phil Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 April 2009 at 5:39pm
	hi , I have a fully restored one number 206 . i would send you a colour pic of it if i knew how to compress it! happy modelling