Modelling a 200 Series Seaplane Tender
Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Modelling
Forum Description: Discussion about Modelling
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=612
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 11:42pm
Topic: Modelling a 200 Series Seaplane Tender
Posted By: Yabbie 1
Subject: Modelling a 200 Series Seaplane Tender
Date Posted: 01 March 2009 at 10:16am
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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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Replies:
Posted By: Christian
Date 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!. |
Posted By: Yabbie 1
Date 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 I'm afraid I will need to save my other images for the article (they like them to be unpublished).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?
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Posted By: barnacle
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 11:00am
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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 http://www.geocities.com/aj_p_joyce/index.html - 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 |
Posted By: Christian
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 11:14am
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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.
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Posted By: E.S.ChildsDrum1
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 2:26pm
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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. ------------- E.S.Childs |
Posted By: Yabbie 1
Date Posted: 06 March 2009 at 10:55am
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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.
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Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 06 March 2009 at 12:44pm
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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
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Posted By: barnacle
Date 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... |
Posted By: phil
Date 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 |
Posted By: Yabbie 1
Date Posted: 01 April 2009 at 10:33pm
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Phil, I would be very happy to have any photos you might have of your 1:1 scale version! Do you think you could save it/them to disc and post to me? I will cover your costs, can send UK cheque. I have some pictures of the Trust's restored 206 via the website, is this the vessel you refer to? Yabbie 1 |
Posted By: phil
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 9:39am
| yes it is the same boat and to set the record straight it has never belonged to the trust. I bought it as a wreck in 1990 and fully restored it from original drawings and photographs. I also own Hsl 102 and mgb81 which are fully restored and capable of 38 and 44kts respectively.Happy to send you pics of all three. Two more for you to build!! |
Posted By: Christian
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 9:55am
This photo was on the internet somewhere.
There is also valuable footage including views of the cockpit here;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drbAvATE5h0 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drbAvATE5h0
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Posted By: Yabbie 1
Date Posted: 03 April 2009 at 11:11pm
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Here I am in the classic modeller's dilemma of finding good sources of information at a stage when they will be too late to materially affect the build!
I almost didn't want to look at the video, Christian, in case I found major differences or errors - fortunately I seem to have the basics right, the noted differences were mainly in the details and finish. It was interesting to see how the wheelhouse hatches are hinged - can anyone tell me if they are also removable? I plan to have one open or removed on the model. My source drawing definitely shows a stepped mast made from reducing sizes of tube, unlike the photo, so I am going to stick to my guns on that point.
Phil - I am suitably impressed with your choice of transport and dedication to preserving these craft. Would you please send me a quick email so that we can exchange details regarding the posting of that photo CD? I have a friend who has built an impressive model of MGB81 and the HSL102 could be a future model subject for one or other of us. Many thanks indeed. mailto:john.parker01@bigpond.com - john.parker01@bigpond.com
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Posted By: john allsop
Date Posted: 13 May 2009 at 8:02pm
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When i built my 200 series ST in 1/12 i did it the same as John Pritchard plan ( doubling the size, i think these are too small at 1/24) and i also put motors under the engine covers, but not brushless and they were probably not out then. Are you in danger of too much power and giving it too high a speed unless you keep it throttled back a bit. ------------- JOHN |
Posted By: Yabbie 1
Date Posted: 14 May 2009 at 1:00am
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Hi John - glad to hear someone had the same thoughts about scale and motor location. Any chance of a photo of your model? It would be interesting to compare the appearance with a flat windscreen etc.
As for power, you may be right but we will soon see as the model is nearing completion. The brushless motors I used are only about the size of bottlecaps (28mm diameter) and I will be running them on only 7.2 volts. The current propellers are fairly large but quite mild in pitch. Overall the model has turned out a little overweight at about 3kg (target was
2.7kg). I don't mind a little excess power for keeping out of trouble on the lake, but certainly wouldn't want to see it leap out of the water and fly!
 Yabbie 1
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Posted By: john allsop
Date Posted: 14 May 2009 at 2:00am
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I,ll take some photos and try and try posting them, my motors are by Lindberg, probably not available anymore and fill the engine compartment. The last of the ice melted off our lake last week so i will try and get some on the water photos if my batteries still charge as i havn,t used them for some time. I am the only model boat builder in this town and i also paddle and sail kayaks which i also do alone. I do not build to your standard but they sail ok. ------------- JOHN |
Posted By: Yabbie 1
Date Posted: 15 May 2009 at 11:08am
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By crikey John, you must be keen to keep going all by yourself like that! Our water is always liquid down here but it gets hot at times (we had three days of 46 degrees centigrade last summer). Lindberg motors - didn't know they did those, perhaps they are rebadged Japanese Mabuchis? Will look out for your photos if you do manage to take some - they need to be under 50Kb each for posting. Regards, Yabbie 1. |
Posted By: Yabbie 1
Date Posted: 24 August 2009 at 9:02am
My model's now finished; happily the performance is about right, nice scale speed plus a little bit to spare. Shown here at about 3/4 throttle:
 Thanks and regards to all, Yabbie 1.
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