What's in the box? HMS Fearless, Airfix, 1/600 (edited)

Keeping with the Falkland theme I'd like to present the Airfix HMS Fearless (L10) to you. It is not the grandest kit in any way but it's a classic. MT Miniatures and L'Arsenal also have HMS Fearless in their respective range but they are in 1/700 scale and I have no idea how they are as model kits.

Ed. Found a review each of L'Arsenal's as well as MT Miniatures' HMS Fearless at Model Warships. They look nice!

Launched in 1963, commissioned in 1965 and in active duty till 2002 she and her sister ship, HMS Intrepid (L11), are now broken up for scrap. The Fearless class is now superseded by the Albion class LPDs, HMS Abion (L14) and HMS Bulwark (L15).

The kit is molded in light grey polystyrene and made up of 119 parts. The kit is definitively showing its age by its simple construction and chunky details. But do not fear, a bit of TLC and if you are willing to fold a bit of photo eched parts (this and that) you may end up having a great little ship. It is not a very large model, only 26,5 cm long, but it certainly has a great place in any model fleet.

Showcase; Airfix LCM 3 & Sherman, 00-scale

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 8

I thought I was too tired to work on my Torch project tonight but I did well anyway. Put a coat of Vallejo olive drab all over the truck, inside and out. After that I picked all bags out in different shades of olive greens. Added a bit of tan and yellow sand as I went in order to break up the load's uniformity.

Of course I had to test the truck in the cargo hold to see how the colours went with the landing craft's white and dark grey. Just perfect! Now all is about wrapping the whole thing up. In this photo you can see the little handles I made yesterday.

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 6

Loaded my GMC truck tonight. Lots of small sacks are the reason for the 6x6 to hitch a ride to the beach. Rolled a long fat string of Milliput and made about 50 sacks. In order not to make a too heavy load I lined the insides of the cargo hold with Milliput and put a lid of plasticard before covering the whole lot with my little sacks. I'll let this dry a day or so and then start next painting session. Pressed the end of a brush handle to sculpt each end of the sacks to make them stand out a bit more. A bit of water was taking the finger prints away as Milliput tends to show such blemishes quite well.

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 5

Just have to show you all I'm not sleeping but doing my best to finish this LCM. A bit of filtering and rust staining were done this evening. About time I start on painting the GMC 6x6 truck.

By the way, I got a Trumpeter LCM 3 in a parcel from UK today. Now I got all parts for a new LCM project in 1/72. Eh, you say I'm busy doing something else? Yes, I got Trumpeter's LCM in 1/48 half built and waiting for the Torch tub to cross the finish line.

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 4

I had set my mind on doing a red LCM code on the bow, just like the one in the head of this blog. The individual LCM in the photo is by the way same as Revell has included in its boxing of Italeri's LCM in 1/35. However, I changed my mind for two reasons: I will do another British LCM in the future with a red code and the one I finally choose is rather unusual. So, I did a bit of measuring on a photo copy and drew a small sketch in actual size on a piece of paper.

This sketch was pondered upon and decided to be of proper dimensions. A few pencil lines were drawn on the model.



A very fine brush, a bottle of Vallejo Model Air Black and some time later I had my code on the model.

This was repeated on the starboard side as well. Same size, same dimensions. There is a bit of retouching to do before totally done.

I have no idea if this code was placed on the stern or any other place but no other LCM from the Torch landings seems (as far as I can conclude from photos I have seen) to have had a code on any other place than on the sides.

Now, on to the fun part: weathering!

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 2

After a good base layer of black I airbrushed brown earth in a grid pattern to break up the monotony.

As you can see the hull has now a layer of white in a number of shades. A compact layer wouldn't be fun to watch so I had to work on it a bit .

Now I'll let everything rest a couple of days, have a new look at things, touch up areas I think need a bit more paint and then carry on doing the top sides. Dark grey, anyone?

A book; The D-Day Companion

The D-Day Companion, edited by Jane Penrose, Osprey Publications


For a broad understanding of one of history's most important events The D-Day Companion is possibly the best bet. In thirteen essays all facets of the planning, execution and aftermath of the biggest combined operations event of all times are probed and dissected. You will not find many individual stories here. Emphasis is on the wide perspectives although a few personal accounts show the feelings and confusion from both attacker as well as defender. It's just a three days read and thus a perfect companion for the student or war gamer wishing to get an introduction to the Normandy landings and associated actions.


Much recommended.

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 1

Since mid December 2011 I have been working on an LCM 3 project. It is Trumpeter's little boat in 1/72 that's getting some extra attention. It will be loaded with an early GMC 2 ½ truck in its hold. I saw a photo in a book showing a truck being off loaded from an LCM 3 during Operation Torch in North Africa and felt this was something for me to make a model of.

The truck from Academy got a bit of extra details added as per the photo; some tube on the side coming out of the hood, a fire extinguisher and some copper wire to add some sense of detail on the winch.

A bit of extra work has to be done to make it into a Royal Navy LCM. Anti-splinter padding on the wheel-house, an anchor windlass, special ramp wire holders sticking up like horns on a rein deer.

The skegs got some extra attention. Supporting struts were glued to each side as you can see here. As far as I know the propellers should have only three blades each, not four as in the Trumpeter kit. Do I care? Nah.

And the wire holders in the front. 

A book; Assault Landing craft, Design, construction & operations

Assault Landing Craft, Brian Lavery, Seaforth publishing

A really fine and nice monographic book on the british Landing Craft Assault, LCA, used in great numbers during the whole of the Second world war and the following decade. The book gives the story on the evolution of small landing crafts leading to this very important little war craft. Although resembling the american LCVP it differed on a number of points as having two propellers, more armour and a larger crew. The LCA gave good service during raids in Lofoten and during major assaults in the Mediterranian and Normandy as well as the final fights in Burma and India. If you like it British, small landing crafts or the odd not so famous things used during the second world war this book is for you.

Recommended.