Hello Richard,

Thanks for the welcome, Snowberry was an enjoyable build, I almost didn’t want to finish her, I was having that much fun… Will send a PM as requested…

Thanks Colin, appreciate the kind words on the Snowberry, tbh I was worried I wouldnt be able to scratchbuild the deck and other bits, but after some headscratching and a bit of thought I managed ok – thehardest part was the Hedgehog – which had gone missing, so I thought about what I culd use to make the mortar charges, and hit upon some wooden paint brush ends, which work well enough – as long as you dont look too closely!

Weathering and detailing was fun, I took a lot of inspiration from other builds and the PE kits that are no longer available, and just made what I could from plasticard, fuse wire and brass rods – the hose reels were tricky, about 4mm with 2 supports and some rolled masking tape 0.8mm wide for the hoses themselves. The lockers near the side depth charge winches, with their triangular supporting brackets, were also fun, but worthwhile. Adding the Above and Beyond Scale Graphics from Canada really added to the model, and weathering is just fun – although it can be difficult to know where to stop…

The model came with about a dozen figures, 4 types, 3 of each, and I supplemented these woth some excellent scale 3d prints form ebay, painted as best I could…

There are a few things I would change if I were to build another, and some details I now know are not 100% accurate, but she looks right, and I am very happy with how she looks on the water – and I have had lots of lovely comments from folks seeing her in the flesh…

Oooh, HMCS Sackville is awesome, wish I had the chance to visit her – or that we had a Corvette in the UK, I would love to get a closer up look at one… We visited the excellent Arctic Convoy museum in Aultbea a few years ago, who have some amazing models, hoping to revisit this summer on our holidays…

Thanks Colin, thats useful… Its a part I may remake at sme point, but tbh it looks ok for now 🙂

On 27 May 2026 at 13:04 Philip Oxley Said:

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Hello Suzanne.</p>
Congratulations on your model.  It does look right and the weathering detail is spot on imo.

I’ve not been on here that long but it’s a great place to ask questions and I’ve had a lot of support, as you will too no doubt.

I know how you feel about not wanting to finish.  It almost a bit deflating that there’s nothing left to do, while at the same time exhilarating to see it finished.   There’s also a lot of satisfaction in coming up with idea for making something and working it through to a finished article.

Best wishes

Philip.   In Essex JSYK.

 

Thanks, Philip…

Advice is always welcome, and tbh I am still learning the Electronic side of things – Snowberry was purchased with a full set of kit and instructions written by the model shop on how to wire it – things have changed since then!

I will definitely be seeking advice on the next build, not sure what it will be, but likely to get a digital transmitter and receiver with more channels, so I can add things like light, sound, smoking effects and perhaps other things too, but we shall see… There is a bring and buy sale at Bury Model Boat Club in a few weeks, so going to go and see if I can pick up something for me and something for hubby, and if not, well then we can choose a kit each and splash out a bit… I really fancy the Mountfleet 1/24th Puffer, been watching Para Handy on Amazon recently…

On 27 May 2026 at 13:24 Ray Wood 3 Said:

Hi All,

The original kit was produced by Matchbox quite a bold move by them at the time  for such a large model 🙂

I think I have built 2 🙂

Regards  Ray

 

Yup, Matchbox moulds, sold to Revell… And they did a second Tech version with some PE brass upgrades, and a third version with Brass upgrades and lights… Would love to do one of them, or to get the aftermarket PE kit, but sadly rare nowadays…

On 28 May 2026 at 07:44 John W E Said:

hi there

WELCOME TO THE FORUM – looking at the photographs of your model, this particular image of your Corvette, tells a story for me.  It reminds me of the Cruel Sea (film) when the engineers are repairing a tail shaft gland and the ship is drifting.   Also, it reminds me of a vessel which has done a lot of hard work and it is looking forward to its rest.  Well done, this model is a credit to you.

John

 

Thanks John, appreciate the welcome and kind words…

Cruel Sea is an awesome film, and an even better – more poignant and bleak – book, to have the model evoke memories of such a masterpiece is praise indeed, thank you…

On 10 June 2026 at 13:56 Richard Simpson Said:

The Cruel Sea is one of my favourites as well, “Snorkers, good oh!”

I remember the scene working on the shaft seal, I thought about it a lot when I did a job replacing a shaft seal on my last ship.  We did have the benefit of what is known as  Coastguard Seal arrangement where the inboard seal can be isolated from the sea by inflating an internal rubber tyre.  You’re fine as long as you don’t loose the air pressure!

Thanks, Richard, yes, the character of number 1 was one that sticks with you, not a nice character, and yet such a great actor!

Wow, very cool… Hubby wants to do a Flying Dutchman too, but he needs to finish what he has before I buy him any more kits – he can have 1 RC ki to do tho, but no more then until one is completed 😉

On 15 June 2026 at 15:28 Ray Wood 3 Said:

Hi All,

I’m with Tim on that !! I only have 10 projects on the go at once , with boats, planes and trains there arn’t enough hours in the day  🙂

Regards  Ray

Lol, yeah, we shall see, but I can see when we retire there may be multiple things going on, or a to build pile… Still the plan is to move to the Hghlands, so buying too much just means etra things to transport – and there is already plenty of stuff to move, including a wee whisky collection of about 200 bottles of single malt 😉