 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |
Click on a picture in the gallery above to see a full resolution image, or to navigate manually
HMS Tiger (C20)
North Atlantic, 1977
​
Why this ship?
I have always liked the helicopter cruisers deployed by several navies the 1960's and 70's. Even though these ultimately proved not a successful design, they represent a fascinating chapter in naval history, and provide an excellent subject for modelling. Eventually I hope to build a series of these ships.
The opportunity to start this series presented itself with a second-hand Revell kit of HMS Tiger (a rebox of a much older Matchbox kit). Tiger was converted from an all-gun cruiser into a helicopter cruiser between the late 60's and 1972. Following this conversion, which included the installation of a bulky, box-like hangar and flight deck, I think one would be hard pressed to call Tiger (and her sister ship Blake, C99) "beautiful ships" - the silhouette looks rather unbalanced. However, to my eyes this rough and utilitarian appearance adds character, giving them a no-nonsense "just get the job done" vibe.
​
What was added
-
I added the Atlantic Models HMS Tiger Detail Set (ATEM 70002), without which this would have been a very short and boring build (see below for details).
-
Rigging was done with human hair and Caenis thread.
-
Radio antennas cut from tungsten wire.
​
Lessons learned and problems circumvented
This is a very old kit, originally from the 1970's. This means you get the level of detail expected from the vintage, particularly in 1/700 scale.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
The hull base plate, showing the kit's vintage​
Having said that, there were no major fit issues, and the few mould sinks could be easily fixed with putty and sanding (see "Construction photos"). It is a bit light on surface detail, but this was not a problem. All pictures I found of the Tiger suggested that it was a very well maintained ship, which allowed me to keep weathering very light.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
A very tidy ship.
Image credits: top: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1839774
bottom: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c5/80/52/c580524e07edfeee6a2878a0c27e728b.jpg
​
-
One issue that demanded correction was the height of the hangar, which was too low as provided. Following recommendation from the Atlantic Models instruction sheet, I added 2 mm evergreen strips all around, as shown below in the Construction photos.
-
The quadruple Seacat launchers were rudimentary as provided in the kit, and unconvincing in the photoetch version. I opted for combining the core of the plastic part with the photoetch rails and missiles, to make something that is still not perfect, but a little bit better (to my eyes).
-
The kit provides a reasonable accurate Seaking helicopter, which becomes even better if you use the photoetch replacement parts. It does not come with decals, though, so I had to home print them. I have no idea if number 11 was a real helo, and if so whether it ever landed on Tiger, but it was the only number I cold conjure at this scale.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
The completed Westland Seaking helicopter, 1/700
​
Construction photos
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |
Click on a picture in the gallery above to see a full resolution image, or to navigate manually
-
The model is started by joining the to halves of the hull and the "waterline".
-
At this stage I took the opportunity correct an inaccuracy in the model, by lifting the perimeter of the hangar using 2 mm Evergreen strips (red arrow). This will allow me later to use the photoetch hangar doors from the Atlantic Models set. Also noticeable here is a U-shaped mold sink that had to be fixed on the surface of the flight deck (green arrow).
-
Another view of the raised hangar roof, from the stern.
-
Here starts the metal origami. The next few days were spend bending tiny pieces of metal, like this piece of the Type 965 long-range air search radar
-
The Type 965 radar array, completed.
-
By far, the most intricate aspect of this build was the main mast, which is made up of many tiny metal pieces, and took me the best part of a weekend. After breathing a sigh of relief, I put it aside in a safe box to avoid bending anything until the very last stages of the build.
-
The next few hours are dedicated to masking and painting the deck green, and ensuring sharp transitions to the grey. Here I used a mixture of airbrush and paintbrush.
-
Starting to build up the fore superstructure.
-
With the 6" and 3" gun mounts added, I started on the railing. The FlyOps bridge was added to the top of the hangar.
-
Time to work on the funnels, adding the photoetch grating and yardarms from the photoetch.
-
With the bridge completed, this is starting to look like a Tiger class cruiser.
-
Building the seacat launchers. The top assembly, using only the photoetch, did not look "right". I opted for combining the centre of the launcher from the plastic kit, with the base platform and rails from Atlantic Models.
-
The Seacat launchers in final form.
-
The 8 tiny Seacat missiles, before being attached to the launchers.
-
Seacat launchers in place. Sadly at this stage I had built the crane the wrong way around (this was fixed later).
-
A near-finished product. Pending here are decals, weathering, safety nets, and anchors. and trying to fix the crane...
​