Tuesday 20 October 2020

Union Monitors....


Despite my best efforts to the contrary these are quite simple to build! There is little one can do with an ACW monitor in terms of super detailing but they are quite imposing all the same. These are (from the top) the USS Senator, the USS Hiawatha (with the white turret band) and the USS Pocahontas - all of which are currently serving on the Missenhitti River.

 I know I said that the first time you would see these would be in action but I was feeling pleased with how these came out and so thought I would share them!

These are the three monitors that I have built as part of the planned ACW Naval collection. The single turret models are loosely based on the Passaic class of monitors whilst the twin turret version is based on the Monadnock class. The key part of the last sentence is ‘loosely based on’!

The hulls are pre cut 3mm thick MDF from Warbases with the large hull being 5” by 1 1/4” and the smaller 4” by 1”. The turrets are 20mm across and are made up in a laminated style of three sections - the middle of which has indentations for two gun barrels. I have not added the muzzles as the weapons in question are inboard for loading purposes. The pilot houses are 10mm circular bases again, 3mm thick. the funnels are cut from dowel rod - 8mm and 5mm thick for the large and smaller funnels respectively. The deck hatches are 1/4” square and are cut from the lid of a magazine tub! They are painted overall Humbrol Matt 79 with acrylic black for the funnels and white for the turret bands. The models merely need a coat of varnish and the flags to be complete but as yet I have not organised the latter!

Next up will be the Confederate opposition and I hope to have these completed in the next day or so.

6 comments:

Robert (Bob) Cordery said...

David,

They look better painted, and have the sort of simplicity that was a feature of the US monitors.

I’m sure that the casemate ironclads will look equally spiffing!

All the best,

Bob

David Crook said...

Hello there Bob,

Many thanks old chap! I am rather pleased with them and have honed the construction technique which means they are now even easier to build.

The casemates are next and then into battle!

All the best,

DC

Maudlin Jack Tar said...

They look very nice indeed David.

David Crook said...

Hello there Maudlin Jack Tar,

Cheers old boy! To be fair it would be a struggle to get these wrong as their lines are so simple and uncluttered. Overall I think they look the part and I enjoyed making them which is the main thing.

On with the Casemates!

All the best,

DC

Steve J. said...

They look great and I must admit that I love the simplicity of the designs and of your models too. I look forward to seeing the opposition and with them all flagged up.

David Crook said...

Hi Steve J,

They turned out OK and I am pleased with them. I still cannot believe how much hassle I had building them and the Rebels ships but I guess it was down to being out of practise.

The flags were something I thought I had in stock but no! Luckily for now identification will not be too much of an issue!

All the best,

DC