ESCORT MAGAZINE INDEX (Page 1)
The previous issues of ESCORT are briefly described below. They are all available (in pdf format) simply by sending an e-mail to Les Brown with your request.
Issue 02
HMS Norfolk - This modern Royal Navy Type 23 frigate is reproduced in 1:700 scale by Skytrex. Using white metal rather than plastic or resin, this accurate model is available ready painted as well as in the form of a kit.
The Algerines - The operational careers of this hardworking class of fleet minesweepers is described by Jack Williams, a former crew member and founder of the Algerines Association. A brief technical history is also included.
Fletcher Class Destroyer, USS Kidd - This ship survives as a museum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. She has been well preserved and is a fitting memorial to all those sailors who served in destroyers during World War 2.
Issue 03
HMS Devonshire - The old Airfix kit of this Royal Navy guided missile destroyer, together with the detailed etched brass available from White Ensign Models, can be made to look very presentable. The kit does contain a few errors which need correction to produce an accurate model but as this ship has never been produced by any other manufacturer, it may be your only choice. Some photographs of actual ships of this class are also included as they appeared towards the ends of their careers.
Destroyers of World War Two - The Polish book describes three classes of destroyer - USS Gendreau (Buckley Class), IJNS Matsu and HMS Brissenden (Hunt Class). Although the text is in Polish, the photographs and drawings will be a great help to anybody wishing to model these subjects.
Issue 04
Type 16 Frigates - An interesting conversion from the Tamiya (ex-Skywave) 1:700 scale kit of an ‘O’ Class destroyer. Tim Stoneman provides an insight into the real life conversion of these ships and then details how to model them.
The End of an Australian Destroyer Escort - These graphic pictures clearly demonstrate the awesome power of the torpedo!
Issue 05
Fairmile ‘D’ - The Dog Boat - A 1:72 scale scratch built model from Denis Keegan using plasticard for the plank-on-frame construction of the hull.
Warship 2000-2001 - This annual publication contains its usual mix of interesting articles, frequently covering rather unusual subjects.
Vosper MTB 510 - Some photographs from the builder’s collection of a prototype ‘long’ boat for the Royal Navy.
Issue 06
HMS Icarus - The Tamiya (ex-Skywave) ‘O’ Class destroyer kit is, once again, the basis for Tim Stoneman’s model of this inter-war class of Royal Navy destroyers. A little ingenuity with a lot of care and patience results in a first class model.
British Warships of the Second World War - John Roberts describes the technical histories of a range of British warships and includes some of the builders’ original drawings.
Naval-Technology.com - A website providing pictures and data of many modern warships from countries throughout the world.
Issue 07
Fairmile ‘D’, MTB 794 - One from White Ensign Model’s range of small craft in 1:350 scale. The fine etched brass and the camouflage scheme of this particular craft pose a few problems.
Brave Class Fast Patrol Boat - Another from White Ensign Model’s range of small craft, but this time of a more modern, gas turbine propelled warship. This feature is accompanied by a number of the builder’s photographs of the vessel at sea.
RN Minor War Vessels in Focus - This softback publication from Maritime Books complements others in the series, providing a large number of well reproduced black and white photographs at a very good price.
Issue 08
‘Tribal’ Class Destroyers of the Royal Navy - This class of very large destroyers began to enter service just before the start of World War 2 and had very active careers during the following conflict.
HMS Cossack - One of the most famous Royal Navy destroyers of World War 2 is modelled in 1:720 scale using the low cost Revell kit with the addition of some etched brass.
British Military Powerboat Trust - Small vessels being preserved for the public by a hardworking group of enthusiasts.
Issue 09
‘Pegasus’ Class Hydrofoils of the United States Navy - The development history of these vessels makes fascinating reading. Two models are then described - a 1:700 scale plastic model from Revell and a 1:350 scale resin offering from White Ensign Models.
Afridi to Nizam - British Fleet Destroyers, 1937-43 - This World Ship Society publication provides very good value for money in its 150 pages. The ‘Tribal’ Class and the ‘J’, ‘K’, ‘L’, ‘M’ and ‘N’ Classes are covered in detail, including a photograph of virtually every ship.
Issue 10
‘A’ to ‘I’ Class Destroyers of the Royal Navy - A short history of destroyer development in the Royal Navy in the years leading up to World War 2.
HMS Hesperus - To the unusual scale of 1:500, this ZTS Plastyk kit is a very low cost basis for the construction of an ‘H’ Class destroyer to represent the many hard working vessels built during the inter-war years.
Issue 11
HMS Starling - This 1:350 scale resin model by Atlantic Models represents one of the class of small patrol craft originally intended for use in and around Hong Kong. Following the handing back of Hong Kong to China, the vessels were transferred to the Irish and Philippine navies.
‘Seacat’ Missile Launcher - Mountford Metal Miniatures produce a number of naval gun mountings complete with crew. Of a more modern period is this 1:32 scale model of three crew members loading the missile launcher. Manufactured in resin and white metal, this model represents equipment that has been fitted to a number of Royal Navy frigates and destroyers.
Issue 12
HMS Hardy - Tim Stoneman returns with another 1:700 scale example of the inter-war Royal Navy destroyer. The same Tamiya (ex-Skywave) kit of the ‘O’ class destroyer forms the basis for a model of the flotilla leader, HMS Hardy.
Scale Modelworld 2001 - Our first SIG display at the annual IPMS show. There was certainly a lot of interest from the public.
Issue 13
SAS Somerset - A business trip to Cape Town, South Africa, provided an opportunity to photograph this ‘Bar’ Class boom defence vessel, built in 1941/42.
LE Ciara - One of the ‘Hong Kong patrol craft’ (see Issue 11) now transferred to the Republic of Ireland Naval Service.
Warships in Miniature - Michael Ainsworth describes the techniques that he uses in producing his 1:1200 scale models and provides some very useful general arrangement drawings of a wide variety of vessels.
Issue 14
HMS Campbeltown - Two resin models of this famous ship - the Tom’s Modelworks 1:350 scale version showing her as modified for the famous commando raid on the port of St Nazaire and the B-Resina 1:700 scale version showing her four funnels and a striking camouflage scheme.
St Nazaire 1942 - the Great Commando Raid - This softback book by Ken Ford, published by Osprey Publishing, provides an enthralling account of the preparations for the raid, the raid itself and the aftermath.
Issue 15
W.W.1 German Destroyer V106 - These low cost plastic kits from Mirage (Poland) represent some rather unusual vessels. At the scale of 1:400, in common with many European manufacturers, the final model is diminutive.
Naval Camouflage 1914-1945 - David Williams has provided us with probably the best single volume account of this fascinating area of warship history. There are many photographs but, unfortunately, too few colour profiles for the modelmaker.
“Perkasa” and “Pahlawan” - Photographs of two gas turbine driven patrol craft, similar to the Royal Navy’s ‘Brave’ Class, as used by Malaysia and Brunei.
Issue 16
Type 15 Frigates - At the end of World War Two, there were many surplus destroyers but not enough frigates to deal with the threat posed by modern submarines. The conversion fo the destroyers and how to model them is described by Tim Stoneman.
The Royal Navy 1939-45 - A navy comprises more than ships - there are also the men that man them. This Osprey book by Ian Sumner describes the various uniforms (some unofficial) worn by the men of the Royal Navy during the conflict.
Issue 17
‘Contre-Torpilleur’ Le Terrible - The French Navy built a series of fast, large destroyers, some as big as light cruisers. This 1:700 scale resin kit from Wings, Ships & Wheels is a fine representation of this development.
Kriegsmarine - This book, edited by Robert Jackson, is sub-titled ‘the illustrated history of the German Navy in WWII’ and makes a very good attempt to do just that. Many aspects of the navy’s development are considered as well as the warships.
“Strahl” - Another example of a gas turbine propelled patrol craft, this time in German service.
Issue 18
HMS Penn - The Tamiya (ex-Skywave) 1:700 scale kit of the ‘O’ class destroyer once again forms the basis for this model. Nigel Denchfield shows how to make the most of this kit, which does, after all, include two models in each box.
Nelson to Vanguard - The renowned historian, D K Brown, takes us through the development of warships during the period indicated by the names of these two battleships. All vessels are considered, not just battleships.
‘Dark’ Class Fast Patrol Boats - These early diesel powered craft were intended to reach speeds in excess of 40 knots whilst carrying an armament that included guns and torpedoes. Changing circumstances meant that these vessels were only in service for less than one year.
Issue 19
Warship Pictorial 15 - Kriegsmarine Schnellboote - These craft were very succesful but there has been little data published about them. Steve Wiper starts to correct this with a lavishly illustrated book, including drawings to help the modelmaker.
The Kelly’s - I think that Christopher Langtree’s book can be defined as the definitive volume on this class of destroyers. With photographs and a good selection of coloured profiles showing various camouflage schemes, no serious modeller of this class can be without it.
Launch of HMS Tyne - The Royal Navy has decided to lease three new vessels to replace the old ‘Island’ class for fishery protection duties. The first of these vessels was launched in May 2002.
British Power Boats MGB 75 - The competition between Vospers and the British power boat Company was intense, both companies producing vessels of similar size. Whilst Vospers tended to concentrate on motor torpedo boats, BPB concentrated on motor gunboats. This 1:350 scale model is another from White Ensign Model’s ‘narrow seas’ range.
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