Fresh From The Shipyards: Escort Vessels For Torpedoes and Tides

Hello friends:

In my last post, "Convoy Chaos", I had some photos of some shamefully underpainted German vessels and even black primed targets (I mean, merchant ships).   Since then I've been working on getting them finished for their next encounter.

Here is the 3D printed Raumboote or R Boat.  The German term literally means "clearance boat" and they were wooden hulled, fast vessels that could serve a number of roles: minesweeping, air-sea rescue, and convoy escort.  Over 400 were produced and served in all theatres.   Later versions were upgunned and some had torpedo tubes added.

I found this model on Thingverse.  If you search for "Cruel Seas" you'll find a number of nice models from the various countries' coastal forces.   It painted up well.  I added a copper wire mast and some Skytrex crew.

This beast is a Skytrex resin and metal model M Class minelayer.   In German they were called Minensuchboot and I gather that, like the R Boats, they were versatile ships that could play a variety of roles.

The Skytrex model includes crewed weapons and I added some figures to the bridge.

The two- models side by side to give a sense of how big the M class ship is.  In 1/600 scale it’s a bit of a beast.

And another perspective shot with the Skytrex Bangor class minesweeper.

Finally here’s the latest model from the 3D printer shipyards, an armed trawler to beef up my RN escorts.   I have some spare weapons in my Skytrex bit box including a crewed 3” gun.  Again it’s a Thingverse model so not sure how accurate it is but it’s a sizeable ship and should give the E-boats pause for thought.

Cheers and blessings to your boats.

MP+