Thread: Model ships

Have moved this to the Scale Modelling forum, hopefully you will receive some helpful advice here.

Originally Posted by plantagenon

I am interested in making a replica model of the ship my father served on during world war 2. It was the HMAS Uralba. Uralba was a timber vessel taken into RAN service and converted to a munitions carrier/mine sweeper. After 2 years searching I have finally found some plans of the ship hidden away in naval records. They are not brilliant full size plans but may do for my project. I also have a few photos of her. My experience in woodworking to date has been in pen turning. Therefore, I seek some advice on how to go about this new project.

If you can offer any advice or assistance I would really apreciate it.

Greg

G'Day Greg,
I haven't heard of that ship, but sounds like agreat project.
Have you tried the blokes at the Sydney Maritime Musuem as a lot of the volenteers are ex-Navy and maybe be able to help with your research.
Looking forward to watching your progress.
Cheers, Crowie

Hi Greg,
This site may be of some use.
They are running an internet based course on model ship building that may be a good way to start. They also have a huge range of top quality kits. It might be a good idea to attempt a small kit to start off as it will give you a good idea of what is involved in building a model ship. I'm currently building a 1/28th scale 'Endeavour' and I have learnt a lot from the little I have completed.

Hello Greg,

This forum has a ship modeling section. There are links to pics and books on how to.

Log in


Later,
Bret

I can't help but I am impressed that lately we seem to have broaden our outlook and seeing that the Toy Forum can encompass a far rangier field then just toys yet still fit in to that category.

Pete

Thanks

I will try a model first. I imagine that it will take a long while to complete one but I should learn a bit. I have attached a photo of the Uralba from the couple I have managed to track down.

G'Day Greg, Here's another photo of HMAS Uralba, Cheers, Crowie

Attachment 179402

Thanks Crowie

I think she is in her naval grey colours there. There are no full plans left of the ship but I managed to get a couple of pages of survey plans from the National Archives that were tucked in between reports submitted by the Captain of the ship. They are the last surviving plans and the Uralba is now a diving wreck off the coast of Victoria (still in fairly good condition). The plans and measurements I have found will probably be enough along with the photos to scale a model once I learn how to do it. At the moment I am into pen turning so I will have a bit of time inbetween pens to slowly build a replica when I learn a bit about doing it.

Dad told me that the Ulalba was just off the coast carrying munitions the night the Centaur was sunk. They heard the blast as the Centaur was hit and saw a flash like lightning. However, they were unable to assist because the Uralba was not a heavily armed ship and because of their cargo. Also, I think at the time they did not know that it was an Australian ship that was attacked. Unfortunately, Dad now suffers from dementia and can't really help me a lot with the layout of the ship, but I will get there and if it is a good enough job I will give it to the Maritime Museum in Brisbane.

Greg

More info Greg, Cheers, Crowie

Have a read half way down the page
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forum...ad.php?p=52796

The minefield tender HMAS URALBA, was commissioned. URALBA was laid down in E Wright Yard, Tuncurry, NSW, in 1942. She was requisitioned for the RAN

Greg
You might find these sites helpful,
Model Boat Mayhem - Forum - Index
And there are some from Brisbane that post on this site.
Boats - RC Groups

Mark

Originally Posted by crowie

G'Day Greg, Here's another photo of HMAS Uralba, Cheers, Crowie

Attachment 179402

Not to burst your bubble Crowie, but that picture (from Wikipedia) is not of the HMAS Uralba. This link claims that several sources have got the identification wrong with regard to that picture, and that is more likely to be the HMAS Bermagui, which was a lighter, steel ship, rather than the wooden HMAS Uralba. Greg's photo, with the Uralba's name on the bow, clearly show differences between the two vessels, with the Uralba's bow seemingly narrower, as well as having twin masts, and the forward mast being closer to the bow than the Bermagui.

If you're into diving, apparently the Uralba was scuttled off Mordialloc Pier in Port Phillip Bay down here in Victoria.

This is a link to a post on a Naval Ship Forum (possibly the same person as the other link as it has the same user name) that has some other details and photos of the Uralba (but you need to register to view them).

Thanks Yonnee

I have just registered with the World Naval Ships Forum but I have to wait for the usual clearance to access the photos and other information on the Uralba. I did read the article on the website. The description of the ship rolling in heavy seas is exactly how my father described it. They were always happy to get into sheltered waters as it wasn't the most comfortable ship when the weather blew up. He did say the Captain tried to get some sort of stabilizers fitted but the Navy wasn't interested.

I will continue to try and gether more information on the ship to get a good layout of her and then I will commence learning to craft model ships. It will be a slow process but an interesting one. There is a model ship club not far from where I live in Brisbane so I might join it to learn modelling.

Greg

Hi Greg,

Looks like a great project. I'd suggest getting on to Model Ship World - Model Ship World :: Home - and introduce yourself and the project. There's a good contingent of Aussie modelers on there and everyone is helpful. There's a sub-forum on scratch-building where you can ask about lofting, building techniques, etc.

Have a look at Float a Boat too - Float a Boat - Especially for Shiplovers - in Melbourne as they have some plans (go to PDF of plans catalogue) of similar naval/merchant ships. If you get hold of one of these plans they'll give oyu a good idea of of the views you need to build a model.

I'm happy to discuss what you've got so far and what you'll need to do to convert it to a model - just send me a PM. and I'm sure there's a coupld of Brisbanites on Model Ship World who may be nearby and able to help.

I'd agree a kit could help you get a feel for what's involved. but plenty of people have built their first model from scratch and done well too. Depends on how competent you are with your skills and the tools you have available.

Regards,
Darren
Melbourne

Thanks Darren

I will have a look at the site.

Greg