Here is the latest addition to my Cruel Seas collection, a Steam Gun Boat (SGB). The British had 7 of these built between 1940 and 1942, mainly escorting the North Sea convoys. It is my first experience of commissioning a 3D printed model and I'm very happy with it.
More thoughts and pictures on the blog https://grahamsgaming.blogspot.com/2019/04/british-steam-gun-boat-for-cruel-seas.html
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32742038687_142fc72572.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RTivop) (https://flic.kr/p/RTivop)
At 9.60 including postage that is good value - and as you say - detailed enough for the table top.
3D opens up a lot of market for the one or two off order that is so common amongst gamers, and where the low level of demand will not justify a sculpt master and metal/resin castings.
An interesting business model with easy access to small local firms to do the printing for you :-\
That model looks more than acceptable to me. I have thought of weathering my ships and decided life was too short!
The SGB is a nice looking ship and my "Grey Wolf" has been showing on the tabletop why the British media described them as the battleships of the coastal forces.
Very cool sculpt, nice one
3D printers are definitely offering more possibilities these days. Sunjester's photos made me wonder what kind of colour scheme was used on this vessels and I found a couple of links (see below). First one is an article on the Warfare and Weapons site which includes a coloured drawing. The second link shows a nice colour image in PaperCraftSquare of a model of SGB9, the "Grey Goose" - apparently you can download a free paper model of this in 1/1200, although I've not tried this myself.
https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2015/08/23/steam-gun-boat/ (https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2015/08/23/steam-gun-boat/)
http://www.papercraftsquare.com/wwii-steam-gun-boat-sgb9-grey-goose-free-paper-model-download.html (http://www.papercraftsquare.com/wwii-steam-gun-boat-sgb9-grey-goose-free-paper-model-download.html)
Another link recommending you don't get too hung up on colours! :)
https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4159.0 (https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4159.0)
From what I've read recently, as radar sets became more prevalent colour schemes tended to a basic grey ...
... that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! :)
Thanks for the comments gentlemen.
Westmarcher, nice links, thanks. I might have to have to add some stripes to the hull now!
I think that's a very nice model.
Cheers - Phil
Not being a WW2 gamer, never mind a naval war-games player, I regarded Cruel Seas as being only about MTB's, E-Boats and cargo ships. But this topic has highlighted for me that there's a lot more to it with a lot of interesting vessels, like the SGB, that are or can be associated with this game. Having read some more about these boats and naval camouflage (I see companies like Lifecolors offers Western and Eastern Approaches acrylic paint sets), I also found out to my surprise that HMS Grey Goose was commanded by Lt. Commander Peter Scott (who was also 1st SGB Squadron commander) but better known to me as the eminent post-war ornithologist, Sir Peter Scott. Scott is also apparently credited with the design of the Western Approaches fleet camouflage pattern. Apparently, the Grey Goose is the only surviving SGB and is now a house boat somewhere in Kent!
Another couple of links (another photo of SGB 9 and a general one regarding RN coastal forces): :ar!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Motor_Gun_Boats_during_the_Second_World_War%2C_1939-1945_HU105409.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Motor_Gun_Boats_during_the_Second_World_War%2C_1939-1945_HU105409.jpg)
http://www.unithistories.com/units_british/RN_CoastalForces.html#SGBs (http://www.unithistories.com/units_british/RN_CoastalForces.html#SGBs)
Discovered last night that my TV box had recorded For Those In Peril (1944), a wartime film produced at Ealing Studios. All stiff upper lips and clipped accents.
It contains a great deal of footage of RN and RAF ASR naval stuff, a very convincing Vorpostenboot, a flight of Douglas A-20 Bostons and a Supermarine Walrus unwittingly turned minesweeper!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Those_in_Peril_(1944_film) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Those_in_Peril_(1944_film))
Worth a watch if you are interested in this sort of thing and get the chance.
Ithoriel - it's been years since i saw that film, I'll have to give it another viewing, thanks for the reminder.
After looking at some of the links Westmarcher kindly provided I've had a go at giving the hull a camouflage pattern.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46779386895_808038ef34.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2egJzXn) (https://flic.kr/p/2egJzXn)
Most excellent, sir!
A1
:-bd =D> :-bd
Definitely looks more interesting :)
I have never really got into naval wargaming, but I do love the look of them, especially with camouflage schemes. Lovely
Nice paint work, Bosun. :)
Surely you mean coxswain ;)