Member Model – Rowen’s HMS Scimitar

After the end of the war the Royal Navy decided to move from gasoline powered fast launches to diesel. This was to reduce fire risks. The first diesel powered boats were the Dark class introduced in the mid 1950s. They were powered by two Napier Deltic horizontally opposed, triangular layout two stroke diesels.  

 Shortly after this class was introduced it was determined the role of the Fast Patrol boat had been superseded by helicopters and shore based aircraft. The Fast Patrol vessels were then gradually withdrawn. To retain competence in the use of fast vessels though, the RN commissioned three fast training boats (FTBs), the Scimitar class. These were essentially twin-engined Vosper Brave class hulls with two Bristol Proteus Gas turbine engines.

I would have liked to build a Scimitar Class FTB in around 1:32 scale, again using a glassfibre hull from MTB Hulls, but that scale was not in their range. They did offer a 1::72 scale hull that worked out around 16.5” long, but thought that would be too small for a working scale model. I was in touch with a modeller in Australia who has made similar models. He also pointed out the number of successful “plastic magic” conversions of kits that are around that size. Obviously, it is achievable. It would also give me a challenge as the larger scale would have been similar to my Brave Borderer and R.A.F. RTTL.

 The Scimitar FTB was similar to the Brave in many ways, both built by Vosper so the hull lineage is evident. Rather than three Proteus gas turbines it had only two. It was also unarmed and designed to give R.N. crews experience in fast, coastal patrol boats. The hull could also be armed and converted to the three Proteus turbines if circumstances changed.

 The biggest challenge will be to keep the weight down to around 450grams. I contacted MTBHulls; they offered to mould a lighter hull at around 100grams. I placed an order and it arrived promptly. It is lovely and light, but somewhat flexible. A thorough dimensional check also showed a slight twist in the forepart. I have found that a gentle application of heat, by heat gun, to glassfibre will allow it to be worked and adjusted. I warmed the hull and twisted it in the opposite direction to straighten it. This worked and the hull became true. I was concerned that the twist might reappear over the months before I can start the build, so I added a light bulkhead and bulwark stringers to hold in position. So far this has worked.