by Andrew Ayling
1/350 Alarm Starboard! - HMS Phoebe November 1943 (ISW)
Along with most of the Dido class HMS Phoebe spent much of WW2 in the Mediterranean theatre. Following damage in October 42, she refitted in New York before returning to the UK in June 43. The model shows her in the colour scheme and configuration worn during the Aegean operations of late 43.
Phoebe is shown coming out of a turn to port, with the crew coming to anti-air action stations, all AA weapons and directors are armed and trained to starboard, the HACs towers and directors are manned and loading parties are gathered. All the crew are wearing anti flash hoods and tin hats as they prepare to open fire.
I spent a good three years hunting for ISWs HMS Sirius before hearing that a limited re-issue would be made a couple of years ago. Apart from waterlining the hull with a bench saw, the major changes made were:
Other modifications and improvements were;
The seascape is papier mache with texture medium and oils, and as usual the ship is airbrushed in WEM colourcoats (G20 and G55) with washes and weathering in humbrol enamels and oils. I only have one photo of Phoebe in the colour scheme as depicted (A and Y turrets and the fore-funnel in G20), but I assume this modification was made when A turret was re-fitted post July 43.
I think I've finally built up the courage to get started on one of the WEM Sheffeilds hidden in the stash to complete a trio of cruisers.
