1/350 HMS RhylThe (Starling Models)
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by Felix Bustelo |
1/350 HMS RhylThe (Starling Models)
HMS Rhyl was a steam reciprocating powered Bangor class minesweeper. She was laid down at Lobnitz and Company Shipyards in Renfrew, Scotland on 23 November 1939. Rhyl was launched 21 June 1940 and commissioned on 9 November 1940. She operated mainly as a coastal minesweeper out of Harwich, but also saw action in other areas of the war. Rhyl was part of the covering force for the ill-fated Dieppe Raid in August 1942 and later that year, was part of the force supporting the landings at Algiers and Oran during Operation Torch. Afterwards, she was transferred to the Mediterranean, providing support in Operation Corkscrew, the capture of the Italian islands of Pantellaria and Lampedusa. The airfield and radar installations on Pantellaria were deemed a threat to Operation Husky, the planned invasion of Sicily. Rhyl also supported the Allied landings in southern France. She was eventually scrapped in 1948.The Starling Models offering is full-hull kit is acombination of resin and 3D printed parts from Black Cat Models complemented with photoetch details and parts and a small decal sheet. To build my seascape, I traced the hull on some poster foamboard and cut out the opening to insert the hull. A generous dab of artist’s acrylic gel medium, which I also use to make the seascape, firmly attached the partially assembled hull into the opening. Any significant gaps between the hull and the edge of the foamboard were filled in with some damp cotton and sealed with small dabs of the acrylic gel. I added a mix of L’Arsenal and Black Cat Models crew figures to populate the model. The White Ensign came from the Gold Medal Models flag decal set. I used MicroScale Krystal Klear to glaze with bridge windows and .005-inch Nitinol wire for the rigging. The acrylic gel sea base was painted with acrylic paint and sealed with Future floor gloss.
