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HMS Medway: Help Needed Building Model World Naval Ships Forums Archive

HMS Medway: Help Needed Building Model

Posts 1 to 50

Hi, I am building a 1/96 scale working model of the the 1928 built submarine depot ship HMS Medway. I obtained a set of plans from the National Maritime Museum which were ok to build the hull & most, of the super structure but were only preliminary drawings so a lot of detail is missing,I do not seem to be, able to get drawings of her as completed. I have managed to amass a lot of photo graphs of her but none are close up enough to see much detail. Can anyone help with any photos or plans please? any help would be much appreciated. My Grandad Eric Sturgess served on the Medway from 1941 until she was sunk by U372 in June 1942. He and many other survivors were rescued by HMS Zulu after being in the sea for an hour or so. Thanks Ian.
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Good luck with your project Ian, here are a couple of pics, no doubt you will be inundated with them from my colleagues. Regards, Bob.
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Nice looking model . Usual ship modelling though--the work starts now getting the scale lifeboats /ships boats and fittings etc etc. Photo's I have she looks fairly uncluttered but as you say the pic's are from a distance . Fred

I have found this odd picture from my old computer. It is not brilliant but it does show the ship at an angle that is different.
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Hi Bob/Terry, Many thanks for posting the photos they all help,has anybody anymore please? Regards Ian.

This is the only other picture I have of the Medway. It was taken on board but I have forgotten the story attached to the damage. Perhaps someone could enlighten us. Regards, Bob.
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Ian - I am glad that it helped. I also have the same pictures that Bob [Batstiger] posted. In addition I also have these three that you are welcome to see. I am sorry that I dont have anything better for you.
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Nice pictures Terry, I thought I'd brighten the first one up a bit to make it clearer for Ian to see. Bob.
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Fine Bob - appreciated my friend.

[QUOTE=Batstiger;28880]This is the only other picture I have of the Medway. It was taken on board but I have forgotten the story attached to the damage. Perhaps someone could enlighten us. Regards, Bob.[/QUOTE] Bob I have a postcard photo very similar to that one,don't know how the damage happened but on the reverse of mine is written, Clearing up the broken mast July Sat 5th 1930 signed Bert. Thanks again for your help regards Ian.
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[QUOTE=astraltrader;28885]Ian - I am glad that it helped. I also have the same pictures that Bob [Batstiger] posted. In addition I also have these three that you are welcome to see. I am sorry that I dont have anything better for you.[/QUOTE] Terry, They are some very nice photos of her,thank you very much. Regards Ian.

Hi Ian .....As a new member I have just seen your request re MEDWAY. My father was on the MEDWAY from Feb 1938 to Oct 1940 and going through his bits I thought the two photos attached might be of some use to you. Dad was the Painter and is seen in the Paintshop peering through a lifebelt.There may be other stuff and I will look through for you. The second photo shows him and mates on deck and he had written on the back HMS Medway. Not a lot I know but every little helps I guess. Best Wishes Peter
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[QUOTE=peteber1058;41853]Hi Ian .....As a new member I have just seen your request re MEDWAY. My father was on the MEDWAY from Feb 1938 to Oct 1940 and going through his bits I thought the two photos attached might be of some use to you. Dad was the Painter and is seen in the Paintshop peering through a lifebelt.There may be other stuff and I will look through for you. The second photo shows him and mates on deck and he had written on the back HMS Medway. Not a lot I know but every little helps I guess. Best Wishes Peter[/QUOTE] Hi Peter, Thank you for posting the photos of your father on the Medway,much appreciated,anything else you have relating to the Medway I would also be great full to see,many thanks, Regards Ian.

Ian, This is the only photo i have. [ATTACH]40172[/ATTACH] Hope this is helpful. Regards Charles
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[QUOTE=CGRET;44388]Ian, This is the only photo i have. [ATTACH]40172[/ATTACH] Hope this is helpful. Regards Charles[/QUOTE] Hi Charles, Thanks for posting this photo of Medway,it's very helpful. Regards Ian.

There is more info and pictures at [URL="http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/new_page_1.htm"]http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/new_page_1.htm[/URL] Kev.

[QUOTE=splashg32;45160]There is more info and pictures at [URL="http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/new_page_1.htm"]http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/new_page_1.htm[/URL] Kev.[/QUOTE] Thanks for that Kev. Regards Ian.

[QUOTE=IAN HICKMAN;44300]Hi Peter, Thank you for posting the photos of your father on the Medway,much appreciated,anything else you have relating to the Medway I would also be great full to see,many thanks, Regards Ian.[/QUOTE] Hi Ian Another photo I have come across, hope it helps. Regards Peter PS two more photos and I guess that is all. All taken in Hong Kong. 2nd photo has on the back "Taken on Medway Subs alongside and the ship beyond is US MARBLEHEAD". Hope they are all useful to you. I would be pleased to see your finished product in due course. Best Wishes Peter
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[QUOTE=peteber1058;47203]Hi Ian Another photo I have come across, hope it helps. Regards Peter PS two more photos and I guess that is all. All taken in Hong Kong. 2nd photo has on the back "Taken on Medway Subs alongside and the ship beyond is US MARBLEHEAD". Hope they are all useful to you. I would be pleased to see your finished product in due course. Best Wishes Peter[/QUOTE] Hi Peter, thanks for posting these smashing photo's they all help in one way or another. I wonder if my Grandfather and your father ever served together? Thanks again, Regards Ian.

Sorry to drift off topic but in the third of Peter1058 photographs a badge can be seen above the bell on the second submarine.It is diamond shaped and the left hand side is much darker than the right.There appears to be something painted in the middle.Can anybody give a clue as top which submarine this is?A badge can also be discerned on the nearest submarine as well.Again any idea as to identity?

Linton, I can't be 100% sure but I think the badge is that of Tetrarch, I can't see enough of the 2nd one to even hazard a guess. Regards Alan

[QUOTE=Linton;47266]Sorry to drift off topic but in the third of Peter1058 photographs a badge can be seen above the bell on the second submarine.It is diamond shaped and the left hand side is much darker than the right.There appears to be something painted in the middle.Can anybody give a clue as top which submarine this is?A badge can also be discerned on the nearest submarine as well.Again any idea as to identity?[/QUOTE] In response to Linton's request I have selected the badges and produced at a high resolution hopefully this will enable interested parties to identify the submarines. Peter
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Alan I do not think that this is a t boat.I have never seen any reference to a t boat in Hong Kong in the 1930s,when I assume the picture was taken.The 4th Submarine flotilla only had O and P class submarines at this time. thank you peterber1058 for enlarging them.

The submarine in which the badge can be fully seen is Orpheus.The badge has a two colour background.The other is possibly Oxley

[QUOTE=Linton;47563]Alan I do not think that this is a t boat.I have never seen any reference to a t boat in Hong Kong in the 1930s,when I assume the picture was taken.The 4th Submarine flotilla only had O and P class submarines at this time. thank you peterber1058 for enlarging them.[/QUOTE] Glad they were useful, main reason for coming back is that the photos were taken in 1938 Peter

Peterber1058 do you have any more photographs of submarines from that period?I am particularly keen to find some pictures of HMS Pandora,which was based in Hong kong at the time.

[QUOTE=Linton;47844]Peterber1058 do you have any more photographs of submarines from that period?I am particularly keen to find some pictures of HMS Pandora,which was based in Hong kong at the time.[/QUOTE] Sorry they are the only ones I have of any submarines. Peter

Hello, I Just wanted to post some photos showing how the model I am building of HMS Medway has progressed and to thank all for the photos they had posted to help. I still have a lot of work to do on her yet, so I would like to ask please does anyone else have any more photos they could share? I hope you like my model, Many Thanks Ian.
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Well done Ian, a great piece of work and a nice set of photos. When's the Commissioning Ceremony?:D Jim

A beautiful piece of work Ian. Congratulations on the work so far. I would like to query the colour scheme if I may. Have you located specific evidence for the white/buff scheme? I ask because the belief among modellers that China Station livery was white/buff may in fact be incorrect. The little evidence that is available points instead to a white/grey scheme. I saved the attached colour images from eBay I think. The first is a cigarette card, and the second appears to be a colourised photograph (poor images alas, but at least the colours are visible). They're not conclusive by any means, but the white/grey scheme depicted here does agree with other evidence of China Station livery.
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This might help, a builder's model in 1/48 scale of a town class which was commisssioned in China Station colours. It is Manchester I think & in Newcastle's museum.
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Ah, but that's not China Station livery! It's East Indies Station livery. They're not the same.

Here is a model of a cruiser on the China Station. It's a 1/192 HMS Kent at the National Maritime Museum. According to the description: [QUOTE]Corporal A. G. Sargent, RM, made this model ‘on the mess deck’ of HMS ‘Kent’ (1926) during her second China commission from 1931–34.[/QUOTE] Consequently it might be considered a primary source for China Station colours. [URL="http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/explore/object.cfm?ID=SLR1481"]http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/explore/object.cfm?ID=SLR1481[/URL]
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[QUOTE=linux;10004652]A beautiful piece of work Ian. Congratulations on the work so far. I would like to query the colour scheme if I may. Have you located specific evidence for the white/buff scheme? I ask because the belief among modellers that China Station livery was white/buff may in fact be incorrect. The little evidence that is available points instead to a white/grey scheme. I saved the attached colour images from eBay I think. The first is a cigarette card, and the second appears to be a colourised photograph (poor images alas, but at least the colours are visible). They're not conclusive by any means, but the white/grey scheme depicted here does agree with other evidence of China Station livery.[/QUOTE] That's a fair point about the colour scheme, I can not be 100 percent sure that its correct, I am going by my memory of conversations with my Grandfather but they were some 25 years ago now! and also by popular opinion. It is difficult to confirm Buff or Grey from black and white photo's? Is there any one out there that served in her still alive today that can confirm? During HMS Medway's war years she was painted in camouflage colours, I would have liked to have painted her in these colours as this is how she was when sunk, but again finding enough clear photos of this colour scheme was few and far between. Thanks to all for your comments and photo's Ian.
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Guys I appreciate this thread contains other information on the "real" Medway as well but I have decided to move it to the modelling section in view of all the modelling pictures shown.

[QUOTE=jbryce1437;10004647]Well done Ian, a great piece of work and a nice set of photos. When's the Commissioning Ceremony?:D Jim[/QUOTE] Hi Jim, All the electrics radio and running gear are installed and she could sail now but I would like to ad much more detail before her maiden voyage. Thanks Regards Ian.

[QUOTE=IAN HICKMAN;10004634]Hello, I Just wanted to post some photos showing how the model I am building of HMS Medway has progressed and to thank all for the photos they had posted to help. I still have a lot of work to do on her yet, so I would like to ask please does anyone else have any more photos they could share? I hope you like my model, Many Thanks Ian.[/QUOTE] Making a good job there, nice to see my Dad's ship in the "flesh" so to speak.

Does anyone know what museum is the1/48 scale town class is located? [QUOTE=medway508;10004783]This might help, a builder's model in 1/48 scale of a town class which was commisssioned in China Station colours. It is Manchester I think & in Newcastle's museum.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=peteber1058;47203]Hi Ian Another photo I have come across, hope it helps. Regards Peter PS two more photos and I guess that is all. All taken in Hong Kong. 2nd photo has on the back "Taken on Medway Subs alongside and the ship beyond is US MARBLEHEAD". Hope they are all useful to you. I would be pleased to see your finished product in due course. Best Wishes Peter[/QUOTE] Hi Ian, Here is another photo found which is similar to the one I previously posted. Initially I thought I had two copies of the same photo but it is another angle,hope it's useful. Peter
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Hi All, Just wanted to post some updated photos of my model of HMS Medway on her maiden voyage.Still have much more detail to add still trying to gather more photos of her. Regards Ian.
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Ian: The model is fabulous. I am not sure more detail is required. Brian

[QUOTE=IAN HICKMAN;10090486]Hi All, Just wanted to post some updated photos of my model of HMS Medway on her maiden voyage.Still have much more detail to add still trying to gather more photos of her. Regards Ian.[/QUOTE] She is a real beauty Ian - congratulations!

[QUOTE=Brian Wentzell;10090628]Ian: The model is fabulous. I am not sure more detail is required. Brian[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Scatari;10090633]She is a real beauty Ian - congratulations![/QUOTE] Hi, Brian/Tim thank you very much, Regards Ian.

Hi Ian ...Nice job you have made of her , well done . I know what a problem you have been facing so my thoughts go out to you ....but fear not as when you think its finished some smart arse will tell you of all the "wrong bits".

Hi Ian , I echo all the comments made thusfar. A truly splendid representation of the old MEDWAY and a credit to the work and dedication of yourself .... the builder .... sail her with pride my friend and take no heed of the ""Expert Anoraks"" who grace the edge of every model water. They never seem to build anything but always know where we "got it wrong" Dave H

[QUOTE=Dave Hutson;10090808]Hi Ian , I echo all the comments made thusfar. A truly splendid representation of the old MEDWAY and a credit to the work and dedication of yourself .... the builder .... sail her with pride my friend and take no heed of the ""Expert Anoraks"" who grace the edge of every model water. They never seem to build anything but always know where we "got it wrong" Dave H[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=ivorthediver;10090779]Hi Ian ...Nice job you have made of her , well done . I know what a problem you have been facing so my thoughts go out to you ....but fear not as when you think its finished some smart arse will tell you of all the "wrong bits".[/QUOTE] Cheers guys, I will sail her with pride as this was one of the ships my Grandfather served in, was also sunk on to.The model is a tribute to him a much missed family member. Regards Ian.

Ian ........behind all the banter and pee taking that goes on at this Forum many of the contributors lost a friend or relation who served in the Royal Navy . Most of them were patriotic and some again from a long line of Naval men as forebears in many different countries . It is not uncommon for replicas to be fashioned of these last known vessels and the urge for detail reflects the esteem that these lost souls were held in [ think of the Whaleing community who fashioned scenes depicted in whalebone ] For my part there are figurines on those craft where that soul would have stood as tribute to them ......so we understand the motivation ,years of research , and unending time spent fashioning these tributes to those we miss ...................:o

Ian you made a terrific job of the old Medway my dad would have been proud glad to have helped in some small way still looking for any more photos with his papers

:) Ian you made a terrific job of the old Medway my dad would have been proud glad to have helped in some small way still looking for any more photos with his papers

[QUOTE=IAN HICKMAN;10090486]Hi All, Just wanted to post some updated photos of my model of HMS Medway on her maiden voyage.Still have much more detail to add still trying to gather more photos of her. Regards Ian.[/QUOTE] Hi Ian I have come across two more photos of my father on HMS Medway with more detail of the ship that may be of interest to you. I said last time that i didn't think there were any more but there you go! Regards Peter
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