Two torpedo-boat-destroyers. You can see the colonial steamer
HMS Ironwood in the background.
These ships have always provoked a "cool!" reaction from my colleagues,
friends, and family, and I
have the same general reaction when I see them for the first time after
a few days' absence. These two
are identical, except for one spot on the deck where 1 x 3 plates were
used on one and 2 x 2 "L" plates
on the other...ho hum. Although this picture was taken in 1997,
both destroyers are still assembled.
I haven't quite settled on names for them yet. I have a large
group of new pictures taken with a much
better camera and setting (Nov 1999) but these are still being developed.
They will show the Y-gun
on the fantail, the depth charge racks, torpedo tube detail, and profiles.
This is HMS Ironwood, a holdover of early ironclad days.
While not an excellent sailer, Ironwood is reliable
enough to serve on anti-piracy or rescue duty. The ship's construction
is an Armada Flagship with three centre
sections; all four cannon can be rotated to the other side. This
picture was taken before I fitted ports to the
gunwales.
The centre of the cruiser IAS Dido. This is an Armada ship,
and therefore is usually an unwelcome visitor in Imperial
ports--but this shot gives you a good idea of the simple construction
of Armada light cruisers. The three 5'4" DP
twin turrets give the ship good versatility, but it carries no heavier
weaponry and cannot hold its own in battle with
equal or superior forces. Note that two turrets are aft--Dido
is expected to be overtaking merchants or running
away from warships. The funnels and fore superstructure stand
out well in this photo.
The third quarter of IAS Dido, from starboard elevation.
X and Y turrets are clearly visible here, as is their offset
nature. An Armada officer with hat and plume just fore of X turret
provides the scale. The ship's boat and crane,
hard to distinguish in the picture above, stand out clearly in this
view. Note also the quad TT on the fantail.
This is the Steam Launch. It's designed as a turn-of-the-century
to c.1925 ship's boat, for hauling
around V.I.Ps and the like.
Another view of the Steam Launch. These come in handy for all
sorts of things--note the height of
the pipe, to avoid embers being deposited directly on the faces of
the complement.