Type 363 Corvette - gun boat diplomacy

[Thorvic]

Whilst the main stream front line navy was cruising the oceans it was left to the WW2 era frigates to hold the peace in coastal waters of the remaining empire. These ships were were war built, designed for the Atlantic and not that suitable for long slow patrols east of suez.

A new corvette was therfore designed, armed with a lightweight gun and a Limbo for ASW warfare, this was a small ship intended to patrol the shipping lanes in low threat environments, where pirates or rogue submarines were considered the major threat. It predates the era of the anti-ship missiles that came to the fore in 1967, or where a credible air threat may exist. The design was not built, but the concept did evolve first into the Type 19 frigate  and then into the Type 21's which were built, but were somewhat more capable, although by that time there was no East of Suez to patrol !.



The model is actually based on a Tamiya IJN destroyer hull, with the rounded stern removed and section amidships removed to shorten it. The deck was built up using suitably thick evergreen plastic strip. Superstructure yet to be created and detail parts will come from the spares box, but should be a relatievly simple build.





G

[Weaver]

Interesting....

I see from the text that it's got the Bofors 75mm (wasn't that actually 76mm, i.e. the one in theStorm class?). Might the 105mm Autonomous Patrol Gun have been an alternative?

[Thorvic]

Got the superstructure together over the New Year weekend and started fitting out, so hopefully all the basics of this one should be done by next weekend. Got to sort out the mast radar and clutter, the ships boats, secondary armament and usual clutter associated with ships. Photos later.

[Thorvic]

Ok fitted out and primmed the corvette so she's now ready for painting (which will be done when its a bit warmer as airbrushing done in the garage)

Main gun, ships boats an the limbo motar are not fitted as yet and will be added after painting.







Hope you like it

[NARSES2]

Looking good Geoff

[Thorvic]

Cheers Chris

Still got to paint it, but thought i would show that at least its been built now. Its an odd design really a basic corvette for local patrols designed just before features such as helo decks and more comprehensive weapons fit became the norm.

Its quite a contrast with the large Type 43 also on the go at the moment

[Mossie]

Looks vey nice Geoff, with the primer on it looks like an oob kit build.

[Weaver]

Looking good.

In a way, it's an RN equivalent of the French A69 Avisos, isn't it?

[Thorvic]

Update, nerally done but in need of finishing the ships boats to go in the davits.

[Thorvic]

Looking good.

In a way, it's an RN equivalent of the French A69 Avisos, isn't it?

In effect yes, the main gun could have been replaced by the MK8 or possibly an Oto Maleria 76mm, the 20mm by 30 or 40mm guns, Torpedo in place of limbo for ASW and a brace of exocets. The Corvette was designed in the early 60's to replace the older WW2 frigates used in the role but a more potent punch could have been fitted if ordered and used in service (The Type 21 sort of took over the role eventually)

G

[Thiel]

Reminds me of the Danish Frigat Projekt 1957, albeit less well armed.

[Thorvic]

Look up the Royal Navy type 41 frigate the Leopard Class, i think thats where your Danish design is inspired from  . AFAIk the corvette was based upon the Type 41/61 design but in a smaller corvette sized hull.

[Thiel]

Look up the Royal Navy type 41 frigate the Leopard Class, i think thats where your Danish design is inspired from  . AFAIk the corvette was based upon the Type 41/61 design but in a smaller corvette sized hull.

True. We had a good discussion about it over at the  Warship Projects forum.

[Weaver]

Looking good.

In a way, it's an RN equivalent of the French A69 Avisos, isn't it?

In effect yes, the main gun could have been replaced by the MK8 or possibly an Oto Maleria 76mm, the 20mm by 30 or 40mm guns, Torpedo in place of limbo for ASW and a brace of exocets. The Corvette was designed in the early 60's to replace the older WW2 frigates used in the role but a more potent punch could have been fitted if ordered and used in service (The Type 21 sort of took over the role eventually)

G

Like the look of it now it's nearly finished - you can almost see the genesis of the Vosper Frigates' lines in it.

The A69 started out with one of those big Creseot-Loire 6-barrel ASW rocket launchers that fired Bofors 375mm rounds on the rear deckhouse, so originally it was VERY like the 363.  You could maybe see the latter updated by dumping Limbo, adding a couple of triple TTs and a single Seacat.