1/700th scale HMS Habakkuk WIP (aka Project Habakkuk)

[seadude]

Just a sample pic to show that I've started on making the resin turboelectric propulsion pods for my Habakkuk. They're supposed to look like the following:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/icyhusky/HMS%20Habakkuk%20model%20project/scan0002.jpg
........but the closest I could get to that was to use a 1/48 scale external drop tank half to make the pod mold, etc. which you can see in the pic. It'll take me awhile to make another 2 dozen pods, but I don't mind. I don't want to rush these as I want them to come out as good looking as possible.

[lenny100]

I remember when I had very tentative thoughts about modelling a Habakkuk & calculated the dimensions.  A standard show table here in the UK is six foot & the Habbakuk would sit nicely on that.  You could use it as you would a shelf & display other models on it's deck.  Either that, or put it under the table, it would fit nicely.  Would love to see someone do it!

i would be intrested as long as some others did some parts for me, i already have a six foot 1/72 scale warship which i have been trying to do for about 16 years now,

[seadude]

Pardon me for going "slightly" off topic in my own construction thread, but I found a few things that might interest some people.

EDIT: Below links no longer work. Game company went out of business in 2012. A pic of what the wargame miniature Habakkuk supposedly looks like is this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/icyhusky/HMS%20Habakkuk%20model%20project/2b97.jpg

A company called Strange Cargo makes a 1/6000 scale miniature Habakkuk for wargaming purposes.
http://www.strangecargogames.com/shop/
http://www.strangecargogames.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=301_26_593_623_631&products_id=10673

I also found a small article for roleplaying a Habakkuk ship for the RPG, Traveller. Stats are on pg. 52 of the magazine Signs & Portents #74, November 2009 from Mongoose Publishing.
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/pdf/sp74.pdf

EDIT: Below picture no longer available on that site.
And another modeler over on MW showed me this:
http://www.wolfsshipyard.mystarship.com/cgi-bin/i/Misc/NeverWeres/America.jpg
Bears a bit of a striking resemblence to that other Habakkuk model ship, eh?

[Sauragnmon]

Interesting stuff there, Big E - I agree, the America looks a lot like that other "Habakuk" in a lot of ways, I can't help but think of a Lexington and a Midway getting smashed together...

[seadude]

Bit of a late night update from me. The bow and stern areas of the ship are pretty much 95% complete. I just need to add a strip of Evergreen to cover up a gap at the bow, then paint it. Then I have to finish adding some 20mm guns to a few places at the bow and stern areas.

Pics of the bow area. Not sure I like the four 20mm in the center. It's possible I may remove those. Does the bow area still seem too plain? What else could I add? Would a Habakkuk even need anchors, anchor chains, etc.?



Pics of the stern area. Since I forgot to make "cutouts" along the sides of the hull for the ship's boats, I decided to make the stern area a boat launching/recovery area. There's not much I can do armament-wise. Just two 40mm and a bunch of 20mm. Trying to add 5" guns wouldn't have worked due to space limitations. The round tubs are where I'll add some 20mm. Don't worry, folks. I've calculated the firing arcs and everything is ok. Nobody is going to get their head shot off by the 40mm.   If you think it's wrong and too close together, then look at a North Carolina battleship sometime.





I also started work on the new superstructure tonight. Remember this pic, folks?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/icyhusky/HMS%20Habakkuk%20model%20project/DSC02949.jpg

Well, here's some sample pics of the beginning construction. The superstructure is not glued to the ship. It is just sitting on top for scale purposes.







As far as the resin engine pods go, I probably won't be done with them till May. It's really difficult to get equal amounts of resin and hardener mixed well. Some pieces come out good, while others are too sticky or soft and can't be used.

[Thorvic]

http://www.battlefleetmodels.com/id58.html

Try these for bollard and winches for ship fittings to detail the bow and stern areas.

Yes it wouold need anchors as not the sodty of ship you want loosing power and drifting !!!

G

[Caveman]

Imagine the size of the chains needed though! Dont forget it is the weight of chain you put down on the sea bed not the little hook on the end which holds ships in place!

I would say no to anchors. They would simply be too ineffective.

With the bow area though might it be a suitable place to have a conning position? I doubt that from the Island you will be able to see much forward...

[tinlail]

It doesn't need a conning position it needs a lighthouse. Think about it steering on this thing is going to be a joke, the momentum and inertia of this thing is vast. There is only one rule for fleet maneuvers, the formation is whatever the Habbakuk says it is, stay clear. The vessel is near invulnerable but all the craft around it are crunchy. Lighting around it saying this is where I am and this is where I am going would be important.

[seadude]

@tinlail: So in a roundabout way, you're saying I should add some searchlights? I have thought about placing some searchlights around the circumference in a few locations. I just need to figure where, and how many. But if you're trying to describe something else, then can you elaborate a bit more, please?

[Cliffy B]

It doesn't need a conning position it needs a lighthouse. Think about it steering on this thing is going to be a joke, the momentum and inertia of this thing is vast. There is only one rule for fleet maneuvers, the formation is whatever the Habbakuk says it is, stay clear. The vessel is near invulnerable but all the craft around it are crunchy. Lighting around it saying this is where I am and this is where I am going would be important.

So basically the thing would be decked out in Christmas lights all year round; I like!  How about some scrolling marquee arrows.  They'd work like gigantic turn signals  Add some high power floodlights for the deck and your in business

[sequoiaranger]

A ship this size and draught is NOT going into any harbors, so really has no need of anchors and chains. In fact, I would think the ship would almost constantly be in motion (albeit slow). The ship would be supplied by tenders or directly from support ships, as it would never dock. Most ships' conning towers have a "wing" platform over the water that enables the captain to see directly alongside, and that might be needed for supply ships, etc. coming alongside, but "docking" is a non-issue.

The tremendous displacement and inertia of the ship means that "nimble manuvering" is also a non-issue. That much mass is not going to respond to anything but MASSIVE power vectors to change direction or speed. The Habakkuk will go where it wants, and accompanying ships will just have to conform to her movements. Think of her as a mobile, but clumsy island!

>So basically the thing would be decked out in Christmas lights all year round; I like!  How about some scrolling marquee arrows.  They'd work like gigantic turn signals  Add some high power floodlights for the deck and your in business<

Actually, that might be a good thing. I see absolutely no need for camouflage. A thing that big would be EASY for subs or even aircraft to hit, so "we" might as well make it a "Christmas tree" so it can be easily found by friendlies. Let its own aircraft scout for prowling enemy subs, and search radar warn of approaching enemy aircraft. Any enemy aircraft or sub better have LOTS of friends, because the Habakkuk carries a s---load of potent aircraft (and guns) and should basically be "unafraid" wherever it goes.

I think the ship's motto should be: "Just TRY to stop me!!"

[seadude]

I think the ship's motto should be: "Just TRY to stop me!!"

Or how about: "Does all this pykrete make my hull look big?"
LOL   

[tinlail]

@tinlail: So in a roundabout way, you're saying I should add some searchlights? I have thought about placing some searchlights around the circumference in a few locations. I just need to figure where, and how many. But if you're trying to describe something else, then can you elaborate a bit more, please?

I didn't follow the train of thought very far. I would suggest normal ship running light, but amped up. Red Port lights green starboard, probably more than one per side, since in fogs it would be quite possible not to be able to see from one end of the ship to another and thus miss the light if there was only one. The lights should be shielded so as not to broadcast light up in the sky, they might be spotlight sized to throw light far enough out that approaching ships would have time to change course. (shades of the battleship vs light house joke).

[Mossie]

I'd go with Thor.  It at least needs something to prevent it from going where it's not supposed to.  The largest Supertankers have anchors & even enormous icebergs can be tossed around in a storm, the power of the sea is greater than anything we can build.

[seadude]

I've been reading about supertanker oil ships and looking at pics of how huge they are. The largest I've read about is the Knock Nevis supertanker (1,500+ feet long).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock_Nevis
Granted, It's not a Habakkuk, but it sure does come close in terms of length and tonnage. So I suppose if huge oil tankers like that have anchors, then I might as well put anchors on the Habakkuk as well. I think Mossie and Thorvic are both right.
So now I'm just thinking how many to add to the bow area: 2, 3, or 4? Should I keep them 1/700 scale or use larger 1/350 scale anchors?