Meet the Makers - Model Display Table 3

Table 3 - Place 1

HMAS Axel

Model Owner: Bob Nelson

Model Builder: Bob Nelson

Vessel: HMS Axel (Based on HMS Bligh)

Vessel Type: Captain Class Frigate

Scale: 72 Scale

Builder: Bethlehem–Higham Shipyard Massachusetts, Boston Shipyard Philadelphia Naval Shipyard

Length: 93 m

Beam: 11.2m

Displacement: 1400 tons

Launch Date: The Captain Class Frigates were originally US Buckley Class destroyer escorts with diesel electric propulsion. They made up part of the Lend Lease program in World War II between the US and UK.

Armament:

  • 3 × 3 in 50 Mk.22 guns
  • 1 × twin Bofors 40 mm mount Mk.I
  • 7–16 × 20 mm Oerlikon guns
  • Mark 10 Hedgehog A/S projector
  • 2 x rails, 4 x throwers, up to 200 depth charges

Bob usually calls his models after his grandchildren so there was no actual HMS Axel. HMS Bligh was a Captain Class Frigate and launched in July 1943 and served in a convoy escort capacity during the WW2.


Table 3 - Place 2
MV Mathilde

Model Owner: Bob Nelson

Model Builder: Bob Nelson

Vessel: MV Mathilde (Verlade)

Vessel Type: Verlade - Refrigerated Reefer

Scale: 72 Scale

Builder: McAndrews Shipping Company

Length: 103.9 m

Beam: 13.5 m

Displacement: 2866 tons

Launch Date: 1959 for the fresh fruit trade between South America and Europe.

Bob usually calls his models after his grandchildren so there was no actual Ship MV Mathilde. MV Verlade was used in the fruit trade until 1969 and was then sold and renamed Sailor Prince it was resold in 1970 becoming Zenit and finally in 1973 becoming Nadir.


Table 3 - Place 3

HMAS Jack

Model Owner: Bob Nelson

Model Builder: Bob Nelson

Vessel: HMAS Jack (Based on HMAS Bathurst)

Vessel Type: Bathurst Class Corvette

Scale: 72 Scale

Builder: Cockatoo Island Dockyard

Original Vessel Length: 57 m

Original Vessel Beam: 8.4 m

Original Vessel Displacement: 1025 Tons

Launch Date: 1st of August 1940

Armament:

  • 12 Pounder Gun
  • 2 Oerlikon 20mm cannons
  • Bofors 40mm

Bob usually calls his models after his grandchildren so there was no actual HMAS Jack. HMAS Bathurst was the lead ship in a class of 60 corvettes which served during WW2 and after. HMAS Castlemaine is a surviving Bathurst Class corvette maintained by volunteers in Williamstown Victoria.