Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Sea => Topic started by: davecov on February 17, 2017, 08:07:59 PM

Title: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: davecov on February 17, 2017, 08:07:59 PM
It has been a couple of years or more since I last did a "What-If" but here is one I have just finished. It is a conversion of the Airfix 1/600 RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 to a "Harrier Carrier".

The background story is that the Falklands Conflict did not end with the surrender of the Argentine forces on the Falklands but it became a much longer war with Argentina. The Royal Navy found itself in need of more amphibious ships and aircraft carriers. HMS Bulwark was to be brought out of mothballs and recomissioned as a stop-gap but due to her age and poor condition of her hull it was necessary to find another way to fill the gap. It was decided that the QE2 would be dropped from it's role as troopship and converted to a "Harrier Carrier" but with an amphibious dock at the stern.

The conversion entails removing all decks above the weather deck, building an island to starboard, building sponsons either side, with davits on the starboard side for landing craft, cutting out a stern dock and fitting a flight deck with lifts.

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_072.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_073.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_074.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_075.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_076.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_077.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_078.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_079.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_080.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_081.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_082.JPG)

(https://www.davecov.org/modelling/models/pictures/ships/QE2_What_If_GB/QE2_What_If_GB_083.JPG)

White metal Harriers and helicopters came from Tumbling Dice. Landing craft were made from plastic card and apart from the Airfix QE2 there are parts from another six Airfix kits.

Dave
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: Brian da Basher on February 17, 2017, 08:13:28 PM
Wow is that cool, Dave! The little red guy on the end was an excellent touch!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: Volkodav on February 17, 2017, 10:08:15 PM
That is awesome!
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: davecov on February 18, 2017, 02:50:54 AM
Thanks, lads.  :)

Dave
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: Buzzbomb on February 18, 2017, 05:23:02 PM
Nicely done
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: elmayerle on February 19, 2017, 12:36:22 AM
Beautiful piece of work!  I'm jealous :)
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: davecov on February 19, 2017, 03:21:08 AM
Thank you. :)

Dave
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: 35th-scale on February 19, 2017, 03:44:08 AM
That is cool!
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: LRB on February 19, 2017, 06:45:43 PM
Great build and a novel concept.
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: Volkodav on February 19, 2017, 07:20:10 PM
The long bow sort of reminds me of the stealth carrier concept from the US a decade or more ago.
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: davecov on February 19, 2017, 09:57:18 PM
Once again, thank you for your comments. :)

Dave
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: Camthalion on February 22, 2017, 01:14:56 PM
Nice one.  Great work
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: The Big Gimper on February 22, 2017, 08:37:51 PM
Very nice sir!
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: finsrin on February 23, 2017, 06:07:03 AM
Must say if QE2 is going be converted, you configured and built it well.  Fine job all around.  :)
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: M.A.D on March 12, 2017, 06:10:51 PM
Wow, that's so cool Dave - congratulations!!
I'm impressed by the slight overhanging flight deck arrangement - far more creative and intuitive than the run of the mill flight deck conversion. Also an impressive armament arrangement!!

M.A.D
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: pigflyer on March 16, 2017, 11:02:01 PM
WOW, you should really be designing for the government or Thornycroft, that is just superb! Su bloomin perb.   :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Conversion of RMS QE2 to Harrier Carrier
Post by: davecov on March 18, 2017, 07:42:46 PM
Thank you everybody!

I must admit that it was a real fun build!

Dave