Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Ideas & Inspiration => Sea => Topic started by: Frank3k on February 01, 2026, 08:20:32 AM

Title: Portugal builds Europe's first dedicated drone carrier, D Joćo II
Post by: Frank3k on February 01, 2026, 08:20:32 AM
I was thinking of something like this, recently!

(https://images.euronews.com/articles/stories/09/62/93/21/1920x1080_cmsv2_d820bac0-9b3f-55d9-b8b9-fccaaafd549f-9629321.jpg)

https://www.euronews.com/2026/01/29/portugal-builds-europes-first-dedicated-drone-carrier-d-joao-ii (https://www.euronews.com/2026/01/29/portugal-builds-europes-first-dedicated-drone-carrier-d-joao-ii)
Title: Re: Portugal builds Europe's first dedicated drone carrier, D Joćo II
Post by: Buzzbomb on February 02, 2026, 06:16:47 AM
The idea has a lot of merit.

The first thing to pop into my mind's eye was how would a 1/700 carrier scale up to 1/350 for a dedicated drone platform.

Interesting concept
Title: Re: Portugal builds Europe's first dedicated drone carrier, D Joćo II
Post by: Old Wombat on February 02, 2026, 09:56:12 PM
Quote from: Buzzbomb on February 02, 2026, 06:16:47 AM
The first thing to pop into my mind's eye was how would a 1/700 carrier scale up to 1/350 for a dedicated drone platform.

The hull - pretty well.

The superstructure - not so much.
Title: Re: Portugal builds Europe's first dedicated drone carrier, D Joćo II
Post by: Frank3k on February 03, 2026, 02:02:43 AM
The superstructure seems basic enough. Some scratchbuilding and PE should do it. The interior is interesting - it reminds me of a US Marines LHD-style assault ship.
Title: Re: Portugal builds Europe's first dedicated drone carrier, D Joćo II
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on February 03, 2026, 07:53:29 AM
Or make it a drone carrier carrying drones...
Title: Re: Portugal builds Europe's first dedicated drone carrier, D Joćo II
Post by: perttime on February 04, 2026, 02:08:40 AM
It could also carry underwater and surface drones, much like an "amphibious assault ship" that carries aircraft and watercraft.
Title: Re: Portugal builds Europe's first dedicated drone carrier, D Joćo II
Post by: Kerick on February 04, 2026, 03:56:39 AM
I’m wondering just what kind of drones would it carry? It looks like some of the hanger space is in the flight deck level of the island. I didn’t notice an elevator. Nice ramp in the back for launching and recovering boats and such. I’m surprised they didn’t go with a well deck.
Deck is 304 feet long so maybe scale o rama a WW2 escort carrier? Ditch the kit island and scratch build a new one. Where’s seadude when we need him!