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SHIP MODELS OF HMS NEPTUNE
by Rorie Grieve
A number of our contacts have enquired about the availability of HMS Neptune models and what follows is a summary of known models and kits of the cruiser. HMS Neptune has been less well served in model form than others of her class, particularly HMS Ajax and HMS Achilles (because of their involvement in the Battle of the River Plate) and, to a lesser extent, HMS Orion (involved in the Battle of Cape Matapan).
Those who attended the inaugural meeting in 2002 may recall my late father's 1/1200th (5½in long) pre-war German die-cast model which was featured in photographs on Norman Walton's finger in The Times and on the cover of Norma Hudson's biography of her father (see our books page). This has only very limited detail being so small and I have only ever noticed one, badly knocked about example for sale on the internet.
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In the larger, most popular scale of 1/700th (9½in) a German resin kit manufacturer, H-P Models, has produced an exquisite model of the ship in her 1936 configuration for €62 (plus €10 postage). Not a beginner's project, it requires meticulous cleaning up of about 70 parts (many small and fragile) before painting and assembly. I hope it will, with photo-etched and turned brass detail, produce a very nice model. (In the absence of a specific Neptune photo-etched brass detail set, I am making use of appropriate components from the one produced by British kit manufacturer White Ensign Models for HMS Sussex for railings, catapult, crane, etc).
To the same 1/700th scale, White Ensign Models themselves are advertising a similar model but in 1941 configuration. I do not know which camouflage scheme and fittings will be modeled, they changed considerably during Neptune's final year. The company were hoping to have this kit available before the end of this year but Caroline Snyder of WEM tells me that this is now unlikely due to the pattern-makers' workload on this and other Leander class cruiser kits. Similar considerations as to the complexity of construction as with the H-P Models kit are likely to apply but I would expect this kit to include photo-etched brass as well as resin parts and, judging from comparable kits in their range, the price to be £45 to £50.
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An Airfix polystyrene construction kit of Neptune's sister ship, HMS Ajax, in 1939 Battle of River Plate configuration in 1/600th scale (11in) can still be found, although originally produced in 1965 and crude by modern standards. It is the only cheap (c£5) mass produced alternative. Somewhat different from Neptune, especially in the bridge area, I still believe with some extra work, the use of plastic card, photo etched brass etc. a passable replica of Neptune can be made.
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| On a much bigger scale, New Zealand model maker, Graham Beeson's 1/96th (almost 6ft long!) full hull 1941 Neptune is nearing completion after 3½ years. The photographs I have seen show what an epic model this is with detail right down to figures of the crew. Pay Cdr John Parker (ex-Neptune) also had a large pre-war model made in China which is now owned by his son Andrew, in Bali.
In making models of Neptune as she was in 1941, the scarcity of good photographic references is a problem. Up to 1939, many postcards of Royal Naval ships were available. Ship colours were limited to plain grey with the shade varying depending on the waters in which the ship operated. With the outbreak of war, most vessels were camouflaged in a variety of patterns and shades of blue, grey and even "Mountbatten Pink". Alan Raven, foremost author on RN camouflage, suggests that Neptune had at least three different schemes during 1941.
I am aware of only six photographs of a camouflaged Neptune. Two official aerial views were taken in May 1941 after her Chatham refit, one in Scapa Flow, a snapshot at Haifa in July 1941, one in Alexandria and a final distant one of her leaving Alexandria. All are in black and white so it is difficult to ascertain the actual colours. Both Graham Beeson and I would welcome any insights or guidance on this point from Association members.
CONTACT RORIE GRIEVE VIA THE NEPTUNE FORUM
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