In 2021 I worked on the Matchbox model of the British light cruiser HMS Tiger. Ships are not my usual subject, and this is my first watercraft model this century. But I did build a few Airfix ship models back in the 1970s, and perhaps the 1980s.
The light cruiser HMS Tiger was originally part of the Minotaur or Swiftsure-class, but with the end of WW2 work stopped on the later ships. The last three vessels in the class were finally completed in the 1950s to a modified design, with a mix of 6-inch and 3-inch guns.
In the late 1960s/early 1970s two were modified in to Helicopter cruisers, losing the aft main gun turret, but gaining a large hangar and flight deck for four Westland Wessex or Westland Sea King helicopters. The twin 3-inch turret on each side was replaced by a Seacat short-range surface-to-air missile launcher. In this form, the last two ships served in to the late 1970s, but had been retired before the Falklands War of 1982.
There have been at least three kits of HMS Tiger. The Airfix model was to 1/600th scale, and was the first to appear, in 1960. Frog released a 1/415th version in 1961, which was 16 inches long. Both of these early kits depicted the ship as a normal light cruiser.
Then came Matchbox in 1979, in 1/700th scale. This being the only kit to show the ship as a helicopter carrier, and comes with a single Sea King helicopter. In the 1980s Revell acquired the Matchbox moulds, and continued to use the Matchbox name for a few years, but later just used the Revell name on ex-Matchbox kits, including the Tiger model.
I have had a couple of Matchbox Tiger kits sitting in a box for years. The original version was moulded in two colours - light and dark grey. The later version in the black box is from the time when Revell owned the Matchbox moulds, but is only moulded in one colour - light grey. This is the one I built.
The model is straight from the box. There are plenty of small and fiddly parts - all four davits holding the small boats broke in the same place as I tried to cut them off the sprue.
It would be a good idea to pre-paint the model as much as possible prior to assembly, as there are many hard to reach corners. The decals were at least 30 years old, and broke up when applied to the model.
Still a fun build, and an interesting change of subject for me.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Great build of a classic waterline model! I kind of forgot Matchbox even had a model line. I always shied away from boats - too many fiddly parts, as you say. But well done, and so nostalgic! SFZ
ReplyDeleteThank you. I always loved Matchbox kits. They had a good range of subjects, were well made, and the 1/76th scale tank and AFV kits all included a small diorama base on which to display the finished model. It is a long time since I did any ships. Not easy to paint.
ReplyDeleteLovely job Paul. Its looks great with the background you've given it.
ReplyDeleteNice blast from the past - my dad served served in Tiger as part of the Wessex flight - Blake and Tiger were fine looking ships that I fondly remember from Portsmouth navy days
ReplyDeleteFenton