Some of recent models of Sydney Harbour Ferries making their way around TF72. Taken at the Our Town Hobby Show in
Newcastle. August 2002. |
Russ French (President 1995-2003/04) and
Alan Collins get cosy at the 2002 regatta after presenting
Alan with the Rob Sullivan
Engineering Award for his development work on R/C Submarines. Just after the decision was made to present the award to
Allan, the submarine sank, but the award was well deserved as the failsafe units installed in the model brought her and
the crew safely to the surface again. |
A model of the USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL, a USN Destroyer of the Arleigh Burke Class. This model was built by Russ French
and features an 8 cell firing Vertical Launch Missile System. The model also lights
up like a Christmas tree with over 80 small incandescent lamps fitted inside the superstructure spot, deck and flight
deck lights. She also features a full
colour camera which will transmit back to shore over 200 metres.
|
Ron Rosenberg's USS NICHOLAS. She is a destroyer of the World War 2 Fletcher Class. The name NICHOLAS was chosen for his
young Grandson. |
Geoff Eastwood's magnificent HMAS PARRAMATTA. Built in the early 1960's, Geoff chose to build many of the ships built
around this era by Cockatoo Island Dockyard as
a tribute to his late father, who worked on the Island during this period. |
Russ French congratulates the 2002 Wentworth Shield winner Charles Robinson as our guest of honour and Reviewing
Officer, The Honourable Peter Collins, MLA, looks on. Charles' beautiful model of the first HMAS ADELAIDE, a TOWN
Class Light Cruiser, won the Gold Star. |
Fine detail work on Ron Debrueys' HMS FEARLESS, a Royal Navy Amphibious Landing Dock Ship. The model features a
fantastic level of detail, the model can flood the after docking well and whilst Ron controls the FEARLESS a partner
in crime can then unload the small (approx 140mm long) Landing Craft out of the flooded dock. Once completed, Ron can
pump the water from the docking well and happily sail off. All done by radio control. This model won the 2002 Bravo Zulu
award presented by our guest of honour. |
A photo of the almost completed HMAS
SYDNEY II, A new model which made her debut at the 2003 regatta. This lovely model was built by Phil Somerville of Sydney.
This model recently won the Wentworth
Shield for Regatta 2004 and now proudly wears her gold stars
on her bridge wings.
She is now complete and has joined the
fleet. She will
soon be joined by another
LEANDER Class Cruiser, HMAS HOBART, being built by Tim
Amos of Port Macquarie.
|
Another beautiful model by Geoff Eastwood. This time something different in a Royal Canadian Navy ST. LAURENT Class
Destroyer. Also built around the mid 1960's, HMCS ANNAPOLIS remained in service until the early 1990's. Now what pilot
in his right mind would want to try and land such a large helo as a SEAKING on a moving deck that
small! |
Russ French having a drive of WINSTON CHURCHILL as Peter Collins looks on and tries to coax Russ into bringing it in a
little closer for a photo shoot. Russ' son, Kieren, keeps a close eye on the
proceedings and makes sure Dad doesn't stray off course. |
No it's not funny hat day, just the usual goings on at the Port Macquarie Model Ship Expo. This event is held usually
over the last weekend of July each year in the Panther's Port Macquarie RSL at Settlement Point. It is organised by
Dale Jordan and is in its sixth year in 2003. The handsome guy is Cameron Glassford of Brisbane, and yes ladies he is
still single. |
A couple of excited lads at the 2001 Port Macquarie Model Ship Expo. Ray Warren of Brisbane and
Alan Collins of Sydney
share some secrets about Model Submarine Operations. This is just a few of the fleet of submarines built and operated by
the TASK FORCE 72 Submarine Squadron. Shhhhhh though, it's a
"SECRET"!!! |
The USS CHOSIN, a Cruiser of the TICONDEROGA Class, they are considered to be the finest Anti-Air Warfare ships in the
world. Tracking over 400 air, surface and sub-surface targets at once, they can launch multiple missiles at these
targets and let the AEGIS Combat System decide which is the most threatening one. They will then take out each target
as it deems necessary. This beautiful model was built by Wolfgang Nebart of Newcastle. |
A model of the USS HAROLD E. HOLT, a KNOX Class Frigate of the USN. The ship was named in honour of the late Harold E.
Holt, Prime Minister of Australia. Several of this class are still in operation with countries such as Mexico and
Greece. This lovely model was built by
one of TASK FORCE 72's most prolific builders, Dave Rowlands.
The model behind is also
one of Dave's, a SPRUANCE Class Destroyer. |
A little out of its element is this model, under construction, of the HMS INVINCIBLE, a Royal Navy Carrier or Through-Deck Cruiser depending upon which side of the political fence you sit on. The model is being completed by Chris Rogers of Brisbane and features a system where either a SEA HARRIER Aircraft or SEAKING Helo can be loaded from the hanger deck onto the aft aircraft lift and taken to the flight deck. It is then taken below, rolled off the lift and replaced by another aircraft, which then comes to the flight deck. Very clever. |
Peter Collins is presented with a small token of gratitude for attending the 2002 TASK FORCE 72 Regatta. |
Would you buy a used car from any of this lot? I don't think so. Are they model submariners, or just
"Sub-humans". Either way their field in the hobby is growing. As it has been pointed out many times, a model submarine adds that little extra element and excitement to the hobby of model
ships and these guys have got to be some of the best in this field, in the world.
And Yes, all these model submarines operate as the real ones do and can submerge, be piloted around underwater and then
brought safely back to the surface. Most of the time, Hey Fred!!!! |
Some member's families just find it too boring.
"Zak" crashes out after a long day at a TF72
Regatta.
He's kept entertained now by his little
girlfriend "Jess" another Border Collie. |
How do you get a model this size to the lake? Get a full boat
trailer for it to travel on. Eventually the trailer will be
enclosed to protect the detail that is to be added to the hull and
flight deck edges. |
Craig Laughton's baby finally gets wet. After two years of
work, getting a monster of this size into the water can prove
difficult, but it was worth all the effort once she finally set sail
under her own power. |
USS ENTERPRISE CVN-65 heads out on trials for the first
time. This massive model is just over 4.6 metres (14.5
feet) She is accompanied by the British Carrier HMS
INVINCIBLE. |
ENTERPRISE during manoeuvring trials at Moss Vale
dam. It is very important to find out just how much
room a vessel of this size takes to turn about or to come to a
stop. Notice the other ships are keeping well out of her
way though!
|
HMS INVINCIBLE approaches for the cameras. This model is in the
final stages of fitting out with huge amounts of detail around the
ship. She is being built by Chris Rogers of
Brisbane. |
INVINCIBLE and her escort HMS CHATHAM a Batch 3 Type 22 frigate
patrol the lake prior to the trials of ENTERPRISE. CHATHAM is
built by Michael Brown of Sydney. It's not often that some of
these models can get together for a run, but is fun when it does
happen |
USS ENTERPRISE at speed making a turn. This was only
the second time the model had sailed and is surprisingly manoeuvrable
for such a large model.
|
A fine shot of the DDG HMAS PERTH built by Shane Doyle of the
south coast. When the lighting is right it is almost
possible to get a photo of the model that can be mistaken for the real
ship. |
Close up of the PERTH. This is Shane's first model and
an excellent job at that. The DDG is not an easy subject
to build and get to sail well as they are inherently unstable due to
the large high superstructure. She is built at the stage when
Shane served on her. |
The bridge area of PERTH. She is currently the only
PERTH Class DDG Model around. They were an elegant looking
vessel and very few are left in the world. Currently only
Germany and Greece operate the type with their own
modifications. Their days are numbered and will be all withdrawn
from service in the next few years
|
Shane's second model which is almost complete. A tug, to go
along with his DDG model. We look forward to see him
trying to move ENTERPRISE with this!!! |
A few of the models and fittings exhibited at the Gold Coast's Manoeuvres
2003 display. This display was set up by John Perry of
Brisbane. He did a great job and won best display at the
show. The odd looking things in the middle of the photos are
Allan pew's MAGGOTS. A futuristic look at the Marine Corps
in the 23rd Century. I just think he has too much time on his
hands and a few too many ports under his belt!! |
