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Refuelling at Sea, HMS Biter and HMS Obdurate
By Peter Fulgoney

HMS BITER, and HMS OBDURATE :
 
“did you hear that- did you hear that – rassing operations commencing”
 
Rassing, or refuelling at sea helped the endurance of the smaller faster ships in the convoy escort, and I have portrayed that moment with a possible scenario between HMS BITER, and the “O” class destroyer HMS Obdurate. The two vessels served together so there is a chance this operation took place.
 
The two kits are worlds apart inasmuch as Obdurate is based on the Tamiya plastic “O”class type, and Biter is the L’Arsenal resin kit. Again, each kit has a problematic side although when you open the Tamiya box, there are two kits, and the Biter kit looks like a quality build with superb looking resin, and pe fret together with top quality instructions.
 
The problem with the ”O” class is that it needs a complete overhaul and this is now possible with the LION ROAR pe conversion fret which I used and is explained in a different posting. Also, the length of forecastle is incorrect, except for the HMS Onslow build for which it is correct, and needs major surgery.
 
The Biter kit fits and builds well although a second sheet of instructions would have completed the package, and this would have located life rafts, and other detail on the stab side. Also the camo scheme has to be referenced to photographs of the ship as the drawings in the instructions are incorrect. I have not been able to source all the information I need for the bridge, and aerials and so this will have to be added at a later stage.
 
It’s a struggle for both builds, so there’s nothing unusual there, but the end result is satisfactory. All my usual methods are used in the build, and for reference, the oil pipeline is lead flex.
 
Peter F September 08

 

Lion Roar :
“O” class destroyer pe fret.
 
On the face of it, the Tamiya “O” class destroyer kit looks like a great kit, and in fact there are 2 x kits inside the box but unfortunately, the box art is the best you are going to get to resemble the type – until now.
 
In the past, WEM had produced a pe fret for this kit but left a lot of surgery to be done overall to make this kit portray the desired build. This super detail set enhanced the basic plastic frame but still there were a multitude of underlying problems to be resolved.
 
The Lion Roar pe addresses those problems to a good extent to the point where you can throw away the smaller structures and substitute them with all new pe ones.
 
Again some surgery is required to the main superstructures but suitable drawings which are readily available help in building up an answer to the “O” class conundrum.
 
This is not to say that the WEM pe should be dismissed as there are key parts on this fret that are usable, anchors and ladders plus the rails are better.
 
Having said that, the Lion Roar fret also includes a crows nest, depth charge throwers, and a neat little lantern radar. Even the pom-poms are relatively easy to assemble, and create an acceptable representation of the gun. The main guns are also a vast improvement, and worth building although a barrels is required.
 
If you wish to build an “O” other than HMS Onslow then it becomes trickier as the hulls are longer for the others of the class.
 
In my build, HMA BITER/HMS OBDURATE I have cut the superstructure accordingly, and although not as accurate as can be, I have built an acceptable HMS Obdurate for my diorama. I also replaced the funnels with ali tubing but that is a question of detail.
 
In conclusion, this is a major breakthrough for this kit, and well worth the pe for other builds of the RN fleet. Buy it!
 
Peter Fulgoney August 2008.