Royal Navy A/S Trawler H.M.T. Indian Star T 208, HP-Models and scratch 1/700
 
Armed Trawlers for A/S and M/S service played an important role during world war one and world war two. The Royal Navy first requisitioned these small vessels for coastal defence on the eve of the first world war. Trawlers were used by the hundreds during the war. Apart from those requisitioned vessels numerous trawlers built on Admiralty orders served in the Royal Navy. Hundreds of the civilian trawlers were decommissioned after the war and were used what they were originally built for – fishing!
 
In the late 1930ies the Royal Navy needed more ships for coastal defence and beside some trawlers ordered by the Royal Navy, requisitioned vessels again played an important role. Most of the trawlers were equipped with a 3” gun on the forecastle and two or more machine guns, and later 20 mm Oerlikon guns. A depth charge rail and two or four throwers completed the armament.
 
Currently, the only kit on the market is HP-Models´s German Trawler VP-1102. The finely cast and well detailed 1/700 scale kit is a god base for a conversion into a typical RN trawler. Some work has to be done, though, to achieve a British look. The upperworks need to be relocated further aft, and the bridge needs some modifying and extra parts. Most important was reshaping the bow with some putty. A new bridge and boat deck were made from styrene stock. The mast was made of brass, for the PE parts the White Ensign Models Flower Class PE Set was used. Some more extra parts, including the main gun, come from my spare box.
 
The trawler was painted in an WA scheme in white and WA blue. I found no photo of H.M.T. Indian Star, so I hope my model is a worthy representative of all the trawlers that served in the Royal Navy. 
 
 
Christian Bruer