"The Iran Ajr - scratch-building modern ships" Topic

Some of you may remember I was running a campaign based on Operation Earnest Will nearly a year ago now with my son. We've not progressed since then, largely because I didn't have a couple of key things in the Iranian ORBAT which were vital for the next game; namely the improvised mine-layer Iran Ajr and a cluster of Boghammar speed boats.

Well, young Henry has been badgering me to finish the campaign, so I've got a couple of things finished.

The Iran Ajr was a 176' former Japanese landing ship, captured by the US on the night of the 21/22 September 1987. I couldn't find anything suitable in the Navwar catalogue, so I thought I'd scratch-build her for our next game 'In the Heat of the Night'.

She's not completely accurate, but I'm still quite pleased with the result. It was a satisfying build, though I suppose it's quite a bit of effort for a ship I'll only ever use in one scenario!

Construction was fairly standard, using various thicknesses of plasticard. The nice thing about scratch-building though is that it's possible to get quite fine gunwhales, which look better that thick mouldings.

While I was in the mood, I also cobbled together some 'boghammar' speedboats out of scraps:

From photographs, most seem to have been grey, but green and red hulls were also occasionally seen, so I thought I'd add a bit of colour:

The black deck-houses were meant to represent the steering position, but are way too big. Still, they'll look the part from 3' away, so I'm not too worried.

Iran Ajr on wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Ajr
Boghammar on wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boghammar

Earnest Will campaign:

Game 1: Highway to the Danger Zone TMP link
Game 2: The Silkworm Envelope TMP link
Game 3: Indian Country TMP link

Hopefully an AAR for Game 4 will be along next week.

Happy gaming,

Nick

I might add some pin wire masts but, apart from that, you did a 4.0 job on that. Quite impressive.

Someday, somehow, somewhere, somebody is going to figure out a practical way to model kingposts. That will be a fine day indeed.

Delighted to see this back on the agenda, and looking forward to the next episode. Some inspiration on the scratch-building front too!

Yes, kingposts. I have some WW2 merchants awaiting a decision on whether I can think of something or whether I am just going to do without. I am finding it hard enough to drill one hole, never mind two in just the right place …

CinC, or Legions 4 Hire at present, do separate tripod masts. I reached out to CinC before the changeover about doing Kingposts, but he said he was winding down to the transfer. I approached Viking Forge, who indicated doing masts for models was something of a pain, and kingposts would be way worse.

I think the solution may be spot welding pin wire together in various span widths. The legs would be left extra long so they could be cut to height. I could be crazy, I know jack about welding, but it seems an intuitive fix.

Perhaps someone with welding knowledge could weigh in on this.

Sounds like an ideal job for some 3D printed fittings

It'll be the drilling of holes in the right place in 1/3000th that'll be the problem for me. If I could manage that, kingposts would be a breeze. Sort of. (Just gluing them on would probably be too vulnerable.)

@colkitto

Yes, gluing would not work. Drill and pin are a must. Siting the holes wouldn't be easy, but doable. The nightmare is setting the crosspiece.

@Manley

3D printing might work, but I am concerned that to make them strong enuff would require they be too "beefy," and if reasonably accurate would require they be too flimsy. 3D printing would afford a substantial improvement in detail over bare pin wire.

Much to consider.

Thanks for the kind words gents.

Yep – I reckon you're right; I should have drilled some holes and fitted some masts. I've done this with previous scratch builds, so I'm not sure why I didn't do it this time!

And yes: drill and pin is most definitely a must.

If you want strong masts, you could solder together pieces of fine steel wire; I use steel instrument strings.

Strings here: smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TBPQ5T9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1. The pack contains strings in diameters of .009" to .042", which are described as "high carbon steel core". Presumably to solder them, you would want to pull them through a piece of folded sandpaper a couple of times, as a good solder joint requires a clean surface.

Soldering stations here: micromark.com/search?keywords=soldering%20station

Flux here: hnflux.com.

Note the metal to be soldered, the solder, and the flux must be matched.

Soldering is a worthwhile hobby skill to learn. If you do the joint properly, the solder at the joint is essentially invisible.

MH