Digital Navy's USS Caravan - AM157

[NimitzFan]

Currently I'm doing Digital Navy's USS Caravan AM 157 in 1/200 scale - but I am building the model to match the ship as built. The model shows her in the early 1950's.

An as-built picture can be found at Navsource.org. If you look around that site for pictures of her sister ships, you can find several good pictures of similar ships, especially the USS Candid and USS Caution.

I'm using this as an experiment in "Kit-bashing." I'm using parts from several 1/200 scale models I was working on that developed problems due to humidity. These include a Fly Model USS Jacard, Halinski's Jeremiah O'Brien, and USS Archerfish. I'm also teaching myself photo etch for a few things.

As built, the USS Caravan did not have a funnel. Instead her diesel engines were exhausted through a long thin pipe that ran aft then up. The mast had a small tripod support, and a long boat boom. I've made these using Evergreen Scale Model plastics - white styrene usually used my model Railroaders. (Yes, I have a few pictures I may post. The white styrene shows quite well.)

I'm using the standard US Navy 26' motor whale boat from the USS Jacard and I'm considering using the Jacard's davits for the sweep davits on the stern. I've got two single 40mm Bofors for the aft gun tubs from the USS Archerfish, and the 3" gun from Halinski's Jeremiah O'Brien. I'm using GPM 20mm photo etch for the six 20mm's and Tom's ModelWorks makes set of 1/200 scale US Depth Charge racks. I also have some 1/200 scale railings.

But, I am at a loss as how to make the sweep "otters." These are the floats that are end of a minesweeper's "Oropesa Sweep." They are about the size and shape of aircraft drop tanks and are very prominent in the pictures of nearly any WW2 minesweeper. There is one on each side of the extreme stern. I can't figure out how to make such a tiny drop-tank, and am almost to the point of using putty.

Any suggestions?

Thanks again!

[Don Boose]

Sorry, no suggestions. But I just want to say how happy I am to see this build thread. I have made a couple of tries at the Caravan and hope someday to complete one. I learn each time someone else has a go. And you obviously know a lot about minesweepers and have much to contribute.

Don

[Michael Mash]

Like Don, I can't help much with drop-tank advice. My knowledge of minesweepers is limited. But, being familiar with Digital Navy, I look forward to seeing how this one comes along.
Mike

[APA-168]

Great to see another Caravan in progress. I am converting one to a PCE. Lots of work, I just finished to hull and forward superstructure. Will we see photos of your project?

[B-Manic]

I have seen otters built in paper, wood and putty. I believe I have a model that includes those parts in paper (WWII corvette?). I'll check when I get home from work and let you know which one it is.

[NimitzFan]

I have posted a couple of pictures of the Caravan. The white styrene shows out extremely well. BTW - I've used that Evergreen styrene for lots of modeling things over the years - it's easier for me to work with than metal or wood.

[ccoyle]

If you want to fork out the $$ for a kit just to get the mine sweeping gear, you could try the Modelik HMCS Wetaskawin in 1/200.

Or, if you have a variable-speed drill, chuck a piece of dowel in there and use the drill and a bit of sandpaper to turn an appropriately-shaped part. Use two pieces of dowel to turn a front and rear, splice the two together, sand, and paint.

Cheers!

[Retired_for_now]

Or, try making small cones around the tip of a bamboo skewer using plain bond paper. While on the form, cut off each cone to get a square base, then joint two to make something like a nun bouy. If you laminate a couple layers of paper to make each part it should end up stiff and stable.

Yogi

[B-Manic]

As Chris already posted the Modelik corvette HMCS Wetaskawin includes otters.

[NimitzFan]

Hmmm.....
I hadn't considering "turning" my own - but it should be quite possible. I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks!

Rich