In parallel to the A-7 model, starting a new scratch build – SAAR 3 missile boats. 6 boats of this class served in the Israeli Navy from 1970 for 20 years. Later, two boats were transferred to the Chilean Navy. This boats are a development of the SAAR 2 missile boats, main differences are
- Replacing to bow Bofors 40mm gun with an Otto Melara 76mm gun
- Deleting the two bow Gabriel missiles
- Changes to the bridge
- Additional chaff rocket launchers
First picture is a SAAR 2 boat, and the second SAAR 3 missile boat. This boats participate in the first world surface to surface missile battles in 1973.
10 years ago, I scratch build a SAAR 2 missile boat model at a scale of 1-100 (presented in this forum). Hull parts were lost, so I started from scratch. At a scale of 1-100 it will be 45cm long. Hull design is based on left and right segments connected at the hull's lower part. By this, any mismatch will be covered by the keel. Pictures seen bellow are stages of building the hull.
Next is the bow, it's shape was designed for speed, and will be a challenge to model it.
Shalom Mor