1/700 HMS Penelope 1940
WEM K 719
Arethusa Class Cruiser
Click on any of the photo's for a closer look
First Released in 1995 in her 1936 configuration, the master patterns for HMS Penelope were completely rebuilt at the hands of Brian Fawcett in early 1998.
H.M.S. Penelope was the third of the Arethusa class of light cruisers. She was launched on 15th October 1935, and completed in November 1936, serving in the Mediterranean until 1939, when she returned to home waters. She took part in the Norwegian campaign in 1940, during which she was extensively damaged by grounding on an uncharted rock. After repairs were completed, Penelope sailed to join Force K in the Mediterranean in 1941, with which she spent an extremely active two years, being involved in a number of successful actions against the Italian fleet. During this period she gained the reputation of being the most bombed ship in the Royal Navy, becoming known as H.M.S. Pepperpot on account of the number of holes punched in her structure. She was finally torpedoed and sunk by U-410 off Anzio on 18th February 1944, going down with the loss of 415 hands. Penelope's battle honours were as follows: Norway 1940, Malta Convoys 1941-42, Mediterranean 1941-43, Sirte 1942, Sicily 1943, Salerno 1943, Aegean 1943, Anzio 1944. Her story can be read in "H.M.S. Pepperpot!" by Ed Gordon, published by Hale, 1985. The following was drawn by Ashley Lloyd and is copyrighted to W.E.M.
This kit portrays Penelope in 1940, by which time her aircraft had been landed. For super detailing purposes we recommend the plan of Penelope by Norman Ough, published by David MacGregor.
The Kit contains the following etched brass parts, the main fret having been drawn by Tom Harrison, with the rails and ladders having been designed by Peter Hall:
Aircraft catapult, boarding ladder and davits, seaplane floats and interplane struts, propeller, machine gun, Scarff ring, funnel cap grilles, various cruciform girder supports, boat davits, boat chocks, DF aerial, crane hook, yardarm footropes, aircraft catapult launching cradle, crane boom, 3-Bar Rails, 2-Bar Rails, Vertical Ladders, Inclined Ladders.
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Resin Parts are very finely cast by Brian Fawcett.. a selection of photos show some of the details such as the in-scale 6 inch cruiser planking. These photos are magnified considerably.. consider, for example, that the deck planks are only 0.25mm wide!
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Watch this space for other members of the Arethusa Class! |
Finally, here are some photos of HMS Penelope built in her earlier 1936 configuration
First, a diorama by Chris Drage.. the 1936 variant carried an Osprey.. seen taxying towards the ship.
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The second set of pictures show a diorama by Ian Ruscoe of the ship in rough seas, the lower hull was fabricated by Ian.
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The Kit comes complete with a comprehensive and professionally designed set of instructions.
The Price of this kit is 40.00 Pounds Worldwide, with POST FREE air shipping included. EU customers must add 17.5% V.A.T.
1 Pound equals approx. $1.55 US
TAKE A LOOK AT CHRIS DRAGE'S SUPERB PENELOPE DIORAMA
Check out the other WEM 1/700 Kits
