Book Review of
British Escort Destroyers
of the Second World War
Author: Les Brown
Seaforth Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-3990-8175-7
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2022
MSRP: $28.95
ISBN: 978-1-3990-8175-7
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2022
MSRP: $28.95
THE BOOK:
Seaforth Publishing is based in the UK.
The book is in soft-cover of 65 pages 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format.
The cover art, at the top, shows a color photo of a scratch-built 1/72nd scale “HAMBLETON”, radio-controlled wood model.
At the bottom of the cover there is a color side-view line-drawing a Town Class “HMS Campbeltown”.
The back cover shows 3 black and white photos.
The 1st photo is of the “Le Combattante”, pictured in 1943, With Type 203 radar at the masthead.
The 2nd photo is of the “Romney”, in 1962. Showing her Type 271 radar on the bridge roof.
The 3rd photo is of the five large mortars, designed by Thornycroft, fitted in lieu of “A” mounting in Whitehall in 1941. This experimental weapon was intended to launch conventional depth charges ahead of the destroyer, to overcome the “Asdic blind-spot”.The trial was not a success, but the Hedgehog mortar, with many smaller bombs, proved a more practical and effective ahead-throwing weapon.
The book contains 41 black and white photos that include:
The Bleasdale, a twin 4”gun, three “Hunt” class destroyers: the Type 1 Berkeley with 2 twin 4in. mountings, The type 2 Bromham with twin 4in mountings and the Type 3 Goathland with two twin 4in mountings and twin torpedo tubes, the launch of the Atherstone at Cammell Lairds shipyard in December 1939, six months after being laid down and 15 months before completion, the Farndale, the Liddesdale, the Derwent, the Brecon, the Type 2 destroyer Lauderdale, the Crowninshield (later named Chelsea.
The Newport (ex-Sigourney), the Lincoln (ex-Yarnell), the Ripley (ex-Shubrick), the Stanley (ex-McCalla, the Vampire, the Vanity, the Wolverine, the Vanessa, the Skate, the Scimitar, the Douglas, the Stuart, the Wallace, the Type 3 Alderham, Type 1 Hunt class Cleveland, the Glaisdale, Type 2 Bradsworth, the Churchill, the Saladin, the Hambledon, the Avon Vale, the Easton Type 1, the Brissenden, the Annapolis, the Veteran, the Wallace, the Shikari and another photo of the Wallace.
There are 7 pages of 2-view line drawings of destroyers:
The “Hunt” Type 1 HMS Tynedale, the “Hunt” Type 2 HMS Grove, the “Hunt” Type 3 HMS Belvoir, the “Hunt” Type 4 HMS Brissenden, the Caldwell Class USS Stockton, the Wilks Class USS Dyer, the Wilks Class USS Thomas, the Clemson Class USS Smith, 2 of the Town Class HMS Campbeltown, the Town Class HMS Stanley, 2 Of the Town Class HMS Ludlow, the Town Class HMS Roxborough, the S Class HMS Trojan, the S Class HMS Saladin, the V & W Class HMS Whitehall, the V & W Class HMS Wild Swan, the V & W Class Wolfhound, the V & W Class HMS Vansittart, the V & W Class HMS Whitshed and the V & W Class HMS Winchester.
The next to last page of the book has the BIBLIOGRAPHY, MODELING WEBSITES and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, over 2 black and white photos of the twin 6 pdr Mark 1 turret aboard the Mackay.
Seaforth Publishing is based in the UK.
The book is in soft-cover of 65 pages 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format.
The cover art, at the top, shows a color photo of a scratch-built 1/72nd scale “HAMBLETON”, radio-controlled wood model.
At the bottom of the cover there is a color side-view line-drawing a Town Class “HMS Campbeltown”.
The back cover shows 3 black and white photos.
The 1st photo is of the “Le Combattante”, pictured in 1943, With Type 203 radar at the masthead.
The 2nd photo is of the “Romney”, in 1962. Showing her Type 271 radar on the bridge roof.
The 3rd photo is of the five large mortars, designed by Thornycroft, fitted in lieu of “A” mounting in Whitehall in 1941. This experimental weapon was intended to launch conventional depth charges ahead of the destroyer, to overcome the “Asdic blind-spot”.The trial was not a success, but the Hedgehog mortar, with many smaller bombs, proved a more practical and effective ahead-throwing weapon.
The book contains 41 black and white photos that include:
The Bleasdale, a twin 4”gun, three “Hunt” class destroyers: the Type 1 Berkeley with 2 twin 4in. mountings, The type 2 Bromham with twin 4in mountings and the Type 3 Goathland with two twin 4in mountings and twin torpedo tubes, the launch of the Atherstone at Cammell Lairds shipyard in December 1939, six months after being laid down and 15 months before completion, the Farndale, the Liddesdale, the Derwent, the Brecon, the Type 2 destroyer Lauderdale, the Crowninshield (later named Chelsea.
The Newport (ex-Sigourney), the Lincoln (ex-Yarnell), the Ripley (ex-Shubrick), the Stanley (ex-McCalla, the Vampire, the Vanity, the Wolverine, the Vanessa, the Skate, the Scimitar, the Douglas, the Stuart, the Wallace, the Type 3 Alderham, Type 1 Hunt class Cleveland, the Glaisdale, Type 2 Bradsworth, the Churchill, the Saladin, the Hambledon, the Avon Vale, the Easton Type 1, the Brissenden, the Annapolis, the Veteran, the Wallace, the Shikari and another photo of the Wallace.
There are 7 pages of 2-view line drawings of destroyers:
The “Hunt” Type 1 HMS Tynedale, the “Hunt” Type 2 HMS Grove, the “Hunt” Type 3 HMS Belvoir, the “Hunt” Type 4 HMS Brissenden, the Caldwell Class USS Stockton, the Wilks Class USS Dyer, the Wilks Class USS Thomas, the Clemson Class USS Smith, 2 of the Town Class HMS Campbeltown, the Town Class HMS Stanley, 2 Of the Town Class HMS Ludlow, the Town Class HMS Roxborough, the S Class HMS Trojan, the S Class HMS Saladin, the V & W Class HMS Whitehall, the V & W Class HMS Wild Swan, the V & W Class Wolfhound, the V & W Class HMS Vansittart, the V & W Class HMS Whitshed and the V & W Class HMS Winchester.
The next to last page of the book has the BIBLIOGRAPHY, MODELING WEBSITES and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, over 2 black and white photos of the twin 6 pdr Mark 1 turret aboard the Mackay.
THE MODELERS SECTION:
Color photos of box arts, parts trees or just one of each are shown.
The Navis Neptun brand 1/1250th scale box arts.
The Seavee brand 1/1250th scale parts.
The Aim Models brand 1/700th & 1/350th scales box arts and parts.
The Aoshima Brand 1/700th scale parts.
The Arrow Model brand 1/700th scale parts.
The B-Resina brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Choroszy Modelbud brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Fine Waterline SIG 1/700th scale parts.
The Flyhawk 1/700th scale box art and parts.
HP Models brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
IBG Models brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Neptunia brand 1/700 scale parts.
The Niko brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Paper-lab brand 1/700th scale parts.
The Tamiya brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Wings, Ships, Wheels brand 1/700th Scale parts.
The Airfix brand 1/600th scale parts.
The Skytrex LTD brand 1/600th & 1/350th parts.
The JSC brand 1/400th scale box arts.
The Mirage Hobby brand 1/400th scale box arts and parts.
The Armada Scale Models brand 1/350th scale box art and parts.
The Larenal brand 1/350th scale parts.
The Showcase Models brand 1/350th scale box art and parts.
The Tom’s Modelworks brand 1/350th scale parts.
The White Ensign Models 1/350th scale box arts and parts.
The Revell brand 1/240th scale parts.
The Ajaks brand 1/200th scale box art.
The GPM brand 1/200th scale box art and parts.
The Neptunia 1/200th scale box art and parts.]
The Accessories Etched-Brass and detail sets listed are:
The Dean’ Marine brand 1/96th scale box art.
The Starling Models brand 1/700th scale parts.
The White Ensign Models brand 1/700th, 1/600th and 1/400th scales parts.
The Gold Medal Models brand 1/600th & 1/240th scales parts.
The Fine Molds Brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Flyhawk Model brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The L’Arsenal brand 1/700th scale box art.
The Master Model brand 1/700th scale box art.
The Micro Masterbrand 1/700th, 1/600th, 1/400th, 1/350th & 1/200th scales parts.
The Black Cat Models brand 1/350th scale parts.
The NIKO Models brand 1/700th scale parts.
The Infini Model brand 1/350th scale parts.
The Shipyard Works brand 1/350th scale box art.
The GPM brand 1/200th scale parts.
In the built up Modelmaker’s Showcase section we are shown:
The Paper Lab brand 1/700th Scale “Liddesdale” built by Dave Eyles and posed on an ocean-base diorama. Four color photos are shown.
The Aim Models brand “Malcolm” & the White Ensign Models “Montgomery” both in 1/350th scale are shown also on an ocean-base diorama. Seven color photos are shown. Also built by Dave Eyles.
The Airfix brand “Campbeltown” in 1/600th scale. On a ocean-base diorama. Built by Dave Wooley. Shown in three color photos.
The Neptunia brand “Cotswold” in 1/200th scale. On an ocean-base diorama. Built by Mariusz Janiszewski. Shown in 5 color photos.
The scratch-built, wood, radio controlled “Hambleton” in 1/72nd scale. Built by Ian McFarlane. Shown in nine color photos (one of which showing it in a pond).
The Choroszy Modelbud brand “Oakley” & WSW brand “Roxborough” in 1/700th scale. Built by Peter Fulgoney. On an ocean-based dioramas. Shown are 6 color photos.
The WSW brand “Westminster” in 1/700th scale. On an ocean-based diorama. Built by Ray Nolton. Show are 3 color photos.
The scratch-built “Cotsworth”, “Badsworth” & “Rockwood” in 1/350th scales. On ocean-based dioramas. Built by Phil Reeder. Shown in 4 color photos.
The Airfix (Mirage) brand “Burnham” in 1/400 scale. Built by Roger Thomas on a display stand pedestal. Shown in 4 color photos.
The Deans Marine brand “Melbreak” in 1/96th scale. Built by Ron Wilkenson on a display stand pedestal. Shown are 4 color photos.
Color photos of box arts, parts trees or just one of each are shown.
The Navis Neptun brand 1/1250th scale box arts.
The Seavee brand 1/1250th scale parts.
The Aim Models brand 1/700th & 1/350th scales box arts and parts.
The Aoshima Brand 1/700th scale parts.
The Arrow Model brand 1/700th scale parts.
The B-Resina brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Choroszy Modelbud brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Fine Waterline SIG 1/700th scale parts.
The Flyhawk 1/700th scale box art and parts.
HP Models brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
IBG Models brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Neptunia brand 1/700 scale parts.
The Niko brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Paper-lab brand 1/700th scale parts.
The Tamiya brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Wings, Ships, Wheels brand 1/700th Scale parts.
The Airfix brand 1/600th scale parts.
The Skytrex LTD brand 1/600th & 1/350th parts.
The JSC brand 1/400th scale box arts.
The Mirage Hobby brand 1/400th scale box arts and parts.
The Armada Scale Models brand 1/350th scale box art and parts.
The Larenal brand 1/350th scale parts.
The Showcase Models brand 1/350th scale box art and parts.
The Tom’s Modelworks brand 1/350th scale parts.
The White Ensign Models 1/350th scale box arts and parts.
The Revell brand 1/240th scale parts.
The Ajaks brand 1/200th scale box art.
The GPM brand 1/200th scale box art and parts.
The Neptunia 1/200th scale box art and parts.]
The Accessories Etched-Brass and detail sets listed are:
The Dean’ Marine brand 1/96th scale box art.
The Starling Models brand 1/700th scale parts.
The White Ensign Models brand 1/700th, 1/600th and 1/400th scales parts.
The Gold Medal Models brand 1/600th & 1/240th scales parts.
The Fine Molds Brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The Flyhawk Model brand 1/700th scale box art and parts.
The L’Arsenal brand 1/700th scale box art.
The Master Model brand 1/700th scale box art.
The Micro Masterbrand 1/700th, 1/600th, 1/400th, 1/350th & 1/200th scales parts.
The Black Cat Models brand 1/350th scale parts.
The NIKO Models brand 1/700th scale parts.
The Infini Model brand 1/350th scale parts.
The Shipyard Works brand 1/350th scale box art.
The GPM brand 1/200th scale parts.
In the built up Modelmaker’s Showcase section we are shown:
The Paper Lab brand 1/700th Scale “Liddesdale” built by Dave Eyles and posed on an ocean-base diorama. Four color photos are shown.
The Aim Models brand “Malcolm” & the White Ensign Models “Montgomery” both in 1/350th scale are shown also on an ocean-base diorama. Seven color photos are shown. Also built by Dave Eyles.
The Airfix brand “Campbeltown” in 1/600th scale. On a ocean-base diorama. Built by Dave Wooley. Shown in three color photos.
The Neptunia brand “Cotswold” in 1/200th scale. On an ocean-base diorama. Built by Mariusz Janiszewski. Shown in 5 color photos.
The scratch-built, wood, radio controlled “Hambleton” in 1/72nd scale. Built by Ian McFarlane. Shown in nine color photos (one of which showing it in a pond).
The Choroszy Modelbud brand “Oakley” & WSW brand “Roxborough” in 1/700th scale. Built by Peter Fulgoney. On an ocean-based dioramas. Shown are 6 color photos.
The WSW brand “Westminster” in 1/700th scale. On an ocean-based diorama. Built by Ray Nolton. Show are 3 color photos.
The scratch-built “Cotsworth”, “Badsworth” & “Rockwood” in 1/350th scales. On ocean-based dioramas. Built by Phil Reeder. Shown in 4 color photos.
The Airfix (Mirage) brand “Burnham” in 1/400 scale. Built by Roger Thomas on a display stand pedestal. Shown in 4 color photos.
The Deans Marine brand “Melbreak” in 1/96th scale. Built by Ron Wilkenson on a display stand pedestal. Shown are 4 color photos.
The last page shows 14 black and white cover arts of other Seaforth books and listing of 31 more.
This is the last in a series that aims to provide modelers with all they need to know about a famous class or type of warship and the associated model kits and accessories available.
I want to sincerely thank Casemate Publishers for this review sample. Casemate is the N. American distributor of Seaforth books and all their titles can be viewed on Casemate’s website at:
This is the last in a series that aims to provide modelers with all they need to know about a famous class or type of warship and the associated model kits and accessories available.
I want to sincerely thank Casemate Publishers for this review sample. Casemate is the N. American distributor of Seaforth books and all their titles can be viewed on Casemate’s website at:
Highly Recommended.