Shipbucket

One of my favourite ships: HMNZS Royalist. Having spent a great deal of money to modernise the Royalist, she was sold on to New Zealand, where she served until 1965. Unfortunately, she was not suited for service in what was a small navy: her main armanent was not compatible with the NZ fleet, she had limited endurance, and a larger crew than the standard Dido. That said, she was very elegant ship, and the last cruiser to serve in the RNZN. Still wip, I'm showing the COA as a template, but this will be completed by Kim or myself



As an aside; I started this as an easy project, a break from HMAS Success, thinking I could 'just' rework my Dido from the OGFL AU. Alas, I found that there was so much to render accurately I ended up beginning from scratch.

What a cracker.

Nice drawing... ive always liked the bridge of her, kinda reminding with few other equalent how larger "big gun" ships would have looked if the missile-age wouldnt have completely taken them.
Also, i can only adjoin that "prospect of easy project" self-betrayal... all those things usually end up to be the hardest tasks

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Shipbucket mainsite, aka "The Archive"
New AU project "Aravala"

Thanks chaps, such praise is highly valued. And, bugger, I've already seen some areas for further work. And yes, one of the last 'all gun' cruisers still in service by 1960. My project is also to do an AU version, in service with the RAN, with either the twin 4.5-in or the USN 5-in twin, and maybe twin 3-in USN as well. If we consider what was a decent all-round large 'destroyer' until 1960, with an emphasis on anti-air escort, an all-gun ship may have been still viable. I would have to posit a developed Dido, built in Australia, somewaht enlarged - by beam, and a clipper stern. Also, with directors for and aft, this would give twice the control of a smaller destroyer (such as the Battle class). Something for later

Splendid work as always, Bill - even as a wip! Very elegant!

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My Avatar:Петр Алексеевич Безобразов (Petr Alekseevich Bezobrazov), Вице-адмирал , царская ВМФ России(1845-1906) - I sign my drawings as Ari Saarinen

She's a beauty, Bill.

wow Awesome indeed!

Very beautiful, this ship was and is one of my favourite Dido-s. Excellent work, as allways.

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Thank you Kim for the crest

"Never fear to try on something new. Remember that the Titanic was built by professionals, and the Ark by an amateur"

Eye candy! I can't say anything less

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Nice Dido. Too bad they didn't serve for too long.