Response by RNinMunich on the 13th Mar 2018

Neat! Nice job Bryan👍
Didn't know they already had 2.4Gig Shermans in those days! 😲 One lives and learns 😉
I have # 538 in a 1/72 Armageddon kit. Will try and do a Plastic Magic conversion. Now what happened to all the Airfix Shermans and Churchills I built as a boy?? Ciao Doug 😎

Response by Bryan-the-pirate on the 16th Mar 2018

Only Americans had 2.4ghz my British Sherman has 27mhz.

Response by Bryan-the-pirate on the 29th Mar 2018

A few more photos including the radio controlled cargo now in british livery

Response by RNinMunich on the 4th Mar 2018

Wow! Never seen so many guns on an MGB! Hope they didn't blow each others heads off 😲

Response by SelwynWilliams on the 4th Mar 2018

I must admit there are at least three types but presume the artist painted what was there, and of course it covers the period in 43. A good record hopefully.

Response by RHBaker on the 19th Jan 2018

A model of a Vosper Perkasa, not Brave Swordsman.

Response by RNinMunich on the 19th Jan 2018

Not quite RH! But similar heritage.
Brave Swordsman P1012 was one of two Brave class, the other being Brave Borderer P1011 (see photo taken on the Rhine river). Both were built between 1958 - 1960.
The Danes ordered 6 (Søløven-class) to a similar design, 4 being built under license in Denmark. Replaced ca 1990 by the 'Flying Fish' class.
The Royal Malaysian Navy ordered 4 boats in 1964 which became the Perkasa class, ca 6 years after the Braves. Class ship being KD Perkasa P150.
The other 3 were KD Handalan P151, KD Gempita P152, KD Pendekar P153. They were delivered in 1967 some 7 years after the Braves were delivered.
The Perkasa design was based on the Søløven-class which itself was based on the Brave class. So the model (to my mind) is Brave Swordsman.
With 3 Perseus gas turbines the Braves were at the time the fastest naval ships in the world at 52 knots. The Søløvens and Perkasas used the same set up.
Cheers Doug 😎
PS The Braves could be equipped as MTB or MGB with two 40mm. Borderer in the pic seems to be in that configuration.

Response by RNinMunich on the 19th Jan 2018

Brave Swordsman P1012 with torps unshipped.
And Brave Borderer P1011 on trials fully equipped 😎

Response by RHBaker on the 19th Jan 2018

Hi Doug,
Hate to split hairs, but am researching a Brave Borderer for my next project. In doing so can advise that although the BB and the Brave Swordsman were sister ships, they had different superstructures. Have no idea why.
The Perkasa was different again, it resembles the BB but it has an enclosed wheel house in front of what looks like a BB superstructure. This extended portion can be seen on the pictures.
Sorry, as R.A.F in Canada, to disagree with you!
Enjoyed the rest of your post though, it helped explain some of the export derivatives of the Brave class which I could not otherwise pin down.
Rowen

Response by RNinMunich on the 19th Jan 2018

Hi Rowen, we're not splitting hairs! Together we are getting to the roots👍
I had also noticed the slight differences in superstructure; especially the aft part and the bridge top/screen. But I noticed these variations also in the Danish and other variants. Didn't want to overload the post with these as I thought it was long enough already😲
Seems some variations were introduced depending on the base variant it was ordered as MTB or MGB (most of which still had at least two torpedoes!). Since the Brave class were apparently very expensive to produce (which is why only two were built not the planned six?) the later variants were based on a cheaper export version, 'Felicity' type I think they were called. They were a little smaller but with similar performance and firepower to the Braves, some with two Perseus turbines instead of two but most with three as in the Braves, and cheaper to build with wood on alu frames instead of all metal. Usually classed as FPBs or FACs depending on armament.
Summary; The Perkasa was not a generic class but a specific four ship class for the RMN. Basis for the hulls and superstructure design was the same as the Braves and Felicity but some 'poetic license' was taken with subsequent export order with variations even within classes.
Comparing available (to me) pics again I now tend to agree with you that the rounded bridge of the model is more like the Perkasa class than the box-like bridge of Swordsman. 😲
BTW: In 1971 the RMN Perkasas were upgraded with SS12 missiles so there's another interesting variant for the aficionados 😉
Credentials: was not in the RAF (but Dad was!), but I worked with the RMN and the Surabaya shipyard (and various other bidders) on the design of the COMMS systems for the replacements for the Perkasa class and then their replacements, up to the current NGPV-2 (New Generation Patrol Vessel-Batch 2). Interesting work and people. Also did some work on their new frigates and an auxiliary in the nineties.
One thing I always did before embarking on such projects was to research the background of the navy involved, operational area and requirements and also the potential shipyard partners. Part of establishing confidence and rapport. 😉
Anyway - whatever; model-wise - if it looks right it probably is right! Main thing is fun planning, building and above all sailing, exchanges like this help us all a lot I believe.
All the best Doug 😎