Over the weekend of 26 and 27 July 2008, the annual Port Macquarie Model Ship Expo was held in the auditorium of the Panther’s Leagues Club. Members of Task Force 72 joined forces to present a magnificent display of over 20 1:72 scale model warships.
Carrying on a tradition from previous years, a theme was chosen for the display. The opportunity was taken to showcase several of the ships of the Russian and Indian navies that are currently in commission or being built by members.
An impressive line up of ships and submarines under the banner of the “Vodka and Curry” fleet was assembled. Allan Pew and myself provided the bulk of the Russian and Indian fleet, with many thanks to John Konda, Geoff Eastwood and Roy Matilliano for the loan of their wonderful ships.
Not to be outdone, some “real warships” (as Ron Rosenberg puts it) of World War 2 joined the Russians and Indians for the party. Ron is one of our most accomplished and talented model builders. His fleet of six World War 2 destroyers from Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Japan, Germany and Britain never fail to impress.
They will soon be joined by the French ship FNS Le Terrible, which Allan refers to as “Rosey’s French Tart”; a tart she may be, but there is no doubt she will be a beautiful one!
Reg Clack’s HMAS Anzac also joined Ron’s destroyers, along with the ship, which I personally consider to be the finest in Task Force 72. Tim Amos’ stunning Leander class cruiser HMAS Hobart is nothing short of magnificent. His next project is the battleship USS North Carolina, and we are eagerly anticipating her arrival.
Models in 1:72 scale do not come much larger than USS Enterprise (CVN-65). At over 4.6m in length, she is a colossal project and the largest ship in Task Force 72. Under the watchful eye of her builder and CO, Craig Laughton, Enterprise was an attraction on her own.
Chas Baxter brought HMS Dasher and her consorts, which provided an interesting contrast between the venerable World War 2 escort carrier and the modern four-shafted nuclear-powered monster.
Cameron Glassford joined us from Brisbane with his Irish patrol craft, and Sturgeon class submarine USS Pogy and Peter Jones brought his beautiful 1:72 scale tugboats. David Rowlands also loaned HMAS Hawkesbury for the display.
This is an event to which we all looked forward to, and as always the models, food, beer and socialising was first class.
Words by Carl Linkenbagh, images by Allan Pew
Cameron Glassford’s modified Irish patrol boat
Missile Corvettes of the Russian Navy with Alfa class submarine K-373
Krivak class frigates Dzerzhinsky (John Konda) and Storozhevoi (Carl Linkenbagh) on display for the first time together
Ron explaining the finer points of modelling with HMAS Warrego and HMNZS Lachlan in the foreground
View across the flight deck of Chas Baxter’s HMS Dasher where a mishap has just occurred, with Craig Laughton’s colossal USS Enterprise in the background
HMS Dasher with her escort of Flower Class corvettes, in various camouflage schemes
HMAS Hawkesbury (David Rowlands), HMAS Armidale (Allan Pew) and Peter’s Jones’ tugs
Front to back; Allan’s INS ATHAY, INS KIRPAN and INS TARAGIRI.
INS Mumbai (Allan Pew) and RFS Dmitri Donskoi (Carl Linkenbagh) flank the Vodka and Curry fleet banner
The usual suspects, Back row (L-R): Peter Jones, Craig Laughton, Chas Baxter, John Martin, Tim Amos, Reg Clack. Front Row (L-R): Ron Rosenberg, Carl Linkenbagh, Allan Pew. Absent: Cameron Glassford.
Craig and Tim contemplating USS Enterprise
The Flags of Russia and India, symbolising the theme of ‘Vodka and Curry”