@ 1/200 Scale Model of Hood
These photos were sent in by Capt Tom Beall. This model depicts Hood sometime in the early 1930s. Its made of metal and is also motorised (screws and rudder). It measures out to 51" in length. The model appears to have been involved with the H.M.S. Hood Association at some point in its lifetime. This is based on the fact that a Christmas card from our 1980s era chairman Harry Purdue was included with the model. Other than this connection, the exact provenance/history of the model remains unkown.
@ 1/200 Scale Model of Hood
These photos were sent in by Gillian Cain. The model shows Hood as she appeared in the mid 1930s (after her aircraft catapult was removed, but before she joined the Mediterranean Fleet. The provenance of this model is not known. Gillian recalled that it first appeared in her Aunt's shop over 25 years ago. The builder's name is not known. We also do not know what the model is made from nor do we know its exact scale. We estimate that its 1/200 scale simply due to the fact that its display case is 56" in length.
1/135 Scale Model of Hood
These photos were sent in by Steve Pinder of Australia. He recently purchased this model which appears to have been built in the 1940s or 1950s. It's a handmade folk art depiction of Hood as she appeared in the mid 1930s. The model measures 6.3"/1.93m long, 33.8"/86cm high and weighs in at approximately 66lb/30kg. Interestingly, it shows the ship with a non-red bottom (which we now know to be true...she had a dark grey bottom, not red).
1/300 Scale Model of Hood by Stewart Vickers
Stewart built this from a large plank of pine which was planed into the correct shape. He used a counter-sink dril to hollow-out the centre. To control the model, he utilised a battery and circuit board salvaged from a radio-controlled car. He also used a thin piece of plastic for the rudder and coupled it to a standard DC motor (it also uses a simple rubber band to re-centre itself). He noted that the model was quite inexpensive - the most expensive items were the £3 original length of wood and £6 of bass wood for the deck!
1/128 Scale Model of "What If" Hood by Tony Ansell
Tony built this large scale interpretation of what Hood might have looked like had she received her anticipated "Large Repair". The model is 6ft 9 in long.
1/128 Scale Manned Model of Hood by Tibor Pal
Dan Sinstead has provided the above photos and tells is that Tibor based this radio-controlled model on a Fleetscale hull and some fittings but that most of it was scratch built over a 4.5 years. It's radio controlled and has twin independent speed controls driving all 4 main motors, rotating main turrets in twin pairs, operating running lights, searchlights, bridge and cabin lighting, smoke generator, and digital sound effects of the guns firing. It also has a working bow thruster. The model is 81" long by 10.5" wide and weighs approx. 50 lbs." The red bottom is incorrect, but this model was built long before it was verified that Hood had a grey bottom.
1/35 Scale Manned Model of Hood by Martin Hall-Kenny
Martin is currently building this large (7.42 m long) model of Hood. Here is how he describes the project: "This is a four year project (not counting
the three years R and D before I started). I started the build eighteen months ago amd based the design around 'Anatomy of a Warship- The Battlecruiser Hood' and the 1/400 scale Airfix kit. I am nearly ready to 'wet' test her. Built entirely from scratch from DIY and scrap materials, she comes in three parts that bolt together for the water. When 'commisioned' she will be powered by two (hidden) outboard engines which will be capable of the full scale speed plus some 'get out of trouble' insurance! The 15in guns will fire, smoke will pour from the twin stacks and the Fairy 111 will catapult from the stern, fly inder radio control and land on the
water. Crewed by 2, she will join the(planned) manned model fleet as they pass in review at the Weymouth Festival this year."
Large Scale Hood by Robin Fletcher
This model was built by Robin Fletcher in honour of his father, Peter Fletcher who was lost in the sinking of Hood. The model resides on the second floor of the Royal Maritime Club hotel in Portsmouth, UK. We know little of its background other than that it was presented to our Association (and then to the hotel) many years ago. It's exact scale and construction materials are not known, but it appears to be made largely of wood and to be about 6 feet in length. Its made of wood and wire. Robin opted to keep the paint job simple by using only two colours, grey and red. Of course, at the time this was built, he did not know that Hood did not have a red bottom (it was grey).
1/192 Hood by Dennis Vella
This lovely model of Hood as she appeared in 1937, was hand-crafted by Mr Dennis Vella of Malta. Dennis used the Norman Ought plans along with information from Maurice Northcott's "Hood Design & Construction", Raven & Roberts' "British battleships of World War Two", plus the works of R.A. Burt. He also consulted countless magazines, the holdings of the Imperial War Museum and the Science Museum. The hull and superstructure of the model was made from soft wood. Brass was used for smaller items such as railings, gun barrels, aerials, etc. The model took 720 hours spread over a 2.5 years to complete. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey.
1/200 Hood by Song Jung Gun
This superb representation of Hood was hand-made by Mr Song Jung Gun of Korea. The model depicts Hood as she appeared in 1931. The majority of the ship was made from Gingko wood. Railing and rigging were made with bamboo. He has made a number of other kits in this same fashion. These include the U.S.S. Missouri, H.M.S. Vanguard, the Richelieu and IJN Fuso. He estimates that it takes him between 1000 and 1330 hours to build each ship! The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey.
1/300 Hood by Aldo Petrina
This lovely miniature of Hood was hand-made by Aldo Petrina of Trieste, Italia. He built the model with a variety of materials. The hull was built "bread and butter" style with wood planks following hull lines. The decks are wood with planking traced out with China ink. The bridge and remainder of the structures were built with thin plywood and/or aluminum sheets (from Coca Cola cans). Ralings and various details were accomplished with brass wire. The screws are made from copper plating and the ship's boats are vacuuformed.
As the model represents Hood in 1935/1936, Aldo painted in in Humbrol "Admiralty Light Grey." The paint was gloss, but he applied a clear dull coat to tone down the shine. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey.
1/100 Scale Hood by Achim Nied
This impressive large scale radio controlled miniature was built by Achim Nied of Speigelberg, Deutschland. Some of you will know Achim from the article he has written for the German ship modelling magazine "Modellwerft". He commenced his Hood project in November 2000. His intention was to build Hood as she appeared in 1933. The photos above show the model during her construction (far left), her initial trials (inner left) and during her maiden voyage on the Waldsee in September 2006 (right).
He built it using plank-on-frame construction. The hull is coated with fibreglass whereas the deck and superstructure are wood. As the scale is 1/100, the model is 103 inches/ 262 cm in length. Achim has engineered the model so that the turrets can traverse as well as elevate their guns. For references, he has used the 1/192 scale David MacGregor plans, Marine Arsenal HMS HOOD by Siegfried Breyer, "Warship Profile 19" by R.G. Robertson, "Flagship Hood" by Alan Coles/Ted Briggs and of course this website.
1/192 Hood by Robert Kennedy
Rob built this large, working miniature of Hood between September 2001 and June 2003. He based his work upon drawings from Nexus as well as many photos from this very website. The hull was constructed with kell and ribs covered by balsa and layers of fibreglass (for strength). He created the remainder of the ship using a variety of materials (i.e., the funnels are old steradent tube covers over a template inner core). None of the superstructure was carved- it was all built. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey.
Rob presented this model to the Applegarth County Primary School in Northallerton in May 2006. This school has ties to Hood in that some of the children (1939-1941) maintained penpals aboard the ship. Several students were in regular contact with a number of the men lost when the ship sank.
Miniature Hoods by Daniel D'Silva
These interesting miniatures were built by Daniel DeSilva of the USA. The model in the left two photos is a 1941 Hood in 1/1200 scale. The model is made mostly of balsa with the masts, anchors, 4" gun barrels, stern flagpole and derricks in steel wire. The 15" gun barrels are wire brad nails. The boats are made with Sculpey polymer clay. The smaller model in the right two photos (pictured with Bismarck in the same scale) is of Hood as in 1938. The scale is estimated to be between 1/6500 and 1/6600. This model (and Bismarck) is polymer clay with copper wire guns and masts. Her funnels are sections of thick paper clip wire. All of the models pictured here were painted with Testors model paints.
Motorised Hood by John Ralph
This interesting model represents Hood in the mid 1930s. It is 6.5 feet long and has four engines on four shafts. Mr Ralph is currently restoring and upgrading it. He plans on making it as detailed as possible. He regularly sails it at Bushey Park (Hampton Court) and tells us that it is a real crowd puller. Click on the images above to view larger versions.
1/200 Scale Hood (1920) by Colin Vass
This beautiful miniature is the creation of master model builder and Hood Association member, Colin Vass. It represents Hood as initially completed in 1920. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey. Click on the image above to view more photos of this spectacular miniature.
1/96 Scale Hood by Peter Dorschner
This very large miniature was built over a period of four years by Peter Dorschner of Germany. It is 2.78 metres in length and incorporates the following features: Four Graupner 500er Engines, rotating gun houses/turrets, fog horn and even a Walkman (for music). It is controlled with a Graupner MC 14 Radio Control. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey.
1/200 Scale Hood (1941) by Colin Vass
This superb radio-controlled miniature was built by renowned model maker Colin Vass. It is well known from the TV documentary "Sunk by the Bismarck"/"The Mighty Hood", as well as through it's regular appearances at the Boldre church service. It currently resides in the Portsmouth Naval Museum's Lewin Gallery along with miniatures of Bismarck and Prince of Wales (also built by Colin). The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey.
Click on the image above to view more photos of this phenomenal miniature.
1/400 Scale Hood by Colin Vass
This ultra-detailed miniature was also built by Colin Vass. It was built especially for Channel 4's July 2001 expedition to find and film the wreck of Hood. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey. Click on the image above to view more photos of this phenomenal miniature.
1/200 Scale Hood by Peter Beisheim
This extremely impressive 4.3ft / 131cm long miniature was built by Peter Beisheim of Copenhagen, Denmark. It was featured in Seaways "Ships in Scale" in three installments during 1996.
He built it using primarily plastic card and strip stock. He consulted many references, the most prevalent of which were the 1/192 Norman Ough plans and "Anatomy of the Ship-The Battlecruiser Hood" by John Roberts. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey.
1/100 Scale Hood by Petur Hallgrimsson
This excellent radio controlled miniature was built by Petur Hallgrimsson of Helsingborg, Sweden. Petur, who was originally from Reykjavik, Iceland, built the model over a period of 5 years (1985-1990). Constructed mostly of basswood, the miniature measures in at 8.5ft / 259cm! Running on number 2 and 3 propellers, the model handles very well in the water. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey. This model is now on display in the war museum in Hladir, Hvalfjord, Iceland.
1/130 Scale Hood by Suvac Costel
This extremely nice giant was built by Suvac Costel of Bacau, Romania. It measures 6.58ft /2005mm in length, 0.76ft/231mm in width and 1.43ft/435mm in height. The hull was made from wood covered by fibreglass. The superstructure, decks and turrets were made from brass and copper. It is estimated that there were 12,000 parts involved of which 99% were handmade. The chosen paint scheme is the AP507A dark grey. The Norman Ough plans were consulted as well as many photos of Hood. The model was built between Feb 1997 and Nov 1999, with a refit between Jun 2000 and Jun 2001. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey. Special thanks to Adrian Paul Botta for sending us this information.
"Hood in a Bottle" by Àgoston Kovàcs
This charming miniature (no scale/size currently available) was built by Mr Àgoston Kovàcs of Budapest, Hungary. A prolific builder of miniatures, he has filled over 130 bottles with a variety of model subjects to include (but not limited to) buildings, aircraft, zeppelins (yes, zeppelins!) and his favourite- ships. His work is frequently displayed around Hungary, and he is regarded as one of the best modellers in his region. Special thanks to Richard Hogg for letting us know about Mr Kovàcs excellent work.
1/196 Scale Hood by David Fisher
This giant (53.25") beauty was built in 1998. It depicts Hood in it's May 1941 final configuration. It was built using wood, plastic, cloth and metal. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey.
1/600 Scale Hood by World War 2 German Prisoner of War
Dr Ian Beattie of the H.M.S. Hood Association, and this web site's collectibles expert, provided this photo. This is a wood model of Hood carved by a German prisoner of war (background on the prisoner is unknown). It is approximately 1/600 scale.
1/1200 Scale Hood (1941) by John Youngerman
This beautiful model is 100% scratch-built with hull & deckhouses made of balsa wood. John made use of plastic and card stock plus 2 ply Bristol Board as well. The masts & guns were made from various diameters of brass wire. He painted it overall using Testor's paints. Special thanks to John Youngerman for the information and the photo seen here.
1/1200 Scale Hood (1930s) by John Youngerman
This was John's first scratch-built 1200 scale ship model! Presumably made of similar materials as the newer version shown above. The primary differences between this and the one listed above is the timeframe each model represents. Whereas the one above is a 1941/final appearance version, this older model is of Hood in the 1930s. It is now owned by our friend Dr Ulrich Rudofsky.
1/96 Scale Hood by Dave Weldon
This phenomenal model is the labour of love of our good friend Dave Weldon. Dave is without doubt one of the most knowledgeable people in the world on the subject of H.M.S. Hood. He's been researching Hood non-stop for well over 50 years now.
This large miniature is constructed primarily of tin plate and is accurate down to the last rivet. Work has been progressing slowly but steadily for the past 20 years. To see more photos of this incredible project, click here.
1/72 Scale Hood by John Anderson
John Anderson of California, USA sent in these photos of his HUGE 1/72 Hood. He is building it entirely from scratch using plywood, acrylic and plastic stock. It is just under 12 feet in length and 17.5 inches in width.
He began this project in October 1999, using information from Monografi Morskie 6 and this web site. The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey. At last check he had sold the model. We are hoping the new owner will contact us.
1/185 Scale Hood by Stuart Robottom
This radio controlled giant was built by Stuart Robottom of Torquay, Australia. It measures in at 4.6ft length by 7 inches in width. The model was built using balsa and plywood. For reference, he consulted "Anatomy of the Ship- The Battlecruiser Hood" by John Roberts as well as photos from this website. Though not yet fully complete, it has undergone sea trials! The red bottom is not correct, but this model was built before the colour was confirmed to have been grey. Click to enlarge the photos.