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  • Steve Brodie
    SMF Supporters
    • Sep 2014
    • 4652

    #1

    Operation Frankton

    Not sure if this is in the right 'section' but ;

    Operation Frankton was a commando raid on shipping in the German occupied French port of Bordeaux in southwest France during the Second World War. The raid was carried out by a small unit of Royal Marines known as the Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment (RMBPD), part of Combined Operations inserted by HMS Tuna (N94), the RMBPD would later form the Special Boat Service.
    The plan was for six canoes to be taken to the area of the Gironde estuary by submarine. The twelve men would then paddle by night to Bordeaux. On arrival they would attack the docked cargo ships with limpet mines and then escape overland to Spain. Twelve men from no.1 section were selected for the raid; including the commanding officer, Herbert 'Blondie' Hasler.

    The RP models 'model' depicts 'Blondie' Hasler with Bill sparks in their canoe 'Catfish', paddling away. I decided to depict 'my 'build' of these two as they are paddling up the Gironde Estuary, after some research on Google, it appears that the estuary and river are a brown / golden sand colour due to the rich sediment bed. The base build thread can be seen here - http://www.scale-models.co.uk/thread...e-river.29095/

    The canoe has been sprayed with Tamiya XF-69 and then a custom mix of Flat green and JGSDF green, then misted with both colours, after the black had been masked with Panzer masking putty. Rope has been painted Tamiya desert yellow and then stained/washed with Vallejo cheek glaze and a black wash. The front and rear plates were painted in silver, but after checking references, have now been repainted in a steel/black colour. Compass has been painted gloss black, and just needs the needle painting in then the bevel sealed with gloss, or Vallejo water.

    [ATTACH]289058[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]289059[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]289060[/ATTACH]

    Figures have been sprayed black in preparation for painting.

    The kit is now out of production but can still be found on ebay -
    Attached Files
  • papa 695
    Moderator
    • May 2011
    • 22771

    #2
    Nice work Steve.

    Comment

    • Guest

      #3
      Originally posted by Steve Brodie
      Not sure if this is in the right 'section' but ;

      Operation Frankton was a commando raid on shipping in the German occupied French port of Bordeaux in southwest France during the Second World War. The raid was carried out by a small unit of Royal Marines known as the Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment (RMBPD), part of Combined Operations inserted by HMS Tuna (N94), the RMBPD would later form the Special Boat Service.
      The plan was for six canoes to be taken to the area of the Gironde estuary by submarine. The twelve men would then paddle by night to Bordeaux. On arrival they would attack the docked cargo ships with limpet mines and then escape overland to Spain. Twelve men from no.1 section were selected for the raid; including the commanding officer, Herbert 'Blondie' Hasler.

      The RP models 'model' depicts 'Blondie' Hasler with Bill sparks in their canoe 'Catfish', paddling away. I decided to depict 'my 'build' of these two as they are paddling up the Gironde Estuary, after some research on Google, it appears that the estuary and river are a brown / golden sand colour due to the rich sediment bed. The base build thread can be seen here - http://www.scale-models.co.uk/thread...e-river.29095/

      The canoe has been sprayed with Tamiya XF-69 and then a custom mix of Flat green and JGSDF green, then misted with both colours, after the black had been masked with Panzer masking putty. Rope has been painted Tamiya desert yellow and then stained/washed with Vallejo cheek glaze and a black wash. The front and rear plates were painted in silver, but after checking references, have now been repainted in a steel/black colour. Compass has been painted gloss black, and just needs the needle painting in then the bevel sealed with gloss, or Vallejo water.

      [ATTACH]289058[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]289059[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]289060[/ATTACH]

      Figures have been sprayed black in preparation for painting.

      The kit is now out of production but can still be found on ebay -
      https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.T RC0.H0.Xrp+models+1/35+blondie.TRS0&_nkw=rp+models+1/35+blondie&_sacat=0
      That'd surely be the same Blondie Hasler that designed the most succsessful and widely used self steering system for long distance sailing?

      Comment

      • Steve Brodie
        SMF Supporters
        • Sep 2014
        • 4652

        #4
        Originally posted by John Rixon
        That'd surely be the same Blondie Hasler that designed the most succsessful and widely used self steering system for long distance sailing?
        Yep

        Comment

        • Guest

          #5
          Nice work and I love the history behind your build!
          This is how schools should liven up boring history classes, especially for those who are struggling with finding any interest in the subject.
          History is fantastic when you get to tell a story, not just read about it!

          Comment

          • Steve Brodie
            SMF Supporters
            • Sep 2014
            • 4652

            #6
            So I have blocked in the smock colour and airbrushed on the flesh tones;

            [ATTACH]289321[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]289322[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]289323[/ATTACH]

            Painted in bills had and scarf;

            [ATTACH]289324[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]289325[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]289326[/ATTACH]
            Attached Files

            Comment

            • Mike Mortimore
              • Apr 2018
              • 202

              #7
              Hi Steve,
              Just joined the site, refugees from the Military Modelling site. Being a former Royal Marine and having been attached to the SBS in the early 80's know of this raid very well. Whilst serving at RM Poole, ( Home of the SBS) I met both Hasler and Sparks at the unveiling of the Operation Frankton Memorial in RM Poole. I also attend the memorial services in Bordeaux every December. Have also walked the route that Hasler and Sparks walked from Blaye to Ruffec on their epic escape journey. I live about 45 minutes from part of the route and one of the farms that they stayed at.
              [ATTACH]297624[/ATTACH]
              [ATTACH]297625[/ATTACH]

              This is just part of the memorial stones at Pont du Grave, At the Estuary of the Gironde. If ever in the Bordeaux area well worth a visit. Plus there is a plaque at Hanger 14, ( now named Frankton Hanger) I have more photographs if anyone is interested on more information plus the German Navy HQ where two of the Marines were shot,

              Cheers Mike
              Attached Files

              Comment

              • Steve Brodie
                SMF Supporters
                • Sep 2014
                • 4652

                #8
                Hi Mike,
                Thanks for the info, very interesting. I must get back to finishing of his little vignette

                Steve

                Comment

                • Jim R
                  SMF Supporters
                  • Apr 2018
                  • 15723
                  • Jim
                  • Shropshire

                  #9
                  Hi Steve
                  Heroic story. The base looks good. I have not used the Vallejo water but is appears to work well. Canoe is nice and I look forward to the figures being completed.
                  Jim

                  Comment

                  • Guest

                    #10
                    Enjoyed doing mine, it’s a great detailed kit. I depicted mine at night (which is when they would have paddled)

                    Not wishing to be pedantic, but it’s a kayak not a canoe :smiling3:

                    Comment

                    • Steve Brodie
                      SMF Supporters
                      • Sep 2014
                      • 4652

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Jay-BFG
                      Enjoyed doing mine, it’s a great detailed kit. I depicted mine at night (which is when they would have paddled)

                      Not wishing to be pedantic, but it’s a kayak not a canoe :smiling3:
                      How did you depict them at night, its only a state of reflectiveness of light , surely ? :thinking::tears-of-joy:, unless you panited everything black !! oh and from Wiki - The plan was for six kayaks (called "canoes" by the British) lol :smiling5::smiling5::tears-of-joy:

                      Comment

                      • Guest

                        #12
                        [ATTACH]298532[/ATTACH]
                        [ATTACH]298533[/ATTACH][ATTACH]298534[/ATTACH]

                        Comment

                        • Guest

                          #13
                          Trust the British to get it wrong

                          Comment

                          • Guest

                            #14
                            Don’t judge me on the water, it was my first attempt and I used silicone, but it wasn’t as clear as I hoped

                            Comment

                            • Steve Brodie
                              SMF Supporters
                              • Sep 2014
                              • 4652

                              #15
                              That is very cool, I am painting mine as if they have been hit by moon light lol

                              Comment

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