In my previous article, I hinted at possible conversions for the (at present) unavailable model ships. I shall now attempt to provide a little more information on this subject.
At right, HMS Nubian, launched December 1937, to Gibralter with HMS Warspite in late summer 1938. Her eight 4.7/45 QF guns and best speed of 36 knots made her one of the best destroyers in the warzone. Though difficult to see given the photo quality, black and white vertical identification stripes are on B turret.
There are three basic methods the gamer can choose in order to rectify the unavailability of certain vessels:
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1) accept the situation, ignore or do without certain ships (and hope they will become available in the future);
2) scratch build the models from plastic card, balsa or similar. This option will need accurate plans and /or photos/drawings, as well as a certain degree of skill.
3) convert the desired vessel from available models, or use existing miniatures as "stand-ins", possibly in the hope of the ship being produced eventually.
As I outlined in part 1, most of the major ships are available, with the exceptions of the submarines, torpedo boats and smaller vessels. Rolf kindly sent me a list of such ships, which he compiled from Vol.6 of "La guerra civil espanola", Ediciones Urbion 1979 by Juan Garcia Duran.
For my collection, I have resorted to option 3, that is simple conversions or "stand-ins" that will substitute for the real thing. If the necessary ships are produced in the future, I can easily replace my converted models. Here then are my suggestions/conversion hints:
| SHIP | NATIONALIST | MODEL | REPUBLICAN | MODEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-Italian Destroyers | Teruel (ex- Poerio) | Nearest match N4521 Indomito (x2) 3rd [rear] funnel needs removing | - | - |
| Huesca (ex-Pepe) | - | - | ||
| Submarines | Mola (ex- Archimede Italian) | Nearest match N4601 Marcello (x4) | Holland Class B1 to B6 | I use N1614 H class (x4) |
| Sanjuro (ex- Torricelli Italian) | Holland Class C1 to C6 | Convert N1617 I class (cut down conning tower and rear deck) | ||
| Torpedo Boats | NO 7 and NO19 and others | Nearest match N8456 Bustamente (x3) 1st funnel needs shortening to same height as 2nd (rear) funnel | NOS 14, 20, 21 and others | Nearest match N8456 Bustamente (x3) 1st funnel needs shortening to same height as 2nd (rear) funnel |
| Mine Sweepers | Vulcano, Jupiter, Neptuno and Marte | ? Convert N1712B Hunt class type 1 (bridge needs heightening) | - | - |
| Canoneros (Gunboats/early destroyers) | Canovas Del Castillo, Canaljas and Dato | I use N3716 [German minesweepers] bridge needs cutting down slightly | Laya? | - |
| Calvo Sotelo | I use N3711, M1915 class funnel needs shortening | - | - | |
| Seaplane Tender | - | - | Delado | Convert N2206 Foudre (extensive conversion, use photos) |
| Armed Merchantmen and Auxillaries | Mar Cantabrico, Mar Negro, Ciudad de Valencia, Ciudad de Alicante, Mallorca, Lazaro, Puchol and Sister | Try converting merchant vessels (see N9005 "Tramp" steamer and others) Navwar also do a pack of 9 German Armed Merchant raiders of WW2 inc. ships in disguise 18 models for £ 7.50 | Campilo (Armed Tanker) Kanguro (Submarine support vessel) | ? See opposite |
There are several ships for which I have not been able to find models, not even suitable "stand-ins", such as the Coast Guard vessels Uad Martin, Uad Muluya, Uas Lucus, Uad Quert, Lucus and Xauen, as well as the "Bou" Ignacio and Chitona. However, as I write this article, I have received No.3 Vol.3 of Abanderado, and have read the piece by Rob Morgan. Judging by the front cover it appears that the Spanish used ex-RN "Castle" class trawlers, models of which are available from Navwar and Skytrex. More news on these if I obtain any. Some of the above are far from ideal as even stand-ins, but unless you are a purist, the differences are minimal in this scale.
Skytrex [Davco] and SDD also make ships in this scale, covering several nations ships of both WW1 and WW2, but neither manufacturer covers the Spanish Navy. I am unfamiliar with their ranges so cannot comment on quality or suitability. SDD make several merchant vessels, some armed, as do Skytrex/Davco.
Germany, Italy and the USSR all supplied small numbers of motor torpedo boats, none of which are modelled to my knowledge (SDD make an S1 E-Boat, which may do as the S2 E-Boats supplied to the Nationalists).
If any readers have more information or have ideas for suitable models/conversion ideas, I would be more than happy to hear from them, either directly or via Abanderado.
Aircraft
One aspect of the SCW that had an effect on both land and sea warfare, was the emerging power of aircraft. Several ships suffered air attacks that either severely damaged or sank them.
Representing aircraft can be done in several ways, either using counters or working out effects of air attacks on paper, however many people prefer to use models. There are a limited range of 1/3000th aircraft models available, but none are really suitable for the SCW nor do they look particularly attractive. A better solution (in my opinion) is to use 1/1200th scale models, which while being hugely overscale, give the impression of aircraft flying at high altitude, when mounted on wire stands overlooking the model ships. Model Figures and Hobbies produce an extensive range of aircraft models in this scale. They come as individual models, with separate top wings and floats where appropriate. They include several types that saw extensive use in the SCW, which are listed below. They retail at around 10p each, with some at 15p.
| PW103 | Dornier Wal flying boat |
| S103 | Polikarpov I-16 fighter |
| G101 | Dornier DO-17 bomber |
| G107 | Heinkel HE115 recce seaplane |
| G124 | Heinkel HE59 flying boat |
| G125 | Heinkel HE60 float plane |
| G128 | Junkers JU52 transport/bomber |
| G139 | Messerschmitt ME109 fighter |
| I100 | CANT Z506 AIRONE seaplane torpedo bomber |
| I101 | SM-79 SPARVIERO bomber |
| I102 | CANT Z501 GABBINO seaplane |
| I104 | SM-81 PIPISTRELLO bomber |
| I106 | G-50 FRECCIA fighter |
In addition, there are several models that will lend themselves to conversion, as in this scale a general impression is all that is needed. That said, the Model Figures and Hobbies odels are excellently detailed replicas, and it is possible to make out remarkably fine detail on some.
One model that is useful is WW101 LOHNE L-Type seaplane, as this will either stand-in for, or convert to the Savoia-Marchetti SM62 and Macchi M18 seaplanes as used by both sides in the SCW and by the pre-war Spanish Navy.
There are several bi-plane models available that will convert to some of the other types, and the range continues to expand, so other aircraft may become available as time goes on.
As I write, Hallmark have begun advertising a range of aircraft models also in 1/1200th scale, of which the Italian miniatures would be extremely useful. At present, the following models are suitable for SCW.
- C2T5 Cant Z506 x2 [£ 1.05]
C2T6 SM.79 x3 [90p]
C2T7 Fiat BR20 x3 [90p]
They also advertise a range of 1/6000th scale ships, including Spanish, German, Italian, British, French and other nations. I have not seen the ship models, but the aircraft appear compatible with the Model Figures and Hobbies miniatures.
SCW Naval Wargames Rules
To my knowledge, no set of SCW specific naval rules exists. Most sets cover either WW2 or WW1. The SCW tends to fall between the two, with aspects of each in evidence.
There are two sets of rules which I am aware of, that would be suitable. The elderly but ever popular General Quarters and the newer Sea Wars '94 to '44, both of which cover the period(General Quarters by combining the WW1 and WW2 sets).
Players wishing to use General Quarters will need to do some work beforehand in order to work out ship data for the rules, a task that unfortunately I am unable to help with in this article. Some ship data can be extrapolated from listed British ships (such as the Republica class which was based on the Birmingham class, or the Libertad class cruisers based on the British E class), others by comparing armour and armament ratings with similarly equipped ships.
Both the WW1 and WW2 sets need to be used. I would suggest that aspects such as wireless are used from the WW1 set, but aircraft from WW2. No radar should be allowed.
In the early days of the war, the Republican Navy could possibly be subject to some modifiers, to down-rate their abilities [thus simulating the effects from a lack of trained officers, and the revolutionary nature of the crews].
However, if players decide to use the newer rule set Sea Wars '94 to '44 by A and A Game Engineering, for SCW games, they will find that a scenario pack is planned which will cover the SCW. Not only will it provide data for most of the ships and aircraft involved, but also scenarios involving both Spanish and Non-Intervention naval forces. I have no hesitation in recommending these rules to the SCW naval player.
More Naval Wargaming in 1/3000th Scale
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© Copyright 1998 by Rolfe Hedges
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