Tuesday, March 6, 2012 Thanks a lot everyone for the comments on my ship posts. I never expected so many viewers and comments. That's really encouraging and much appreciated! Today's post is of another 1:700 scale Matchbox model I assembled in 1980. As I said, for my UK friends, as it's a model of the K class destroyer HMS Kelly, commanded by Lord Mount Batten. The HMS Kelly was, unfortunately, ill-fated. Launched in 1938, she was torpedoed mid-ships off the coast of Norway on May 10, 1940 by German e-boats (these were large torpedo boats). The Kelly was then towed 91 hours to England, where she was repaired and recommissioned December 1940. The Kelly was then sent to the Mediterranian Sea where she was sunk May 23, 1941 by Stuka dive bombers during the evacuation of British troops from Crete. Sadly, a short career. Model length - 15.5 cm.. About the K class destroyers and the HMS Kelly - Built 1937 - 1939 Kelly was launched in 1938. Number built - 8 Length - 356 feet 6 inches Beam - 35 feet 9 inches Draught - 12 feet 6 inches maximum Weight - 2,400 tons (in action WWII) Power - 40,000 horsepower Shafts - 2 Speed - 36 knots Range - 5,500 nautical miles @ 15 knots Complement - 218 officers and crew Armament - Six 4.7 inch 45 caliber guns Four 2 pounder pom-pom anti-aircraft guns Eight 0.5 inch Vickers quadruple mount anti-aircraft guns Ten 21 inch torpedo tubes in 2 sets of 5 For more information you can check http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hms_kelly.htm or look up HMS Kelly or K-class destroyers on Wikipedia. As for ship's plans, there's - Taubman Plans Service 11 College Drive - Box 4G Jersey City, New Jersey 07305 USA Taubman has loads of plans of all kinds of ships. I have a few I ordered during the 1980s. These are simple drawings. Taubman also has very complex drawing, some of which are copies of original blue prints. I know you may want drawings, Neil, to keep Tailspin busy (at least for a while!). I'll see what I have - maybe something that could interest you. I'll get in touch via site mail! With time, I'll post some more ship photos. Enjoy!