ORP Conrad Maly Modelarz 1-2/92 The light cruiser Conrad (ex HMS Danae) served under the Polish flag from 1 Oct. 1944. ORP Dragon was a sister ship of the same class "D". The building of Danae started in December 1916. Launching took place on 26 Jan. 1918, and in July it began service under the British flag. At first it sailed with the Home Fleet in British waters, then it was attached to a special fleet which visited the various ports of the British Empire during its voyage around the world in 1924. During 1929-1930 both Danae and Dragon were thoroughly renovated and modernised. After this it served in a fleet based in the Antilles. After several years the ship was already considered obsolete and decommissioned and placed in reserve. Due to international tension in 1939 Danae was again called into service. It was assigned to the South Atlantic fleet based in Freetown (Sierra Leone - West Africa), where it was when the Second World War broke out. After the outbreak of war both ships served in the Atlantic at first, then in 1941-1942 the two were assigned to the Far East. In December 1941 and January 1942 Danae took part in the defence of the Dutch Indies against Japanese aggression, and it guarded convoys sailing between Batavia and Ceylon. In 1943 Danae was again renovated with improved weapons. In June and July 1944 with Dragon it joined the allied forces at Normandy. After this action the Danae was destined to be scrapped unlike the Dragon which was torpedoed deliberately to form part of a breakwater. The crew of Dragon were taken on board Danae under command of Commander Stanislawa Dzienisiewicza. The Danae was renamed ORP Conrad in honour of the author who wrote in English under the name Joseph Conrad (Josefa Korzeniowskiego a former mariner) and loaned to Poland by the British. After the allied invasion of France the German navy was mostly confined to home ports so there was little naval action. Following the German surrender, the Conrad was sent from the port of Rosyth to the port of Wilhelmshaven. Subsequent to Commander Dzienisiewiczu, command was handed over to Lieutenant Commander Romuald Tyminski (former commander of ORP Slazak) with Lt. Commander Franciszek Pitulko (former commander of ORP Burza) as his second in command. The Conrad was attached to the group given the special task of sailing to the ports of Oslo, Copenhagen and Wilhelmshaven with clothes and medicines for the inhabitants, refugees and prisoners of war. The ship's Polish flag was lowered on 28 Sept. 1946, the cruiser was returned to the British Admiralty and once more was given its original name of HMS Danae after almost two years under Polish command. In May 1948 it was removed from service and sent to be scrapped at Barrow-in-Furness. ------------------------------------------ Technical specifications Displacement - 4850 tons Length - 144 m Breadth - 14.8 m Draught - 5 m Armament - 5 guns 152.4 mm (5 X I) 2 AA guns 102 mm (1 X II) 8 AA guns 40 mm (2 X IV) 8 guns 20 mm (4 X II) Max. speed - 29 knots (52.2 km/h) Power of turbines - 40,000 horsepower Crew - 460 Side armour - 38-76 mm thick Deck armour - 25 mm thick The model was developed to a scale of 1:200 from original British documents in the possession of Marka Twardowskiego of Gdyni. --------------------------------------------------------- Tools and auxiliary material To construct a card model one needs - a sharp pair of scissors, a few razor blades, a metal edged ruler, glue which is suitable according to experience and preference, soft pencil, eraser, brushes for painting and varnishing, universal pliers, possibly a low power soldering iron for the masts. For gluing Butaprene OBT-III is recommended because it matures flat, but for gluing metal to card use nitocellulose glue or similar. Auxiliary material: card of 0.5-1 mm thickness, sheet of card marked with squares, enamelled wire of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 and 1 mm thickness, nitro putty/filler, 36 pins, adhesive tape, wet sandpaper of grade 600-800, transparent nitro varnish, nitro paint in grey, red and white, a sheet of A4 technical carbon paper. NB before starting to assemble the model it is possible to coat the sheets with 3-4 coats of clear varnish. Succeeding surface finishing is left till after assembly to avoid changes in dimensions and warping of the pieces. Accurately copy the patterns for the wire parts on P5 using carbon paper before cutting P5 out. -------------------------------------------------- Recommended procedures: 1) Before commencing construction of the model acquaint yourself with the building instructions and diagrams. 2) Cut all pieces out precisely along the outer perimeter lines. 3) Lines which will be folded should be scored first by lightly cutting with a blunt blade. Dashed lines indicate places where the score should be made on the unprinted side so that the fold is towards the printed side. 4) To curl/curve pieces pull them repeatedly and lightly over the sharp edge of a pair of scissors or a sharp table edge. 5) Hull frames, decks as well as some other parts should be strengthened by being glued onto card. 6) Some parts have schematics drawn next to them indicating how they should be curled or folded - take note of these before cutting them out. 7) Use glue sparingly and accurately. 8) Apply the method of multiple test-fittings without glue to ensure a single gluing. -------------------------------------------------------------- Building Instructions NB in the process of gluing individual parts to the deck (e.g. 154) it is necessary to take note of the colouring of the parts relative to their destination, noting the colours of the adjacent deck and bulkheads. The usual colour rule is - deck upper surfaces and all upper surfaces of deck fittings (e.g. guns and ammunition boxes, etc.) have a dark colour like(?on) the main deck i.e. 1, 2, 3. Yet all parts have the back surface a light hue like(?on) deck 31, 35, 39. (Translation of this paragraph uncertain.) Start by assembling the hull framework - glue longerons P1-P3 onto 1 mm thick card to make a unit making sure they line up. Similarly with left half deck P4-P6 and right half deck P7-P9. Glue frames W1-W17 to 1 mm card. Glue decks 1 and 2 to 1 mm card to make a unit. Glue 3 to a separate piece of card. NB carefully cut the slots in P1-P9 and corresponding slots in frames W1-W17 so that they fit well and ensure perpendicularity of the framework. Test fit the frames on the longeron P1-P3 without glue first. Glue deck parts 1 and 2 to the top of frames W1-W10 as well as P1 and part of P2. Glue deck 3 to top of frames W11-W17, P3 and part of P2. NB part 4 is glued to the frame W11 in such a way that the frame doesn't protrude beyond part 4. Next test-fit P4-P6 and P7-P9 one each side. If all pieces have been cut out accurately, they should fit together and the two half decks should not protrude beyond the frame edges. The inexperienced modeller may be advised to mount P4-P9 separately. After repeated testing, glue the structure together see Diag. 1. Part 4 - after cutting out, glue to the upper part of frame W11 at the front of deck 2. Parts 5, 6, 7 - left hull side plating. Glue strips of card 4 mm wide underneath the pieces to protrude an equal amount beyond the end, these will be used to unite the strips. Start with stern sheet 7, then front plate and lastly part 6 in the middle. If 6 is too long it can be shortened by cutting at right angles to the black belt. Place hull frame on a flat surface with main deck underneath when attaching the hull covering. Parts 8, 9, 10 - hull covering right side. Proceed as for 5-7. After this glue card strips 6 mm wide to act as gluing tabs for the bottom sheathing to the edges of the exposed lower frames. (card marked with squares is ideal). Parts 11- 28 - bottom sheathing. Start from the front. After completion fill any gaps with scrap card, and use filler/paint/varnish according to your preference. Smooth using grade 600-800 sandpaper. Stick tape to mark the waterline and paint the bottom a suitable colour. Use 3-5 coats to ensure a smooth surface. Parts 29, 30, 30a - glue 29 and 30 to 1 mm card. Strengthen 30a with card of your choice and glue the four pieces at equally distant points between 29 and 30 (divide their length into five parts). Glue the superstructure walls to deck 2 and to wall 4. Parts 31-37 - cut off part 31a at point marked with diag. of scissors. Glue to back of 31. Trim any unprinted edges with a blade. Glue 31b to card. Glue both 31a and b to side wall 32. Glue finished unit to decks 1 & 2 as well as to top of part 30. After gluing 33 and 34 in pairs back-to-back glue in contact with 1, 31 and 32. After gluing 35, 35a together glue to superstructure 29, 30. Glue 36, 37 to front of 35 (general view). Parts 38, 38a, 39 - glue 38a to 1 mm card, 39 to technical squared card. Glue both to part 38. Using wire of 1 mm diam. make 4 elements according to pattern IV. They are glued as poles between protruding parts of 39 and deck 3. Parts 40, 41 - glue in pairs together and glue against front wall of superstructure 38 and in contact with deck 3 and the underneath of deck 39. Parts 42, 42a, 42b - glue 42a and b to 42 and glue to marked position on deck 39. Parts 43-50 - glue 43 and 43a together and glue to 42. As railing glue 44. Glue 45a and b to card, glue to 45 - glue unit to deck 43. Glue 46 in contact with deck 43 and superstructure 45. Glue 47 and 47a together and then to wall 48 - glue assembly to 46. Glue 49 and 49a together, glue railing 50, glue assembly to superstructure 45. Parts 51, 51a, 52 - glue part 51 to one part 51a, then glue both 51a's to 52. Glue as chimney base to deck 35. Parts 53-55b - glue 53, 53a, 53b to card of 1 mm, glue together as frame and cover with 54 (Diag. 3). Glue parts 54a, 55, 55a, 55b to card and then glue together one after the other in a stack as in Diag. 3. Make element I from 3 mm diam. wire as per pattern, paint black and glue to 55. Glue the chimney to 51. Parts 56-60b - glue 56 and 56a to 1 mm card, then glue both to wall 57 and unit to 35. Glue 58, 58a and 58b to 1 mm card and form frame with chimney cover 59. Glue 59a, 60, 60a, 60b to 1 mm card and then to one another as in Diag. Use 0.3 mm wire and pattern II to make element, paint and glue to 60. Glue chimney to deck 51. Parts 61-64a - cut out small areas marked with letter "W" in parts 61 (gun armoured shields, NOT the deck extension also numbered 61 and not mentioned in the Polish instructions), after gluing into shape, paint interior grey. With 1 mm wire make 5 gun barrels using pattern III. After painting black glue parts 62 around them, then glue each to mounts 63 and then inside gun shields. Glue 64a to 0.5 mm card, wrap 64 around each, glue under 61. The 152.4 mm guns are best left off the ship until the final stages of assembly (true for other small pieces) when they are glued to decks 1, 3, 31, 35 and 39. Parts 65, 65a - glue 65a to 1 mm card and, after cutting out, shape so that they curl towards the top and insides. Glue 65 double and cut into 8 bases for the bollards, glue one 65a to each, paint black and glue to decks 1, 2 and 3. Parts 66 - glue to deck 3. Parts 67 - after gluing to 0.5 mm card, glue to deck 3. Parts 68 - after gluing together, glue 8 elements to decks 1, 2, and 3. Insert 16 pins (two in each element - see general plan) to protrude 1 mm and paint black. Parts 69-72 - glue 69 in pairs. Glue 70 in between after rolling it into a tight tube for the shaft of the anchor windlass. Glue part 71 to one 69, then 72 underneath and glue windlass to deck 3. Parts 73, 74 - glue 73 into a tight tubes, glue to markings on parts 67 (?Polish has 69 here ?error). Glue 74 onto each. Make holes in 67 and 3 at dots and glue four grey painted pins in so that they protrude 2 mm from 67 and 3 mm from deck 3. Parts 75, 75a - glue together then to deck 3. Part 76 - after gluing sides, glue to deck 3 (at point marked 91 in error on plan). Part 77 - separate by cutting, glue pair together, glue to deck 3. Parts 78-80- First glue extra part 61 to top of front superstructure. (This part is not mentioned in Polish instructions.) Glue 78 together in pairs, then glue against 39 (underneath) and 40. After folding double and gluing part 79, cut out elements and glue against right side of 38, 40 and 78 as well as under 61. Use 80 for left side. (NB with both 79 and 80 the smaller projection should not be glued to 78 and 61. There is an error in orientation if they protrude beyond the edge of part 61.) Parts 81-83 - glue 83 into three tight tubes. Glue 82 on these, then glue 81 as side supports. Glue two hose drums to deck 3 and one to stern of deck 1 (these positions are marked with dashed lines). Parts 84 - after gluing, glue against deck 3 and sides of 38. Parts 85 - eighteen life rafts - glue to 1 mm card, round edges and paint red. Use 0.8 mm wire to make six of V, two of VI, eight of VII. Glue V and VI to deck 3 and wall of 38, but VII to deck 1 and side 32. Place eight of 85 on these. Remaining rafts are glued to deck 35 (four), and two sets/stacks of two (Polish says three?) to deck 2. (see general plan - NB VII is marked VIII in this plan.) Parts 86-89 - glue 86 to top of superstructure parts 32 and 33. Between parts 31 and 33 glue parts 87. After cutting out 88 and 89, glue against 86 (underneath) as well as 33 and 87. Part 90 - glue to deck 35 and deck 2 (general plan) Part 91 - glue to deck 39 Part 92 - glue to left side of deck 39 Part 93 - glue to superstructure 42 and deck 39 Parts 94 - glue to left and right of superstructure 42 and deck 39 Part 95 - ladder. Glue to left side deck 35 and 39 (general plan.) Parts 96, 97 - glue 96 into cones, glue 97 in pairs and then to top of cones. Use 0.8 mm wire to make eight gun barrels using pattern VIII and glue in pairs to 97. The 20 mm antiaircraft guns are glued in pairs to decks 31 and 39. Parts 98-101 - to each end of searchlights 100 glue 98 and 99. Glue 101 into tight tubes and glue to each side of deck 43. Do not attach searchlights yet. Parts 102 - glue between 46 and 47 (general plan) Part 103 - glue to top of 48 Parts 104 - glue on 47 and between 48. Parts 105-107 - glue 105 to 49. Form 106 into tight tubes, glue to 105. Make two of IX from 0.8 mm wire, wrap 107 around each end, glue to 106 in line with long axis of ship. Parts 108-117 - glue 108 and 108a together, pierce opening for bottom element of mast, glue railing 109 around edge. Glue both 110 to card then wrap 111 around these so that the top element is 3 mm below the top of 111, then glue bottom 110 to 108. Use wire of 0.8 mm diam. to make XII, glue strips 112 around ends, glue unit to 110. Use 1 mm wire to make mast elements X and XI. Paint grey. Glue mast to decks 2 and 49. Attach 108 to part XI. Glue parts 113 underneath 108. Glue 114 and 115 to corresponding 114a and 115a, glue casing 116 around. Glue 117 under 115 and to mast element XI. Make XIII and XVI using 0.8 mm wire. Make XIV, XV and XVII using 0.6 mm wire. Assemble elements of upper mast according to the auxiliary diagram. Element XV is painted white, the rest grey. Glue assembly to deck 49 and to 108. Leave rigging of lines until the final stages of model assembly (see general plan.) Parts 118, 118a, 119 - glue both 118/a to card and then glue strip 119 around. Glue to deck 35. Parts 120, 121 - glue in pairs and glue to deck 2 and part 4. Parts 122-125 - glue 122a to card, glue tops of 122a under decks 122, cover frame with boat shells 123. Glue 124 together in pairs then to both sides of deck 2. To latter as well as to parts 121 glue elements XVIII (labelled XXIII in plan view of model in error) made from 0.8 mm wire. After gluing double parts 125, cut apart and glue middle to side of boats 123 (parts 125 have a mark looking like 128 instead of 123). Glue boat supports and boats to decks 2 and 35. Make XIX from 0.4 mm wire and glue to deck 39 after painting grey (?protrudes backwards in side general plan above front boats). Part 126 - after assembly glue between chimneys to deck 35. Parts 127 - after gluing to coloured card, glue to sides of deck 35 where rounded. Parts 128-131 - glue strips 129 (gun shields) around 128 so that 128 is at bottom. Glue 130a to 1 mm card, glue 130 around them, glue assembly under 128 as mount. Before cutting out 131, pierce two holes in each for parts XX made from 0.5 mm wire (gun barrels). Glue two of XX in each 131, glue to 128, glue 40 mm guns on deck 35 (see general plan labelled 128). Parts 132-135 - after gluing 132a to card, wrap 132 around them. To the top element, glue 133/133a. After assembling 135 glue it to 133. Glue railing 134 around 133, glue assembly to deck 31. Parts 136-139 - assemble 136, glue 137 to it. Glue 138 together, glue 139 around, then glue to 137. Use 0.8 mm wire to make XXI and glue to 138, glue unit to deck 31. Parts 140-145 - glue both 140a to card, wrap 140 around. Glue 141 together and glue railing 142. Glue 143 and 144 at ends of rolled tube 145. Make XXII using 1 mm wire and use to mount 145 on 141, glue unit to deck 31. Parts 146-148 - says range finder support - error. After cutting out area "w", cut out and assemble. Glue 147a to card, wrap 147 around. Make two gun barrels XXIII using 0.8 mm wire, paint grey. Place these onto 148 and glue inside gun shield. Glue gun to deck 31 using 147/a. Parts 149 - glue to deck 31 (4) and deck 35 (2). Parts 150-153 - glue in pairs to deck 2. To these glue XXIV made from 0.8 mm wire. Make boats from 151, 152 and 151a. To 2 and 35 glue parts 153 (boat supports - see general plan.) Use 0.8 mm wire to make rear mast XXV. Use 1 mm wire for XXVI - glue between decks 2 and 31 (?pillars). Parts 154 - glue to deck 1 and sides of 32 (2) and deck 2 and sides of 29/30 (4). Parts 155-158 - propellers - make two shafts using 1 mm wire and pattern XXVII. Glue 156 curled into tight tubes around one end. Cut openings in 26/27 for shafts and parts 155. Glue 155 to 156. Glue screw blades 157 together in pairs, then to 156. Glue assemblies to 26/27. Parts 158 - glue to 1 mm card then to one another, then to 26, 27 and 28 (see general plan.) Make XXVIII from 1 mm wire - paint white and glue to hull plates 5 and 8. Paint XXIX grey and glue three to 54, two to 59. Use 0.8 mm wire for XXX, glue to deck 3, but glue XXXI to deck 1. Design a stand for the ship using your skill and imagination. Make a 15 by 7 mm flag, paint white and red with a gold crown, glue to stern flagpole XXXI.