Devonport
HMNB Devonport is the biggest naval base in Western Europe and has been a vital support for the Royal Navy since 1691. Spread across a vast area of more than 650 acres, it features 15 dry docks, four miles of waterfront, 25 tidal berths, and five basins.
About 4 years ago CNC ventured into making a 1250/1200 scale kit of just one of those Devonport basins!
Our inspirational modeller, Dave Love, had this idea, and showed how it was possible to make and offer at a realistic price. Resin, metal, sea material, plywood, and a special card box and instructions were put together to make Basin 2, the Frigate Basin. (illustrated below) This went down very well, especially when we took an assembled version to mini ship shows around the country.
We then went on to make Basin 3, the submarine factory and resting place of many out-of-service nuclear boats. It also has the jetty used by Antarctic Research Ships when they call.
Devonport Basin 2 model in the foreground and Basin 3 behind. Photo (c) John Ellis.
What about Basin 5?” said the people. Could we make it?
It would be a significantly larger kit, and of course would need Basin 4 as a link item to join with Basins 2 and 3. Our customer support in advance of production enabled us to get this made in 2023, and everyone who said they would buy it did!
Since then we have sold out of the initial batch and made more. (Available on our website, links below).
We are very grateful to John Ellis for his photos of his completed set of all our Devonport Kits. It is wonderful to be able share the results. Thank you.
Basin 4 (with John’s Ships Log).
Basin 5 drydocks in foreground and more in background.
Basin 5 continued. All Photos (c) John Ellis
You can purchase models on cncollectables.co.uk:
You can also find out more about the real Devonport via the Royal Navy website here.
Thanks for reading,
Clive.
September 2024.
