Libertad 1925 by Valeriy V - Scale 1:100 - Spanish Type F Light Cruiser

[Valeriy V]

The cruiser was designed on the basis of the British "E" type.

[Valeriy V]

As a result of further improvement of the "E" type cruiser project, in 1921 Watts created the project of the Spanish cruiser "F". Its hull and power plant almost completely repeated the British prototype, but the arrangement of the mechanisms was not echelon, but linear, which allowed to give the ships a more harmonious silhouette with two wide smoke pipes, grouped in the middle part.

 

The turbines and boilers were unified with the Churruka-class destroyers, which, in turn, were created on the basis of the British Scott-class leaders. Thus, the F-class cruisers were slightly superior in power (design - 83,000 hp) to their British E-class predecessors, being slightly faster. The armor remained virtually unchanged: the 76-mm main belt occupied about 40% of the hull length, covering only the engine and boiler rooms, with the belt thickness decreasing at the ends.

 

The armament was significantly improved. The main caliber artillery consisted of eight 152 mm Vickers guns and was placed in five mounts located in the centerline of the ship. The two end mounts were single-gun, and the other three (both elevated and the middle) were twin. Thus, all guns could participate in a broadside. The powerful artillery was supplemented by a branched and perfect for its time fire control system, including the main command and rangefinder post and two additional posts. The anti-aircraft armament was also strengthened and included four 102 mm guns, the torpedo armament remained unchanged: four triple-tube devices, unified with the Churruka destroyers.

[Valeriy V]

In total, three ships were built according to this project, but I could only find two high-quality photographs necessary for ship modelers.They allow you to see the necessary details of the ship.

[Valeriy V]

The Maritime Museum of Madrid has a magnificent model of the Libertad in 1:48 scale.

This model is the one that can replace the detailed photographs I am missing.  

[Valeriy V]

Thanks to the efforts of our forum members JCARLOSM  and Tony Hunt I have a set of detailed photos of this model.

I am very grateful and deeply thankful to them. Once again, thank you, friends!  

[Valeriy V]

My actions for making the cruiser hull are normal.

[Valeriy V]

The hull is covered with wooden slats.

[ccoyle]

Great choice for a new project!

[yvesvidal]

2 hours ago, Valeriy V said:

I like the two semi-hulls assembly system, promoted by Billing Boats. So much easier and faster to plank and get a very nice, straight and sturdy hull.

 

Yves

[Mirabell61]

interesting build methode Valeriy,

nice clean work

 

Nils