The Flower-class corvette, HMS Milfoil was acquired by the US Navy and modified to meet the needs of Atlantic convoy escort as a Gunboat in World War II. USS Intensity's crew were US Coast Guardsmen. I have never met Clyde. I did happen upon his son-in-law Doug and daughter Anne during my daily work activities and struck up a conversation about ships, the Coast Guard and Vet's. Mr. Connell was PG-93's Quartermaster.
This is NOT a TLAR kit. This is a conversion of a White Ensign 1/700 HMS Bluebell for presentation to honor those that sacrifice to provide the liberty and freedom we all enjoy.
A lesser Man might have changed the armament, slapped on "PG93" decals, put her on a ocean base and presented it. "Not I" says the Rhino. Besides, a Canadian-built vessel, crewed by the US Coast Guard in US Navy service? How could I refuse?
First, DISASSEMBLE! Something I almost never get to do! HMS Bluebell's ventilators, 4.7 turret, 2-pounder and 20mms have GOT to go!
USS Intensity carried 3' .54 caliber (Skywave) guns fore and aft and 20 or 40mm cannons in tubs midships. Her bridge and forward gun platform was 6 feet taller and her hedgehog launcher was elevated as well. I put a blast shield on the hedgehog launcher. 3' cannon ready ammo boxes are located out of harm's way
Midships gun tubs were likely populated by 20mm (White Ensign) Oerlikon guns. 40's would cause an already very "lively" ship to be less stable in the big seas Atlantic open-ocean escorts encountered. 40mm guns would be COOL!!
The differences between the Canadian Corvette and US Navy Gunboat become more visible. The vintage White Ensign Flower class Corvette kit came with 2 vessels in the box and metal parts. The metal inclined smoke stack just would not do. None of these parts are for molding. You may find some of them a little less than perfect.
There's a stubborn divot in the back of the bridge that is giving me fits. I'll get 'er!
It's almost time to stick tiny PEE bits to Intensity. Skylights, hatches, hose reels, windscreen for the British style flying bridge. I plan to add an absolutely inaccurate ships wheel and Anne's 1/700 dad at the helm to the bridge.
Anne asked me how much such a model might cost and guessed $200.00.
Clearly our new friend doesn't understand what Sea N' Sky does for veterans or why. At what price Honor, I ask you? No Veteran has ever been asked for $$. EVER.
I find it sad that honor and generosity are such strangers in our great Nation these days. Perhaps I am not the businessman I imagine myself to be.
Thanks for enduring yet another teensie model ship project!
Nah. The 3' .50 caliber guns will do just fine. 
soldieron
