Description

HMAS Castlemaine - Bathurst class corvette kit. Contains resin hull and structure, 3D printed detail parts, decals, photoetch, brass elements and instructions for building the model. The Bathurst class was comprised of sixty ships designed and built in Australia between 1940 and 1942. Originally classified as minesweepers, these little ships saw their role extended to anti-submarine warfare and escort duties during the Pacific War. Of the total built, thirty six were paid by Australia, the rest by United Kingdom and all manned by Royal Australian Navy personnel. Three were lost during the war, HMAS Armidale by Japanese air attack in December 1942, HMAS Geelong and HMAS Wallaroo to collision with merchant ships. After the war ended, the Royal Navy paid ships were sold to foreign navies, while the Australian ones remained in service until the late 50’s, though in dwindling numbers. Two Bathurst corvettes still exist today as museum ships in Australia: HMAS Castlemaine J 244 and HMAS Whyalla J 153.