| The model of ARUNTA was commenced in May 1995. I had originally planned on constructing my own
plank on frame hull as I had done with ADELAIDE and BRISBANE, but when Allan Pew of APS Models came
forward with his new “ANZAC” Class hull, it was decided to give this one a try.
I chose to build ARUNTA as a model of the ANZAC was already being built. The model commenced as
usual, with shafts, rudder, motors and other systems being fitted into the empty hull. The deck of ply
was fitted and fibre-glassed into place. Because of the structure of the “ANZAC” Class design, the
internal access was to be quite different. Most of the superstructure was attached to the hull with
only the forward upper part, behind the bridge and a hatch on top of the hanger able to be removed. The
superstructure, masts and fittings were made from styrene and the model was ready to run by the
following May.
In April 1997, TENIX Defence Systems in Melbourne contacted me in regards to me attending the
launch of the real ARUNTA in June. They wondered if I might like to bring the model with me to put it
on display at the launch. I readily agreed and drove down with the model. She was a huge hit with the
TENIX Staff as well as invited guests and I was asked what it might be worth to build a copy of ARUNTA
for them to display.
This is where DEFENCE MODELS AND GRAPHICS was born. TENIX felt it inappropriate to deal with an
individual and I had always wanted to start my own business to set myself up for when I decided it was
time to leave the RAN. The following year, TENIX received their first DMG built model of HMAS ANZAC,
FFH-150.
Unfortunately, along with BRISBANE, she was badly damaged in an accident early in 2001. She
survived somewhat better than BRISBANE, but will require a lot of work to repair the damage. She has since been sold and
transformed into HMAS PARRAMATTA. |
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