RFA Fort Victoria - Model for small scale printing 3D print model

The Fort Victoria class is a class of replenishment oilers, designed and built by the Royal Navy in the late 1980s/ early 1990s. Two units have been built in total, the Fort Victory and the Fort George. Due to bugdet constraints only one unit of the class is still active, Fort George has been sent to Turkish breakers for dismantling. The class was designed to supply entire task forces with fuel, spare parts and other supplies, as well as ammunition. Originally six units were planned, however only two were built in the end as the cold war died down and the need for large fleets was reduced.

Fort Victoria was laid down in 1986 and launched in 1990. Not much later, two bombs were planted onboard by the IRA, trying to sink her. One bomb went off and not only destroyed one engine, but also ripped open the hull. The still new vessel developed a severe 45° list and was in risk of sinking in the dockyard. By luck the second bomb didnt explode and the crew was able to recover the ship. The search for the second bomb stalled further progress on completing the ship and the ship was finally ready in 1993, two years later than anticipated. In 1998 she underwent a small refit, fitting two Mk15 Phalanx CIWS. Since the ship isnt designed for front line combat, the other weapon systems are all defensive only and comprise only of small calibre miniguns and autocannons. A larger scale overhaul was completed in 2014, allowing the ship to operate up until the 2030s. Yet anoter refit was done in 2018 to allow the new Queen-Elizabeth class of aircraft carriers be serviced as well. As another refit in 2022 repaired her engines and showed several significant problems, it was chosen to operate her witha skeletton crew, trying to work out the problems. As of June 2023, she is still inactive, though able to be called into active support at a moments notice. The replacement of Fort Victoria is worked on with priority, scheduled for 2028 by the hands of the Fleet Solid Support Ship program.

Note: This model is recommended to be used in the 1/2000 scale. The models itself isnt scaled, the scale table is down below.

1/4000: 5,75cm or 2.26in

1/3000: 6,76cm or 2.66in

1/2000: 10,15cm or 3.99in

1/1000: 20,3cm or 7.99in

For self calculation: The RFA Fort Victoria is roughly 203m or 667ft long.

The model is intended to be used with little supports as possible, yet some are recommended below the cranes and the lifeboats. Be carefull when removing the support structures, as the masts and especially the lines are quite fragile. I wouldnt put additional supports within the masts themselves, since they are nearly impossible to remove. I recommend using a resin printer for this. Up and Downsclaling might be possible, yet I dont know to what extend.

If you face issues with the model, have questions or want to propose some changes, please reach out to me, I am always happy to help. I am also open for suggetions for new ships which I havent done yet, as I am looking to expand my catalogue of ships.