HMS Lance 1941 1: 700 Flyhawk 1115

Plastic model kit: HMS Lance 1941 1:700 Flyhawk 1115

The HMS Lance 1941 model kit in 1:700 scale from Flyhawk is an excellent choice for enthusiasts of naval history and modeling. This detailed set allows you to recreate one of the L-class destroyers that served in the Royal Navy during World War II. HMS Lance had a short but intense service period, operating both in home waters and in the Mediterranean Sea.

Model details:

• Scale: 1:700
• Manufacturer: Flyhawk
• Catalog number: 1115

History of HMS Lance:

HMS Lance was ordered from Yarrow Shipbuilders in Glasgow on March 31, 1938, and construction began on March 1, 1939. The launch took place on November 28, 1940, and it entered service on May 13, 1941. The construction cost amounted to £440,204, excluding armament and communication equipment supplied by the Admiralty. After entering service, HMS Lance was assigned to the 4th Destroyer Flotilla.

Service in home waters:

After entering service, HMS Lance was stationed in Scapa Flow with other units of the Home Fleet. On May 22, 1941, it escorted the battleship King George V in the search for the German battleship Bismarck. Unfortunately, due to machinery problems, it had to return to Scapa Flow but soon rejoined the search. After the sinking of Bismarck, it escorted King George V back to Britain.

In June 1941, HMS Lance was assigned to Western Approaches Command and the 11th Escort Group, based in Greenock. During this time, it participated in escort operations, including escorting the aircraft carrier Furious to Gibraltar as part of the operation to deliver aircraft to Malta.

Operations in the Mediterranean Sea:

In August 1941, HMS Lance escorted convoys through the North-West Approaches, and by the end of the month, it returned to Gibraltar to escort convoys to the Mediterranean Sea. It participated in Operation Halberd, during which the convoys were subjected to heavy air and submarine attacks but ultimately reached Malta. After the success of this operation, HMS Lance returned to Gibraltar for maintenance.

In November 1941, HMS Lance joined Force K, tasked with intercepting enemy supply convoys heading to North Africa. On November 9, it participated in the Duisburg convoy battle, where all merchant ships and the Italian destroyer Fulmine were sunk.

Bombing and end of service:

In March 1942, HMS Lance underwent repairs at a shipyard in Malta. Unfortunately, on April 5, it was severely damaged during a bombing raid, and on April 9, it sustained further damage from an attack by German dive bombers Junkers Ju 87. After these events, it was deemed uneconomical to repair and was placed on the list of units to be scrapped in 1944. Ultimately, it was sold for dismantling and transported to a scrapyard in Grays, Essex.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. For assembly, separately sold modeling tools are needed (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.