April 2026 -
Type 31 Frigate
HMS VENTURER
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Type 31 Inspiration Class Frigate, HMS VENTURER
Royal Navy, 2027
3d Print, 1/700
The Type 31 Frigate programme is one of 2 new Frigate classes currently in build for the Royal Navy (the other being the Type 26).
As a lower cost General Purpose Patrol Frigate, the Type 31 will work alongside the
much more sophisticated ASW-
Originating in the 2017 UK National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Type 31 Project was intended to reinvigorate the UK shipbuilding industry and commenced with a competitive down selection process amongst 3 bidders, Babcock/BMT/Thales, BAE Systems/Cammel Laird and Atlas/TKMS. A very ambitious target overall fixed price limit and timescale for the five proposed Frigates was set, with a promise from the UK MOD that the ships would be built as contracted without further customer changes during the build period (since these are the normal reason for price increases and build delays).
The competition was won by Babcock's Arrowhead 140 design, based closely on the Iver
Huitfeld class Frigates already in service with the Royal Danish Navy. This modular
ship design is capable of accepting a wide range of different weapons systems, allowing
the Danish anti-
The ships are currently in build at Rosyth dockyard in Scotland, with the first and second already launched and fitting out, with the 3rd progressing quickly in Babcock's custom built Frigate Build Shed. Overseas builds of the Arrowhead 140 are also commencing in Poland and Indonesia, with future export prospects for Sweden, New Zealand, Australia and ironically for Denmark (to replace the Iver Huitfelds).
Building a Type 31
This is a new modelling venture for me, printing my own 3d resin models. I thought
I would start with something personally familiar, the Type 31 Frigate. Back in 2019/20
I worked on the winning Babcock/Thales bid for this project and although I am now
retired, the ships that are being built near to the place I grew up and where I spent
a good part of my working life remain close to my heart!
The underlying 3d files were purchased from the Cults 3D website, with the ship STL file authored by a user called Akimov. They are intended for very small models so have minimal detail, but the shape seems fairly accurate to me. I am particularly pleased with how my tiny 1/700 scale Wildcat helicopter turned out!
I scaled the main files up, initially to 1/1200 scale, but eventually (after a few print failures) splitting the model in two and scaling 1/700. Missing and incorrect details were added or modified using plastic strip and sprue. The most significant of these was the missing after mast (a strange thing to leave out!).
Unlike the 3D filament printed submarine that I built last year, the 3D resin turned out to be a far more workable material (noting that some specific safety measures are needed for any resin material).
This was a pleasing introduction to 3d modelling and combining the scratch building with the print turned out to be a very satisfying approach for me. Painting at this scale still challenges me though and I intend to build a few more ship models in the same way.
Longer term I also plan to print out some detailing accessories such as crew ladders, rotary engines and ejection seats for some of my other modelling projects.
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Text & Images © www.gengriz.co.uk (unless otherwise indicated)
Below: The Arrowhead 140 design is based on the Royal Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeld air defence Frigates.
This is the lead ship of the class, sitting alongside in Korsor Naval Base in Denmark.
Below: The first RN Type 31, HMS VENTURER is rolled out of the construction shed at Rosyth Dockyard.
From here she was taken on a barge down to Leith Docks, where she was carefully floated off, before returning to Rosyth to continue the build in a dry dock. At this stage she has not yet been fitted with her masts, but these were craned on very shortly afterwards.
