A FINELY DETAILED 1:192 SCALE WATERLINE MODEL FOR THE DIDO-CLASS CRUISER H.M.S. ARGONAUT AS FITTED IN 1941

modelled by John R. Haynes, with carved and painted hull with lined decks and painted fore deck complete with anchors, studded chains and winches, main and secondary armament, deck rails, detailed superstructure, bridge and open bridge with binnacle, two compasses with voice pipes, comms mast with aerials, mast with fire director, raked funnels with cowls, search lights, fitted boats with cross boards and oars in davits, torpedo tubes in turn tables, carly floats and much other fine detailing, depicted under way in a painted green sea and contained within glazed wooden case with legend -- 10½ x 38 x 7¾in. (27 x 96.5 x 19.5cm.)

One of 11 'Dido' Class anti-aircraft cruisers, Argonaut was built by Cammell Laird, displaced 5500 tons and was armed with ten 5¼in. semi-automatic guns on power-loaded mountings allowing 70º elevation with 3in. side armour over the machinery spaces. She saw service in Operation Torch in November 1942 and was then based in Gibraltar to defend against possible attack or landings from Italian or Vichy French forces before attachment to Force Q with the mission of disrupting German-Italian convoys on the Tunisian coast. On 1st December, Argonaut and the other ships in Force Q took part in the Battle of Skerki Bank, attacking and largely destroying an Italian convoy. While the Axis forces lost four troop ships and a destroyer, the Allies emerged intact. A year later she was nearly sunk when two (of a spread of four) torpedoes almost detached her bow and stern sections - the Germans believed she must have foundered, but she limped to Algiers for repairs, followed by a seven month reconstruction in a U.S. yard later and was in time to take part in the D-Day bombardment supporting the Allied landings in Southern France. She finished her War sweeping the Aegean Sea, sinking a number of small Axis craft before joining the Pacific Fleet. Laid up in 1946, she was not recommissioned and was broken in 1955.

Condition Report

Fine overall condition.

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.