I’ve had another idea for a 1/2400th scale conversion using the Tumbling Dice USS Dictator model as a basis for the smaller USS Passaic class monitors, as additional ironclads for my North Atlantic squadron. The Passaic class monitors served for many years after the civil war, so could be used alongside my existing ships, albeit in a coastal rather than ocean going role. They are also very similar to the monitors used by the Russian and Swedish navies in the Baltic.

The idea is to do a cut and shut on the Dictator model, removing the centre section of the hull aft of the turret, filing away part of the remaining superstructure to reposition the turret in the hull centre, gluing the two halves together, then removing and repositioning the funnel and modifying the base to fit the reduced length of the hull. As I plan to add a couple more of the USS Monadnock monitors to the squadron, I will have two spare USS Dictator models to convert, rather than just sticking them in the spares box.

It’s worth a try at least?