Gisbod

Ah ok - thanks - I'll experiment with that - is there a technique for bending the railings to shape? G

Hello all, First ship build for me for 40 years! I built an Airfix Bismark when I was 7 - so I'll be drawing on my vast experience of that build for this model.. in other words - I'll need help along the way... I wanted a relatively simple, good quality kit to kick off with to see how I go, and after lots of helpful advice I settled on the Dragon Z-39 - small, but still 1/350 so I can at least see some of the detail. The kit is beautiful... Photo etch from Eduard.. This ship has a small wooden deck for the bridge which will be from Artwox (in the post I hope). I'm still finishing off a 1/32 Mustang, so this will take a bit of time to kick start, but I couldn't resist have a little go It comes as a waterline model - so the first job is hiding the join to the lower hull - I'm quite pleased how this turned out as seams generally are my Achilles heel Then a light coat of primer (Mr Surfacer 1500 black 60/40 mix with Tamiya Lacquer Thinners) My intention is to paint the deck and hull separately before joining to get a crisp paint line between the two - hoping not to smother it in glue in the process My main worry on this build will be gluing the photo etch railings - having not done it before - I'm not looking forward to it - I have bought some Gator Grip Acrylic Hobby Glue which, I've read, is good for this - as CA gets messy for me, but I am worried about its initial 'grip'. Anyone else use this? I presume you complete the build, paint the railings, then glue? Any comments, advice and general tips along the way will be welcome.. Thanks Guy

Plodding along - finally got to the stage of getting the primer coat on for the Alclad finish. I've used Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 Black mixed with a 60/40 ratio of Tamiya Lacquer Thinners - first time I've tried it and so far so good This will be polished as best I can once fully cured with a 12000 grit polishing cloth. Guy

Thanks Jockster, Yes, I have seen Arkady's - beautiful model - I've looked at his 2013 builds and just can't understand how he makes so many models to such a high standard WEM were very friendly and helpful, just surprised they don't show the stock levels - you can go on their site now and happily order one - it's just that you won't get it! I've just got the Eduard PE in the post and it looks amazing! Really pleased.. I'll start the build thread shortly - I've got lots of questions.. Guy

Billy - When I spoke to WEM they had no time frame - the back order was already at 2 months! I've managed to order one from a model shop in Germany - about £3 extra, but seems no point waiting on WEM... Al - Oh I see what you mean Guy

Thanks.. Sorry, last question - is that the same as Mr Hobby? And are they the enamel or Acrylic? Guy

I have to take my hat off to you for that.. That airbrush finish isn't easy.. Very impressive.. Guy Ps what paints are you using?

Really nice, My Dad was a photographer on HMS Eagle in the fifties - I've got a case of some cracking photo's of Seahawks, Avengers etc. I do occasionally wonder whether they'd be of interest to anyone as I think they must be unique and not previously published. I've always fancied doing a Seahawk - but I'm not a fan of the Trumpeter kits - but yours looks brilliant Guy

Yep, The Artwox decks are wood..

Yes, But after a week they emailed to say they're not in stock and not expecting them any time soon..

Can't find any Artwox decks anywhere online.. I don't suppose someone's got one spare - I'd pay the full price.. Guy

Bit more to show.. It's quite a complex model - the design and engineering are really very impressive Although at times I can't help feel it's a little over engineered. I was going to open up one of the gun ports - all painted up, but in the end I wasn't completely happy with it - not for any real reason - it just didn't end up how I wanted it to look - so all covered up now. Although the cover for this fits well - I still couldn't get them to sit perfectly flush - I'm always conscious on an Alclad finish how any teeny imperfection comes back to haunt you at the end... Nice to get the wings on at least - it really feels quite a chunky model having just made the 1/72 version! I've drilled out the wing guns - I'll put some brass tubing in at the end to replicate this rather than the moulded on kit ones. Just a teeny bit of piping in the bay - I can't get too excited about bits I can't see! Although I may end up adding a little more once the central support is in place. Dying to get a coat of primer on now - but still quite a bit to do before I get to that stage.. Guy

Slight hitch - WEM took my order a week ago - just got an email to say not in stock - no idea when in again! It does frustrate me they can't show the stock level as you order - oh well.. I've just ordered the Eduard set on eBay instead... Still trying to source the Artwox deck... Guy

Great job Al, Very tempting.. Wonderland models have them on sale for £33. I'd love to have a bash... Guy

Nice job Erik I've always fancied the Lanc but been put off by its size! Black is definitely a challenge, but it think it looks great when it's done just right. Looking forward to seeing her done.. Rgds Guy

Thanks Had another decent modelling day today and I've pushed the build on a tad.. Basically finished the engine, allowing me to get the fuselage together. The fit on this kit is awesome, makes the build so much more enjoyable (for me at least..). Added a few generic pipes and leads, but other than that, as per the kit.. Thanks for looking Guy

Lovely Al, I'll be watching this one now I'm officially a ship modeller (well, I've opened the box at least ) Photo etch looks scary - what do you use to glue PE like the railings? Regular superglue? I'm worried how delicate that must be with such a small area of contact... Guy

Ps I got the Artbox wood decks too but I haven't decided if I'll use them yet - but I'd like to see them anyway to see what I think (the wood deck on this kit is only the small bridge) for future builds.. G

Thanks all for your help I bought the Dragon 1/350 Z-39 from my local model shop in the end for £40. The kit is fab! Really exceeded my expectations and I'll be doing a build log as I'll be hassling everyone for help along the way.. I've also ordered an Orange Hobby upgrade set from WEM - I went for that over the Eduard set as it has brass barrels too - hope that was the right choice? I didn't go for the Flyhawk as it seemed a little excessive for my first ship build. I need to finish up my Tamiya Mustang build first. I really ought to stop buying kits until I've finished the last - my focus tends to go to the new kit Thanks again Guy

Lovely 109! I need to work out how to tackle my engine finish so any pics of yours welcome! You won't be disappointed with the HGW set... Guy

Thanks Andrew Just wanted to highlight it's going to be a RCAF aircraft... Guy

Hi Mauricio, Yep, I love Alclad . although, it's lovely to spray - I always seem to have had some issue or other; primer, masking, decals, sealer etc - it's not a forgiving finish - but therein lies the challenge! My 1/72 Mustang was Alclad and I was pretty happy with the finish of that, so I'll probably replicate what I did there, but with some subtle weathering - although I'm not quite sure how to represent this yet Any progress on yours? Guy

Still looking on eBay - I fancy the Flyhawk detail sets they're pricey, but extensive! I can get the Z-39 one for £36 but the Dragon kit is around £40 or I have seen one for the Trumpeter Z-25? The Trumpy kit is £14!! But the the Flyhawk for that is £42.. Any views on Flyhawk or the Trumpy Z-25 in 1/350? Thanks again.. Guy

Ps - how do I amend the topic title? I can't seem to find an option for that? Thanks

Thanks for that, but, yes, I'm fixed on WW1-WW2 (are you BA too Phatness?) I can get the Z-38 on eBay for £26 but, annoyingly, I can't seem to source any photo etch for that kit, Eduard or otherwise.. I can get lots of options for the Z-31 or 39 but the kits seem to be quite a bit more expensive? I don't want to get generic railings because the decks slope - so want ones specific to the kit.. Guy