S-boat 55

Howdy doody as a relative of mine dsys, hope you find the forum useful

Thanks both for your input, I'm very close to hitting the button on a tool. I've been trying the metal rule idea and it generally works really well but found with a kit im doing at the moment that where some parts are long and thin and taper the rule is too thick by the end,

Thanks both, thats very kind, im quite eager to get her finished now...hopefully not long

To be fair mine got a bit mangold when my youngest decided to empty the draw I keep all my etch stuff in. As a result things that were perfectly straight weren't any more and so getting it to join was a pain, plus I had nothing to really hold it secure in while I fixed it so it was kind of my own making really, plus its the first kit with etch I've done so there's learning curve as well,

So the catapult, this was neither fun nor relaxing to put together, but its together I guess, and having tried to do it with a steel rule and blade I can see that there may be benefits to a etch bending tool akin the hold and folds, there's still a few bits to go on before I can fix the cat in place and it wants a bit of paint touch up, on the home stretch now though,

Krivens you're working at some pace on this one, Looks great by the way

Great outcome there,

Thanks Steve, very kind,

Looking good, I've not been brave to try rigging anything yet, that'll have to change with he current one, for a large model it seems to of gone together quite quickly so - slow down you're putting some of us to shame

So slow but continuing progress, lots of railing going on, decided to do it before some of the deck fittings, search lights etc go on just so its easier to get to both sides of the rail. Not sure what others use, but loctite has proven good so far, gorilla glue less so, seems to take longer to set which I guess has it uses. Aside that the main parts of the superstructure are now fixed to the deck which while not evident in photographs is a key milestone for the build. Lastly, much like the other day with HMS Hood, today marks 80yrs since Bismarck was sunk, in fact little more than 20 minutes ago as I write this (based on GMT+1). So again I thought why not bring her out and do a little on her, so hull together and deck laid in place for a quick couple of shots, she'll likely not see the light of day again for another year until I've worked through a couple of smaller things in the stash and learned more on how to work with PE. Thanks for looking Sam

I'm quite keen on the idea of an affordable Japanese carrier, Taiho could be the one,

Thanks for this, lots to listen too,

Decided as im not getting decent chunks of time to just do little bits here and there to keep this one moving forwards, first up was the anchor chains. There's something about adding them that I just like doing. Ive said it before and I'll say it again, close ups aren't kind! Also started adding little bits/fittings to the superstructure Still go to do the tricolour on the rear secondary turret, more masking tape is needed so have to wait for that to arrive. Not surprising she was happy to roll when she had a pagoda like this, i do love the verticality of it though, much of this is still dry fitted as it wants areas pin washed and still have to work out the best way to go about some basic rigging on her and how/what order to fix things in. To work out what to do next I figured put all i could together dry and see where I'm actually at with it, dare I say I'm further ahead than I thought, I used Windsor and newtons galleria matt to coat the hull, its less gloss now but still looking kinda satin to me but I like it as is, if anything the anti fouling looks shinnyish which I think it should and the hull to the deck more matt which again I think works. Also given yesterday was the 80th anniversary of HMS Hoods sinking and the fact that Hood and Dunkerque had operated together as allies hunting German raiders in 1939/40 and then as enemies later in the war at Mers El Kebir I thought it fitting to get Hood out of the stash and spend an hour on her, The size difference is certainly noticeable, although not as big as figures would make out. Dunkerque is often quoted as being 26,000t, in reality at war loading she was 35,000t ish, Hoods still the heavy weight at 46,000t of course and has by far the nicer lines, Any who more later hopefully, tonight is Bake off night which normally means kids willing I get 2 hours at the desk,

Well this is a bit better than first time, the photo isn't great and its not perfect, wants a little cleaning up but I'm happy with it,

The bridge is a work of art, its all looking very very precise, Out if curiosity are you brush painting or airbrush?

I'd vote both kits that aren't Dunkerque, that might just give me enough time to finish mine

Boats are addictive, I've 14 I think now of which...um......1 is finished lol, I'm sure you'll find one for the bottom shelf Which etch have you ordered

I shall follow with interest, she's in my list of 'add to the stash' although I really ought to finish something,

Okay thanks, for the info, ive not tried mr color, really ought to,

Very nice, out of curiosity which paints did you use? I've just picked this kit up myself and will probably tackle it after my current build

I've a pdf version of warship 24 kindly given to me if you'd like site of it drop me a message with your email address,

Hi all, I know this should really sit under the tools discussion post but I got little traction there last time I tried, Simple question, what sized bender is best for 1/350 scale ships, I've been looking at dspiae small and medium benders which seem equivalent to the small shops 5.5inch 5 speed and the 'bug', every time I come to order one i second guess endlessly about what size will actually be best and most useful. The smaller ones are cheaper of course and appeal as smaller but have less 'teeth' and curves to them which i guess is the trade off, Thanks

I use Daler Rowner Aqua Fine range, reasonably priced all things considered, can often get packs of four for a tenner (uk) or individually they range from £4 upwards really, have also heard good things re the windsor newton range but never tried them,

Coming together a beaut, I do like the way they've given a whole assembly for the turret including the bit that what goes under it (technical terminology that)

Your motoring through by the looks of it, coming together nicely imo, out of curiosity do you paint by hand or airbrush?