Rob-700

MicroMaster.co.nz

Hi Jeff, Thanks for the advice on the photos, I'll see what I can find. I should live long enough to post them all! In my younger days, 50-60 years ago, I built many of the Airfix 1/600 models, plus a few others . When we moved from Sydney a few years back I gave most, about 40, to a grandson. I kept Hood Bismarck and Ark Royal as well as Devonshire (a poor representation) and a few others.,

I have a 1/700 model of the upgraded Oberon from the same source to build. When I saw the lack of parts, I researched the masts fitted to RAN Oberons and will fit those to my model

The Micro Master 3D printed parts certainly are outstanding in their detail. For the funnel stays, rigging, etc., try paint brush bristles from cheap house paint brushes. In the cheap brushes the bristle vary in diameter and therefore provide a range of thicknesses. They adhere well to plastic with CA super glue.

I agree with your comments about PE in 1/700. I attempted (and am still attempting) to fit PE details to a Flyhawk Type VIIC U-Boat kit. Horrendous! Having said that I also find that in such a small scale, a lot of the details is lost to the naked eye. As an alternative to your PE gun mounts, have you investigated Micro Masters 3D printed parts. They do a great range of parts for RN and Commonwealth ships including in 1/700. I have used 8-inch County Class turrets, 4-inch HA DP single mounts, dual powered 20mm Oerlikon mounts, 0.5-inch Vickers quad machine guns and Type 285 multiple pom-pom radars. As for PE, some of the fine detail (and there is a lot!) on the Oerlikons, the Vickers and the radars is too fine to be seen when viewing the completed model. The advantage though is that the overall dimensions are accurate and therefore are often better looking on the finished model than the kit parts. Check out MicroMaster.co.nz for their range. Regards, Rob

Hi again. I have a fleet of 46 1/700 scale warships ranging from USS Lexington CV2 to a Type VIIC U-Boat. I may post a few of the better ones (when I work out how to do it!). I also still have a few 1/600 Aifix models built 50+ years ago, most I gave to one of our grandsons who has an interest in things military, especially WW2 in the Pacific. Rob

Thanks Jeff. I had intended to build Australia as she was at Leyte in October 1944 when hit by the Kamikaze, however as yet I have not been able to source or successfully kit-bash the 40mm single Bofors with which she was fitted. Because of this I have back-dated it for now to 1943 with 20mm Oerlikons until I can update it. It is not accurate for this period because the tripod masts were not fitted until early 1944 but I've left them on because I will eventually update it to October 1944 appearance. My interest in this period is because my late father-in-law was on Oerlikon gunner on board at the time of the Kamikaze attack and was Mentioned In Despatches for his actions. Best wishes, Rob

Don't you mean HMS Hermes? Don't you mean HMS Hermes?

In regards to rigging, I have done (and continue to do) some simplified rigging on some of my models. I found a hint some time ago, I can longer remember where, to use paint brush bristles - house paint brushes not artists type. They work well, are stiff but flexible therefore easy to handle in 1/700 scale, have different thicknesses in one brush and secure well with CA. I have also grouped a few together with CA to make fine lengths for sponson supports and other applications where some of the plastic items in a kit look too coarse.

I have only just found this site and your post about the superstructure between the 4-inch mounts on RN cruisers. I am in the process of building 1/700 models of RAN 8" cruisers HMASs Australia, Canberra and Shropshire. In researching Shropshire I found a film clip which includes the 4-inch mounts in action. It can clearly be seen that the area is enclosed and is the ready use locker for the mounts. Search for "Jacks Shropshire Video" on YouTube. It is a posting of an AWM film F01760.