Tegethoff

Some more small progress: This stand took far too long to make as it has to be positioned correctly with three new legs to touch the base of one of the funnels, and all three stand supports are slightly smaller than their plastic equivalent! This is where it will go with a mast added since last time so I can start to make the PE star-bridge: Finally the tops of the funnels made from Resin and a plastic part that is being replaced. With that priming and painting can start alongside the hull, then put down the wooden deck on the hull and start the main super structure. Simple. Or possibly not.

I've thought about the Scharnhorst in 1940 but haven't seen many reviews. Trumpeter confirming this morning Montana due June: USS Montana BB-67 Item No.: 05372 Scale: 1:350 http://www.trumpeter-china.com/index.php?g=home&m=article&a=show&id=280&l=en

I for one, can't wait for Dragon and Trumpeter to both release the Nelson class doubtless in the same fortnight...

Squadron Hobbies is listing a Trumpeter USS Montana in 1/350. First I've seen or heard of it: https://squadron.com/1-350-trumpeter-uss-montana-bb-67-battleship-preorder/

Thanks Jeff. Cleaning an airbrush with Acrylics is OK, although some airbrushes are definitely easier to clean than others (depending on shape of the inflow-nozzle area). With lacquers it is more difficult and involves stronger chemicals. They give nicer effects but I am not sure if it is worth the trade off in difficulty and toxicity. I find keeping airbrushes with a sharp point really difficult I clean them thoroughly but they never seem to go back to the sharp point. I usually make sub assemblies - see the 13 or so layers in the Fuso Pagoda - but this model is another level of complexity on top. For example around the Fore Funnel in the central column below part 261 (Pontos) - a walkway - links to Kit Part E36 around the funnel, but apparently needing the funnel to be installed for the final time first. So painting after installation of the Funnel is required but if the funnel is painted on the base it is likely that I will miss parts. But part E36 doesn't stay upright by itself for painting alone! This is one of many many things I am trying to work out what to do!

Bit of an update on the Smoke stacks and rear structures. Aft funnel - all the bits which will be painted Kure Grey done - I need to add the "top" part which is resin from Pontos replacing the plastic part. But in a rare moment of clarity I worked out I could make the resin separately and paint it black, removing the need for heinous masking around the PE. Rear structure: Aft funnel and anti-aircraft deck. Finally a semi dry fitted rear structure (so much PE and plastic parts that pressing them in won't be done until later. There is another Platform to add and multiple aerial walkways between the platforms around the funnels. I think I will try and bend/paint those on sprue and attach after everything has been pushed in finally. That is the plan, as it is too chicken and egg otherwise and I don't think my airbrushing skills will make reaching "dead" zones possible without painting prior to final assembly. Elsewhere the Hull has had rudders, propellor shafts etc added. Currently primed and awaiting first paint of what colour I shall choose. Either Tamiya Hull Red, or Mr Hobby H17. The biggest problem I am facing is the order of "assembly-paint in one go" or "paint-small assembly-paint-small assembly" ad infinitum...

Incredible work and colour scheme. I confess I had read the WIP thread and on multiple occasions thought "it must be finished now" only to see more detail being expertly added! Great to see it finished to such a high standard.

a full kit, or an upgrade kit??

There is now a Vittorio Veneto version apparently available on some American owned online auction sites. Will probably order it for when Kongo is done (so next decade maybe): Shipyard 1/350 S350010 Upgrade Parts for Trumpeter Italian Vittorio Veneto

Thanks Jeff, I think any cleanliness which existed in 1940 was probably long out of the window by 1944... But I like my models to look clean so will cheat a bit. The Fuso wooden deck (Artworx?) has a more "rich" colour more like teak which is what I will probably aim for. Mahogany will be too dark. Thanks Zoran for the Sprue tip I will give it a go. I also thought about using some of the bendable ultra thin brass wire. Thom agreed - I really enjoy comparing the shapes of different classes. The Hood isn't a great model but is a great demonstrator! Slight aside and for those building it later - I haven't seen many build threads but found this. This person on reddit has some interesting photos of the same kit and model finished: As well as a series of photos of it under construction: https://imgur.com/a/ZwYkJ0f

Thanks - I'm finding problems with the CA glue being a bit "blotchy" usually I use loctite CA but this seems too thick at the moment. I usually use a pin in a wine cork but I think I need a new needle as that is also blunter after much exposure to fire and CA. Compared with the Fuso build which had "Fujimi (but actually Mk1)" PE I think Pontos is more malleable. I've found doing curves a lot easier and the scribing(?) of the sheets means the bends are cleaner. I've also found using a long nose pair of pliers for bigger bits has made life easier (photo from google):

Built the Hull. It fitted like a dream. I used super glue just to "close" the last .1mm gap while I applied hand pressure. One frustrating thing is compared to the Fuso, the tabs connecting the hull halfs to the sprue aren't hidden. So quite a bit of sanding to a slight angle to make the deck flush -it isn't a 90 degree join - is needed. Here the assembled hull is vs Hood For once thinking ahead, I'm not particularly keen on the very pale wood of the Pontos deck so have been trying some stains: Left Tamiya black panel liner (orange from an Abteilung 502 mix of rust and ocher in lacquer thinner) centre is normal Pontos deck and right is actually three stains: middle Abteilung 502 ocher, bottom ocher and rust, top ocher and more rust. it looked horrid when applied but seems to have dried and doesn't look as terrible as I thought. I think I'm likely to just do the whole deck with one mix (panels always look too large on 1/350), but may play around more. Currently working on how to put all the PE on the funnels half way through one funnel and my patience ran out. Will try again tomorrow:

Wow stunning modelling and weathering. Welcome!

Trumpeter continue their releases of French ships, this due in May: http://www.trumpeter-china.com/index.php?g=home&m=article&a=show&id=278&l=en French Navy Helicopter Cruiser Jeanne d’Arc 2008 Item No.: 05635 Scale: 1:350

More from the world of photo etch. this was very well engineered it is 3 pieces of PE with two "floors" added on the wings. the base has cut outs to fit into the circles of the edge photo etch shown above. then when mounted it meets - perfectly the door of the box. also note the stairs between the levels above (and two stairs down from the plastic to the brass) and finally the stairs from the walkway down to the upper deck (and a side on look at the intra-deck stairs). These are shown but not labelled in the Pontos instruction sheet but are - I hope - part 241 x2. they fit anyway... Funnels will be next