Rob 1

Wow, that is really well finished, those close up photos look fabulous!

Nice work, particularly well finished.

Nice job, particularly on the refined scale of 1:700.

Thanks all for your comments. Well, may have a little dabble - purely for the fun of taking part of course

Lovely work - and lavishly detailed.

She's coming along well, we'll keep watching with interest

That is incredible modelling. Very fine building on such a small scale, and a great choice of subject, not often seen.

That's a fine looking model, very tidy work, and makes a great classic looking historic ship.

Just catching up - she is looking really good, very impressive work. Nice to see a known subject but one that is not commonly available, which needs all the extra work (including reearch) doing, well done.

Thanks again all. You're probably right that the base could do with a bit of attention, it was a bit of an afterthought after finishing the ship. However I'm nearly set to start the next project - the kit and photo-etch arrived from Hannants a couple of days ago with a few more accessories on the way.

Sounds like you got the same tour 'spiel' as I did Mind you, it does highlight the enourmous range of even these light cruiser weapons. I remember during the Falklands campaign in 1982, they had all those frigates popping off their little 4.5" guns in the shore bombardment role, I was wondering at the time how feasible it would have been then to tow 'Belfast' down there and make use of the battery of 6" weapons, assuming there's any ammunition still available, (did the Indian Navy still have their 6" gun cruiser in service at that time? perhaps we could have purchased some of theirs)

I recall on a tour that one of the guides claimed the 6" guns are maintained in some sort of state of usability. As for the ship, there's clearly no engines available but she could be towed by tugs (if ever required for shore bombardment) and generator units could possibly be placed on the decks, but the main wiring may not be fully serviceable. Some of the U.S. museum ships are kept in some level of maintenance, including the guns; even preserved destroyers.

You have actually done a good job of what was clearly not an easy kit, well done. The finish and weathering are very good and set it off as a really attractive and characterful model.

That is beautifuly finished, very well done.

Just read through the whole thread, and finding this is a great build, but the highlight above most others is the outstanding decorative paintwork, very well done!

Thanks for all the kind comments everyone. She will probably get out and about to a few shows later on this year/next year so you may see her around.

I've not been too impressed with MZ for quite some time. With the general poor behaviour of some staff, combined with the ever watering down of stock and any sign of specialism offered, also perhaps over stretching themselves in the number of stores, its no wonder they're in trouble in my opinion. I transferred my regular custom to Hobbycraft stores a while ago, which offer a decent range of accesories and a limited selection of kits, in a proper profesional shop environment. I can get regular supplies there, and combine this with fulfilling my specialist kit requirements via a trip to specialist independent model shops if possible, traders at shows, or the internet (strictly in that order of preference).

If I remember rightly, I got them from White Ensign Models (along with a few other bits and pieces), they are normally pretty good at sending orders out quickly. As mentioned though, they are a bit small for the Walrus, but they look fairly reasonable.

I've not been on here for a few days so great to see such good progress. She's coming along really well, I'll keep watching with interest

I used LifeColor acrylic paints, which are easy to use - both airbrushing and paint brushing, and they do a good range of naval colours. I got both their US Navy box sets previously when doing the USS Missouri, and found them good to use then, and found they do a decent match for R.N. colours 507A, B and C. I'm thinking about the next one, certainly Belfast is a contender, but have a Black Swan to do, and recently got hold of USS Essex (CV9), but may go with one I've been wanting to do for some time which is the Trumpeter kit of USS San Fransisco (CA38). Ooh, decisions decisions ... I will probably try some of those new North Star 1:350 crew, they look really good, and would have a good time doing them up. For this Warspite, I used the old favourate L'Arsenal little resin figures, with various officers, CPOs, POs, ratings in tropical no.7s and no.10s, and various working clothing, many informal as seen on many photos and reported in what I've read, also a few Marines. I did them after finishing the ship (as a kind of reward), and got them together for a team photo the night before 'boarding' for the first time ...

I remember visiting the Sovremenny class cruiser Gremyashiy when she visited Liverpool a few years ago, she certainly was a mighty impressive (and proper) looking warship. Your model has captured the look well, and is nicely finished.

L'Arsenal do this 1:350 set. I bought a set and can vouch for their quality, although the type B is a bit on the small side for a Supermarine Walrus.

Thanks very much chaps. Seems like such a long time ago when I opened the box for the first time, but got there in the end. Now then, which one to do next ...

Nicely finished - and you must be proud if she's going to be displayed in the ward room, how cool is that!

That's an interesting subject (so much armament on a little Fletcher hull), and is very nicely built and finished.