Rob 1

This is progressing well, starting to get more interesting as work progresses .

This is an excellent build all round, but those figures really set it off - makes it look big like a real ship as the detail of the figures give it all a really good scale effect. You've set a high standard of detail here, cap badges and all, but also thoughtfully positioned the crew in small groups where you might expect them to be. Well done.

Many thanks Gentlemen. The hanger deck was just sprayed and a darker shade sprayed in the middle of each plate, but didn't spend too long on it as I knew they won't be very visible. I decided to replace the deck decals with sprayed on markings using masks made from card and the air pressure turned down low. This gave good results as it seamlessly retains the deck texture. The masks took about 10 minutes to make (using the kit decals as a template). I agree about adding tyre marks, I'll subtly add a load in the landing area, which will be easy to do with a Tamiya Weathering Master set and a simple mask (something as simple as a couple of small 'Post It' notes stuck on the deck about 1/2mm apart would probably work fine, I've used this method to pick out random individual plank shades on wooden decks before).

Progress so far (hope these photos show up). Above is the interior, done to a basic level but probably mostly pointless as not much will be visible. Below is progress up to today. The light is playing tricks with the top of the elevators, which are the same colour and shade really - I'll move away from the window for future photos. Also having the usual thing with photos - little errors that are not noticed on the model show up like a sore thumb on the photos (need to correct that elevator edge netting). Anyway, I'm fairly pleased with the painting, particularly the lightly worn effect on the flight deck. Next jobs are the searchlights, the 40s and 20s, the boat, and the arrestor wires and rigging.

That is looking very good, a nice set of Soviet equipment on a well presented display.

I've seen various videos showing the use of charged static grass dispensers which give amazing results - does anyone know where they can be purchased from?

The painting's gone well, I'll try to get a new photo hosting site at the weekend and post some progress images. One recommendation: the two deck numbers and white lines come as decals, but I've made some masks and sprayed them on, which looks so much better as they are less stark and none of the deck texture is lost. They are fairly simple shapes so the masks took only a few minutes to cut out (carefully) in thin card, and spray on.

There are differing methods for photo etch railing and rigging. In my experience, the trick to doing this the easy way is getting the right glue. I've got white PVA which makes it very easy for all photo etch and rigging. It's important to pre-prepare the railing piece to the exact correct bent shape. Then white PVA can be applied with a fine brush and is so easy to brush along the edge of the railing and it grabs on placing on the model, the glue can be thinned with water and thinly painted along the joint of the newly fitted railing to fill and reinforce, and the brush cleaned with water. It is surprisingly strong when set, not at all fragile. I use Uni Caenis 20 denier line for rigging, excellent line which is fine, even and strong, and to finish it tightens nicely with a heated item held close.

Very nice model, and I agree about what a shame this smart looking heavy cruiser was just wasted.

HMS Exeter and York; quite nice to see new 1:350 British cruisers, although perhaps a little unusual choice of subject, considering County class would provide a much greater scope for different ships. However, still awaiting any sign of their previously announced 1:350 Baltimore class heavy cruisers.

That's good detailed modelling, and is making interesting viewing.

Decals on foil is fairly easy to make up and surprisingly effective. I tried it on my last ship build and had good results (similar to your rather excellent White Ensign in the photo above).

That's a good all round build, looks great.

Progress is slow but steady, have painted all the inside and got the main flight deck fixed yesterday, including filling the joints (which went surprisingly well) - its starting to look more like an Essex class carrier now. Almost ready for the full paint job now so it should progress fairly quickly with the next stage. I have some photos but since Photobucket crashed out, and my replacement image hosting site has also suddenly stopped working, I'll need to do a bit of homework to find yet another one and get signed up.

That is very impressive indeed, with an excellent level of detailing and finishing. I can tell that has taken a huge amount of work, which has resulted in an excellent 'Enterprise'.

Completely out of the blue, I was in Furness General Hospital today (to measure up for replacement elevator equipment) and walking through came across this beauty - I stopped and my mouth fell open on seeing it, the guy showing me round must have thought I'd seen a ghost or something - but the model in its display case is totally awesome. I tried to get a few photos, although difficult with its reflective glass case. There was another similar sized model of a large old merchant vessel near one of the hospital entrances.

Started building these up this week. Very finely detailed - a little challenging, but just a matter of persevering to get all eight sets built up.

Excellent finishing all round - great job.

I'll be watching with interest - might be a nice little kit to have a go at myself some time.

Many thanks Gents. The build is all primed up now, and the first parts of deck colour (20-B) have been applied. Paints will all be with Life Color. The painting should progress quickly; the priority now is getting the internal hanger painted up, then the deck can be permanently fixed down and the joint filled and smoothed.

Wow, exceptional work; looks great as a pair, but each individual ship looks really well finished too.

That is exceptional work, really beautifully finished (ship and sea). Very well done.

Ooh, that is very nicely detailed and finished, you've done the old girl proud.

After ongoing delays due to non-modelling commitments ( ), have managed to make a bit more progress. The bulk of the detail parts are on now, so the assembly is now up to the main hull and deck assemblies, still to be joined after the first stage of painting. Note that 40mm and 20mm armaments, small directors and searchlights to be added later. Painting is due to start imminently (at last ).

That is looking very good now, I like these unique lookingJapanesedestroyers.