Jump to content

Recommended Posts

I started this kit in 2014. It's actually the reason I was put in touch with White Ensign Models' liquidator - I had just bought the kit from WEM but was going to buy the paint later, then they announced they had ceased trading a week later!

I've never run any threads on this, just chipping away at it on and off in my own time. Due to WEM's demise I bought Flyhawk's detail-up set and their resin turrets to go with, but ended up needing a WEM set later when they were back in production. The deck is from Pontos Model and that was a liberation from Sovereign stock also. As we all know, I did get my paint in the end . I've learned a great deal more since I started this through close contact with a few select contacts I've made since starting Sovereign Hobbies, and mostly that translates to my current fine PE parts work being better than it was when I started this, with particular emphasis on gluing pieces in place. I've tried my best at this one and there are deficiencies (some glaring) in my execution, but I'm going to finish this one, move on, and try to get the next one better as is always my approach.

20141224_142101_zps6yc93v3p.jpg

20150207_111652_zpsdujc4obk.jpg

20150207_113254_zpsbhhzq3js.jpg

20150207_120534_zpstun3zliu.jpg

20150207_121200_zps1qrrvlee.jpg

20150507_201343_zpslplmkbri.jpg

20150508_163046_zpspxkpgbxg.jpg

20150508_163046_zpsyfqjxh8y.jpg

20150517_120231_zpsmm4bza0r.jpg

20150517_120255_zpsooezzabq.jpg

20150524_150127_zpskamkhqrq.jpg

20150524_181415_zpshuijbdri.jpg

20150526_213843_zpswd6y5c3t.jpg

20150526_213915_zps59fwwenj.jpg

20151019_174927_zpskncnpv1g.jpg

20151225_133300_zpskkpbog1a.jpg

20151225_140556_zpsj9hqxd2l.jpg

20151225_141644_zpspvediphw.jpg

20151225_141857_zpssukclhjr.jpg

20151225_145254_zps6rbhxdit.jpg

20151225_170546_zpskclw4ocb.jpg

20151226_091337_zpscnmjf1nr.jpg

20151226_093415_zpswixz6jwr.jpg

20151226_095347_zpsolqzpe3t.jpg

20151226_095424_zpsjs9rqdc8.jpg

20151226_100021_zpswz7tivno.jpg

20151227_144157_zpsonvz6mr7.jpg

20151227_170119_zps1eqqwt4v.jpg

20151227_170130_zps9skm6qsy.jpg

20151227_201644_zpsp0woypdz.jpg

20151228_095008_zpsggixdxjf.jpg

20151228_100453_zpsnqhwihxs.jpg

20151228_101407_zpsksycrjio.jpg

20151228_121657_zpsskslsznu.jpg

20151228_133002_zpsxv94phld.jpg

20151228_133039_zpsbizvstgm.jpg

20151228_164607_zpspvguxow7.jpg

20151228_185710_zpsbzumdnra.jpg

20151231_100440_zpsqc18sx6b.jpg

20151231_101835_zpsmixzuf7k.jpg

20151231_105544_zpsriprlm1k.jpg

20151231_125505_zpsstpbwnsx.jpg

20151231_133559_zpsga1ukoaq.jpg

20160522_203338_zps8yigwbpi.jpg

20160522_210836_zpsjy7hq7nh.jpg

20160522_210851_zpse4tmajuy.jpg

20160522_211056_zpsfxpcxja7.jpg

20160523_193923_zpsxsypyi4d.jpg

20161221_185751_zps2zsoqmv3.jpg

20170102_164057_zpsw6xo2dle.jpg

20170102_164113_zpscjpfwgx9.jpg

20170102_164149_zpsxtaido7u.jpg

20170102_164214_zpsih5yrvyh.jpg

20170103_214138_zpss8nugomi.jpg

20170307_192328_zpsqkdam24t.jpg

20170307_192351_zpsekaflmja.jpg

20170307_192404_zpsjk2yi46h.jpg

20170308_203237_zpsxkhpahtl.jpg

20170308_203246_zpsvizkpkiv.jpg

20170308_203323_zpsgvgs0vu8.jpg

20170308_203336_zps3pqisnrb.jpg

 

Overall, I think it's probably fair to say that I've done a lot of experimentation with different techniques on this one. Some I like and have formed part of my style, others I haven't done well with (but I've tried them).

  • Like 22
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Magnificent work Jamie, and you've definitely done the HMS Hood the full justice in which she deserves.

 

I really need to try and find some PE tutorials on you tube to learn this skill, the workmanship that you've shown is going to help spur me on.

 

First Rate model Sir!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, Chewitt said:

 Can only use word for this   "WOW"

 

Coming from you Chris, I think that's overstating it a bit, but I thank you for your kindness none the less :)

 

32 minutes ago, allyby said:

Magnificent work Jamie, and you've definitely done the HMS Hood the full justice in which she deserves.

 

I really need to try and find some PE tutorials on you tube to learn this skill, the workmanship that you've shown is going to help spur me on.

 

First Rate model Sir!

 

I've picked up a lot but there are bits I'm not happy with! I fairly mangled the crane on the mainmast and the funnel cap stays are wonky too. Bending and forming has come relatively naturally to me and it was assembling and gluing I struggled with. Somewhere amongst the above is the chopped sewing needle tool I tried which I made following a tip elsewhere using thin CA. I have to admit I didn't have much success with that other than in some special circumstances, and I have found an Acupuncture needle and medium CA easier to cope with. I use two straight scalpel blades (for cutting and folding), one small diameter round object & piece of kitchen towel (for rolling curves), a sanding stick (to smooth off burrs where cut from the fret), a pair of conventional tweezers and a pair of needle tweezers for everything PE related. I'm aware that there are special PE tools around but I seem to manage fine with the above.

 

3 minutes ago, Francis Macnaughton said:

Also much impressed and interested to see how you take things forward. 

 

What was the source of the 3D view of the Air Defence Platform?  I am keen to find out whether the UP mountings on Hood had dedicated control sights.

 

The book is the Kagero publications book on HMS Hood - https://www.abebooks.co.uk/Battlecruiser-HMS-Hood-Super-Drawings-3D/14068327864/bd

It's not perfect, but better than nothing. There's a huge amount of information on the HMS Hood Association website http://www.hmshood.com/, and Frank Allen from there contributes in detail to at least one ship modelling forum.

 

 

Thanks to each of you for your encouragement. I'd like to get this one finished some time soon! It's dragged on long enough now ... :)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great work so far James I think I, am in the same kind of build process as yourself learning as I go from others on this site and another

I started the King George V a while back but have since been doing smaller builds in 1/350 scale to try and build up my skill and techniques

This will hopefully let me get back to KGV soon so I can do that to a level I will be happy with then I can get started on some of the others I have ready to go in the stash  :whistle:

keep at it slow and steady it looks like a winner to me so far  :yes:

 

Beefy

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Snap Beefy - my KGV stalled a bit when I checked some reference material and realised I needed Carley floats. I could have built around that issue whilst the Carley floats were posted but I picked up Hood instead. There's nowt wrong with what's been done so far on KGV, and it'll get finished at some point. I want to be able to call Hood done though. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, TallBlondJohn said:

Good build and particulary nice paint job on the hull - is that pastel weathering?

I have this in the stash, must buy turrets for it some day.

 

 

 

It is indeed pastels. It's fairly idiot proof, which is a good thing for me :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most unusually, I spent all day on this with some extra PE folding/assembling labour from Gill (my wife / VP webstore, packing and posting).

Despite that, not much seems to have changed. There are far fewer holes in the decks left, but it looks pretty much as before.

20170311_172102_zpsjymdqnuf.jpg

I spent a while rusting the anchor chains before fitting them. Not convinced it was worth all the time but it's done anyway

20170311_172041_zpsnckgkwjo.jpg

20170311_171945_zpscmtl7jwx.jpg

  • Like 11
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Jamie re Kagero publications for info

 

A general question about Colourcoats if I may - what matt varnish (preferably spray can) would you say works best?  I made the mistake of using the Humbrol 49 spray acrylic on a hull with an Admiralty Light disruptive pattern and found the bits I had painted with B6 going crinkly in several places even though the bits that are 507B were unaffected.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, Francis Macnaughton said:

Thanks Jamie re Kagero publications for info

 

A general question about Colourcoats if I may - what matt varnish (preferably spray can) would you say works best?  I made the mistake of using the Humbrol 49 spray acrylic on a hull with an Admiralty Light disruptive pattern and found the bits I had painted with B6 going crinkly in several places even though the bits that are 507B were unaffected.

 

Hi Francis,

 

I can't profess to have thoroughly tested them all, but I can't honestly recommend aerosols on top of enamels in general. The propellants are extremely aggressive in aerosols and in my experience almost all aerosols that I have tried are capable of wrinkling any enamel brands I have tried them on.

 

In terms of clear coats generally, Humbrol Matt, Satin and Gloss Cote works fine, as does any of Hannants' clearcoats in Xtracolor or Xtracrylics form. If you still have any old WEM VG, VS or VM varnishes which we have discontinued they work too.

 

We are working on a new clear coat system to replace the WEM varnishes, a quicker drying, airbrush and paint brush friendly colourless clear to be exact.

 

Whilst that's still in development though I don't think I could look past a Windsor & Newton Galleria clear coat.

 

7 hours ago, Reconcilor said:

Looks awesome! Didn't spot any of your 'glaring issues'

 

You're too kind! I've mangled the boat crane cables on the mainmast. The funnel stays proved a catalyst for getting a foolproof gluing method (which I think I'm now happy with) but the stays themselves are mostly stretched and bent from over handling whilst struggling with thin CA. There are some bad seams on the plastic parts I'm noticing now despite investing half a tonne of filler on these dubious early Trumpeter mouldings! I wasn't aware of the misshapen aft 4" gun station and splinter shield. A correction is provided in the WEM set but I had already applied the wooden deck by this point so I'm stuck with it. The letter "H" is wonky on the starboard quarterdeck bulkhead nameplate.

 

I think the main topmast was actually white in spring 1941 rather than grey, which I can maybe still rectify as the mainmast isn't glued in place yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tonight I made up 2 40" searchlight platforms. These are rather nice resin castings that came with the Flyhawk turret set. The gusset plates I used are also from the Flyhawk set but the WEM set includes loads of gussets and similar types of details. At first glance the resin platforms look pretty much the same as the kit parts, but on closer inspection the kit part is a bit chunky thickness wise. I'd say these resin bits were a "nice to have" rather than essential but the turrets were essential and as a result I have the platforms, and they're better than the kit bits so I'm using them :)

 

20170313_195518_zps5kvucyqj.jpg

 

20170313_195504_zpsgruod1dm.jpg

 

20170313_201225_zpsrkziwrwe.jpg

 

The ship is getting busy rather quickly so I put the bits together (not glued) to take a few more snap shots. I also decided not to be shy in showing my "improvement areas" up close.

 

20170313_201439_zpsfm0jp3xf.jpg

 

20170313_201459_zps0fxqmzkj.jpg

 

20170313_201508_zpshekuv5tp.jpg

 

20170313_201521_zpsttyu6shs.jpg

 

20170313_201558_zpsps7wdhgm.jpg

  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's a spectacular level of detail that's achievable with PE at such a (relatively) small scale, and until recently I had no idea how fiddly some of it can be (then I got the Ark Royal), so I've been catching up with this with some new-found interest.  It's the painting of the ship in stages that's the most terrifying part to me, being an aircraft and AFV modeller at heart.  You must live with battleship grey in the airbrush! :frantic:

 

Keep up the good work :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, Mike said:

<snip>  It's the painting of the ship in stages that's the most terrifying part to me, being an aircraft and AFV modeller at heart.  You must live with battleship grey in the airbrush! :frantic:<snip>

 

Hi Mike,

 

You're right it can seem a bit daunting. Early on I tied myself in knots trying to work out the most efficient way to do it with minimum number of airbrush 'activities'. It rapidly became apparent that I was getting nowhere fast worrying about it.

 

At this point I'm trying not to get too hung up on painting. I'll mask and spray what's practical to spray, and I'll touch up or paint in with a brush what's left. It's important to choose a paint which can be applied and dries the same shade by either method. For airbrushing, I'm saving up a few sub assemblies at a time now. I've made peace with the fact that the airbrush needs loaded a cleaned many times over building a ship!

 

Having tried to pre-paint some parts on the sprues, I'd say that was a complete waste of time both specifically to this Trumpeter kit which has needed loads of remedial work to clean up parts but also in general as often little plastic bits need cut off and replaced with a PE part if doing the detailing too. Overall it seems better to sub-assemble then paint for most things.

 

That Tetra Model Works set for Ark Royal set is gorgeous and I'm really looking forward to building my own kit with one in the hopefully-not-too-distant future! :D

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm down to the last handful of plastic parts to fit now (there are still many brass parts to go however) and tonight I decided to ditch two more kit bits.

 

The aft Quadruple 0.5in Vickers gun platforms are moulded with splinter shields all round and with shapes to represent ammunition lockers. The supporting gusset plates are also moulded on, typically thick. There are brass gussets to replace the latter and the ammunition boxes, and according to my references there was no splinter shield but rather a railing

 

20170314_200704_zpski25d0s2.jpg

 

I figured it was easier to scratchbuild the platforms. Unfortunately my compass cutter only goes down to 10mm, but the plans say the platforms should be 8mm diameter, so I cut guides from masking tape using my cutting mat and chopped/sanded the plasticard to match the tape circles.

 

20170314_201302_zpspmwzhoc8.jpg

 

20170314_201340_zpspmufxdi8.jpg

 

20170314_201552_zpsdnwzm3et.jpg

 

20170314_202222_zpseviwwtzq.jpg

 

I made new posts from heat stretched sprue. It took a few goes to get the sprue heated gently over a wide area to get quite a thick draw to the right diameter.

 

20170314_203646_zps20ov6pus.jpg

 

It was just a case of dressing up with PE then and they're ready for the guns which I'm going to have to make very soon.

 

20170314_211553_zpsighohpsj.jpg

  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've no idea why, because I have never delved into the model this deep until now, but I had some deep rooted suspicion that something wasn't right with the two ammunition lockers as shown on the kit (and both detail sets).

I spent most of tonight's modelling time looking at references, and found myself depressed looking at Evert Jan Foeth's scratchbuild 1/350 Hood on his webpage. I don't think there's a man alive today who knows HMS Hood more intimately than EJ Foeth (a fanatical modelling Dutchman) or Frank W Allen (of the HMS Hood Association). That two together have had a great deal of input to the new Pontos Model 1/200 HMS Hood set and frankly (no pun intended) Pontos' offering is miles ahead of Mk1 or anything Eduard will come up with thanks to the combined knowledge of those two and Keumo Kim's willingness to listen. Still, E.J. has answered the immediate question - these aft Vickers platforms only had one locker mounted each. The second was down on deck.

http://ontheslipway.com/?paged=11

quad_09.jpg

 

So, umm, this is it for tonight!

20170315_214107_zpsregajyjk.jpg

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...