HMS Westminster Trumpeter 1/350

[brynna79]

Hi all,

First post and returning to plastic kit modelling for the first time since I was a teenager after a spell of modelling OO Gauge rail.  After deciding that I no longer have the time or space for model rail, I have given that up and returned to plastic kits.  Interests are Navy (all), Sci-Fi (Star Trek) and certain types of aircraft and most of my exploits will be scales that are easier for my cumbersome hands.  Anyway, first up is 1/350 build of Trumpeters HMS Westminster.  Always had a soft spot for Navy ships and seeing one of the Type 45's off Teignmouth sea front a few weeks back made me want to buy a couple of RN Kits.  I have a second of these with HMS Montrose, although that may not get built, as I have recently put aside a Type 45 from Atlantic Models.

 

I must admit to looking at the contents and wondering why on earth there are so many pieces for this, especially considering most probably could have been moulded on.  I have found no end of issue with cutting and fitting these pieces to the kits and while I feel that they probably may be better than being moulded on, think they're a bit unnecessary (I am sure this has been done to death by others...). I have found the plastic way too soft for my liking and has you can see, there are a few issues where I have been overzealous with the knife, although the fit in general has been ok for me.

 

I think I will try hand painting this one, to get me back into it, but will move to the airbrush I have, once I have found the confidence to use it! I have brought the WEM PE for the kit as well, although again a new area for me to explore, for which I wonder how I will survive with my club fingers!

 

Anyway, some pictures of progress.

Pic of main hull.

20180813_073047 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr

 

Dry fitting of main parts.

20180813_073035 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr

and

20180813_073015 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr

and

20180813_073049 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr

 

Small update for now.  I have recently brought the Atlantic Models Type 42 in 1/350, which will be my first Resin kit and have a Type 45 on the way from Pete as well.  Not worked with Resin before, but was impressed with what you got for much less than above. 

Cheers

Bryn

Edited August 13, 2018 by brynna79
Spelling

[Chris Hewitt]

Welcome to the club,Its weird ,I did the same about 10 yrs ago,which glad I did ,when I see the price of a Hornby coaches,these days ,let alone the prices of locomotives,not cheap.Where a model ship can take as long as you like.What part of the country do you live? Myself and friend Ray display this in Scotland and will be at Murrayfield/Edinburgh on the 25th August.this was from Perth this year

 

 

[brynna79]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the reply. Agreed on the rail hobby, and modelling the Great Western was not cheap for 2nd hand. Just had to stop in the end.  Currently in South Devon and loving it down here, although there are not many events south of Bristol that I am aware of.  Enjoy the in and out I can do with a model and in fact, can tolerate some of the wife's TV as I am building these in the same room...

 

Looks an excellent collection of models there. Have you got any other close ups of them? Are they all your friend and your builds? 

Cheers

[robgizlu]

Nice job on the build so far and welcome back to scale modelling!

Rob

[Chris Hewitt]

19 hours ago, brynna79 said:

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the reply. Agreed on the rail hobby, and modelling the Great Western was not cheap for 2nd hand. Just had to stop in the end.  Currently in South Devon and loving it down here, although there are not many events south of Bristol that I am aware of.  Enjoy the in and out I can do with a model and in fact, can tolerate some of the wife's TV as I am building these in the same room...

 

Looks an excellent collection of models there. Have you got any other close ups of them? Are they all your friend and your builds? 

Cheers

Yes,on the left is Ray's Southern fleet ,and my much more powerful Northern fleet, starts from the centre to the right ,yes we do much banter ,on who would Win !  I will try and post some close up photo's very soon.

Edited August 15, 2018 by Chris Hewitt

[brynna79]

Some (small) progress from a session I had last night.  A few more plastic kit parts added and then I made a start on the WEM Photo Etch parts.  I must admit that I was very nervous of doing these, but for my first ever PE attempt, I am rather happy with the initial results and these three small pieces, bring the model to life massively.  I can see why people consider them a staple of most models and the quality of the WEM kit compared to that provided in the kit is much better. 

 

A short lived update, but progress no the less.  Even the wife was impressed with the way the PE started to bring the model to life

 

IMG_20180815_084951722 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr

 

IMG_20180815_084939503 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr

 

I had ordered a 1/350 PLA Navy carrier and that arrived the other day, Wow, enormous kit! Have the Nimitz on my list and I know that is even bigger! Looking forward to both those in the near future.  

 

Looking for some advice on water scene boards as well.  Can't seem to use the search function correctly...

 

16 hours ago, robgizlu said:

Nice job on the build so far and welcome back to scale modelling!

Rob

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the message. Enjoying the return so far. Love the quality of the work in the forum too!

Cheers

Edited August 15, 2018 by brynna79

[brynna79]

2 hours ago, Chris Hewitt said:

Yes,on the left is Ray's Southern fleet ,and my much more powerful Northern fleet, starts from the centre to the right ,yes we do much banter ,on who would Win !  I will try and post some close up photo's very soon.

Thanks Chris. Look forward to seeing close up of the work.  is that Lusty you have near the bottom? How do you do your scenic boards for the ships

Edited August 15, 2018 by brynna79

[beefy66]

looking like a very neat start to this will follow along Ohh and you can just make out the back of my head in Chris's photo on the Washington stand  

 

beefy

[Ex-FAAWAFU]

On 8/15/2018 at 9:54 AM, Chris Hewitt said:

Yes,on the left is Ray's Southern fleet ,and my much more powerful Northern fleet, starts from the centre to the right ,yes we do much banter ,on who would Win !  I will try and post some close up photo's very soon.

Yours would clearly win; you have a carrier!

[Chewbacca]

On ‎14‎/‎08‎/‎2018 at 14:14, brynna79 said:

Currently in South Devon and loving it down here, although there are not many events south of Bristol that I am aware of. 

Hi Bryn,

 

The Torquay Show in May is quite good - I exhibited there a couple of years ago.  I seem to recall there's also one over in Barnstaple in North Devon though I've never been. 

 

Also if you head over into Somerset there's a new show in Yeovil that started this year for the first time in April (I was on holiday so couldn't attend but friends tell me it was very good.  In Dorset we have the 2 Bovington Tank Museum shows (February and October) and Poole Vikings in April.  I find attending these offers inspiration - if others can achieve this/that effect, then so can I, and there is no doubt my modelling standard has improved from engagement with others better than me.

 

Progress on this is looking good.  Not made one of the T23s yet but this is making me think that perhaps I ought to get one.

[brynna79]

Hi,

Thanks for the welcomed advice on local SW events, Looks like I have missed the bulk of them this year, but will keep them in mind for the next year.  What sort of kits have you been exhibiting in the past?

 

Progress stalled in the Type 23 this week with work commitments and the dog/wife both managing to knock the kits from the back of the desk, the former being a small Jack Russell who can get on desks.  Not sure why she chose to get on the desk this time, but damaged the PE in the process....