I said, never again would I build another Trumpeter kit in 1/700 as they are rubbish. Guess what? I’m now building their HMS Ark Royal in 1/700

[OutcastJoel]

This is probably a stupid question but... What are the crane like structures sticking out from the hull (hockey sticks?) for?

 

 

[Our Ned]

No such thing as stupid questions, only stupid answers!  They are for giants to play hockey with ☺

 

Seriously, they are masts for HF radio aerials (the after three on each side) or other electronic antennae (eg radio direction finders). Fitted, in varying numbers, to RN fleet carriers from the converted battlecruisers up to, and including, the Centaur and Audacious classes - although removed from the last of those two classes some time before they paid off.

 

Edit : forgot to add that the masts were raised to the vertical position when the ship was not at Flying Stations.

Edited October 28, 2020 by Our Ned

[stevehnz]

Your Ark looks really good Alan, it'll look even better when it gets an air group.

Steve.