HMS Belfast......Airfix.........1/600

[Faraway]

I thought I'd visit my youth, when all I could ever get were Airfix kits. This one is definitely showing its age, with quite a bit of flash on some of the smaller parts. 

Also, it's a bit bigger than 1/700, not a lot. But what the heck.

 

Speaking of 1/700, I know I said my Bismarck would be my first and last...............well I wasn't quite telling the truth. I've ordered the Flyhawk HMS Hood from Starling Models https://starling-models.co.uk/  Seemed a good idea at the time, we'll see if I still think the same when I open the box and it'll go nicely with said Bismarck.

 

Anyway, I digress, back to the Belfast.

 

Not a huge part count.

 

To which I'll be adding a wooden deck, I do like these.

 

And a set of PE from Atlantic Models https://atlanticmodels.net/

Which gives me the option of presenting her, as she is now, moored on the Thames.

I haven't decided yet.

Also, I'll be using the PE guns supplied here and not 3D/Resin ones as I normally try to do.

 

If anyone knows of any accurate, side on pictures showing her current camo pattern, I'd be very grateful. I know what the colours are, from https://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk/ but I'm not quite sure which colour goes where, If you know what I mean.

Jon

[Our Ned]

A warning if you intend to model Belfast as she is now: she underwent a major modernisation in the late 1950s, which included, amongst other things, a completely new bridge, new AA directors, new light/medium AA, rearranged boat stowage, removal of Carley floats and fitting of inflatable liferafts, repositioned boat crane, plating in of the upper deck abreast the forefunnel and new radars - in addition to the lattice masts provided by Atlantic Models.  Lots of work!

[S-boat 55]

I did wonder if you'd succumb to something else in 1:700, 

 

Belfast is a great looking ship, I've not been to her for years really must go down again, it's a shame the 1/350 kits are rare as hens teeth now and so silly money often on ebay, 

 

Re colours I've no idea but the guide books had good shots of her and are often cheap on evilbay, if not can you get good views of her from Google Street View? I'd expect there'd cover her as an attraction, 

[Adm Lord De Univers]

On 17/04/2022 at 16:39, Faraway said:

If anyone knows of any accurate, side on pictures showing her current camo pattern

Ok you asked for it. You wanted just the port side, right? Port side, left? I only have pics from one side, but am going to visit on 28.04, so I'll hop across the river and get some from the other side plus any more you want. Some of the close ups are for my own info (armour scheme, interesting details), but my little one got fed up, so I currently only have these, from 16.08.21:

 

 

David

Edited April 18, 2022 by Adm Lord De Univers
speeling

[Adm Lord De Univers]

And,

 

 

But as @S-boat 55 has said, google maps will have peoples photos tagged of her or a landmark nearby, it's where I found this corker of USS Kidd for my fletcher build (although try looking for photos tags from the north bank of the thames for her starboard side):

 

sorry for reproducing above, but it's simply stunning.

 

David

[Faraway]

1 hour ago, Adm Lord De Univers said:

but am going to visit on 28.04,

Many thanks for the photos, excellent.

Now, one more request, on your visit can you get some photos of the turret faces ? 
Jon

[Adm Lord De Univers]

26 minutes ago, Faraway said:

Now, one more request, on your visit can you get some photos of the turret faces ? 

Certainly, keep the requests coming (though I plan on taking a lot of photos so I'll hopefully capture all bits of interest, I'll post a link here instead of using up your build log).

 

David

[Rich75]

Hi there nice to see another project underway! Are these of any use?

The small person belongs to me btw

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

It's worth being aware that HMS Belfast today wears a sort of caricature of a WWII scheme. It's essentially copied from a profile in a not-so-well researched book, and the colours used are a fruit salad of modern BS381 colours.

 

I think from memory they are Dark Admiralty Grey, PRU Blue, Light Grey and Light Admiralty Grey.

 

They unfortunately don't much resemble the real camouflage worn in wartime.

[Faraway]

15 minutes ago, Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies said:

It's worth being aware that HMS Belfast today wears a sort of caricature of a WWII scheme. It's essentially copied from a profile in a not-so-well researched book, and the colours used are a fruit salad of modern BS381 colours.

 

I think from memory they are Dark Admiralty Grey, PRU Blue, Light Grey and Light Admiralty Grey.

 

They unfortunately don't much resemble the real camouflage worn in wartime.

I’ll be using a picture I have and start searching the web for turret colour.

Hopefully, my interpretation won’t offend too many.

Jon

[Adm Lord De Univers]

59 minutes ago, Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies said:

They unfortunately don't much resemble the real camouflage worn in wartime.

They also seem to periodically alter the shapes and tones (although that could be my memory or weather/light levels), sometimes slightly, sometimes not so slightly. I'll ask when I get there and send them Jamie's way to correct.

 

Imagine those sales though! I'm sure the rest of us would never see NARN 21, 22, 23, 33, 34, RN24, CO2, nor CO3 again! And not sure how even my Iwata would hold up painting a 1:1 ship.

 

David

[TallBlondJohn]

The Airfix Belfast - there are various inaccuracies but an easy one to fix is the turrets, they are too shallow. If you glue some plastic sheet to the top it helps them look right. But its a great fun build- so many guns!

[ArnoldAmbrose]

9 hours ago, TallBlondJohn said:

they are too shallow

Yeah, that's a fault with a few of Airfix's kits - Ajax and Nelson also. I used Belfast turrets for HMS Jamaica, but I glued styrene sheet under the turrets because of the slightly rounded top edges. Either solution would work, I think. Good luck with it. Regards, Jeff.

[ArnoldAmbrose]

Gidday again, further to the above, looking at the photos of the turrets posted by @Rich75 I've realized just how 'sharp' the top edges of the turrets really are. Maybe @TallBlondJohn's method might be best after all. It'll save you having to form the front lip of the barbette on the turret too. Regards, Jeff.

[Bertie McBoatface]

On 4/18/2022 at 7:27 PM, Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies said:

HMS Belfast today

 

I seem to remember her in grey from my visit, a frighteningly long time ago! 1980?

 

I'd love to see a full interior kit of this. MiniArt, are you listening?

[Modelholic]

1/200 scale, Bertie or 1/35?

Detailed right down to the toilet roll in the captain's cabin!

Tom

[Faraway]

It's been awhile, but I'm back.

Just spent a few days in the Yorkshire Dales, stunning scenery made even better by drinking excellent beer and eating very good food.

Anyway, here is an 8 barrel PomPom made from the Atlantic Models PE set, far far superior to the Airfix plastic offering. I made this before my break, but now I'm back I should be able to crack on with this build.

Jon

 

Here are the component parts.

 

And here is one I made earlier.

 

The squares are 10mm

 

Now, earlier I mention 1/700 HMS Hood. Well here it is.......

I have looked inside and it was a slightly traumatic experience , all the parts are SO SMALL. But the detail is AM.AZ.ING.

But I need help chaps, does anyone know where I can get a wooden deck for her ?

Jon

 

 

[Boydie]

Here are some random photos at different angles of the turrets when I was aboard her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They might come in handy for you.

Edited April 28, 2022 by Boydie

[Faraway]

I'm flitting about a bit at the mo'. And not building as per instructions would have me do it.

Also, as it's the time of year when the allotment demands work, I'm either making little parts out of PE or sticking sticks in the ground for beans.

So, here is a little progress.

 

First camo colour (NARN 22) on the hull.

 

The aircraft catapult.

 

And finally, the radar lantern and mast, onto which I've just realised that I've not fitted the bracing supports to the mast yet.

In theory I suppose I should glaze the lantern, but I think that will be a step too far.

 

[Boydie]

On 18/04/2022 at 19:27, Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies said:

It's worth being aware that HMS Belfast today wears a sort of caricature of a WWII scheme. It's essentially copied from a profile in a not-so-well researched book, and the colours used are a fruit salad of modern BS381 colours.

 

I think from memory they are Dark Admiralty Grey, PRU Blue, Light Grey and Light Admiralty Grey.

 

They unfortunately don't much resemble the real camouflage worn in wartime.

 

I was listening to Al Murray's and James Holland's podcast earlier this week and they were aboard HMS Belfast and I was quite surprised their tour guide from the Imperial War Museum was quite adamant that her current camouflage is accurate. 

[Courageous]

11 hours ago, Faraway said:

I should glaze the lantern

It is still possible if you're wanting. A dab of Formula 360 Canopy Glue, similar to PVA, into each window area will dry clear.

 

Stuart

[Faraway]

22 minutes ago, Courageous said:

It is still possible if you're wanting. A dab of Formula 360 Canopy Glue, similar to PVA, into each window area will dry clear.

 

Stuart

Stuart.

I have something similar, but the windows are so tiny.......

I’ll have another think once it’s painted.

Jon

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

9 hours ago, Boydie said:

 

I was listening to Al Murray's and James Holland's podcast earlier this week and they were aboard HMS Belfast and I was quite surprised their tour guide from the Imperial War Museum was quite adamant that her current camouflage is accurate. 

 

How embarrassing for them! That wouldn't be the hill I'd choose to die on, that's for certain.

[Faraway]

I have to admit, I am struggling to stay motivated with this build. No idea why, just not finding it is drawing me in like all my others have done.

So, I'm going to suspend this build and move onto something else.

Jon

[beefy66]

I know what you mean Jon sometimes a model just does not give you that inspiration to keep it going put away for now and come back to it later that is why we have the shelf of doom. 

 

Stay Safe

beefy