HMS Hood in 1/700 by Flyhawk

[Faraway]

This has been 'burning a hole in my pocket' so to speak, since it was delivered and as I was really struggling to get motivated by my Belfast build, I've decided to suspend Belfast and start this one.

I don't like having two builds on the go, so Belfast is back in its box for a while.

I won't bore you with photos of lots of tiny parts, on lots of sprues, you'll get to see lots of tiny parts as the build progresses.

This kit comes with lots of additional PE and brass barrels etc.

I've, finally, tracked down a wooden deck for her, it's on its way from Poland, I do wish we didn't have to search the world for these additions. 

I'll be doing her as a waterline display, so I don't need to worry about which shade of grey the antifoul was, this way she will look good along side my Trumpeter 1/700 Bismarck, which I also waterline.

So, without further ado, off I go...........build photos to follow.

See you all soon.

Jon

[ArnoldAmbrose]

Gidday Jon, although I've got two on the go right now I have trouble switching from one to the other so it's usually only one build for me at a time too.

I'm looking forward to seeing this progress, and I promise not to say "I knew you couldn't resist!"     Oops.  😁

Regards, Jeff.

[Micha_Pol]

Best of luck, this is going to quite a challenge, 1/700 always is.

[Faraway]

31 minutes ago, Micha_Pol said:

Best of luck, this is going to quite a challenge, 1/700 always is.

Challenge is one word I’d use, a few others DO spring to mind.

I found the 1/700 Bismarck, at times, hard going. But when I look at it, I’m quite pleased with myself. 
Building this one straight from the box would be challenge enough, but I’m adding lots of tiny brass and PE bits.
So first I’ve got to tie the two sets of instructions together, and triple check I’m actually cutting off the correct part that will be replaced by brass/PE.

Jon

[S-boat 55]

🪑 pulled up, 

[Faraway]

1 hour ago, S-boat 55 said:

🪑 pulled up, 

You might need a good cushion and plenty of this could be a long one.

Jon

[Adm Lord De Univers]

I knew you wouldn't be able to resist this beauty of a ship and kit. Poor Belfast, but I think she'd understand the 'ood should always be prioritised. Also, poor your eyes! Sending you beery good luck (beer not included)...

 

David

[Faraway]

3 hours ago, Adm Lord De Univers said:

Also, poor your eyes!

Got that right David. 

Jon

[Faraway]

And off we go.

First the turrets.

 

And now brass barrel time, this cutting and drilling always fills me with dread.

 

And a complete turret.

 

A comparison of kit part and PE/3D part.

 

And in place atop its turret.

 

And here are all four.

 

As if the main turrets weren't small enough, here is the secondary armament.

 

These were also supposed to have brass barrels, but to quote a phrase "you CANNOT be serious ?"

I know my limits.

Well, that's my day done. Off to put an ice pack on my eyes and some cold wine in my stomach. 

I have to say though, I know I've got far into this build, but so far it is a joy.

See you all tomorrow.

Jon

[Courageous]

Good work with the armament.

 

Stuart

[Faraway]

I am a silly person, official. 

I was looking at the photos of the main turrets, when I realised I had cut the barrel off at the wrong point.

It should be cut off at the red line !

Not where I did, as this leaves two collars at the base of the barrel.

Luckily, I didn't cut off TOO much, so the problem is fixable, I've just checked and the barrels do pull off, not much area for the glue to bond with.

So that's one job for today, more cutting and drilling .

[Faraway]

That's better. 

What's the saying ?

Measure twice, cut once. I really should listen to my own advice.

Jon

[Faraway]

Bit of painting to day, all paints are from ColourCoats @Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies, they do cover extremely well. Whether by hairy stick or airbrush.

Corticene. NARN44

 

Main turrets and hull. NARN20

The deck is not fixed yet.

[S-boat 55]

16 hours ago, Faraway said:

Bit of painting to day, all paints are from ColourCoats @Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies, they do cover extremely well. Whether by hairy stick or airbrush.

Corticene. NARN44

 

Main turrets and hull. NARN20

The deck is not fixed yet.

Looking great Jon,

 

Question if I may, when you brush paint with Colourcoats how much do you thin them by?

[Faraway]

6 hours ago, S-boat 55 said:

Looking great Jon,

 

Question if I may, when you brush paint with Colourcoats how much do you thin them by?

Ah, now, good question.
It sort of depends on what the area is like, that I’m painting. But I put some paint in one hole of my mixing palette and a bit of thinners in another. Dip my brush in the thinners, then the paint and brush away, so kinda mixing it on the workpiece.
So no actual ratio, I’m afraid. 
Brushing it is similar to spraying, in as much as, different colours react to thinning differently. Some need more, some need less.

I didn’t thin the ‘corticene’ at all.

But thinned or not, it usually takes a couple of coats.

I much prefer to spray, but on this model masking could present real problems.

There, that was as clear as mud and about as helpful. Sorry.
Jon

[Faraway]

The funnel's internal walkway and handrail.

 

And now with the cap fitted.

There should be a brass location ring on the top of the funnel, but it fell from my tweezers.

And I have absolutely no idea where it went.

I very much doubt it would have been visible once the funnel cap is painted black.

I'll try not to loose the one for the next funnel.

[steve5]

man your sailing along , look's great , braver man than me 1/700 . 

[Faraway]

Slow progress, but some. 

Both funnels finished and ready to have bases and various pipes fitted.

 

Now, this is one of the ladders that go on the first story of the bridge assembly. 

I've given it a rough coat of paint as it (they, 5 of 'em) will just about disappear after assembly.

If you look closely, you'll see that the individual steps can be bent to 45 degrees as per the real thing.

They are a bit small and I'm not sure I can even manage this feat, it's bad enough to do on 1/350, if they were visible on the deck, I might give it a go, but these that will be all but invisible ??????? Am I right to not attempt this, it'll be bad enough bending the hand rails.

Tomorrow will reveal the answer.

[foeth]

4 hours ago, Faraway said:

If you look closely, you'll see that the individual steps can be bent to 45 degrees as per the real thing.

 

🤫 Stairs have a 60 degree incline

[Faraway]

57 minutes ago, foeth said:

 

🤫 Stairs have a 60 degree incline

[Faraway]

The wooden deck arrived from Poland yesterday. It only took 6 days.

So on it goes.

 

And now the shelter deck is in place.

 

Now I can start adding lots of small detail parts to the decks and superstructure.

Jon

[ArnoldAmbrose]

Gidday Jon, you didn't waste much time getting those decks on. I'd still be thinking of how to unwrap them! Great job with them. By the looks of them there must have been an awful lot of cut-outs for all those ship's fittings. Regards, Jeff.

[Faraway]

12 minutes ago, ArnoldAmbrose said:

awful lot of cut-outs for all those ship's fittings.

There were indeed, and they were an excellent fit.

Jon

[S-boat 55]

Looking great, she must be a reasonable size even in 1/700, 

 

Definitely making me want to get mine out the cupboard to do

[ErikT]

Very nice so far!  I will be watching this build for sure.  And I agree that 1/700 makes the eyes hurt.