The Ship Model Forum

Hello all,
first...I'm new here...well I started building 1/400 scale ships, the scale because I have a diecast airplaine collection....scale 400
so I started looking for aircraft carriers...found some..and thought..nice...but better start with small to test ...then level up.
so ...I bought...and bought...now I have about 40 boxes waiting going from S-boot to the USS EnterpriseI started with the S-boat...there are 6 in the Kriegsmarine Box..so not a problem if I f..ck one up lol
then I started the T23...got a nice offer 3 for 15US in 1 box...same reason...f ck one up...not a problem....I'll post some pics later of these 2

so next...level up is Z31...renamed Marceau

I found that nobody actualy modified the bridge as the kid is with the Z 31 square bridge it was modified by the French...and looking way better...it also is like that on the box picture

so in the middle of my construction I decided to make a go for it

here's my first 2 ships the T23 and s-boot

this was at start of modification

yes...I started to test PE railings...and modified the mast accordingly

and..needed to bring original radardome higher...and ad a new one

all that...added...and dry-fitted...looks like....

not happy with my paint...it doesn't stick well on the PE metal parts....any advice?

what cleaning ?...lol I see I should have done something first
thats learning process

some new pe works

a small modifcation of the mast...radar less imposing and lower on mast....it looks now way more like the real one

I'm using all real picture existing ..don have plans...so pure visual estimation
at least it is more look a like than the square bridge Heller has
I'm also looking at modification of anti air guns...heller are german double flack...marceau are ...i think single 40mm bofor guns...I have WE PE bofor guns...never made them yet...a bit afraid of it lol

nice guns...looking good...ok scale 429....but close enough...
I wasn't actualy gonna do so much modification and spendings on this one...at start...but ...
the damm thing caught me and I'm doing more and more ...FINE detailing ...even re-doing stuff.
I must say I love the sleek way these destroyers look....those Germans did know how to build beautifull ships.
I also have admiral Scheer, Lutzow...Scharnhorst...Tirpits and Bismarck...when seeing how much time this one is taking...I'm getting scared lol
not to speak of the king George V, the Hood, Richelieu, Dunkerque, USS Missouri and 4 carriers (and some more but smaller schips)....all 1/400

tirpits, Bismarck and BB 63 are Kangnam, USS enterprise is ARII rest Heller...

I have years of work lmao

plans or good airial pictures would help me getting this one closer to reality...I can't see well on the pictures I have, what is on the original radar dome.

all comments or potential modifications...(things I didn't do good as well) or overal appreciations are also welcome...I'm not an ego freack

today I think I'm gonna finish the rear castle railings..the one with the 2 x 150mm guns

I just bought some of their guns...
2X Single 20-mm Oerlikon Cannons (Pedestal Mount) - 12 pcs
1X Quadruple 40-mm Bofors Autocannons (no shields)- 8 pcs
1X 3-inch/50 Caliber Guns - (6 pcs)
1X 5-inch 25-Caliber Guns (10 pcs)

damm...I think I have a structural mistake...the front upper airguns have a stairs going up from under the bridge structure...my sailors have to go up the lower ones...climb a ladder to the middelfront that has an opening to the 2 top air guns....dilemma..am I gonna modify?

according the pictures...heller's kit has a bit to little space around the main exhaust...so as I am systematicaly modifying...lets continue lol

txs...hope they do....I still have one in waiting...as it is also in the box "Kriegsmarine"..ok it is supposed to become Z31 or similar...but I can always redo it as Marceau
showing my little progress on it ..structure is partly dry fitted....
I'm pretty satisfied with bridge modification....otherwise...having lots of problems ...well better said...railings is not yet to my satisfaction
on the other hand...its the first ship I work so detailed on...the first two..I just took the heller railings....limed half of them away so they get way less imposing...and thats it

I guess there's wors and I shouldn't expect being a professional on my first real try on it

Pls all do comment...I'd like to have your oppinion about my ...say works

finished the railings of back castle finished bow railings...and added some of the railing left overs to make radar look better
For info and might help inspire other...radar was made ;
1. heller railings limed to half their thicknes...cutting sides so spaces between bars get bigger ( 2 large and 2 high).
2. PE railing bars

I will paint PE off course in black...but unpainted...easier to see


I keep all left overs or cut off pieces for...well scratch build

little by little ... it is starting to take form

some more small modifications...rear mast lengted by 50% and 2 beams on it...
btw...you can see well on this picture I added a little complication on the 150mm guns

looks I'll have to streighten out some railings...photo's are a real pain..what you hardly see with a loope...you see easely with photo zoom....lol

I'm searching whole web to find a gun plan display of the 50' modification...not what guns....I have...but where on the schip...if anybody has...would appreciate.

all the pictures I found of her ... you don't see minor AA guns like the 37/57 or the 20/65....