A classmate has commissioned me to build a model of the Hermes, as befitting of his thesis on the Falklands. I actually started the model in early May, and here're some photos of the progress to date.
Orange Hobby's kit is as amazing as everyone has said, not least as seen in the double-sided relief etching! The pre-etched foldlines for the PE railings are even more exceptional.
Note for other builders: bend towards the etched fold line, not away (i.e. valley fold, not mountain fold, for those who did paper airplanes)
But it is not without some (minor) gripes...
1. Sea Cat missiles lack fins, though there are indents molded on for where they would go...(kinda glad, to be honest - it would certainly be a maddening exercise!)
2. Harrier roundel decals only come in the mid-war style with the white painted out - thus the only accurate scheme would be if the Harriers are painted in overall boring dark sea grey. (I'm going to use the excuse of them being partway through painting to have both the blue-white body and the kit roundels, even though both were repainted at the same time, judging from photos). The extra Harrier pack also lacks decals.
3. Life-raft canisters require shaving in order to fit into the bottom level of the PE raft racks.
4. Shape issue with the portside forward sponson. I'll try to point that out when I get there.
5. Some mold-alignment mismatch leading to stepped seams on small parts that can be difficult to clean up.
6. Painting guide shows the entire flat surface under the island to be black, but I've only ever seen the small strip next to the exhaust painted black. Likewise, the aft exhaust between the Sea Cat director and the LCVPs should have the immediate region painted black as well - check photos.
7. Raised ridge around the edges of the aft elevator, both the elevator itself and the deck.
More to come in the coming weeks!
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I like how the flight deck markings are faded yet still visible, and the weathering gives that "just been to war" feel like in your reference pictures. Some time ago I was considering getting this kit myself although now I've embarked on a long-term project I don't want the distraction of a 1980s carrier, but I'd love to see this come together to completion.
