HMS Iron Duke F-234

[Phil R]

I`ve started on the deck-rails,these are from stock rails I had in my PE locker.Most of the rails on T23s are collapsible ,the upright staunchions are Aluminium with the horizontal wires black.The only rails that are fixed are either side of the bridge deck ,these are completely aluminium.
I attached the detail parts ,Missile guidance radar,SCOT domes ,30mm B-marc guns etc

Cheers Phil

[chewitt13]

doing a fantastic job

[Paul E]

Hi Phil,
I have been watching your build of HMS Iron Duke with interest, as I have also bought the Trumpeter HMS Kent with the intention of modelling HMS Argyll or HMS Somerset, ships on which I served.
I was wondering how you were going to model the superstructure on 02 deck aft of the bridge. The Trumpeter model reflects the magazine layout for the last six Type 23s from Somerset to Kent which have internal Sea Gnat Magazines where the earlier ships including HMS Iron Duke had external Magazine Lockers either side.
I am struggling to remember but I think your model has two extra doors starboard side and one extra on the port side. I do wonder when Trumpeter releases the HMS Montrose model whether they will consider this difference.
Also have you noticed that the decoy launching tubes that are located on the sponson under the bridge wings, there should be a pair each side but the kit only provides for one.
Despite my pathetic criticism, I think your model is absolutely fantastic, keep up the good work.


All the best
Paul

[Phil R]

Thank you Paul,but I`m afraid you have lost me,Wots a Sea Gnat?.Is this one?BTW that lady is wearing a Hull FC shirt Comon you `ull


This is a pic of the bridge area I`ve been using for my build.No Sub decoys (or Harpoons ) were shipped at that time as she was due to go the Caribbean on anti-drugs patrol



cheers Phil

[Paul E]

Hi Phil,

Yes, your first picture is a Sea Gnat Launcher.

I have amended your other picture to highlight the magazine locker and decoy bases.

Your picture also highlights another intersting difference that I had forgotten about, the flag lockers are located under the SATCOM aerials and not at the back of the bridge as per the model.

I have also attached a picture I took of my last ship HMS Argyll with the decoy launchers fitted, I hope this helps.

All the best

Paul

[Phil R]

Many thanks ,Paul. I am going to amend the decoy launcher Platforms,I`ve a feeling they are slightly longer than those included in the kit ,to accomodate the extra tube ,so I may have to make new ones.I have already added to flag lockers under the Scot platforms ,all I need to do is remove the redundant ones from aft of the bridge structure.This is no trouble as I haven`t received the WEM PE yet .
One thing I am stuck on is that I need a photo of a Merlin chopper folded up ready to go into the hangar,anybody got one?

Many thanks for your help Paul

Cheers Phil

[Paul E]

Hi Phil,

I'm also waiting on the PE from WEM, I have not really started yet although I have decided to settle on HMS Somerset as a full hull model, partly because it requires little modification from the original kit. This is first build at this scale, I am used to much larger or much smaller.

I reckon that the size of the decoy sponsons on the model are correct, I think that the positioning of the fittings as shown in the instructions is incorrect, I don't know why the manufacturer only included a single launcher. I have attached a quick sketch as to how it should be laid out.

I don't have any pictures of a Merlin I'm affraid but you might get lucky with a search on-line.

Regards
Paul

[Phil R]

I`ve been looking though the parts on sprue "J" and it looks like unused part J43 is the locker for the Sea Gnat ready use ammo.Anyway it seems about the right size so I`m using that .
I will post some photos when all the mods have been done.

So Long ,Phil

[Phil R]

I`ve amended the starboard side of the bridge,there are two decoy launchers now,the flag lockers,aft of the bridge had been removed.and part J43 (Sea Gnat locker) has been attached to the bridge 02 deck .A couple of PE aerials have been added to either side of the hangar,and canvass dodgers fixed on the secondary conning positions .I usually use Mircoscale Kristal kleer to represent this ,but I`ve run out ,so I made my own ,with a connoction of wallpaper paste and PVA glue .Seems to have worked quite well ,and its a heck of a lot cheaper!!

Bye Phil.

[LE BOSCO]

Hello Phil

superbly detailed
cheers
nicolas

[Phil R]

I managed to find a photo of a Merlin partially "folded up " in an early issue of Warship world pictorial.I put it to good use on the Merlin from the aircraft left-overfrom my build of the Airfix Illustrious.The main and tail rotors came from the WEM PE for these aircraft.That little white thing in front of the chopper is a Douglas aircraft handler used to move it into the hangar and about the flight-deck ,this needs to be painted dark green.
Nearly there!

Cheers Phil

[Phil R]

I would like correct a statement I made in my post of 11 Nov.The length of the WEM kit is not 360mm ,but its the correct length is 380mm as it should be.Lord only knows how I made such an error ,and I would like to apologize for making such a misleading statement and for any confusion caused.

Rueful Phil

[Phil R]

I`m putting this build to one side for a while ,because I still haven`t received the WEM PE for it(the old fret from their resin kit).
I will resume when I get it .

Cheers Phil

[Phil R]

The WEM PE arrived today,so I`m able to press on with the build .My first job was to do the mainmast ,and I also replaced the kit PE missile guidance platforms with those from WEM.While I was waiting for the PE ,I replaced the border round the base.I also removed the the hull bottom from the Airfix/Academy Titanic in readiness for my next build,been a busy lad!

Cheers Phil

[MartinJQuinn]

Not my area of interest, but a fine looking build Phil.

[Captain pugwash]

Great stuff Phil.
When your on a roll then it gets more interesting.

Like the changes so far.

[Phil R]

Thanks to those who have made comments ,it really bucks me up!

Phew ! This has been a demanding day ,I`ve got the PE added to the foremast ,its taken three hard-fought sessions ,but now I think I`ve cracked it .I`ve airbrushed the Lt grey,and when dry will brush paint the black rear of the mast and the very top. Thank goodness thats done!

Bye Phil

[GTDEATH13]

the mast is awesome...

Cannot wait to get my hands on my kit...

[sirpaul]

I would like correct a statement I made in my post of 11 Nov.The length of the WEM kit is not 360mm ,but its the correct length is 380mm as it should be.Lord only knows how I made such an error ,and I would like to apologize for making such a misleading statement and for any confusion caused.

Rueful Phil

I was going to say that Phil. I have one and it measures out very well.

[Phil R]

The model is now finished . I must say that Trumpy have done a brilliant job on the plastic bits in the kit,but I`m afraid that the PE was ghastly.It was ultra fragile ,so much so that the yardarms were unusable ,and undersized to boot ,thank goodness the WEM PE came to the rescue ,their old PE from their resin kit fitted this kit perfectly ,and was a vast improvement over the kit PE.The last Job I did was to add the inboard support struts to the flight-deck netting.
If you`re into British warships I can highly recommend this kit ,in spite of the PE.
I will post some pics in completed models in due course ,until then heres a couple of tasters





Cheers Phil