WEM H.M.S. Barham 25.11.1941.

[zs180]

But of course you can ask me anything. I am happy to help you if I can.

[zs180]

Half a year has passed and there hasn't been an update... Summer is always a great distraction with so much else to do other than modelling...
But I can see that many of you have been busy.
Well, it seems there is a little progress worth showing to the ones who are still interested!

The next tier to construct was the air defence platform � a relatively simple structure, the highlight of which was the wind deflector flanking its front. After having replaced the splinter shields with aluminium sheet I glued nineteen pre-cut spacers to the front. It can be seen that these spacers were initially not identical in shape � some careful sanding made them look more regular. I then added a strip of lead foil to the spacers thus completing this section.

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Moving upwards I turned my attention to the 15� gun director platform. I cut off all details bar the small wireless office at the aft end, then replaced them with more delicate scratchbuilt parts. The underside has been detailed with various gussets, braces and voice pipes. The whole structure is attached to a piece of mast to facilitate assembly after painting.

[zs180]

Before dealing with the top of the bridge I decided to construct small parts that will be attached to this section of the ship. 44� searchlights have been prepared using an excellent 3D printed set from MicroMaster.

I drilled out the lenses, painted the inside silver, then filled the hole with Micro Kristal Klear. Alas, I was unable to take decent pictures of them � they look way better in flesh!

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The 24� searchlights and the 10� signal projectors have been scratchbuilt as were the 9� rangefinders.

I also sctratchbuilt bridge instruments like binoculars and pom-pom directors. In doing this I relied heavily on the wealth of information found on the website �On the Slipway�.

[zs180]

With all the small items completed I finally set out to finish the bridge: first I built the starfish based on photoetch from Artist Hobby.

A pom-pom director platform and the parts (fashioned from aluminium sheet) wherefrom it was constructed are shown in this picture.

Some details from WEM photoetch and many scrachbuilt components add up to a really intricately detailed underside � alas, the black paintwork will hide most of these details on the completed ship. Yardarms are Albion Alloys� nickel silver rods of 0,2 mm diameter.

[Bangor lad]

Absolutely astounding level of detail. Stunning!

[zs180]

The fighting top was built from Trumpeter�s plastic part.

The walls were thinned down, the windows cut off from the roof,

some token equipment and crew members have been glued inside, then the roof and next the windows were added.

I had a great selection of etched bridge windows in various sizes � finally I chose one from the Flyhawk set.

Some really tiny pices of equipment were added to the fighting top roof.

[zs180]

There are some pictures showing the fighting top next to the identical parts from the Waveline and WEM kit.

The whole thing was crowned with the HACS III by MicroMaster, which doesn�t need much upgrade having a perfect shape and displaying wonderful detailing.

With all the tiers temporarily assembled the bridge of the model looks really attractive � at least in my view.
I certainly cannot cram more detail into it in 1:700 scale.

[Thom]

Some real impressive work.

[JIM BAUMANN]

well Yiu have used your off-time constructively!!

It does all look very very sharp and edgy!

With this levelof detail it is quite and undertaking !

Breavo

JIM B

[pascalemod]

Very nice. How you gonna paint the decks if you glued the main superstructure already together? just kinda airbrush decks and then blow over it with main paint? Always puzzles me this bit.

[EJFoeth]

Superb craftsmanship and highly inspirational; the aluminum strip with the flare as worked out beautifully.

[Milan Kuliffay]

Extremely detailed and inspirational work George

[marijn van gils]

I certainly cannot cram more detail into it in 1:700 scale.

Nobody can!






Glad to see you back at the bench George!

[PetrolGator]

Ridiculously well done.

[Koppalakki]

In 1/700 definetly gives me cold sweat!

Keep going mate!

[steinerman]

1:700 scale is normally not something I'm all that interested in because it's too small and doesn't have the amount of detail that larger kits do. However! After seeing this I definitely will change my mind. What an incredible piece of work! I simply cannot comprehend this amount of detail on anything so tiny. I look at the sheets of Pontos PE for my 1:200 Missouri and then think "My God, can you imagine these parts 3-1/2 times smaller!!" Totally blows my mind! You must have the hands of a surgeon!

Very well done.

[Channell]

I can't believe it's not 1/350 scale. Crazy good!

[zs180]

Gents, thank you very much! You're too kind. And this is coming from the modellers I value most! I am flattered.

Pascalemod, the bridge is just temporarily fitted together, the individual tiers are not glued and the whole thing will be disassembled when the painting is done.

Larry, actually I am an eye surgeon.

[MartinJQuinn]

I love it - the details are very well done.

[zs180]

Thank you Martin!