First Time Builder Needs Advice!

[DWWR]

Hello to all,

I am new here to this website, this being my first ever post, and brand new to model ship building as well! Before I pose my question(s), I have to say that you folks do some fantastic work ! Looking at the ships in the gallery section and those spread out throughout the site, I can see that there are experts and master model builders galore here! With that being said, I hope that my question(s) do not seem too simplistic.

I have always been interested in World War II warships, especially from the Pacific theatre. I have selected for my first build, the Tamiya 1/350 Fletcher Class Destroyer (DD445).



Aside from adding some PE details from the Toms Model Works US Fletcher Class Destroyer Detail set, I intend to build it straight out of the box, full hull and all.

My only real problem is deciding how far to assemble the kit before applying paint? For example, the Tamiya plans call for a �Hull Red� lower hull, a �Dark Grey� base color upper hull, with a wavy �Sea Blue� camouflage applied over that, all of this separated by a thin �Flat Black� line. Do I paint all of this prior to attaching the deck (I am using an airbrush btw) so as to avoid having to mask the bridge, guns and other topside areas, which are a different color? Here is a picture of the plans.



What about the deck and all upper portions of the topside sections, when would be a good time to paint these areas? What I mean is, if a person were to be looking down on the ship from directly above, the Tamiya plans call for these areas to be painted a mix of one part �Hull Red� and two parts �Field Blue�. However, the sides of the guns, bridge, funnels etc are to be painted �Neutral Grey� with �Dark Grey� wavy camouflage. Here is a picture of what I mean:



Would I paint the deck topside it�s color before adding the bridge, guns, funnels etc, and would I assemble and paint the sides of the bridge, funnels, guns the �Neutral Grey�/�Dark Grey� camouflage before attaching them to the deck? In other words, making many different sub-assemblies and once they are done and painted, bringing them all together at the end?

I hope this is making sense! In essence, I was wondering how far do you folks assemble your kits before you begin painting them? It seems to me that assembling the entire kit and then painting it would make masking difficult and almost impossible. So what do you all do?

I apologize for the long-winded first post, and if my question(s) seem both confusing and/or overly elementary. I am just quite excited to begin this first project but I suppose I am a tad overwhelmed and unsure as to how far I should proceed before I begin/need to start applying paint.

I thank you all very much for any and all advice!

Kindest Regards,
Don

[masch3]

The order of painting and construction is different from kit to kit. There is no way to give a general answer that is applicable to all kits. However, regarding this specific question, I have the following thoughts:

Build the kit in subassemblies and paint these. Glue everything together. Done!

Airbrush large areas like hull base colour, deck base colour and upper works base colour. Paint details with brush.

I build my kits in general subassemblies that are painted before installation: Hull; Deck; Structures; Guns; Boats etc. Railings are at a quite late stage and are painted before installation.

Good luck!

//Magnus

[Timmy C]

I think you have a pretty good idea of what to do =) Assemble a few pieces, paint them, then add the small details, then put the various subassemblies onto the hull/other superstructure parts.

[Karsten]

I asked the same question a while back and there didn't seem to be a right or wrong way but more so what you are comfortable with.

Some build up the whole ship add P/E then paint and weather/age while other build the smaller assemblies add P/E here and there paint then assemble to larger components like the deck after it was painted.

I am presently wrapped up with a bunch of 1/700 resin kits where the main part is all one piece (hull, deck, superstructure) so it seems to be a little tougher to do decking in say wood tones and the rest gray/black or white.

I have found that Hobbico Master Mask or Bob Lively's Masking film can come in very handy for painting decks then masking them off or especially a camo pattern such as the Flecther, The hornet and a few others.

Good luck.

Karsten