I am using Eduard's Big Ed PE set for this one. I like the fact all of the fighting tops and other details with the seams on the vertical faces will be replaced with PE panels. Having read Mr. Lundrums build, I may opt to clad the plastic kit parts with the PE pieces, rather than replace them, but I'll make that decision when I get that far. I am also replacing all of the guns with 5/51's from White Ensign Models, and the 5/25's from Veteran Models. The gun barrels will also be replaced with brass units from Master Models. They are simply too exquisite to not use.
After the main and upper decks were replaced. The structure in the center will be visible ( I hope) behind the casemate guns, which will be displayed with the curtains and storm doors open.
Here I set the turrets, Superstructure deck, and bridge in place. This will enable me to paint the decks first, then add the details after, eliminating a lot of tedious masking later on.
Here's a closeup of the new deck surface. The narrower recessed boards are a big improvement over the kit decks.
I've begun building the upper half of the hull, as this is where most of my work will take place. The raised deck planking had to go. It's way over scale, plus all the deck details are molded blobs, rather than separate pieces. Using my razor saw, I cut off the turret barbettes, all the winches, ventilators, and casemate sections. These will all be replaced with either scratchbuilt items or PE parts. For the deck I am replacing all of the decking with Evergreen V Groove plastic sheet. It's .020" thick with .025" spacing on the V Grooves. It's much more accurate than the raised decking the kit comes with. Once all of the deck items were removed, I made paper templates of the anchor ways, Wildcat mounts and chain openings, and replicated them with .010 plastic. These will be applied over the Evergreen deck after painting. I did the same for the mooring bits at the stern, as these were left off by Hobby Boss. I then re-drilled all the bitt locations, chain hawser locations and turret center holes for future reference. I have a good set of drawings from Paul Stillwell's book so I will use that to locate the various hatches, ventilators, scratchbuilt gypsy-head winches and other details. WEM came to the rescue with their nice little 5/51's, so they will be displayed in the Casement positions. This means that all of the interior has to be detailed out. I've added the internal superstructure immediately behind, and will add portholes and doors as needed. Depending how visible it will be in there, I may or may not add the structure on the ceilings. I will paint the deck the same way I did on my Monterey, using 3 colors of teak, and masking off individual boards. With the nice recessed grooves of the Evergreen, masking will be a snap.
Thanks for looking. I'll post some more pictures later on as work progresses.
Cheers
Mike
