Build review Trumpeter HMS Barham 1/700

[potchip]

First thing I notice is the box is the same size as Queen Elizabeth.

Whist majority are new toolings, some parts from QE are used, such as the aft deck, the turrets and dreaded barrels.

Another thing you would notice is it is a somewhat 'incomplete' kit just like QE, lacking any yard arms, a number of detail bits and in general 'loosely defined' as 1941 only by the camouflage scheme provided.

The dual 4 inch are quite nice, and the pom poms I think the same as those from Renown. I expect the same sprues will be provided for the upcoming Warspite.

The funnel is lacking detail (and strangely, the instructions had more detail drawn, which says to me it was likely omitted by accident?).

Fit wise, there are some pitfalls:

Same as QE, if you choose to use the plastic barrels, you will probably better off trimming off the inserting block - also remember to glue the bottom last as it otherwise interferes with the gun burrels.

The tip of the foremast are separate parts with no locating pin to position it on the torpedo observation platform. To achieve true alignment, you need to test fit the mast legs (B4/B5) and reposition the mast top bits (B14 A28).

The main mast doesn't fit quite so nice - suggest to fit the RF platform last to ensure straightness.



Here's my progress so far, using some left overs of old WEM supplemental set.

[Vlad]

I shall be following this post carefully because I want to get one of these. I've build their 1916 Warspite and am kitabshing the 1918 QE and I was pretty happy with the kits despite some of the pitfalls you mentioned. Anyway from your picture it looks well proportioned at a distance and that's fine with me

[Ady]

Looking good. I've made a tentative start on mine but want to do it full hull and am still trying to get a good fit without having to remove half the bulges filling and sanding.

The weapons sprue isn't from the QE kit though. I think it's one from the upcoming Warspite kit. If you look at the main turrets they have the raised armoured mantlet that was added to Warspite, QE and Valiant during their major pre-war refits. So it's another mistake on Trumpeters part. If they had just included the sprue from the QE kit it would be correct.

[Vlad]

Oh god... that's annoying. Time to get the file out! Also the blast bags need filing down anyway because they are designed to fit on the "upgraded" turrets and actually stick out above the roof on the QE kit.

Another question, your hull looks warped up at the bow, is that an illusion and if not how are you planning to fix that?

[potchip]

Hull warping is not going to be a problem - just glue the waterline plate and fix it when the glue is setting.

I sometimes over-adjust by eg for this case, adding some cards at the bottom of the mid-ship, then put two jars of paint on the fore/aft of the ship, then balance my ever useful reference books on top of the jars and let the glue set. Once set, it's pretty much adjusted and fixed in place.

The main gun sprues as exactly as per QE kit.

[Ady]

They must have packed the wrong sprues in mine then because mine have raised mantlets as per Warspite which the srues in my QE do not.

[potchip]

They must have packed the wrong sprues in mine then because mine have raised mantlets as per Warspite which the srues in my QE do not.

My mistake - they are raised...

[potchip]

Funny enough, the CG-like box art contain many omissions from the kit - I guess it's a case of 'illustration only, box content may differ'

Added more missing bits..

[Quincy]

Will be following this! Getting my kit on Monday.




Bob Pink.

[Quincy]

Forgot to add this question---- Would the Barham kit be the best starting point to do a Malaya? I have the 1/700 Morskie plans available.





Bob Pink.

[chewitt13]

Looking good

[Ady]

Any further on with this? I see what you mean about the poor fit of the mast. The pompoms seem to be over sized too!

[potchip]

Been waiting for a GMM set to arrive for the crane derrick.

[Goodwood]

Nice Emily you've got there (that's my sister's name, funnily enough).

It never ceases to amaze me what shortcuts model manufacturers make when developing...just about everything. I've had to deal with it with Hasegawa and their "new tool" Fw 190s and it seems that Trumpeter are a big enthusiast of the same tactic. I can sort of see where they're coming from, but if you're going to advertise what ship you're issuing, shouldn't you at least make a token effort?

Regardless, your efforts seem to be chugging along quite neatly. I'm hopeless with PE and "reconstructive surgery" so you've already got my respect.

[Quincy]

Wow! You already have the Trumpeter Warspite in the last photo???




Bob Pink.

[Ady]

Wow! You already have the Trumpeter Warspite in the last photo???




Bob Pink.

Nah that's the wem kit!

Looking really good anyways! Starting to realise just how barren this kit is without any etch. I just don't get how trumpeter can have detail in unexpected places such as the man holes on the torpedo belt but then massively over simplify major structures like the foretop.

[potchip]

I tried to make the plastic pom pom work, but they are too big, so had to replace. Deck now painted. Walrus spare from FH Repulse set (3 sets of windshelds, 4 sets of props)

[potchip]

painted camou on one side..roundal painted on as provided decals are not the correct type.

[Quincy]

Looking really good so far! A nice hand painted deck too!!




Bob Pink.

[Goodwood]

Looking good, mate!