H.M.S. Rodney 1:200 - Public Build III

[Bill Livingston]

Thank you SA. I have just ordered two sets, that�s 120 sailors, so that should get me started. I need to use some under the shelter deck and in other enclosed areas and need them over the holiday period as the build progresses and those areas become less accessible.

If they work out, I may buy more sets to populate the rest of the ship.

I will also look out for some 3D printed sailors at some point. Hopefully there will be some available when the time comes as I would hope they may have more �working� poses.

Thank you again.

[Dan K]

A very impressive build. Congradulations.

I have a sweet spot for rigging as well.

[Bangor lad]

Superb modelling!

[Strategos Augustus]

Thank you SA. I have just ordered two sets, that�s 120 sailors, so that should get me started. I need to use some under the shelter deck and in other enclosed areas and need them over the holiday period as the build progresses and those areas become less accessible.

If they work out, I may buy more sets to populate the rest of the ship.

I will also look out for some 3D printed sailors at some point. Hopefully there will be some available when the time comes as I would hope they may have more �working� poses.

Thank you again.

Did you receive your crew yet?

I thought they were rather good. I had a little bit of cleanup, and the sprues are rubbery, so this is more difficult than it would be otherwise.

I really like Fujimi's IJN crew set for 1/350. It is a real shame that no one has made cheap, generic crew in plastic more available. I've played with PE crew, but it loses its plausibility once you start to climb in scale.

A very impressive build. Congradulations.

I have a sweet spot for rigging as well.

Thank you! There is something so satisfying about running those lines.

Superb modelling!

Thank you sir!

[Strategos Augustus]

I have been procrastinating getting my finished product pictures assembled.

However, I did take Rodders to my local IPMS and a colleague there was kind enough to take these shots:













I love this thing. It is my most favorite model that I have ever built. And while I like other ships like the Roma and the Tirpitz, this one is just so special with all its colors and unusual features. Also, the size makes for quite the impression.

I do have one other 1/200 scale battleship on hand if anyone wants me to have a go at round two.

Already made a list of 'things to be improved'. The flags come to mind.

[rotley]

What a beautiful piece of art. The detail, weathering, rigging etc is amazing.

If Trumpeter/Hobby Boss ever pull their finger out and release the HMS Rodney in 1/350 scale I hope, but doubt, my build will be as good as this.

[marijn van gils]

I do have one other 1/200 scale battleship on hand if anyone wants me to have a go at round two.

Don't hold me accountable for any potential negative consequences, but please do!

[Koppalakki]

I have to say those photos are bringing the model more justice! Looks great!

And straight out of the box you said? I tried to do that once in the past 5 years, I built a hull of a DD and that's about it, I can't bear myself to build if I don't go HAM on it!
So for me it's about 2 ships in a year but trying my best to make each one even better than the previous!

[Bill Livingston]

Thank you SA. I have just ordered two sets, that�s 120 sailors, so that should get me started. I need to use some under the shelter deck and in other enclosed areas and need them over the holiday period as the build progresses and those areas become less accessible.

If they work out, I may buy more sets to populate the rest of the ship.

I will also look out for some 3D printed sailors at some point. Hopefully there will be some available when the time comes as I would hope they may have more �working� poses.

Thank you again.

Did you receive your crew yet?

I thought they were rather good. I had a little bit of cleanup, and the sprues are rubbery, so this is more difficult than it would be otherwise.

I really like Fujimi's IJN crew set for 1/350. It is a real shame that no one has made cheap, generic crew in plastic more available. I've played with PE crew, but it loses its plausibility once you start to climb in scale.

Hi SA...

Yes, I did thank you for the recommendation.

They are certainly useable... especially for the areas that will be mainly hidden from direct view such as under the shelter deck and in the area under the bandstand and other partially covered areas. Although useable elsewhere, there are really only five poses, (one sprue of each and two sprue of standing to attention) so with a largish crew, it will mean an awful lot of repeated poses, although lots of combinations with crew in small groups its easier to get away with it than if you had random singles dotted about. Plus there are no figures in working poses or claiming stairs or ladders which would have been nice. I am still hoping for some proper Royal Navy 3D figures at 200 scale for the main decks... but I will see.

As far as conversion to RN (originally USN), like you, I think just painting them accordingly will work just fine... they are small enough to work... but large enough to make it worthwhile painting them properly.

As far as overall shape and so on, they are pretty good and with a reasonable amount of detail... their heads look a touch small, but then most small figures have heads that are far too big, so maybe its just that. They are all the same height and size... which isnt true for large groups of people... but really, I'm just nitpicking now... They are FAR better than using PE... which is fine for 700 scale (just)... but not much use for 200 scale.

For all those in a similar position to me... here are the figures in close up (the pictures 'on line' are too small to be of any real use...).

FYI:

There six sprues in each box. Each sprue contains ten sailors.

The poses with photo are:

Sailors at attention 2 x sprues

Sailors arms folded 1 x sprue

Sailors hands behind back (at ease)

Sailors walking

Sailors sitting

The sitting sailors aren't molded brilliantly, but even at 200 scale, it really isnt a hug issue especially as they will be in hard to see areas. I have also posted a picture of one alongside a match head, just in case there are people out there who think 200 scale is big...

Thanks again SA... and to any others, hope that helps

(They are considerably better when viewed at sensible distances than appears to be the case in my closeups... Please look at the overall package photo... thats more how you see them in terms of size on a model...).

[Mgunns]

I just went through your build log. Really nice work and the model turned out great, as eveidenced by the award you got at the show. I started this back in........April I think, and put it away. Your build log is motivating. I noticed you have the model presented as "under way," as such, does the RN have the Union Jack on the Jack Staff when not in port? Just curious. This shows that an excellent model can be built without spending ones life savings on an after market set of PE. Like you, I am using no after market PE, just stuff in the spares box. Very nicely done and impressive. Thanks for posting.

[Joe Simon]

Great overall job on this build. I still can't believe how fast you built it!

[J. Soca]

One of the best Trumpeter 1/200 Rodney i've seen until now!





Jose

[LE BOSCO]

HI

I missed the weathering of your Rodney
superb and very convincing ..I like it
congrat's
cheers
Nicolas

[Strategos Augustus]

What a beautiful piece of art. The detail, weathering, rigging etc is amazing.

If Trumpeter/Hobby Boss ever pull their finger out and release the HMS Rodney in 1/350 scale I hope, but doubt, my build will be as good as this.

I hope that both the 1/350 scale version of this is released and that your build surpasses mine!

I do have one other 1/200 scale battleship on hand if anyone wants me to have a go at round two.

Don't hold me accountable for any potential negative consequences, but please do!

Giggle. Well, I can't help myself. I need no encouragement. That being said, I have a tranche of 'small' 1/350 ships to finish first!

I have to say those photos are bringing the model more justice! Looks great!

And straight out of the box you said? I tried to do that once in the past 5 years, I built a hull of a DD and that's about it, I can't bear myself to build if I don't go HAM on it!
So for me it's about 2 ships in a year but trying my best to make each one even better than the previous!

Out of the box yessir! My chief limitation is fiscal...and I tend to go for quantity over quality I suppose.

That being said, your insane contributions to the world of 1/350 are driving me to bend every sail on these projects. You have 'forced' me to start learning the basics of scratchbuilding...I do have the 1/200 Sovremenny kit on the shelf.

[Strategos Augustus]

Hi SA...

Yes, I did thank you for the recommendation.

They are certainly useable... especially for the areas that will be mainly hidden from direct view such as under the shelter deck and in the area under the bandstand and other partially covered areas. Although useable elsewhere, there are really only five poses, (one sprue of each and two sprue of standing to attention) so with a largish crew, it will mean an awful lot of repeated poses, although lots of combinations with crew in small groups its easier to get away with it than if you had random singles dotted about. Plus there are no figures in working poses or claiming stairs or ladders which would have been nice. I am still hoping for some proper Royal Navy 3D figures at 200 scale for the main decks... but I will see.

As far as conversion to RN (originally USN), like you, I think just painting them accordingly will work just fine... they are small enough to work... but large enough to make it worthwhile painting them properly.

As far as overall shape and so on, they are pretty good and with a reasonable amount of detail... their heads look a touch small, but then most small figures have heads that are far too big, so maybe its just that. They are all the same height and size... which isnt true for large groups of people... but really, I'm just nitpicking now... They are FAR better than using PE... which is fine for 700 scale (just)... but not much use for 200 scale.

For all those in a similar position to me... here are the figures in close up (the pictures 'on line' are too small to be of any real use...).

FYI:

There six sprues in each box. Each sprue contains ten sailors.

IMG_2397.jpg

The poses with photo are:

Sailors at attention 2 x sprues

IMG_2401.jpeg

Sailors arms folded 1 x sprue

IMG_2404.jpeg

Sailors hands behind back (at ease)

IMG_2403.jpeg

Sailors walking

IMG_2400.jpg

Sailors sitting

IMG_2402.jpeg

The sitting sailors aren't molded brilliantly, but even at 200 scale, it really isnt a hug issue especially as they will be in hard to see areas. I have also posted a picture of one alongside a match head, just in case there are people out there who think 200 scale is big...

IMG_2408.jpeg

Thanks again SA... and to any others, hope that helps

(They are considerably better when viewed at sensible distances than appears to be the case in my closeups... Please look at the overall package photo... thats more how you see them in terms of size on a model...).

I hope they work out, I really hope we can see some economical alternatives in the near future. I think these 1/200 ships scream out for people.

[Strategos Augustus]

I just went through your build log. Really nice work and the model turned out great, as eveidenced by the award you got at the show. I started this back in........April I think, and put it away. Your build log is motivating. I noticed you have the model presented as "under way," as such, does the RN have the Union Jack on the Jack Staff when not in port? Just curious. This shows that an excellent model can be built without spending ones life savings on an after market set of PE. Like you, I am using no after market PE, just stuff in the spares box. Very nicely done and impressive. Thanks for posting.

Thanks a bunch for the attention. My apologies for the rather tardy reply.

I think these kits are just fine OOB.

I have taken liberties with the flags on this ship.

My navy, my rules. Especially considering how well the jack turned out. My chief reason for hoisting the White Ensign up high was practical. If the flag hangs off the stern, it is the first thing to hit a foreign object. This way the waterline of the hull is the first thing to impact. I've broken two stern ensigns quite tragically so I am trying to avoid the inevitable knock against the side of the bookshelf.

Great overall job on this build. I still can't believe how fast you built it!

Thank you sir. Great admirer of you work.

One of the best Trumpeter 1/200 Rodney i've seen until now!
Jose

That is some high praise. Thank you!

HI

I missed the weathering of your Rodney
superb and very convincing ..I like it
congrat's
cheers
Nicolas

Merci beaucoup!

[Strategos Augustus]

Incidentally, I have put together a gallery of sorts here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=166869

I am thinking of submitting my work to be added to the main gallery at some point also.

[Strategos Augustus]

Sorry for digging this up from the grave.

Some of you have may have noticed that all my pictures for this project were missing.

Indeed I was reminded of that fact recently.

Anyway, I managed to go through and fix all the missing images.

Hopefully this will still be an interesting reference for anyone interested in this kit.