Greetings All,
Your friendly neighbourhood Hood guy here...but with some questions that do not concern our beloved "7Bs!" I can never seem to finish my models of Hood. The problem is that I know WHAT to do, but lack the necessary skills to do notable pieces of it. Then there are the periodic changes which arise (right EJ?!). As a result, things are "OBE" and I never get far. My skills, already spotty, have become even more lacking. So, I thought I should get some practice in whilst trying my hand at a different ship. I wanted to �keep it in family� though, so I thought I�d try one of her less-pretty step-sisters
. Being a fan of Clyde-built ships, the choice was obvious...Repulse. So, I�m trying my hand at the Tamiya 1/700 kit of her as sunk.
Although I don't plan on going into insane levels of detail, I do want to take it to a reasonable level (at least a little more detailed than a standard out-of-the-box build). Unfortunately, there are some things that I'm still unclear about. I did check the forum but there are still some things that were either conflicting or confusing (to me). So, I do apologise if some of this has been asked before. Hopefully some of you will be able to help.
1. Deck Composition-Planked vs Painted Metal Areas
I know that most of the large deck spaces on Repulse were planked in 1941. I also know that areas such as the focsle, bridge decks, platforms around the funnel, mast platforms, etc. were likely painted with non-slip paints. I plan on using an Artwox deck veneer for this model (I've always painted them before, but I figured I'd try an actual wood deck this time). They provide wood for most of the decks...including some areas that I find questionable. So, I'm looking for proof (or at least the latest consensus) regarding these areas:
A. Raised deck aft of B turret and forward of the bridge- the Tamiya kit (part A6) shows this as planked, but I�ve seen at least one 1941 photo of her at sea which shows a very dark deck which looks different in shade than the confirmed planked area ahead. It suggestive of painted steel. I also could�ve sworn I�ve seen earlier photos showing no planking in this area just behind "B" (but to be honest, I can't recall "when" the photos were from and they could've been from before the planking was originally added). What�s the consensus?
B. Shelter Deck- the Tamiya kit (part B29) does not depict the correct shape of this structure (I know to create the expanded Royal Compartment to starboard). Tamiya also shows this entire area as planked. I am unclear on whether this was actually fully planked. I know that the original area was planked, but am not sure if it was expanded to the two side wings (or if it was all removed or painted later). Has anyone ever been able to verify this? This is one of those areas for which I've seen conflicting info.
C. Aircraft Catapult Area- I believe this was planked. Can anyone verify this?
2. Missing Details
A. Rear Superstructure- this is the Shelter Deck and upper structure just forward of �Y� turret (formed by parts B29 and B44). The Tamiya kit is very bare/plain in this area (just like their Hood) and in need of even the most cursory detail. Can anyone share an accurate plan scan showing the location of portholes, windows, bulkhead vents and doors in Dec �41? The only thing I ask is that you please not use Kagero or the Morskie stuff...after their flawed Hood products (sigh), I�m afraid I don�t have much confidence in them.
B. Various- I know I need to add vents around "B" barbette. I also understand that there should be no AAA gun tubs forward or atop "Y" turrets (but assume the ones abreast the aft superstructure and mainmast were indeed present). I also need to enclose the port side of part B45 (but am unclear about starboard).
3. Paint Scheme-
I believe the current understanding is that the ship was painted in medium and very dark grey shades (not AP507C and black). Presumably, wood decks would be dulled down and metal decks would be non-slip dark grey. Do we know if the upper portion of the mainmast (above the starfish) was painted in the standard white? Anyway, it seems like we may never get this one 100% nailed down, so I guess it calls for some artistic license (no problem there).
There is one thing that seems odd to me though: I�ve noticed that many folks model the ship�s forward turrets as all one shade of light grey (including the tops). I�ve seen at least one clear photo from �41 that clearly shows dark turret tops for �A� and �B� turrets (or at least darker than the main shade used on that area of the ship). The big question is, was it still this way when she departed for her final mission?
My apologies for asking so many questions. I can tell you exactly what to replace/detail on the Tamiya Hood (we got the same questions sooooo many times that we ultimately put together an article for our website). This, however, is NOT Hood, so I need help! I really want to finish something for once and I think this would be a great kit for the endeavor. Many thanks in advance.
Hurry up now and finish it so you can have a nice reference for us mere mortals trying to make sense of colors.
Danny DON'T "waterline"...!
) but I was wondering if there are any glaring mistakes in the Tamiya kit as depicting Repulse on the day she sunk? It seems most of the discussion here has to do with the Trumpeter kit or for those who were interested in her appearance before Dec. 1941. 
