Since last weekend I have the kit too, and my objective is to turn it into HMS Suffolk. So here are my first results at the conversion.
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The quarterdeck cut down was carried out much as I had envisaged before. The main hurdle is, after you have cut away the portions of the hull, to graft in a new rim to receive the modified quarterdeck. This is a tedious task, with knife, chisel and file, and must be carried out with care to have a good sit of the deck.
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The shelterdeck also needs to be modified considerably, with filling in a large portion on either side, and with removal of the hashed area. Note the frame numbers I pencilled in as a reference. In fact I am delighted with the accuracy of the Trumpeter kit, as everything comes very close to where I expected it to be, based on the scanty, but seemingly accurate drawings from Alan Raven/John Roberts in their Man o'War 1 booklet on the County class.
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Next I started also on the relocated 4" gun locations. These 4" gun turrets themselves need to be modified into single barreled versions: according to Raven/Roberts these were unique to Suffolk, and they provide a detailed drawing of these as well.
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Suffolk 4 inch HA 001.jpg [ 227.79 KiB | Viewed 3808 times ]
Below the shelterdeck the 4" gun turrets need 4.8mm tube foundation pillars, these are missed by Trumpeter entirely and will need to be added to any model. Also under the pom-pom platforms the pillars need to be fatter (5.5 mm) and extended to the deck below.
Well, on to the next step, modifying of all the bridge platforms!