Hi all

Havind decided that I needed a break in my Leyte Campaign entry (USS Cassin DD-372 in 1943 fit) I have decided to try a completely different thing...
So instead of going and open another box from the stash I was seing some old magazines (portuguese edited Revista da Marinha or Navy Magazine) when I found a two part article on the Bay/Loch Class Frigates in Portuguese use from 1959 to early 1970's. Some good photos, a great article and 1/700 scale plans! Next thing I remember I was cutting 1mm thick evergreen rectangles to make the hull. After some sanding and puttying, and sanding and puttying I have a hull.
Some after market parts from WEM and GMM are going to be used:
- WEM PRO 4'' QF Mk XVI in twin Mk XIX mount (short shield)
- WEM PRO Twin 40mm Boffors
- WEM PRO single 40mm Boffors Mk V (Boffin)
- WEM PE Set 1/700 Black Swan Class Sloop
- WEM PE Set 1/700 O & P Class Destroyers
- WEM PE Set 1/700 Royal Navy Doors and Hatches
- GMM Watertight Doors

Some more scratchbuilding is involved and progress will be updated here

And now for some photos
The real NRP Alvares Cabral


NRP Pacheco Pereira, another ship of the class


My first major scratchbuilt project












Comments are most welcome, as usual
Skipper

Great project Rui!
I'm sure you will make it turn into a fine looking subject, as well, mate...looking forward to following along in your Blog!
~Mark

It is looking good. I do like to see scratch builds, each being a unique piece of art and the subject often not seen elsewhere.
I am looking forward to seeing your talent pull off a fine finnish.

Awesome work Skip. Very cool idea indeed.

Very sharp looking work Rui and excellent subject matter, will look forward to seeing your progress with this one.

Mike

Rui,
Outstanding Build !!! Plus the fact it is in 1/700th scale, I salute you. I think I'll stick with 1/144th as my smallest. But your work is tremendous, we all look forward to watching this build. Please keep us updated with your progress as she comes down the ways.

Semper Fi................. Bruce

Thanks guys!

This really boosts up the moral!
I can say that the main guilty part of this is Mike McCabe and Filipe Ramires
I'll explain later!

So far the hardest tasks were making the bow convincing (it still needs some more sanding, to get that sharp edge) and the funnel, mainly because of the shape and size of it, which makes it difficult to handle...
I expect to get all the main superstructures finished today, and will start some minute details on the deck during the coming weekend.
Still have to find suitable information for the fire control turret, find out what was the small superstructure before number two turret.
Apart from my finger tips being sore :-) this has been a very motivating project
Thanks for the suport
Skipper

I totally agree with you Rui -that's by forgetting a bit what/ who we are that we begin in boat scratchbuilding
I wish you the best for your project, it's already a famously great start
JB

Great work Rui i have been waiting for a scratch build in a small scale, i will be watching your build closely.

I get blamed for everything round here...

To keep you company Rui I'll take some photos of my build of the Matchbox Exeter which other than a couple of kit parts is mostly scratchbuilt as well.

Mike

:-) :-)
It is a positive blame Mike
Remember some emails when we talked about "why Japanese?" and other "not Portuguese" models?
Well, you made me start to think about it seriously and the fact that this magazine got some good plans of it was the dynamite and the flame get together! Let's see waht this BIG BANG brings us

Thanks all for your support - photos later today with some updates
Skipper

Hi there

A little update on the main superstructure (bridge and open bridge) and funnel pipping.
The bridge revealed a little more tricky than I expected, but I think it come out ok.

Bridge detail and general views...










I think I will start to make some more small details to see how it looks

Thanks,
Skipper

This is certainly coming along nicely. A very interesting build.

Rui, the super-structure looks great, and the open bridge is sweet, dude!
Coming along fine, my friend!

Looking very nice Rui!

This is looking terrific!
Rick

very tight work Rui! she's looking very good already

another small update:
- Open bridge superstructures added
- Fire control pedestal added
- Starboard side doors added (GMM)
- Reinforcements on the break water added
- Main deck rear "walls" added
- Main deck rear hatches added (some trimming needed)
- O1 deck lockers added (but needed to be trimmed)

and now the photos...














Comments welcome

Skipper

She's really coming along Rui. Looking very nice.

Greetings

Looking very nice indeed, Rui. Far more advanced then my hull indeed. Sadly I haven't touched my frigate of the same class for sometime...I've been more busy with the Kilo diorama and in starting scratching one of the galleons for the Navy Museum... which is becoming a very difficult task!!!!!!!!
Looking forward to see more developments on your model.
Regards,

Filipe

Thanks again for your support, guys!
Filipe, I will take this model to our meeting on Monday
And if you need any help in your current project - please, ask!

Cheers,
Skipper

And another small update.
Some parts were remade using brass sheet (funnel and the 01 bridge wings), since it's a little thinner.
More work done on the open bridge, funnel, twin 40mm Boffors Gun director stand and more doors added. Some bits here and there too

And now for the photos:














And, I must say that finnaly it is satrting to look like something
As usual, comments/critcs are most welcome
Skipper

Ah yes, mate, she definitely IS taking shape!

Love the brass fiddly-bits, and, as always, Rui, you're doing a great job with this subject build, overall....is there a full build feature in the plans for this??(hint-hint )

Super looking job Rui.

Thanks guys!

The feature could be made, depending on the end result
If it turns out good - then OK, otherwise it will be some plastic and PE parts down the bin - but I can say that it is going on the right track.

Skipper