God I hate this thread! I'm always checking it when new posts appear. It fills me jealousy and makes me want to spend vast amounts of money!

I want Si and Luciano to adopt me and I would anxiously anticipate every birthday and Christmas (or Hanukkah)!

Bryan,

Si covered pretty much the technical details - as a modeler, yes, you would need to scratch build almost everything above main deck level.

As for the renaming, she was commissioned DEUTSCHLAND in 1933 and renamed LUTZOW (actually Luetzow with the Umlaut 'ue') early 1940. That was for one of two reasons (or possibly both at the same time, discussions are endless...):
- after the loss of the Admiral Graf Spee in Dec 1939 Hitler was afraid that a possible loss of a ship named DEUTSCHLAND would be a major blow to his propaganda and all that
- at about the same time (spring 1940) a heavy cruiser of the Hipper class (or more correctly Prinz Eugen class, as they were only half sisters, or you can call the Prinz Eugen a sub-class of the Hippers, as you like...), the more than half completed Lutzow was sold to Russia, and this renaming was intended to conceal the deal. (of topic - there were five Hipper class cruisers: Hipper and Blucher (full sisters) and Prinz Eugen, Seydlitz, Lutzow. Seydlitz was converted into an aircraft carrier but never finished and Lutzow, as mentioned, was sold.)

You may pick whatever argument you like with regard to the renaming, I don't know what is true, and I doubt that there is a definitive answer to that.

Cheers,
Jan

Postman did all the hard work today,

Maybe Simon will lead us in a Destroyer Campaign after the Cruisers. This was gonna be up next, it will just have to be shelved for now. I ordered the Master Brass barrels but realized that it had 1/700 printed on the package, bummer.

In any case in comparison to the Reuben James, a system designed by purpose, efficient and standard, the Sovremmeny is out to kick A#$ and take names. It has two two barreled cannons, surface to air and surface to surface missiles all in a platform the same size as the FFG. I predict a little naval cold war in my flat.


I also got a bunch of stuff, paints for the upcoming Cruiser build, chisel for removing detail, anchor chains, more scratch building material, tape, glue and finally the whaleboats for the FFG build.


I like giving myself presents,
Bryan

Now there's an idea Bryan!

But lets get the cruiser campaign under way first.

Si

One at the time, please.... - but a destroyer campaign would be something I'd definitely sign up for - plenty of those waiting in my stash

Jan

Bryan,

Would Destroyer Escorts be included in that Campaign???

The more campaigns the merrier!!

Anyway, the postman should be delivering some packages for me within the next few days so for once I will be able to post something cool here myself.

Yea

Dave

Hmm,

Is a Escort Destroyer the same as a Destroyer. Technically no, but that is opening up a difficult discussion as definitions changed over time.

If a campaign gets going in many months we can have that discussion.

Bryan

Good question Bryan,

I would reckon Yes, the more open the campaign the more campaigners.

Anyway lets discuss that after we get cruisers going.

Si.

hey all,

the postman stopped by the house and dropped off my Cruiser Campaign subject, the IJN Light Cruiser Noshiro. I also received the IJN observation sets last week.





She looks good, cant wait to get cracking.

Dave

My first element to attemptign to make an Israeli Dolphin-2 submarine. A Revell 1/144 Type-212A submarine. I'll attempt to mate the bow and stern sections to a forthcomming Revel Type-214 submarine kit.



The browns plastic took me by surprise.

Nice pick for Cruiser campaign Dave.

Agree brown is an interesting Michael, but looks a nicely moulded kit.

Si

I know. It gives me pause about cutting it up for parts.

Picked an order from my LHS today, bits for the Borodino.



also found this rather nice wingy thingy, really like the Malta markings.



Si

Nice one Si, I also have that wingy thing watch out it could be contagious

Well I have a cruiser or two winging their way from foreign shores but the postie did drop this off today from nearer afield.



I'll be at the Chatham historic dockyard Monday with camera in hand so I'll be looking to see what good books are available and if there are any new exhibits. I will also be displaying with my local club in the model section plus there's also plenty of old cars, steam engines and steam punk!

Hi Luciano,

The dark side of wingy thingies can be dangerous, and I try to restrict myself to those that had "Royal Navy" painted on the side, but new airfix engineering and Malta markings, couldn't resist.

Nice book, must get a copy of that before I start my big Bismarck build.

Will be interested to see the cruisers when they arrive.

Si

Thanks Si so will I.

Returned from the Steam and transport show with some reference material in hand (only one model trader at this show)



Just so you know it wasn't all models I also came home with some chocolate chill sauce, top middle of the photo

Nice haul Luciano,

Chocolate chilli sauce, nice!

The deck for the Borodino arrived from Freetime,



No I have everything I need for the little monster.

Si

Luciano - great haul, reference material is always a great buy.

Si - the wooden deck looks great. Will look even better mounted.

I was lucky today as the postman was gracious enough to deliver a couple of packages.



Now I can fix some of my errors on the Maya.

Dave

Thanks Dave,

Nice package.

Looking forward to seeing more progress on the Maya,

Si

First of the cruisers turned up plus some more Lifecolor paints and another pair of tweezers. The paints are the ones Lifecolor recommend for the colours not in their RN paint sets for the other RN colours you may need.

Cruiser is the Kuma, love the look of these old Jap light cruisers.

postie turned up with the second cruiser today and a sub I sneaked into the order



Now to look for some upgrade sets

Luciana

Nice haul. Out of curiosity where do you order from?

Dave

Dave, as trying to find Aoshima 1/350 ships in this country is very hard even when WEM were around I've been searching high and low and eventually found that I can get them through Amazon but just like evilbay you do need to check the prices and postage rate. Even though I order from Amazon UK the kits come from Japan, I've only got one more Jap heavy I want, that being the Ashigara but I'll keep an eye open for sub's and destroyers.

As a side note the Kuma came through without being stopped by customs while they stopped the Takao and I-365 and I had to pay the VAT.

Luciano,

Finding Aoshima in the states is just as difficult. I had not looked at Amazon as a source but will take a look and see what they have.

I know that HLJ has the Ashigara listed but I believe it is indicated as back order. She is also on my list.

thanks for the info, will give amazon another look.

Dave

No problem Dave, just like evil bay just watch the prices. I've seen the same thing on sale from several different suppliers with over £100 difference.

Anyway a evil bay purchase and a visit to my LHS to collect an order, last items for this month anyway.

My favourite US Battlewagon the North Carolina, along with the early 5 gun Benson and a WWI minelayer U-boat.





GMM etch sets for the North Carolina and the Indy plus something I couldn't resist, a 1/350 pe skeleton Type VII/C. GMM sets were in a sale


A view of the type VII/C pe