This is my first attempt at build-log,so please bear with me,if I make any mistakes.
The subject I`ve chosen is the latest release from those nice people at WEM,HMS Havelock,but I`ve decided to do the Hesperus instead,and amend the kit to depict her in Sept.`42.
The only reference I have , is the old Warship Profile on the Hesperus,this has ,however a good aerial photo of her ,taken at this time.A good picture is worth a thousand words!
Anyway, here goes,any constructive comments welcomed. Phil


A layout of kit parts,all made to WEM`s excellent standard.


The wake is made from Airfix modeling clay,using the lower hull as guide

The rest of the seascape is made using plaster mixed with some PVA glue to give added strength

The base has been painted and the upper hull has been test fitted
More to come cheers Phil

You are sure off with a good start, nice work on the base, a gloss finish and its more or less done.

Cheers/Jan

great start! base looks sweet, thanks for sharing!

I alway acrylic paints ,either from Citadel or,more recently ,the new Humbrol range(the`re intermixable),and I mix my own colours.I`ve painted the hull the standard WA colour scheme,After reading about the benefits of a "sludge" wash in FSM,I used this to simulate rust and weathering on the hull,but not too much,as she looked quite smart in the Sept 42 photo.
The deck has been paint a light blue-gray,with darker gray walk-ways alongside the forward deckhouse.I believe that Cemtex was painted in squares around the 4.7" guns.
The forward deckhouse has been modified to take the two 20mm platforms,that where in place in 1942. So long Phil

When building a resin kit ,I like to get the main structures done first,then move on to the smaller details.With it being the weekend ,I`ve cracked on to-day,and completed the forward superstrutures,and funnel.The funnel at this time had a black top,to indicate Group leader,and ,what looks likes a red band immediately below.
Next up is the 0.5" mg platform,and after funnel. Bye Phil


Those things on the blast shield,are rope fenders,made from some thread left over from Revells S-Boat kit


The pennant number is made from Letreset

The aft funnel carried the symbol of B2 Escort Group,this took quite abit of doing with decals,as they were so small,but I managed it in the end.I`ve slightly modified the MG platform between the stacks,by reducing the out-board bulkhead.The Tubes have been added today as well.
Bye Phil


The blue on the symbol needs touching up !Never noticed that!

All the major fitting have added,screens have fiited to the searchlight and 3" gun platform.At this time ,Hesperus carried no less than eight depth charge throwers,as there are only four included in the kit,White Ensign have kindly supplied me with an extra set.
Cheers Phil

I decided to replace the whitemetal barrels of the 4.7",I was hoping to buy some BMK brass barrels,but they were OOS at WEM,so I made my own.I cut off the whitemetal barrel,and drilled a small in the breech part,a piece of brass rod was cut to length,and fixed in the hole with CA.I then Heat -stretched some plastic tubing to a thickness slightly more than the brass rod,cut it the correct length for the recoil sleeve,and attached to the barrel.After painting the three mountings,I fixed a piece of PE netting to the rear of the gun breech to represent the netting fixed there to catch the empty shell-cases.
Cheers Phil

I`vesurprised even myself,this model has been finished in less than two weeks!WEM are to be congratulated on producing such a great kit.Everything fitted perfectly,making it was a pleasure.
I used figures from Fujimi,although,I think they are a little overscale,nevertheless they added to the model`s appearance.
Bye Phil

Hi Phil,

Very nice looking build!

Hi Phil!

She really came together nicely. I'm looking forward to producing an HMS Express for an Armorama (of all places!) campaign later this year.

--Karl

Hi Karl,
Thanks for the comment,good luck with your Express,I hope you enjoy building it as much as I did the Hesperus,Cheers Phil

Wow nice work Phil i really like the way this kit has come out, my favorite part is your camo painting, also nice details.