You are right there... the same, in my opinion, goes for depicting worn ships in general. To me it seems really hard to pull it off convincingly, esecially with naval vessels (which are usually modelled). You seem to have succeeded with depicting a worn lower hull though.

Harm

Thanks Harm, now that was an interesting experiment
I had my trusty bottle of "brand spiritus" at the ready to strip everything if it went wrong but luckily it turned out ok.
Cheers,
Julian

Thanks John, I have received a couple of reactions about the glaze.Is it the photos I posted with the wet paint? It looks really dire there.
Cheers,
Julian

Update March 4th: Back to work on the "Chevy" after a submarine interlude
Fixed the deck houses to the hull and have started washing, glazing and weathering to turn the build into a working war horse:







I'm taking things slow and gentle so bear with me on this part.
Cheers,
Julian

Looking very nice indeed Julian.

John

Thanks John, still a long way to go yet but looking more like a ship now
Julian

March 6th update: salt streaks and railings. Oil dot washings on the hull. Have added what I presume is the chartroom and the CIC, (not too sure if that is correct).
Also started adding the railings:





That is all for the moment,
Cheers,
Julian

Julian she is looking righteous Sir!! One day i hope when I grow up I will be that good at weathering Cheers Ole Boy Kevin

Hi Kevin, you are much to kind Thank you very much.
regards,
Julian

Hi Julian! Your weathering is outstanding! I'm looking forward to further progress!

Cheers!
Stefan

Hi julian i came back to modeling about a year ago and after building a few ships in 1/700 [and not doing very good jobs] i saw this model.It was the first large scale ship i had came across so i bought it and got a pe railings set from eduard. I finished it [again not great] so started looking for another and was pleased to get one in 1/144 again.This one was from the german navy.It was after i got it home that i found out it was the same model with some slight differences.But i dont really mind as i will not make some of the mistakes i made on the original.The question i have is what did you use to achive the weathered look on the hull it looks really good as does the rest of your weathering.regards anthony

Hi there Stefan, thanks mate ! Glad you like the effect.
Hello Anthony, the effects are no real big deal: underwater hull was achieved with a base layer, sponge applied liquid masking and a darker layer of acrylic sprayed over the masking. Remove the masking and there you go, (mind you I did do a couple of practice runs on a scrap model). If things go pear shaped you can remove the paint with methylated spirits and start all over again. the weathering on the decks is done with a glaze of artists oils, (go for the best quality you can afford, preferably WIndsor & Newtons). The outer hull is done using the dot oil technique, (plenty of articles on this online). Don't go mad, Navy vessels are well maintained by huge crews. After heavy use and low maintenance situations you will get salt stains, dirt and light rust around fairleads, anchors bollards, but you will not get a run down rusty garbage scow. Go lightly
Practice, practice and more practice.
cheers,
Julian

Really starting to come together now Julian and looking great....Cheers Mark

Thank you Mark, just adding the March 12th update: working on the bridge deck and wheelhouse. Fit at the front of the superstructure isn't too good. Think now I should have taken another route to building this so that the front could be sanded flush. Doesn't look like that is a good idea now :









cheers,
Julian

March 20th update:
Bridge now fitted with railings on topdeck. Searchlights and signal lights fitted, ( used 2 of Dmitri Kovalev's "Elf production headlights" for the signal lamps). Stacks are now permanently attached and the first quintuple torpedo launcher has been fitted. Now working on the aft AAA gun tub:









cheers,
Julian

Great Work Julian.

The more I look at builds of this kit, the more I am tempted to have a bash at it myslef.

Si

Likewise Julian. She is coming along beautifully.....Cheers Mark

Simon, Mark, thanks guys, very kind of you both. This is a really enjoyable build, no real big niggles with the Revell offering or the Eduard PE set. Fit a bit rough at the front of the bridge, (would tackle this differently with the benefit of hindsight ).
If you go for a build get hold of a PE set somewhere, otherwise it's a bit dire, reminiscent of Revell's Tirpitz.
cheers,
Julian

Julian, great progress, as always. Am still watching!

Cheers!
Stefan

Hi Stefan,
Thank you. PM concerning paint incoming
cheers,
Julian

She is coming along quite Nicely Sir Cheers

A very good morning to you Kevin Thank you very much,
cheers,
Julian

March 26th update: The stern gun tub is ready to fit. I will fit the railings on the upper deck before fitting the gun tub. Also in a fresh coat of Vallejo ground grey the Mk 37 gun director. This construction of PE nearly brought the whole build to a rather dramatic stop. One of the problems with utilising PE replacement parts is that you have to do some surgery on the plastic pieces, so once you make your choice there is in some cases no way back. I happily chopped the Mk 12 fire support radar mount off and ran into some of the most dire PE problems I have ever encountered It took nearly a week to get the radar to stay together and to fit to a very delicate frame, (wish fragile PE parts like this were supplied with a back-up in the set Hope some of the PE producers are listening out there). I have managed to get it to stay together and look barely acceptable. I still have to fit the Mk 22 "Orange peel" antenna but that should be plain sailing now :






I also fitted the signalman's pulpits to the wheelhouse roof railing.
Cheers,
Julian

Update 27th March:
Railings on upper deck, gun tub and Mk 37 fitted, (including orange peel scanner).
Have also fitted the torpedo derrick.
Pulled the "Chevy" out of the clutter on my workbench for a few quick "beauty shots":









Now for some touching up and paint repairs.
cheers,
Julian

April 6th update:
I have started adding the main armament. Grinding off the molded details and adding PE hatches, covers and doors. The second set of tubes with the "doghouse" to protect the crew from the blast of forward facing turret. I am also adding the waist depth charge launchers and derricks to reload them, along with a tidy supply of ready charges:








Cheers,
Julian