Hello everyone and welcome to my latest build, the Trumpeter 1/350 DKM Graf Spee, but not as she appeared at the Battle Of The River Plate, but before the camo was applied. Like so..


Here is the kit and the extras I will be using in the build..

We have the basic kit, an Artwox wooden deck, a Master barrels set and an Eduard PE set which includes the all important railings.



A small and a large fret of PE in this set, small by battleship standards (USS North Carolina had 3 large frets).

I have already upgraded the 37 and 150mm guns..
Here are the plastic barrels..

Then after cutting off the originals, drilling a locating hole (which I seem to get right about 1 in 4 times),,

A large improvement on the plastic barrels. Muzzles are drilled out.
Then we have the torpedo turrets, which I think you will agree are pretty damn good for plastic bits! No PE needed here in 1/350.

Well thats it for now. More photos tomorrow,
Cheers
Warren

Go for it Warren Nice choice.

Nothing appeared in the mail today to cause me to alter my couse so here are some more GS piccies.





All this and I am still on the first step of the instructions!
If anyone is looking for a gentle introduction to PE then this kit and the Eduard set are a good combination as it is not too detailed and the kit isn't vastly complicated.
Until tomorrow
Warren

Nice work. I just finished this kit (also with the Eduard PE) and I agree it's a good way to step into a larger project. The kit isn't overly complicated and has clear instructions ... ditto for the Eduard set.

Those cranes you're working on are the weakest parts in the whole kit - nasty seam running the entire length - but you've dressed them up nicely. What diameter is the rod you put through the reel?

Hi there Bill and thanks for dropping by!

I used 0.3mm copper wire that came in the Griffon Vosper PE set. They give you lots of extra stuff so I used it here as well.

You are right about the seam, but when the PE is dry I will sand the excess melted plastic off and hopefully the seam will disappear.

Did you have a build log for your GS as I would love to have a look at it.

Cheers Bill
Warren

I did do a build log of sorts (link below) and thinking back to it reminds me of the other area where I thought the kit was weak - the attachment slots/holes in the main deck and deckhouses for the reels, secondary armament, AA guns, etc. It's a minor point but kind of a head scratcher when other aspects of the kit are so good.

http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=110727

Hi Warren,

Great looking start, will be following this one with interest.

Si

Thanks for that Simon and welcome to the build.
Well still no sign of the bolts for the Vosper so it was on, on, on with the Admiral Graf Spee..

All the cranes need now are some fine wire for their rigging.

Here we have the two main turrets. The turrets themselves need a few PE parts to be applied. The barrels were not too bad but I wish all manufacturers would provide them like one company does with the ring to slip over the rod in the turret like the originals, which would save drilling holes and stuffing it up. I can hardly ever get them exactly alligned.

Plastic ladders have been removed in preparation for the PE ladders.

The plastic barrels have hollow ends as well, but the brass ones just seem to look so much better for some reason.
Then we have the bottom of one of the powered launches..

And then the top


I made the life rings on the top pf the cabin from copper wire, same as the rings on the depth charges on the Vosper, except this time I used Mr Surfacer 500 to fill in the join. Eduard supplied PE rings but flat rings just don't do it for me.
Cheers
Warren

Great work Warren nice to see you are keeping busy in between builds just wish I could try and keep up with you

Keith

G'Day Keith.
Glad to see you here.
I would be even happier if I had a job to go to each day.
Cheers
Warren

Lovely work Warren!




Cheers

Thanks Sven.

Hope you enjoy the ride over the next few weeks.

Regards
Warren

Nice work Warren, the detailing on the torpedo launchers is very good as you already mentioned,

Thanks Julian.
I am off to Mt Panorama at Bathurst, NSW, tomorrow to watch the build up to the Great Race on Sunday week. We have to come back on the Saturday beforehand but most of the good stuff is all finished by then anyway.
If my Wife drives I can sit in the caravan and watch the race while she is driving..
Well not really as it is illegal and a little dangerous..
Until Sunday week have a great time.
Cheers
Warren

Hi Warren, great looking build so far, as usual. I'll be following you with great interest. Especially since I am in the market for an easy intro to big boat building.

Later

This could be a good one for you then Bruce. When I return from my pilgrimage I will make sure I keep you very up-to-date on how the build is going. I will finish it before I go on to the Corvette.

Cheers
Warren

But I am careless a few minutes and you finish the Admiral Graf Spee also!!! My god, you are very rapid!!!
I love this ship!!! And I have it sunk to few distance!!! Until a few years ago, it was possible to see the mast standing out of the water!!!.

Congrat Warren

Looking good Warren!

Si

Nice detail work there,someday I will have to build mine

Hi Warren, all,

I've been a quiet observer here in the forum for some years, watching mainly all the 1/350 projects with great interest.
Warren, you are doing a great job, every time I am amazed, by your work and the speed of your work. Even if I had that much time at my hands, it would take me much longer...

But back to the Graf Spee, your build reminds me of my very first time I tried my hands on PE, and I have to agree that this kit is a very good starting point to familiarize yourselves with that stuff. I had almost the same add-ons as you have.

This was my very first build log, too, should somebody be interested:

http://modell-helling.de/node/92

It's in German, but lots of pictures. It took me about one year...

All the best for your Graf Spee, I keep watching you!!

Cheers,

Jan

Thanks Simon and Anthony.
Jan, the Trumpeter Graf Spee is a great intro to 1/350 ships.
Sorry for the lack of updates but I am away from home at the moment. Motor racing is number one priority this week.
Cheers
Warren

Beautiful construction friend Jan!!

Regards Daniel

Another fine build from the Inman dockyard

Thanks Russell.

Hi Warren,

Another interesting build

Enjoy your break and come back refreshed

Cheers Kev