Todd, my vote goes for the Arizona too, just to mix it up a bit

Dave, your Maya is looking fantastic and will be a masterpiece too.

Luciano, maybe a 'quick' 1/700 build???

Tom, your Warspite looks great. Glad to hear you're enjoying the group build. This is my first group build and I concur-these are a great bunch of guys and I'm looking forward to future campaigns on the 'salty side' of the hobby with them

As for 'The King' well, I've been hit with real life again the last couple of weeks so progress has been slow, but should pick up again soon!

Russ

Thanks for the push Luciano and Russ! I guess it will be an Arizona then! Not sure if I can get through this before the time allotted but it will be certainly fun to try!

The kit is an older version, but the deal was too hard to resist. I started a blog here... http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/forums/232082&page=1 But, basically, I picked it up at a local show for $30. The kit actually had one full kit in the box and 80% of another with 2 sets of Kit PE...and the full Eduard PE set. The Artwox decking is for the Hobby Boss kit, but I am sure it will work out just fine!







What I am thinking...at least for now, I might attempt a nice watery base if I can pull it off. Have not had the chance to do one yet, so it should be fun to try!

Looks like I better get busy!!

Nice choice Todd, and some classy aftermarket.

Rigging the Duke underway. The first flag halyard on.



All three halyards on the lower starboard Yard arm, the radar does look a bit squiffy enlarged, it looks straight when I look at with the MK1 eyeball.



Foremast with all but the port outer halyard on the upper yard arm.

Mainmast done, except for the port outer halyard. (there is a reason for this, more in the next pic).



Here's the reason, the Tamiya sheet includes two large Battle Ensigns, so it seemed rude not to use them. (Yes I know the Battle of North Cape was fought in the permanent night on the Arctic winter, and Admiral Sir Bruce Frazer being a dour Scot probably wouldn't have them hoisted, but they add a little colour)



Both Battle Ensigns on, along with the ships ensign, flown from the mainmasthead, pictures of the Duke at thos time do not show the usual gaff fitted to the mainmast just below the starfish, also Admiral Frazer's flag at the Foremast head.



That is all the halyards on, along with some ladders on the masts.

Finally the Aerials on, along their leads.




Just the cranes to do and that's the rigging done.

Si

Love seeing the rigging being done Si!! Great seeing the colors flown too!! Very nice!!

Si

Your rigging looks great. I remember you mentioned before that you use brass wire for your rigging, what color do you paint it?

The endings add so much to what is already a museum masterpiece. Beautiful job

Dave

Thanks Todd,

It seemed a shame not use them, adds a bit of relief to all the grey.

Thanks Dave,

The rigging wire is painted buff, this was the base colour for the halyards. The aerials will need a coat of a dark steel, and some white on the ends for the insulators.

Si

Si,

great job on your DoY - in particular the rigging looks stunning and adds the extra bit to an absolutely great model!!
I like your battle flags - absolutely agree, would have been a shame not to use them, those battle flags really are impressive!

Cheers

Jan

Thanks Jan, couldn't resist them

Rigging on the cranes, a bit simplified, alright I will admit this is laziness, but would have been nice to have the crane rigging on the etch. Also the aerials have had a coat of citadel "Boltgun Metal" and the insulators built up with matt white paint.



The Jackstaff on, also the first length of maindeck railing.



Not that clear, but all the foredeck railings on.



And finally for today the Ensign staff in place.



very nearly there now.

Si

Nice progress Si!! Seeing the railing is a great sign!! Looking good on the aerials too!!

Don't forget the anchors, Si.

Thanks Todd,

really feels like I am getting there.

Cheers Russ,

Thanks, yup the anchors, crest, DF aerial on the front of the superstructure etc. also to go on yet, and probably one or two other things I have forgotten at this time.

Si

Si,

Outstanding work. You can really visualize her floating in the North Atlantic. Question, do you use CA for attaching the rails? If so, how do you prevent the CA from attacking the wooden deck?

Just trying to learn some more methds before I start on the Kongo in the next couple of months.

thanks

Dave

Hi Dave,

The railing are spot fixed with superglue, and then I run white glue the length of the of the join, that way the there is little risk of superglue coming into contact with the deck.

Si

Si,

Thanks. I will keep that in mind when I tackle the Kongo

Dave

Hey guys,

Snuck in a little dry fitting to see if the deck would work out...





Not too bad of a fit I thought!! More parts cleaning ahead now!!

Wood deck looks good Todd, looking forward to seeing more progress.

The final push on the Duke.

Quarter deck railings in place.



Anchors in place.



Work on the radars started, mounts on both poles, and the first aerial being folded.



And fitted to the pole.



Both aerials built.



Sprayed black.



Mount and base of the pole painted AP507C, and fitted to the fore mast.



and the main mast.



The final job, the ship's crest and the DF loop fitted. Didn't realize until I uploaded the pic the crest isn't straight, but it will do.



Finished!













Done.



Time for a couple of the above and to post a couple of pics on the galley.

Si

Si

Congrats on completing a true masterpiece. Can't tell you how much I've learned from watching your build. Looking forward to learning more

Thanks

Dave

That is one fine looking build Si!! Congratulations on the finish!! You should be very proud of your efforts!!

Si nice work on the Duke, you've earned yourself a

Si, awesome build, great looking ship.

Tom

Thanks Dave,

You are not the only one, I have been learning as I have been going on as well.

Thanks Todd,

I am pleased with the old girl, it has been on heck of a build.

Cheers Luciano,

It was a good last evening in celebration of completion.

Thanks Tom,

Think it captures the Duke a that point in her career.

Thanks to all of you for your kind comments and support during the build, will keep looking in to watch the rest of the great builds going on on this brilliant campaign.

Si

Simon another brilliant build with your Duke there mate just wish I had the build speed that you can produce some great details with this build well worth a few of these in my opinion you deserve them.

Keith

Gents I was pondering wooden decks in WW2. From what limited sources I have seen most US ships painted the decks for camouflage. The RN didn't? After all Stukas sank alot of RN ships. Or is it an artistic choice for a better looking ship model. Just one of those things you think about when bored at work and not thinking about women or beer, or the next model to build. Usually in that order.

Tom

Simon
Awesome build, thanks for sharing with us. I second David, I really learned a lot from studying your style. I cant wait for you next project.

Bryan

Thanks Keith,

Glad you enjoyed it, shall treat myself to another

Thanks Bryan,

Something simpler before the next big one, have a look over on the "Ship types by class" today / tmrw, debending on when I get a chance to right it up.

Si