Hi Simon,
It will be a standard 507 C colour. I don't think this class at the start of the war had any camo designs, but if anybody has pictures to contrary I would love to see them.

And the Halifax is looking great!

cheers
Michael

A bit more background for HMS Achilles.
Launched in September 1932, completed in October 1933 and transferred to the NZ Division of the Royal Navy in 1936.

First bit of progress with this.
The hull was lacking some portholes, a lot actually. I think I added about a hundred. The picture gave it away.

I bit of drilling, port and starboard

The stern as well



cheers
Michael

Thanks Michael,

Different scale, different build to usual, but very enjoyable.

For River plate period I an fairly certain you are correct, she had some interesting Camo patterns later on, but if she wore any of those in Atlantic service.

Si

Ahoy Michael

Well as a fellow Kiwi I just love your choice of ship this time.

:)

I will be watching this build with keen interest.

Cheers


Sean

Michael that Achilles kit looks real nice looking forward seeing your build.
So after a little work so far I have the decks fitted and the base paint coats on the decks and hull of the Z25 just went by eye for the with of the boot top.



Keith

Nice start Keith,

Which paints are you using?

Si

Hi Simon I have been using the Vallejo range of primer base paints on some of my last couple of models I have just been using these paints as a normal coat of paint when I am happy with the finish I have now sprayed the Z25 with a coat of satin varnish to seal the paint before I add some weathering. These are real easy paints to work with and clean from the airbrush quite quickly with liquid reamer I get this from little cars that is also were I get the paints from when at a show I attend.You can also brush these paints on with a good finish to.

Keith

This is shaping up to be a very interesting campaign. Will be watching with interest.

Russ

OK some progress so far some of the main upper deck bridge and funnels built up I have also ordered the PE railings and figures for this kit from WEM. This will hopefully give me some practice for the PE on the KGV build





All parts dry fitted for testing before some paint goes on.

Keith

Coming nicely Keith.

Never tried Vallejo paints, they sound interesting, am tempted to give them a go, trying to get more proficient with my airbrush.

Cheers Si.

On with the Halibag.

both wings now ready for paint.



Upper fuselage glazing in and work started on the tailgroup.



Pointed twin fins on, and wings test fitted.



next all the other little sub assemeblies before I can start shooting paint around.

Si

I'm in with a Pit-Road Buckley-class I'll building as an RN Captain-class frigate. Pics to come tomorrow.

Simon, looking forward to seeing a Halifax.
Michael P, interesting choice of build. I have a couple of those Mirage 1/400 destroyers so I'll be watching how the Blyskawica turns out with interest.
Michael M, the Achilles looks like a fantastic kit, certainly better than the old Airfix kit I tried building years ago.

Howdy Y'all
I'm in with this kit, AFV Club's U-Boat Type VII C in 1/350 scale. Please ignore the photo date, I'm using someone else's camera. I hope you can make out today's date on the newspaper.
Take care,
Lakota

ooks like the campaign is building nicely.

Oct 5 -10, 1939 HMS Achilles is transferred to G Force for defence of trade and interception of enemy shipping. She leaves Valparasio, Chile after a period of self maintenance and heads for the Straits of Magellan and the South Atlantic.

I done some initial smoothing of the hull with filler and some body work based on the pictures I have of Achilles.

The side of the ship is too long so trimmed and the mysterious attachment (anybody know?) is moved along the hull as well. I had to build a new one. there is going to be a fair amount of of scratch building in this build, as the mouldings are not the sharpest.

I also took the opportunity to add a few more portholes and some doors and hatches to the main superstructure from some left over etch.

cheers
Michael

As promised here are a few pics of my build along with todays Google celebrating Thor Heyerdahls 100th birthday.

And some inspiration from a book I had delivered from Amazon over the weekend, 'British and Commonwealth Warship Camouflage'.



Only had a flick through so far, but it seems to be a good book with lots of interesting schemes for destroyers, frigates, corvettes, minesweepers and other auxiliaries. A second book about battleships, cruisers, carriers etc.. is to follow.

Some interesting work going on here, love the variety.

Stephen, not seen that book before. Are there any pages devoted to the likes of 'Fairmile D and B'

Cheers kev

Hi Kev,
the book does have a section on coastal craft. It has approx 4 pages of profiles for Fairmile A,B with a couple of C boats. There are just 3 profiles for the D boat. Interestingly there are 2 profiles for Elco PT-boats in RN service, something I never knew.
It doesn't go into a lot of depth about the various ships and classes and usually only has a brief description of fits, it's just page after page of profiles. But worthwhile having for the various schemes that were applied. There are even things like paddle steamers that were pressed into service as AA ships and a captured U-boat. Amazon are selling it for £20 at the minute. Jeez, I sound like an advert

Cheers Stephen,
Looks like that will have to go on my wish list, perhaps it might leap on me at Telford.

Re Elco we had one flottilla of 77' Elcos serving in the Med, lend lease I.e. the yanks didn't want them ;-)

Kev

Hi Stephen,

Nice to see a Captain, built a few in 1/350th,

Very interesting looking book indeed, also on my shopping list.

Looking forward to seeing some progress,

Si

I'm looking forward to starting it. Got a few things to clear off the desk first and then I'll get cracking.

Ahoy Michael

Nice progress on the Achilles.

Its taking shape nicely.

Cheers


Sean

Very quick update,

sub assemblies for spraying under way.



Si

Very neat there Simon
While waiting for my PE railings for this build I have started to build up the base using a scrap piece of conti board from an old kids desk and a slice of insulating foam the foam is PVA glued to the cut board and clamped in place this is left to set for a couple of days and then the hull outline is drawn onto the foam and cut out the wave shapes are the cut out and sanded down this is all the coated in PVA and left to dry again.










And this is were I,am up to for now

Keith

Thanks Keith,

last of the sub assemblies prior to spraying. The undercart.

The main section of the leg assembled, with the freightdog wheel test fitted, slight pity it is not weighted, but better than the kit wheel and fits perfectly.



Trailing section built, the main leg also needs cleaning up finishing, bit of a mould seam.



Both legs test fitted into their wells. fortunately they are not handed.



Si

Very nice work guys!