This project is a result of a raffle prize at Southern Expo, the September London Modellers club competition involving events that happened in a year ending in 5, and a small fit of madness (that being the thought I could turn this ancient kit into something in a little over 5 months).

I believe the kit may have some issues accuracy wise, I am not going to worry too much about those, otherwise I will not get it finished at all, let alone in time. Deadline date is 29th September.

The kit:-









The aftermarket.



The artworx deck is winging its way from fogien shores.

Hope to start work tomorrow.

si

Si I'll be watching with interest as you know I picked up the sister ship at Southern Expo.

Si

Looking forward to watching you turn her into another masterpiece

Dave

Count me in Si! Always up for an old battle-wagon build!! Off to grab some popcorn!!

Hi Simon,
Looks like an interesting build and has given me an idea for something to build now Achilles is done. I might take the other side in the battle that brought about Borodino's demise.

cheers

Michael

Hi Luciano,

Good to see you along for the ride, I do recall you acquiring the sistership. Doesn't look as neat a set of mouldings as the Varyag, but lets see how it goes together.

Thanks Dave, Masterpiece may be a bit strong, but I am going for silk purse from a sow's ear though. (For this competition it was either this or a Figure, didn't think far enough ahead for once.

Hi Todd,

Welcome, should be worth watching, although the language in the coming out of may workshop may not be suitable for tender ears,

Hi Michael,

Are you thinking the Mikasa perhaps? I do fancy a crack at her, with the Pontos Upgrade at some point in the future.

Well I am off into the workshop shortly to get started on this, and crack on with other stuff on my bench. will update later.

Wish me luck

Si

You probably have much more concern for accuracy than I did, but I thought she came out quite well OOB.

I will be watching with intrest Simon. Always fun to watch your work. I almost pulled the triger on this one yesterday from freetime hobbies.

Bill

Thanks Guys.

A start.

There is flash, the after casemates, before and after.



The fit of the hull halves is not that bad.



A little filler needed around the bow and stern.





The port holes are just represented by railed circles.



so a little depth was added, it has to be remembered that those on the tumblehome ware horizontal, not at 90 degrees to the ships side.



The fit of the propeller shaft fairings was also a little way off perfect.



so again more filler.



after a bit of filing, and rubbing down, a coat of primer.



I will use a slightly richer red for the final anti fouling, hope to get the windy stick out tomorrow weather permitting.

Si

Si,

Looks to be a great start. Some challenges but as always you will overcome them. I grabbed my whiskey and I am ready to watch the progress.

Dave

Thanks for the confidence Dave!

Might need a slug, and maybe re-title this large fit of insanity!.

Seriously most of the issues with this will be down to careful cleaning up, a bit of filler and more careful cleaning up, otherwise known as good old fashioned model building.

cheers

Si

Si,

I've seen builds of this kit with black (or at least very dark grey) and grey for her above-waterline coloring. Do you know if she sported different shades in her service and if so, which one are you going with?

Hi Michael,

I am going for black/very dark grey, which I believe was the colour she was painted at time of her loss at the battle of Tsushima.

Si

Hull is looking great already Si! That extra bit of work is paying off!!

Thanks Todd,

will need to fabricate a couple of caps for the bow and stern torpedo tubes, and find a better shade of red, believe the anti fouling on the ships of the Imperial Russian navy was deeper red than the good old Halfords red primer.

more next weekend.

Si

Hi Simon,

It's looking good so far.
Yes, I was thinking Mikasa. I have the Pontos set and was keen to give it a try as I have not used their photo-etched before. Hopefully this weekend I can start.

cheers

Michael

Sounds Excellent Michael,

I hope you are going to blog that build.

I have used Pontos sets on a couple of builds, (Dreadnought & Duke) and have been impressed with it.

Enjoy that one, if it looks good as good as I think it will I might be tempted to splurge on another set.

Si

The Deck arrived today.



Now I have all the components!

On with the construction over the weekend. (I hope)

Si

That wood deck looks tasty, Si - on with the madness!

It does that Tim,

Should contrast well the black scheme.

be a while before it goes down, next big jobs are to the get the hulls prayed and the casemates done along with, the 20 75mm guns to replace the barrels on.

Maybe more a large fit of total insanity than a small fit of madness, but it is going to be fun!

Si

Ahoy Si

Again a nice subject and great build.

Very inspiring indeed.

Cheers

Sean

Thanks Sean,

This is going to be a "fun" build, and I hope I am up to the challenge of this ancient kit, it certainly has a lot of potential.

Si.

Nice to see you have the deck now Si!! Looking forward to seeing this come together!

btw...I sent you a PM!

Thanks Todd,

I am hoping real life is not going to get in the way of some serious workshop time this weekend.

Plan is get the final anti fouling red on, the hull black, barrels replaced on all the casemate guns, (only 20 of them), painted, along with the casemates, and the rest od the hull built up. ready for filling, spraying and the deck fitting.

We will see how far that gets.

updates will be posted of course.

BTW replied to your PM.

Si

Stop complaining about the piddling 20 barrels and get on with it Mr Heatherwood!!

I seem to remember having to build 56 20mm guns for my North Carolina...