Gentlemen!!

Thank you so much for your kind comments and encouragement!! That is most appreciated!

Well,

unfortunately last week developed into an 'all office' week, I didn't even find time to reply in the build log. The weekend again away from the workbench - but there is hope next week looks better, and the weekend should offer some decent bench time. I can't wait to get on with my BELFAST myself, real life can be a real lady

Thanks again for your comments and your patience during slow times, I hope to have more progress here soon!

Cheers,

Jan

Now that is funny!!!

I was wondering reading over my post - did I write 'real lady'?? No, I did not.




So I edited my post, back to '...real bi...', saved, and - it's real lady again. Ok, I assume you all understand what I was trying to say - political correctness forever!!!

Cheers
- I wonder when those mugs need to be identified as non-alcoholic -

Jan

don't worry Jan, we know what you mean

Hey Jan, I liked the unedited version...

Gentlemen,

time flies, but eventually I got something accomplished this weekend. Not quite as much as I had hoped for, but essentially not too bad

Focus - once more - was on the bridge and the after superstructure. Lets have a look at the bridge first.

Filling, surfacer and sanding proved easier than I expected, so here's the bridge after re-painting, but still without windows.







Lately I discovered a new type of Tamiya tape, that was announced to fit around curves. It is offered in 2, 3, and 5 mm strength, I bought the 2 and 3 mm to try,
From my first experiences, I would say that stuff is exceptional!! Makes masking a hell of a lot easier! I am going to buy the 5 mm with any next order at my favorite store...

Now here I used it to mask the bridge windows, the curve and bending part will follow later on.



And final results. Just one or two little spots underneath the windows need touch up - honestly, didn't see them on the model, only on the pictures later on...





Preparing and painting some small stuff, including the paravanes:





And finally the after superstructure. First the railings were erected.



Cutting the WEM railing to fit the modified platforms made them just a fraction of a mm short. So I cut a part from a spare railing and fitted it in vertically. You can see it at the two joints were the railing bends forward.





Some more masking, and here you can see the flexibility of the new tape:







And finally the after superstructure as it stands, only dry fitted and not ready yet, but getting there!





So much for today, thanks all for stopping by and watching!!

Cheers

Jan

Very nice Jan!! Some tidy work on the bridge! Looks like I need to add some of that tape to the bench! Railing look great too!! Keep it going!

Nic work Jan,

The Camo is looking very good.

Cheers.

Si

Jan,

Very nice work. Great job on the camo. Looking forward to seeing more progress. I agree with everyone else, I will need to get some of that new tape.

Dave

Todd, Si and Dave,

thank you all once more for your kind comments and support!! This is really appreciated, especially in times when building time is rare and progress slow...I hope to get at least a little progress this week, but can't promise...

As for the tape, I think it's great stuff - here's a screenshot from the dealer's site:



I didn't look for it, I just spotted it while searching for something entirely different and decided to give it a try...

Cheers and thanks again for watching my Belfast blog!!

Jan

Immensely good progress Jan!

I've not had time much lately to comment, but am still quietly watching this great build!

Russ

You have made some lovely progress Jan.....Cheers Mark

Thank you Mark, thats very kind of you!!

Russ, don't worry, same problem here!! I know exactly what you are talking about!! I know you are following along and I do appreciate it very much!!

Cheers,
Jan

So I did manage to get a little progress during the week!!

But I will be away during the weekend, so not so much gained. Well, gained, that sounds stupid...

Now, let's stop getting philosophic, here's the progress!

Forward superstructure:

Paravanes and hangar doors added, one closed with only a small gap open to get some air in,and one wide open, I will place one Walruss inside. The long ladders that were lost during the modifications re-installed.

And finally, the wooden deck installed.















After superstructure:

Wooden deck installed, some small stuff like ammo boxes, little cranes added, and finally glued the upper level in place.

















And, some small brass parts, inclined ladders. Somehow, as opposed to cable reels, I do enjoy building those inclined ladders...



One overall look - all the wooden decks are installed



So much for today,

thanks for looking in, more progress in a week

Cheers,

Jan

Jan,

You may not be doing this as a lightning-fast build, but I have been enjoying each of your updates for the steady progress, solid modeling, and a great results!

Hi Jan,

Keep taking your time mate, she is coming together really well, and the camouflage is looking the business.

Cheers

Si.

Solid model Making Jan!

Really enjoying watching Belfast come together...

That is some great modelling there Jan!! Things are really coming alive!!

Jan,

Beautiful job. Looking forward to seeing more progress

Dave

Wow Gentlemen,

that's really some very kind comments thank you so much!! It's good to know that my 'lighting speed' is not bothering or boring you all, that's quite reassuring!

Thank you all for following along patiently!!

Cheers,

Jan

All right, here's the results of some busy bench time

It's about time to attack the HACS and the forward artillery controller, to get on with the forward superstructure.

The mounting with the catwalk test fitted.







The actual fire control radar on top:







The 273 radar lantern and mast, all parts from WEM, test fitted.







The 285 YAGI HACS are a hybrid from WEM and the original Trumpeter parts - even so I said differently earlier, I too have one of the over-etched WEM sets and the antennas have some parts missing. So the dipoles are WEM, the reflectors are Trumpeter, and both go together pretty smooth





So that's about the small parts that I did. Not all, some are higher up on the rack...somehow forgot to take pictures as I realize now...





For a next step, I want to install most of the small stuff on the main deck, winches, pollards, anchor equipment etc..., so here's the start:



The 273 painted and two ladders added:



The ladder up to the compass platform installed.





Now I was just about to install all the remaining ladders, the 282 YAGI's, the Oerlikons etc on the bridge when, luckily, a thought stopped me - where do the ladders go to not interfere with the railings?? On that thought, I had a closer look at what railing need to be installed and were, and it was clear that some of the railings need to be installed before all the fragile small stuff is added.





Imagine getting those squeezed in between/over the HACS...that'S a set up for some havoc...

So as it stands, first part of the railings are bent, I will cut one segment to fit the inclined ladder properly, and then things shall proceed. I hope to get something done during the week...but no promises

As always, thanks for stopping by and looking in!!

Cheers,

Jan

Looking good Jan! All that tiny photoetch is bringing her to life, bit by bit.

Superb, Jan!

All the tiny details, although time consuming, really bring her to life!

Jan,

Very nice etch work and great catch on avoiding future disaster. I have the problem of missing those critical points and and up trying to squeeze fragile parts into right spaces.

Great job

Dave

Ditto the other comments, Jan. The effort going into the photo etch will really pay off. Keep it coming.

cheers

Michael