Hi Jan,

Thanks, I just got in the zone on Sunday whilst I was waiting for paint to dry one the Repulse.

Well spotted mate, no it wasn't a deliberate omission, good job I still have the main armament sprues rattling round my workbench, will fix that prior to commissioning, this weekend, hopefully.

Cheers.

Si

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THIS CAMPAIGN IS CANCELED.

Nice April fool Bill.

Cheers Si

Since I lasted posted in January I thought I had better update the official Cruiser Campaign blog, for the record so to speak.
So from box to painted hull, it was not without its trials and tribulations as you can see on my build of this ship
https://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/forums/243230


cheers
Michael

Michael,

that's nice to see your fine build here in the campaign as well. She looks great!!

Si - too bad it's only an April fool...that would have been my last chance to finish at the same time as you finish your Scharnhorst

Talking about finishing - I gave up all hope and desire to finish my Belfast this weekend The masts and antennas are so much more complex to build than I expected... so no hurry here.

Fore and mainmast are assembled. Here a few quick pics before painting, I am waiting a little to let the glue set, I am seriously afraid breaking something while airbrushing...so many fiddly parts with almost no areas to connect or properly bind:

Foremast





Mainmast







Rigging those things?!? If have not the slightest clue how I will approach this. Only that much: EXTREMELY careful...

I'll do a full update on all those deviations (from WEM instructions) and creativity I had to come up with, no chance of doing them straightforward. That will be on the Belfast build log, but I can't say when yet. Depending on how good or bad my progress in building is tomorrow I may either relax and post the update, including what I have achieved until than, or I will just continue building and post sometime later.

Cheers,
Jan

Thanks for posting an update on campaign thread Michael. Great build.

Nice work on the masts Jan, they will look great in place.

Si

Update on the Scharnhorst.

Missing rangefinder on C Turret fixed. (Thanks Jan)



More railings going on the maindeck.



Anchor handling platforms fitted, all the maindeck railings are now on, just need to paint them to fit the camo.



Base painted.



Should be commissioning tomorrow.

Cheers

Si

How many of you did I have fooled?

Hi Bill,

More than one or two I would think.

Doubt they will own up though.

Whilst you are there, could we please have a gallery for this campaign. Commissioned the Scharnhorst today, and I don't think I was the first to finish.

Will post pics when I have got them off my camera.

Cheers.

Si

Si,

even without pictures yet - congratulations to your commissioning of your Scharnhorst!!

So no real update from my part today, just a few quick pics where I am at.

More small stuff, ladders and accommodations ladders, painted and waiting to be installed:



Finally - work commences on the main guns...



Cranes rigged and shipped - still some touch ups required. The four 20mm Oerlikon singles around the catapult installed.



Fore- and mainmast installed.







So all plastic is cut from the sprues. Of course, work on the main guns will continue. Other than a few replacement doors and vertical ladders for the back of the turrets all PE is cut. Well, that part should work straightforward. What really concerns me is the rigging...

Cheers,
Jan

Thanks Jan,

Will post the commissioning photos later today.

Belfast is looking well along the way too, Catapult deck looks nice and busy, The shagbat will really set it off.

Great job,

Cheers

Si

Here you, commissioning shots of the Scharnhorst.



















Here's wishing all the crewmates still building on the campaign, good luck with their builds.

I will be here, checking in to keep up to speed with your builds.

Cheers.

Si

Ahoy

Simon nice build.

Well done indeed.

I love the deck.

Shame all the campaigns have been stopped. hehehe

Cheers


Sean

Great Build Simon!
I bought this kit recently while following your build so it will be an excellent benchmark to follow in the future.

cheers

Michael

Thanks Sean,

I do like the Artworx deck, very few issues with fit, generally no moulded detail to remove, so very good.

Shame about campaigns being closed! Pity I have never been able to do as I am told

Thanks Michael,

It is an interesting kit to build, over-engineered in places, construction greatly simplified without loss of detail in others, and the instructions.... least said the better. Having said that I did enjoy this build, and do feel a considerable sense of satisfaction in completing Him. I hope you get as much out of yours when you get round to Him.

Cheers

Si

Again,

congratulations on commissioning your Scharnhorst, Si!! You did the old lady justice, for sure!! That's a great model, and applying that rather complex camouflage scheme on an equally complex model - fantastic job!!

- once more contemplating the use of copper wire It certainly looks convincing, and no tension on masts and yardarms, so that would help my fragile construction. But my earlier attempts to work with copper wire (nowhere published, intentionally...) were not really encouraging. Hm...

Cheers,
Jan

Thanks Jan,

It was an interesting, challenging and enjoyable build, given the complexity of the camouflage, the kit and the confusing instructions.

Much appreciated your support along the way.

The copper wire, a few tips, don't try and straighten lengths much longer than you need, or about 20-30cm if straightening for short runs. Use something with a little give in it when rolling the wire straight, I use a cutting mat. Where possible put glue on the fixing point on the mast or yard arm. Gel superglue is best as it does not spread out. Also don't try and use wire that is too fine, it is much harder to handle.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Si

Great finished work on the Scharnhorst Si, love the detail. I am definitely going to give the copper wire a try when the time comes, there are miles of old speaker wire and such in the shed.
Unfortunately for me it has raised the question of blast bags on my Gearing, they are so prominent on your build and I have seen a lot of images with dark grey or black blast bags on the Gearing class. Off to the Google machine for investigation.

Cheers, D

Hi Damian,

Thank you for your comment.

I was lucky with the Scharnhorst, the blast bags were in the kit. They are not too difficult to scratchbuild, either with foil or putty, plenty of guys on here can give you better tips than me.

Good luck trying out the copper wire. I started using it because of a number of failures with monofiliments and lycra based threads.

Cheers

Si

Another fine addition to the fleet, Mr Heathwood!

Thank you very Much Mr. Eames, appreciate your kind words

I'll echo the congrats on a fine ship, Si! I especially like the rigging and life boats. Lots of detail there!

I'm back at the USS San Diego, and ready to upgrade the turrets (found a friend who made some casts for me). now, I just need to wait for the metal barrels to come in the mail, and I'll be all set.

I also modified the searchlight platform to better match the actual ship.

Thanks Steve,

The resin turrets look very good indeed, much better detail than the kit versions.

Ship herself is looking good too.

Cheers

Si

Steve,

those resin parts really make a difference - should look great on your fine model!!

Just a very quick update here on Belfast - turrets on rigging still to be done, and the final coat of clear in the end.





More later and on the Belfast blog

Cheers,
Jan

Everyone's builds are looking fantastic...

For myself, I'm not sure if i'll finish by the due date. The Prinz Eugen is a dog of a kit and I don't think i'm gonna finish by the deadline...