Hi Dave,

that is quite a lot of small and tiny stuff there ahead of you... I wish you luck and patience!!

Cheers,
Jan

Gents,

Thanks for the comments. They are a good bit of small parts. Right now they are on hold till the paint booth stands back up.

Hopefully soon.

Dave

Hi everyone,

So progress on the Z32 has been slow but that is because I am finally to the point where I need to mask for the final coat of paint.

There are a lot of nooks and crannies that make the masking a slow and tedious process. But no fear, it shall be done soon.

Here are some progress photos.

All the fiddly parts ready for paint!!



and a shot of the masking efforts



A little slow but getting there.

More to come soon.

Dave

Very good to see some activity here Dave

Maybe a little slow, but hey, progress is progress

Russell,

Definitely a little slow, real life has gotten in the way over the past few weeks with trips to Alaska and another to Texas next week.

I need a vacation!!!!

Dave

Hi everyone,

Well the masking is complete. Hopefully the weather will hold out today and I will apply some color. The process of adding the superstructure is about to begin.



Dave

Hey all,

I know this review has taken longer than it should and I apologize for that, I'll use the move halfway around the world as an excuse...dogs it work???

Anyway the hobby ship is up and running and I finally have the paint ship hill and running so here I is the result a of today's paint session.



Since I am not known for my patience when building I have started putting everything together.

Here are the first shots of the build..









I have already began adding more parts but those pictures will come later

Thanks for looking


Dave

Pretty good progress given you've moved half a world away Dave!

great work!

Hey all,

Now that the paint shop is up and running the progress of the Z32 is flying along.

Here are some more updated photos of her construction.









The last picture illustrates one area that could use an upgrade with PE and that is the cable reels. As you can see in the middle of the last photo they look a little oversized and clunky. Since this is an OOB build I did not replace but highly recommend.

More to come tomorrow.

Dave

Hi Dave,

very nice progress on your Z32! Very nice work and crisp paint job, she is really coming to life!!

Good to see your shipyard and paint shop survived the journey and are all back up and running!

Cheers,
Jan

Jan,

Thanks for the comments. Everything seems to have made the move in working order. Just took longer to get the shipyard reestablished than I had hoped

The camo scheme was simplistic but a little complicated with the masking. I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

More to come soon

Dave

Hey all,

So as promised here is another update. Construction is moving along at a steady pace. That will slow alittle bit once I complete adding the major sub assemblies. I will be down to the fiddly parts soon. But for now here are some photographic updates.











As you can see there are still a few touch ups needed but so far I am happy with everything. I am not looking forward to the mines that are supposed to adorn the aft rails but its part of the kit so Ill tackle them soon along with the railing.

anyway, that's it for now. More to come tomorrow

Dave

Dave,

this certainly looks like a Z by now - great work and nice paint job!! I wish you all the needed patience for the small stuff...

Cheers,
Jan

Jan, thanks. I do apologize to all that have followed this thread. It is on the final leg of the journey at this point and will be complete soon.

With that here is a long overdue update.

I continued to add the fiddly bits apply a layer of color to other major items.

For the most part I will let the pictures do the talking.



Starboard Side







Port Side





It was at this time that I realized that I had made a major mistake in take I mounted one of the walls on upside down. Unfortunately it is a mistake that is too far along to fix.



As you can see in the picture the port holes are upside down. So for other builders, be aware that the rear AA Gun Deck walls will fit together upside down. Sorry Todd!!!

Anyway, as we continue with the update.

The Dragon Z32 Kit comes with 10 seamines as part of the kit. These were a challenge in that the PE for the detonators were extremely small.

Here is what I started out with.



Next was mounting the mines to the base.



The instructions have the mines at an angle, however I switched it up a bit and did half at an angle and the other half straight upright.

Next was the stabilizer fins and the detonators.

Here is the final result before applying color.



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The detonators were a significant challenge. The kit comes with 24 but alas I still lost too many to have completed all ten mines.

Here they are with some color and ready for mounting.



With the final parts painted it is all over now but the final crying.

I began rigging the ship as the paint on the railings cured. This kit screams for brass replacement masts. That being said, this is the easiest time I have ever had applying rigging. Here are the initial photos.







Well that is it for now but he is in the final stages of building and will be put to sea within the week.

thanks for stopping in and as always, comments, suggestions, and criticism are always welcome.

Dave

Looking good, Dave. I love the little mines!

Looks great, Dave!

- and don't worry about overdue or delayed updates...I know exactly what you're talking about, and I haven't moved around about half the world! So great to see progress and your fine Z in the final stages!!

Cheers,
Jan

Yup, I agree with Jan: considering the geographical obstacles you've had to overcome you needn't worry at all about the delayed updates.

Looking very nice overall and look forward to see him commissioned! You can definitely Christen him with a few deserved then, Dave!

Good things come to those who wait sometimes Dave! Fantastic job so far, all around!

Gentlemen,

Thank you for the kind words of support.

Tim - Those little mines were a real challenge. I would recommend anyone with the kit ensure they have a good set of bifocals and a few beers as you work the detonators.

A few more items to add, some touch up with paint, and he will be ready for commissioning this weekend.

thanks again everyone.

Dave

Hi everyone,

I don't have pictures at this point but I will give notice that the Z32 has been commissioned and put to sea.

Once the medium acrylic gel is dried I will post the final build pictures along with the completed pictures.

thanks for all the support during this build.

Stay tuned for the final update.

Dave

Bring on the final pics!! Sounds like you cleared the bench just in time to have at the Pearl Campaign!

Hi Dave,

looking forward to the pic, as well. No congratulations before you bring them up!!

Cheers,
Jan

Bring on the pics!

Hi everyone,

I apologize for the delay but the medium gel acrylic took longer to dry in this humidity than I thought it would.

With that I present you with the final prep pictures followed by the commissioning and first sea trials.

The crew has arrived.







The Captain has taken the bridge























He is put to sea!!!









































Off to the high seas!!



Thanks for all the support and understanding as I made it through this journey. As always, comments, suggestions and criticism are always welcome.

Thanks to Todd for allowing honor of reviewing this kits. I will provide some final comments on this kit in another post.

Dave

WOW Dave! Great job all around! I thought things look fantastic but it's amazing what happens once you dropped it into the water...Awesome! Congrats on getting this one across the finish line! Have a couple on my this morning!