Tony,
Yes its the full kit from Mobile Marine Models and is the first kit I've done. I have only scratch built in the past and mainly from builders drawings, I have built models of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company vessels the Aestus a Hydrographic survey ship and the Salvage Vessel Vigilant. So far I think scratch building is easier as you can plan how to construct the model yourself rather than being constrained by the kit manufacturers method of doing things, as in this case I would have allowed for the deck supports to be built in at an early stage before the hull was completed. so you can see where my dilemma is!
The coupling is supplied complete in the kit, I turned up the rigid connecting piece on the lathe to fit the two ends of the supplied coupling. When all was secured into the hull I simply measured the distance between the shoulders of the coupling and trimmed the flexible tube to that length. a millimeter or two short is ok but too long and it won't fit!!
I'll keep updating this thread but I am not the fastest of builders so it may not be too regular.
All comments are very much appreciated.!