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[jonggd]

After an absence of several years as I pursued my other interests I have decided to start a new build project. I have several Fleetscale 1/72 scale hulls/semi-kits that have been languishing in my loft for some time. I acquired a partially built T45 Destroyer from my good friend Peter Ward several years ago and have decided to complete the build, as it is a relatively simple build it should not take too long to get in the water. I also have a T23 Frigate semi-kit that I may dust off and build at the same time. The builds will be a little sporadic as I am also planning to move house this year, and I am sure the boss will have a list of jobs to be completed in our new house.


The Partially build T45 I received was not built to my liking, so I decided to strip it down and start again, I began by cutting off the rear superstructure/hanger and building a new one with plasticard. I also removed the helideck so I could get to the rudders, and refitted the forecastle deck with better supports and cut-outs for adding ballast. Here are the first few pictures showing the progress so far.

[TheLongBuild]

I Have a Sirmar from a few years ago !! to start, will be an interesting build to follow.

[madrob]

Always nice to have builds to follow

I Have a Sirmar from a few years ago !! to start, will be an interesting build to follow.

not called L O N G build for nowt   

[Capt Podge]

Another interesting build in progress - I'll follow along too!


Hope it all goes well for you 


Ray.

[Tworrs]

I'll pull up a chair as well 
Garry

[frogman3]

SO will i
chrisb 

[TheLongBuild]

not called L O N G build for nowt   

Absolute slander, here it is in 2008,    amazing what about 30 pieces of Blu Tac can do , looks more complete there than it does now..


Jonggd, any before pictures ?.

[jonggd]

No before pictures, when I received it, the decks had all been stuck down with car filler and the fiberglass hanger had been bonded on. I could have left it as it was, but there were a few issues with access and the decks were not flat or true, so I ripped it all off and started again.

[philk]

Absolute slander, here it is in 2008,    amazing what about 30 pieces of Blu Tac can do , looks more complete there than it does now..


Jonggd, any before pictures ?.

Is that a 3d printed bridge

[TheLongBuild]

Is that a 3d printed bridge

No, all the darker structures are resin cast, rest all Fibre glass.

[TheLongBuild]

No before pictures, when I received it, the decks had all been stuck down with car filler and the fiberglass hanger had been bonded on. I could have left it as it was, but there were a few issues with access and the decks were not flat or true, so I ripped it all off and started again.

Bet that was fun.



HMS Duncan was the one I went to see get launched curtesy of the Scottish Lads, so mine will be HMS Duncan as well.

[philk]

No, all the darker structures are resin cast, rest all Fibre glass.

Damn was hoping someone had a 3d drawing of the bridge I. Old scale up and save a lot of work
Phil

[jonggd]

Had a productive day in the workshop, made a stand for Duncan (I'll paint or stain it eventually), and then fitted the rudders and stern lip. Ordered a couple of batteries that should arrive next week, after which I hope to get her in the water next week to work out the ballasting requirements.

[Martin (Admin)]

Is that a two piece rudder?

[jonggd]

Is that a two piece rudder?



Yes, the lower part is fixed to the hull.

[jonggd]

After refitting the forecast and main deck I had to consider how to access the hull internals, always a challenge with model warships. I am keen to hide the openings as best I can.


This is the plan: front access via the Sea Viper launcher, main access by removing the main superstructure, and rear access with a removable hanger roof. I hope this will give me sufficient access to the internals and allow for battery insertion.

[BrianB6]

You need some soft rubber between the stand and the hull to avoid paint damage.  I use closed cell door seals with self adhesive to fix to wood.  Closed cell prevents water build up

[jonggd]

You need some soft rubber between the stand and the hull to avoid paint damage.  I use closed cell door seals with self adhesive to fix to wood.  Closed cell prevents water build up

Hello Brian, I have ordered some self-adhesive baize which I'll stick on once I have painted the stand.

[jonggd]

A quick update on the build. Received a nice package from ScaleWarships, who do a great range of photo-etch parts for the T45.


Started with the companionways and boat storage doors. Hit a slight snag, the cutouts in the hull don't match the size/shape of the photo-etch parts. For the companionway hatches, I decided to fill, flatten and apply the etchings over the top. For the boat compartments, I had to get the Dremel out and open the cut-outs slightly. I little filler and they should look OK.

[jonggd]

This weekend I have been focusing on the superstructures. I am using the fiberglass mouldings from Fleetscale which are good but require a lot of work to use. I was a little worried about the top weight, so started to build the structure with plasticard only to find the weight was almost the same, so reverted back to the mouldings.

The general shape and scale dimensions of the mouldings are good, but the issue is that they tend to shrink and become concave or distorted in places, requiring a lot of filling and sanding back. This in turn creates another issue when sanding back it tends to expose lots of pin holes in the fiberglass.My process was to use a straight edge and mark out all the depressions, these were then filled with car body filler. Then sanded back and refilled where necessary. This is a slow and messy process, but with patience, the structure starts to become a lot more straight and true.


I then applied a filler primer which just reveals all the pin holes and other flaws in the surfaces. I then used car putty filler to fill the holes. After numerous sessions of painting/putty filler and sanding, I finally achieved the finish I required.

[jonggd]

Managed a few hours in the workshop and finished filling/priming the superstructures, and started with the plasticard adding some details. Also made a start on the main deck gunnels, which I hope to finish this weekend.

[jonggd]

Managed to finish the main deck gunnels today, took a while but got there in the end. A quick coat of prime for now and on to the next stage. I had hoped to get her in the water this weekend and sort out the ballasting, but that will have to wait until next week now. This evening I'm going to attempt to build some doors from the photo etchings I received from Scalewarships, Lord the parts are small!!

[jonggd]

Finally got the model in the water and installed the two 12v batteries, but she still required some additional ballast in the front and rear to get her trimmed. I can now build the internal cradles for the batteries and install the electrics ready for her first power sea trials.

[jonggd]

Been working on the challenge of Hull access for maintenance and battery insertion. Gone with a removable hanger roof and a panel in the helideck. This should give good access to the motors and rudder tillers, batteries will be inserted via the removable main superstructure.

[jonggd]

Completed the build of the bridge today, I'll leave the bridge roof off for now, and glue it down once I have detailed the internals.