Strasbourg 1942 by RGL - FINISHED - HobbyBoss - 1/350 - PLASTIC - French battleship

[Canute]

Thanks, Carl. That was pre morning coffee and all synapses firing. Interesting contraption.

[RGL]

Now, some tank photos with Strasbourg in the background (would have made a great diorama. 

[RGL]

Starting on the superstructure 

[RGL]

Continuing with the superstructure. The PE is fantastical accurate down to .1mm ledges for the folds to sit in, but I’m not a fan of the doors which are clunky 

[amateur]

On 7/29/2020 at 10:54 AM, RGL said:

Maybe..........

He means: yes

 

Jan

[cog]

You can't win them all RGL .1 mm on the ledges ... than you have to accept those clunky doors. Besides, do you know for certain the doors were not clunky! Nice quantity of PE on this ship ...

[RGL]

Clunky is clunky! 
 

anyways, rear mast and direction finders for the 130mm guns, 

 

then the base of the main superstructure which took about a day. 

[RGL]

Well that’s the bridge 

[RGL]

3d printed guns from micro master in NZ 

[amateur]

Isn't that too easy for you, just  buying near perfect guns, without any PE to add to it?

Is your PE deck glued? It looks as if there is a little gap between deck and the underlying structure. 

 

Jan

[RGL]

Yes, little gaps pop up that I’ll treat before painting and the rails will sit along there too. 
 

the guns are just amazing, kinda defeats the purpose I know but I thought I’d give them a go for my next two ships. 

[Canute]

The 3D turrets are superb, Greg. As is the PE on the superstructure. 👍

[cog]

The guns themselves look real good, but I still feel the PE railings/stanchions are more realistic than those 3D printed ones on the guns

[RGL]

Done time off and the airbrush is out. The metal deck is navy blue, I’ve modulated it a bit but as she was so new in 1942 it would hardly be weathered. 

[RGL]

A base coat of Tamiya Dark grey, a highlighter coat of medium grey. Next will be a overspray of the Kit recommended Mr Hobby dark sea grey. 

[RGL]

Overspray of the final colour. I think I’m happy with it. I’ll look at it with fresh eyes tomorrow 

[yvesvidal]

Superb paint job, as always. You know so well, how to render that old salty patina on these behemoths of metal.

 

Yves

[RGL]

Base coat done, I have to fix up the boot strap on the starboard side then I can get a start on the washes etc. 

[Roger Pellett]

The amount of detail incorporated in such a small scale model is remarkable.  Nice work.

 

Roger

[RGL]

A blue filter added, I may add some salt streaks from the portholes, but that will be it. The phots from early 1942 show her pretty much pristine. 

the metalled decks, dark sea blue with a grey dry brushed over to bring out the PE detail. 

[RGL]

Wooden deck is on! 

[Javlin]

I had seen Greg this one was out and she has some Nice lines in her.The work as usual is superb Sir a question though her main guns look kinda small by the pics maybe 12"? Kevin

 

Oh by the way luv the new layout of forum breaking down by era

[RGL]

330mm or 13 inch main guns (I had to go to Wikipedia for that!)

[Javlin]

51 minutes ago, RGL said:

330mm or 13 inch main guns (I had to go to Wikipedia for that!)

I finally did also must of been the following of Versailles Treaty(the only country to) everybody esp Japan were cheating like crazy by the mid-30's.

[lmagna]

Not trying to hijack Greg's as always fantastic build Kevin, but the Strasbourg was more of a purpose built ship rather than regulated by the Washington Naval treaty or the later London Naval treaty. The Dunkerque and Strasbourg were built to counter the German "pocket battleships" launched in the early and late 1930s. The "Pocket Battleships" were influenced by the Treaty of Versailles but not the French ships. The French were limited by the London Naval Treaty of 1930 where their total battleship tonnage was limiteed. So one could say that the Dunkerque and Strasburg were more of a "Battle Cruiser" than a battleship. Their Richelieu and later Jean Bart were true Treaty Class Battleships with 15" guns.

 

You are right in saying that the French were at least trying to build an effective ship while staying within the limits imposed by the London Treaty though, and looked at in that context, they did quite well for a ship rated at 27,000 tons.

[RGL]

Still quite large though! Looking at the AA it would not have lasted long against aircraft though. 
 

the ships cranes are completely replaced by these lovely little complete brass replacements. 

[RGL]

And the catapault 

[BANYAN]

You're quite the wiz-kid with PE now Greg; didn't take you long to put that complex lot together.  Some very nice detail there.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[shipman]

I always considered these ships to be handsome and distinctive. You're making a fine job of this.

[yvesvidal]

7 hours ago, shipman said:

I always considered these ships to be handsome and distinctive. You're making a fine job of this.

RGL,

 

Here are four paintings of the French cruisers and battleships of that time, painted by Roger Chapelet (or Michel Bez), if I am not mistaken. All four ships were offered by Heller, unfortunately in the 1/400 scale which was their reference long before the 1/350 became a standard: 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite a fleet.

 

Yves