HMS Hood 1941 by CDW - FINISHED - I Love Kit - 1:700 Scale - PLASTIC

[CDW]

Got a collection of fragile bits going on here. Lots of mini-kits required to build the HMS Hood.

 

[CDW]

Next up are the various gun assemblies.

 

[CDW]

Decided to take on the smallest, most fiddly guns first, the quad .5 inch guns and the PomPom guns. Another test of patience.

 

[CDW]

From left to right are the A, B, X, and Y main gun turrets.

 

[CDW]

The 4 inch secondary guns. The oddball on the far right is the casualty of a lost gun barrel, hence was forced to use the stock kit ones where I drilled out the barrel ends to make them somewhat more presentable. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky and find the missing barrel later.

 

 

Next up are more superstructure assemblies.

 

[Haliburton]

Wow the stock kit barrels are so short and stubby in comparison.   I wonder if there is a substitute you could fashion that would be more consistent with the upgraded barrels. Maybe some thin dowel?  Scott

[CDW]

1 hour ago, Haliburton said:

Wow the stock kit barrels are so short and stubby in comparison.   I wonder if there is a substitute you could fashion that would be more consistent with the upgraded barrels. Maybe some thin dowel?  Scott

I found it! After recharging my flashlight battery over night, I looked again this morning and found it. Hoorah!

laying next to a small pin, you can appreciate how small this is, about half the diameter of the pin.

 

[RogerF]

35 minutes ago, CDW said:

I found it! After recharging my flashlight battery over night, I looked again this morning and found it. Hoorah!

laying next to a small pin, you can appreciate how small this is, about half the diameter of the pin.

 

 

A precaution:-

When I built The Meng 1/700 Bismark as a trial run for the Flyhawk deluxe kit, I spent more time on the floor with an LED torch looking for microscopic parts that had gone AWOL than I did building the kit! I now use an apron when working on small parts in the same way as a goldsmith does to save all precious metal filings that would otherwise end up on the floor. Simply put on the apron and tape the bottom hem to the edge of the desk. That way any small parts will be caught in the fold rather than falling unhindered to the floor.

Edited July 15, 2021 by RogerF
Added correction

[CDW]

21 minutes ago, RogerF said:

 

A precaution:-

When I built The Meng 1/700 Bismark as a trial run for the Flyhawk deluxe kit, I spent more time on the floor with an LED torch looking for microscopic parts that had gone AWOL than I did building the kit! I now use an apron when working on small parts in the same way as a goldsmith does to save all precious metal filings that would otherwise end up on the floor. Simply put on the apron and tape the bottom hem to the edge of the desk. That way any small parts will be caught in the fold rather than falling unhindered to the floor.

Now that’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing it with me as I will put it to use.

[RogerF]

My pleasure, hope it works for you.

I'm enjoying your build but many if not most of the plastic parts look like resin rather than plastic, is that so? I'm sure in my kit there are no resin parts just plastic, photo-etch and of course the wooden decks.

[CDW]

Just now, RogerF said:

My pleasure, hope it works for you.

I'm enjoying your build but many if not most of the plastic parts look like resin rather than plastic, is that so? I'm sure in my kit there are no resin parts just plastic, photo-etch and of course the wooden decks.

No resin, everything is plastic, machined brass, photo etch brass, or stainless steel photo etch.

[CDW]

Was able to get several hours of work in on the Hood but still didn’t finish the bridge. A couple of the quad .5 inch guns mounted on top.

 

[CDW]

While it’s not finished, I am tired of working on this piece for now and am taking some photos for the record.

 

[king derelict]

That's a lot of fine work in a tiny piece of real estate. Very neat.

Alan

[CDW]

Here is where the layers begin stacking up, but there is more to go.

 

[Landlubber Mike]

Fantastic PE work Craig.  And glad you were able to find the lost barrel.  I've spent hours on the floor looking for parts like that as well.  My problem is I often times work on my kitchen island, and the floors in the kitchen are a medium brown oak, so brass doesn't show very well   

 

The apron is a great idea.  I've also heard some put a white sheet on the ground to make the dropped parts easier to spot (maybe you were the one to suggest the sheet).  

[CDW]

One more layer goes on top of this one, then it will be finished. Reminds me of the IJN battleship designs which have very similar control towers (if that is the correct term).

 

[Old Collingwood]

Excellent work mate  - so difficult at this stage  - I think when I get my Flyhawk  I will just leave it in the box.

 

OC.

[CDW]

Thanks much OC. You are going to do fine with your Hood. Looking forward to seeing it go together!

[CDW]

By far, this has been the most fiddly component constructed so far. It should be less intense moving forward.

 

[Old Collingwood]

That is looking superb Craig.

 

OC.

[CDW]

Thanks OC

 

[CDW]

Put the upper and lower hull together along with the main deck pieces, then began adding the superstructure sides when I realized I may be getting ahead of myself. Not sure the wooden deck appliqué fits along side or underneath the sides. If underneath, will need to remove the side I added. No construction sequence is given so it’s hit or miss.

 

[CDW]

I know it's been said the HMS Hood was (dark?) gray below the waterline, but it's odd I could not find a single full hull photo of the ship with the lower hull depicted as gray. Everything I see is hull red below the waterline. Seems to me if I paint my hull gray or dark gray below the waterline, I am going to own the one unique ship who is depicted as such.

[mtaylor]

I'd say go with your gut feeling and research, Craig.   I hope you can sort the deck out before you cross the line of no return.

[CDW]

Just now, mtaylor said:

I'd say go with your gut feeling and research, Craig.   I hope you can sort the deck out before you cross the line of no return.

 

I'll do a bit more searching before I decide on the hull, meanwhile the superstructure side is coming off and will lay the wood deck first. It would have been nice if the sides could go on first and then would not need to mask the wooden deck before painting the superstructure.

[Old Collingwood]

I know what you mean with the lower hull colour, there are so few colour pictures  showing the lower hull,  the  only places I found  refernece  to it was on the  main Hood  website, they show some  underwater  shots of  her resting place  and they say it shows  the anti fouling Grey  but its very hard to make it out,  I did wonder why they would make her different from the rest of the RN fleet, when all the rest use anti fouling Red.

 

OC.

[CDW]

Sides came off and the wooden deck was applied before gluing the superstructure sides in place. Will have to mask off the deck before painting the superstructure. In the end it’s much ado about little because another deck covers most all of the wood deck beneath. The second deck is resting in place without glue, just sizing it all up.

 

[yvesvidal]

Beautiful and very precise work, Craig.

 

Yves

[CDW]

Just now, yvesvidal said:

Beautiful and very precise work, Craig.

 

Yves

Thanks Yves.