Rebuilding the fleet by mikegr - 1/700 - restoring old plastic models

[mikegr]

20 hours ago, king derelict said:

Nice recovery Mike. It’s looking very nice.

alan

Thank you 

I will be very relieved if I finish this by August 4 where I be out for some weeks

Looks like I had to rebuilt all except the hull

 

[mikegr]

Next project is the rear mast.

Some PE parts were incredibly small. I didn't loose anything but managed to loose two spare airbrush noses while trying to replace a clogged one. Fortunately I have spare airbrush as well

Brass was used extensively to make a rigid and durable  piece. One thing that made me happy is that I found a way to make strong masts without use of messy soldering. With my low rpm rotary tool and a disc cutter I made a slot, filled it with ca glue and attach thehe yarddam vertically. How come I haven't thing of it early would have saved big mess and effort

 

 

 

 

[king derelict]

Great idea for making the brass masts. I’m a messy solderer so I will be trying your method soon.

alan

[mikegr]

On 7/28/2025 at 2:47 AM, king derelict said:

Great idea for making the brass masts. I’m a messy solderer so I will be trying your method soon.

alan

Consider using a mini file as well to flatten the surfaces.

[mikegr]

Move on forward

The PE instructions looked terrible, many tiny pieces. I managed to make a simplified version of the SK 2 radar, far from perfect but acceptable in appearance. Fortunately the rest construction of the mast went smooth so overall the built was good

 

[mikegr]

I made the catapults and the crane. Instructions are horrible so I research onine to see real pics. Its called Mk6 catapult.

Test fitting is essential. The catapults are colliding with the rear gun platforms. Thats because PE instructions calling for the base to be glued at the middle of the catapults which is wrong. They should be put at the 2/3 of the length of it. So I need to make another mini operation, detach and relocate  the base without causing damage to the fragile PE part

 

[ddp]

the stern gun tubs are too far forward causing the catapults to overhang those gun tubs.

[mikegr]

The bases  for the Bofors proved somewhat narrow. So I decided to remove them. So that gave me the chance to remove they supports closer to the crane as indicated above. Another save - step back. 

I worked on the Bofors and improved a design used in the past. The outcome was pretty satisfying, the detail was excellent. Some were put in place along with the new bases.

Later addition was the set of crane almost amidships, the PE was pretty detailed also. For the 5" guns sterile needles were used for barrels.

Unfortunately I wasn't able ro finish the project on the desired time, it will take at least two weeks of evening work to put in more details like Oerlikons, liferafts etc, as well as rigging, weathering and a base

 

 

[mikegr]

Back  to work.

I bought some Mk51 fire directors from Black Cat models. They are of exceptional detail although most of it can be revealed using lens. 

More quad  Bofors installed. Also single  Oerlikons, were made, hey looked quite ok, some were put in place but there are  many more waiting. I painted the barrels using one single  thread of paintbrush and microlens. Finally I made my own version of SK2 . But removing the PE proved hard so better leave it as is no need further damage to be done had enough so far.

  

 

Edited Friday at 05:31 PM by mikegr

[mikegr]

fire directors, Bofors, Oerlikons and ammunition boxes were put in place. Time to install searchlights, liferafts and other details

 

[king derelict]

Getting busy with all the details.

alan