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davecov · Posted: Tue 09 May 2006 18:32 pm Post subject: HMS Manxman - DaveCov's build

DaveCov's account of his HMS Manxman build will appear here.
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davecov · Posted: Thu 11 May 2006 08:32 am Post subject:

As usual, I cannot make my mind up about something! I bought two WEM photo-etch sets to use on this Group Build but I have been having second thoughts abut using them. I haven't used PE before and I might leave them until a later build of HMS Manxman. For this GB I will making the kit as HMS Abdiel wearing an interesting camouflage scheme. As with a couple of other GB members, I will be removing the rear doors and putting a mine deck inside.

I have spent the past hour just looking at the parts and I hope to start some construction and painting later on today.

Dave
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davecov · Posted: Sat 13 May 2006 12:00 pm Post subject:

Box art for the Airfix 1/600 HMS Manxman kit. First released in 1971, it's latest reincarnation now comes paired with the Airfix 1/600 HMS Suffolk.

Although over thirty-five years old, this is still a good little kit and I will be making it as HMS Manxman's sister ship, HMS Abdiel.

I have decided to use photo-etch on this model. I have never used it before but it should prove to be an added interest on what looks to be a pretty straight-forward build. The photo-etch comes from White Ensign Models. I am using two sets -

630 - 1/600 Ultimate RN Destroyers Set 1

and 631 - 1/600 Ultimate RN Destroyers Set 2

As well as adding photo-etch, I will be adding a mine-deck to the aft section of the hull. There will be a removable section of main deck so that the interior can be viewed.
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davecov · Posted: Sat 13 May 2006 12:26 pm Post subject:

Hull has been glued and a section of sprue has been added to brace the hull. Some small assemblies have been glued and are being test-fitted. Note that I have cut a section off the main deck. This is so that the rear section will be removable to reveal a mine deck that I will be adding.

Prop shafts have been glued to 'v' frames and props fitted and I have started to hollow out the gun turrets (more on those later).
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davecov · Posted: Sat 13 May 2006 12:29 pm Post subject:

Forward section of the ship. I have fitted phot-etch funnel grills, doors, ladders and radar aerial. Note that parts 16 and 17 (Bridge assembly) do not align themselves properly unless you remove the tabs from the underside of part 17. I will be removing ALL detail on the foc'sle and 'B' gundeck and replacing with plastic card, sprue and photo-etch.
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davecov · Posted: Sat 13 May 2006 12:33 pm Post subject:

Midships section showing photo-etch. Note that two of turrets have been hollowed out with one left to do. BTW, The structure in front of the midships funnel (parts 67 and 68 ) benefits from having the locating tabs underneath part 68 removed. This allows the two parts to line up properly.
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davecov · Posted: Sat 13 May 2006 12:37 pm Post subject:

Aft section showing where I have cut the hull. Most of the rear superstructure will hide the cut. I will be removing ALL detail on the stern and replacing with plastic card, sprue and photo-etch.
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davecov · Posted: Sat 13 May 2006 12:38 pm Post subject:

Forward superstructure showing photo-etch. The foc'sle and the area of 'B' gundeck will be removed and replaced with plastic card.
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davecov · Posted: Sat 13 May 2006 12:42 pm Post subject:

Dry-fitting of parts to ensure good fit prior to painting and glueing.
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davecov · Posted: Sat 13 May 2006 12:49 pm Post subject:

All detail on foc'sle, stern and some of 'B' gundeck have been removed.

Next stage in the build will be to get out the plastic card and stretched sprue and replace all detail removed and construct the mine-deck inside the hull.
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davecov · Posted: Sun 14 May 2006 10:07 am Post subject:

The stern openings have been drilled and are in the process of being cleaned up with a craft knife and file.

davecov · Posted: Sun 14 May 2006 10:14 am Post subject:

A plastic card deck has been cut to shape. It will have mine rails fitted before fitting into place.

The second picture shows just how much of the mine deck will be visible. One benefit of cutting the hull has meant that I have been able to glue a strip of plastic card to the end of the main deck so allowing the stem and stern of the main deck to fit properly in the hull (without this strip, it is about 1mm too short giving even bigger gaps at bow and stern).

This picture shows just how much of the cut in the deck is visible once the superstructure is put in place. With a coat of paint, it should be even less visible.

davecov · Posted: Mon 15 May 2006 17:44 pm Post subject:

Having removed all detail from the foc'sle I have added two small pieces of plastic card to represent the two strengthened areas. I have also removed the breakwater and replaced with two pieces of plastic card. These do not taper at each edge as shown in the kit but remain at the same height. I will continue each end round to join onto the superstructure.

The searchlight platform has a strip of plastic card wrapped around it's deck. The kit searchlights were replaced with ones from the Airfix HMS Belfast kit.

As I am building HMS Abdiel as she was in 1943, I have extended the rear deckhouse forward with plastic card.

davecov · Posted: Mon 15 May 2006 17:48 pm Post subject:

Two more views of the extended rear deckhouse being tested for fit. Note how it merges with the rear of the aft funnel. It still needs to be sanded to the correct profile.

davecov · Posted: Mon 15 May 2006 18:01 pm Post subject:

Two views of the forward superstructure.

The forward end of the superstructure seemed to be a bit too pointed which meant that the blast screen profile was all wrong. To rectify, the situation, I removed the blast screen, cut back the superstructure slightly and replaced the blast screen with plastic card. I have added two braces to the top and bottom of the blast screen and still need to add another four.

I also replaced the curved screens either side of 'B' turret with plastic card and will be replacing the wing sponson screens with plastic card too (the originals have already been removed).

davecov · Posted: Fri 19 May 2006 17:08 pm Post subject:

A bit more progress but since the photos were taken four days ago, I haven't been able to do any more work on the build. I still have to complete the plastic card work as can be seen by the "wings" on the bridge sponsons. The foc'sle and stern detail still needs completing too.

I still have to complete the photo-etch parts. Most of the ship still has to be glued (hence the wonky aft funnel) but will not be fixed until I have done some painting.

davecov · Posted: Fri 19 May 2006 17:12 pm Post subject:

A bit more progress but since the photos were taken four days ago, I haven't been able to do any more work on the build. I still have to complete the plastic card work as can be seen by the "wings" on the bridge sponsons. The rest of the foc'sle and stern detailing also needs completing. The first picture shows the mine deck which will be fitted once detailing has been completed.

I still have to complete the photo-etch parts. Most of the ship still has to be glued (hence the wonky aft funnel) but will not be fixed until I have done some painting.

I was going to do some work just now on the build but I managed to knock my tray containing the ship and all the parts onto the floor. I have spent ages searching everywhere for all the parts but I have only mislaid one PE anchor! I'm not really in the mood for modelling now! Perhaps later on this evening.....

davecov · Posted: Mon 22 May 2006 19:10 pm Post subject:

Progress is steady - but slow!

I have now put the screens on the wing sponsons. I have also completed the breakwater and screening back to the superstructure. The position of the "A" turret has been moved back three millimetres. The white dot is plastic card which shows the new position of the turret ring which still requires drilling.

I wasn't too happy with the two deck plates I had previously fitted to the bow and so I have removed the forward one. I have also filled the hawse holes and re-drilled them further forward. I now have to complete the foc'sle detailing and fit the anchors and the forward part of the ship will then be ready for painting and glueing.

davecov · Posted: Mon 22 May 2006 19:17 pm Post subject:

Aft section showing plastic card additions. Note the four small pieces on the structure. Plastic card screens still need to be added to these pieces. These are where oerlikons are going to be fitted (HMS Abdiel had a different armament to HMS Manxman).

On the stern, I have cut off the depth charge stowages and added two stowages/chutes that were meant for HMS Campbeltown. Not the correct shape and style but near enough!

Just a little more detailing to be done with plastic card, especially at the stern then the painting and glueing can commence.

davecov · Posted: Wed 24 May 2006 12:46 pm Post subject:

A small amount has been done since the last pictures were taken.

One thing I noticed yesterday whilst looking at the HMS Abdiel drawing on my site, the structure represented by parts 68 and 69 extends forward to the rear of the superstructure. It also has no overhang and so it was a case of filling it out with plastic card:

I don't know if that applied to other ships of the same batch or was just unique to HMS Abdiel.