The Sun and Daily Mail Newpapers

Well it didn't take long before 2 of the worst rags in the UK have written a story about the final cost of this model, 

LET PEOPLE MAKE THERE OWN MINDS UP

The Sun  (Toilet paper) and Daily Mail (when the toilet paper runs out use this)
Yes it's expensive, if you want a large wooden model then this is the one to choose, if you want to kit bash and/or scratch build, then this is the model, if you can't afford the cost straight away, then this is the way to do it.
I sincerely hope Hachette continue this part-works, I will, along with many other will continue buying knowing the full cost. And also if you had relative who either died or served the Mighty Hood in her lifetime and want to build this a memorial to them...nuff said.
RANT OVER!!!!

Spithead & other Royal Navy Fleet Reviews 1914 - 1939 DVD

I only found this a few weeks back and knew it was going to be a good DVD, I wasn't wrong. A total runing time of 77mins, this includes some bonus features (more of that later), here is the brief run down of the DVD -

Bear witness to the enormity of the British Naval fleet in the dying days of the British Empire and in preparedness for the Second World War in the showcase events of the 'Royal Navy Reviews' at Spithead, Southend, Torbay and Portland! Events included :-

1914 - Spithead and HMS Iron Duke, World War I Mobilisation

Some really nice on board shots of HMS Iron Duke

H.M.S. 'IRON DUKE' & OTHER WARSHIP

NAVY AT SEA video newsreel film

H.M.S. IRON DUKE IN ACTION

Hood Build - Week 1 - Part 2

So following on from the first post this is just going through the first basic steps on building the frames, along the way maybe a few deviations to make things easier as the ship grows is size (as it will grow in size).

Hood Build - The Plans

I have taken a few shots of the plan I have had enlarged from 1:400 to 1:200, I know this is not exact, but to be honest I wanted a very close plan for my own needs during this build, after the bloke bought me over the enlarged scan I had to ask if he got it right and asked for a tap measure (serious I did ask him) judge for yourself, my hand is there just to give you a sense of scale.

Full view of the scaled up plans

Hood Build - Week 1 - Part 1

Ive just cut the parts from the frets and just to point out the larger piece, what they call the keel, is a little warped, no really a problem, almost expected really, this is a good moment to point out to get a build board.

If you dont your gonna get a banana boat, I'll be getting this either over the weekend or next week, the wood is 4mm thick and with all the parts its gonna be pretty heavy.
For a good board my measurements will be 1380mm long by 210mm wide by 12mm thick, dont go for any soft wood like pine this sort of size will be awkward to move around once the hull grows but I'm sure we will find away.

Some of the crew being sorted, I dont think the lady's will do onboard.

HMS Hood Association Member

Finally I have paid a years subs for membership to the HMS Hood Association, not sure if I get anything in the post, like a badge or sticker but in the mean time let me proudly show off the badge.

I'll be adding this to the top banner at some point in the near future.

Books

Over the years I have collected some really great books on HMS Hood, below is my collection, I also have one on the way from ebay, more of that later in the post. As I get closer to starting the model I think these along with the HMS Hood Association web site will be invaluable. Most of these books can still be purchased and as such I will link them accordingly.

The Battlecruiser HMS Hood - An Illustrated Biography by Bruce Taylor.

Just a superb book, about the best there is, an amazing source of information in words and pictures.
Technical details and the ship's fighting career are detailed, but a remarkable collection of largely unpublished photographs allows this book to concentrate on shipboard life for the crew of the most glamorous warship of her time.

By Bruce Taylor - Chatham Publ. (2005) - Hardback - 256 pages - ISBN 186176216X

Amazon.co.uk
Prices vary from new (£40) to second hand (£11)
If your building a model at any scale this book is a must.