HMS Hood Guns

 I did these a few years ago.

Latest additions - January 2014

Well its all over and were back to work (don't all cry out at once), the good news is the magazine is now up to 117 and it looks like some superstructure, I'm taking a guess at some aft superstructure, but it's all MDF so far, lets wait and see next week.
UPDATE:
I've just been looking over these parts and have worked out what they are, its the lower part of the conning tower, the small 'coming in issue 118' picture shows what looks like a deck part, so I've had a look at the 'Tehnoart' model and its show a different coloured decking. (see picture below) This is of course wrong, the 2 picture's inset are from 1: Colin Vass (left) and 2: Nick Dogger (right), they show the correct colour, which can be found on the 'Association' web site
III. AP507B– Home Fleet Medium Grey/Bridge decks:

• Bridge decks: The lowest two decks were likely still covered in corticene. The colour would be somewhat faded. Suggest dulling/lightening the corticene colour with a grey colour. Try to approximate the colour of "chocolate milk." The upper bridge decks may have been covered with corticene, weathered semtex (see description below) or with dark grey paint (AP507A).

I think its worth bringing this up now just in case you commit to adding a lighter/teak coloured deck and build around it, then, it would be too late. Let's see on Wednesday to confirm what I've just said..huh (fingers crossed)

I did manage to get some goodies over Christmas, first a great Airbrush Spray Booth, I really wanted this for all those small bits we have been getting (what seems like forever), and a great little book  "Super Drawings In 3D" by Stefan Draminski, yes there are some errors, but there will always be errors unless they are produced by some well known authors or by the 'Association' but for a guide to adding those extra details and using this in conjunction with the 'Association's' web site it could be invaluable.

Hood Build - Week 47/51

It's been a while again, I've still been working on the model but parts have taken time and I was not going to rush it, I think the hold up was trying to figure out a way to incorporate metal barrels, instead of jumping in and not thinking I took some time out and had a look around at how other modellers have approached the subject.

I've also got myself a new camera (Fuji T200) which has given some excellent results, it's only a small compact but it does have some manual setting and as I workout what they do I can hopefully better my pictures and quality.

What about the live stream the other day at 2844metres down in the Denmark Straight, that was fascinating, for those not aware there is a expedition to recover HMS Hood's bell, located in the debris field of the stern area, the last footage I've see was the ROV come within 10cm of the bell with superstructure overhanging, unfortunately they had to abandon the dive due to bad weather, I hear it starts again on 28th.

Hood Build - Week 43/46

Things are starting to get serious now, these next 4 issues have parts that I have decided to hold off for a while, at least until I know what and how they join to the main hull.  I have also decided to make some serious adjustments to the 'railings', have a look at you own peril.

It seems Hatchette don't follow logic with this build, not a problem as I/we still seem to be enjoying it but it would be nice to finish some areas first.
HMS Hood has hit the news in 2012 it seems, there is talk of bringing the ships bell up and putting it a museum..good I say, those sailors who died need a memorial. Daily Mail story

Hood Build - Week 40/42

Now up-to 30% built?.... doesn't seem it.
3 issues here are supplied with more P/E, wooden parts and parts to be used later..more of that later.

As well as following the magazines instruction Ive side stepped a few things and added my own parts and ideas, not essential but as you will see some parts that are glued to the hull (P/E) could knock very easy, I've covered the possibility only. I've also considered the painting, the deck we are working on is being added all the time and I think it would be wise to consider painting at least some areas. A visit to Halfords and some test painting follows....

Deck Arrangements

I've been working on this for some time as a little project that may be of use at least as a back up in case Hachette miss or incorrectly position items on this deck. I'm hoping as I'm sure most of you are they succeed in doing a good job (so far they have).
Please remember I may have certain things wrong, if that is the case then please post below and I will endeavour to correct it, hopefully we can all pull our resources and figure out what goes where correctly.
I have used the many books available plus the HMS Hood Association web site, many hundreds of photo's and the many hundreds of absolutely brilliant models...too many to list here. As the document tell's 'not to scale' is important, they are for position only.
Again I am no expert but by doing this I can get a good idea of how things work and why they are there and what they lead to, hopefully you'll find this interesting if not informative and an addition to help build this superb model.

I have found picture's of this enclosed area of the ship hard to come by but if you have a source or know of any information that can help re-create our model with as close to the way she looked in May 1941 would be of great help and interest.
Thanks..Colin

click to view the larger image

Hood Build - Week 38/39

Another 2 week update and I'm fully up-to date with the Issues, I'm hoping this weeks wont be too late due to the long bank holiday.
I've finished the porthole 'eyebrows' and I really happy with them, you wont see that much but at least it works.
There's a fair bit of bending to do this week so taking your time and dry fitting again is the way to go. Also make sure you prepare not only the brass for gluing but the wood that is taking the P/E.


I've been working on a plan of this deck area and the other items we are likely to get before the roof goes on. I'll spend a few more week on it before posting the plan here but you can expect to add various size's of Hawser reel's (some of which are on Issue 39's fret), A few hatches, deck lockers and ventilation trucks, some may not come in the magazine but are there, so some scratching to do.

Hood Build - Week 35/37

Time for the latest update and again I have found myself 3 weeks in arrears, not a problem as it turns out. Issue 35 introduces us to some metal work (brass etching). I found it odd they have given us some P/E (photo-etch) now rather than complete the hull, but on looking over what is left to do on the hull it does make sense as the quarterdeck planks right up, which means we need to finish part of the deck below the shelter deck.

I've done my own thing on some of the brass work so don't think you have to follow, it works for me but it may not work for you. I want to find the easiest way to do certain jobs so making bespoke tools for the job is for me part of the hobby. You'll also notice I've changed the way the pictures look, I think it works well, I can get more in and it look good as well. As I write this update I've received Issue 38, more P/E and moving further towards the bow of the ship, it also uses parts from Issue 35 (doors), bit of bending this time.

Hood Build - Week 29/34

Part 2 -
I've spent all week after work and this long weekend to finish the second planking..to say I'm relived is an understatement, I'll spent some time carefully sanding and shaping the hull over the next few days. Part 1 of the planking was on the starboard side, I'll now continue on the port side of the hull. I've approached this in a different way from the magazine and I personally think its the better way. I was working up till 10pm last night so the picture came out a little yellow, so I've adjusted them in Photoshop, that's why they look a little washed out.

Also a new graphic for each week (trying to keep things fresh) showing a percentage bar and figure in % of where we are on the build. The figure is based on a percentage of 140 (Issues) and the bar may not be totally accurate, it's only for a quick visual guide to the progress of my build/Issues.

Hood Build - Week 29/34

Part 1 -
Second planking starts, I will not be following the magazine instructions/order, as I prefer to plank my way..be it correct or not, its my preferred approach. Nothing much to talk about here apart from trying to get as good as possible 2nd planking as possible, trying to correct any areas you think may show with either dips or bumps, sand the first planking well will set you up perfectly for the second and last layer on our ship. Once again a little time taken over the 'thinner' planks supplied by bevelling them to butt up against each other were needed, this will mean you sanding will be minimal.

Hood Build - Week 29/30

A combination of 2 issues this week, but only the Bulwark parts, I'll be doing the second planking in a separate post and again combine them as I want to plank my way rather than follow the instructions.

I found it far easier to remove the quarterdeck parts to fix these bulwark pieces, then sand down the deck to fit.

Another tip is to soak the end of the bulwark part in warm water for about 30mins, this helps shaping it around the stern.

Hood Build - Week 28

So onto the next Issue, what seems like little to build here soon mentions about sanding back the deck edges at the bow, good news! at last confirmation on how they plan to plank. This sanding back takes some time and remember to make sure its is at the correct angle as the planks will rise up and lay across the edge of the ply decking.
I'm just uploading the pictures for now then I'll come back and add some text.

Hood Build - Week 27

Well finally I've managed to enjoy my hobby over the last few days, I've managed to finish up to 28 and I will show some screens of the past Issue that have now been completed.
I'm very happy with how the planking has gone and look forward now to the second layer of planking.
There are a few things that have caused some hassle but just taking my time they seem to have come out ok.

Hood Build - Week 20 - UPDATE

Finally after some weeks I've managed to finish the Issue I've not received...by purchasing some laser ply that is far better quality and the correct thickness than I bought from my local store. I've also had help from a friend from the partworksmodel forum with the a few bits to help me get the correct shape.

I now put this part of the build to an end, I'll still get the missing issue but now I'll use what I've made and move on.

Hood Build - Week 26

I've finally managed to get the time and do some building, as you probably noticed I've not completed all the steps in the Issues including this one, I want to keep the model on the board for as long as possible which means only working on the top part of the ship, this Issue delivers the upper planking plus you need to use x6 planks from Issue 24. I have also secured the main decks to the hull for my own needs to avoid any movement while planking the lower part of the ship.

Hood Build - Week 25

This weeks Issue contains 45 planks to start planking the bow area, nothing to taxing again but worth mentioning again about tapering and bevelling the planks to get as nicer fit as you can. I've also fitted 2 parts from a few Issues ago but was not sure how they fitted until now.

Looking at the small picture inside the magazine Wednesday's Issue (26) look to contain more planks for work on the rear of the ship, that should be fun!!!!!

Hood Build - Week 23 & 24

This week I'm combining Issue's 23 and 24 so I can keep the model on the build board, this means some of the steps in both Issues are ignored, at least until the bow and stern have a minimum of 4 rows of planks, which hopefully we'll get in the next 2 weeks or so. I want to avoid the model from hogging, a term I'll link but quite common in these large warship models. The magazine fails to also mention tapering of the planks, I will try to explain as I go along, remember you model may differ in where you taper your planks, also more bevelling as mentioned from last week.

Hood Build - Week 22

I've had some time today to progress with the planking, if you've not planked a model ship before the best advice that I can give is to find your own method that works for you, dry fit and try to have the planks held in place with anything other than your fingers. Preparation is above all the best option, you'll find the planks lay far better if you spend time fairing the hull. The instructions are a little vague in some areas but hopefully I can shed some light. Beware of parts 113 and 114, they have notches, be sure you understand where they are.

Hood Build - Week 21

Sorry this has been delayed, life has taken over as I'm sure most of you know how that feels, making model ships tend to take a back seat. So I'm hopefully back on track. Lots of little support pieces  and the last of the false deck to add, as I still have not received  Issue 20 I'll be using the scratch deck I've made, not ideal but there's not a lot I can do, I've been assured it has been ordered and hopefully in a few weeks I'll have it. But it looks like after this Issue we are onto planking. Batten down the hatches!!!!

Hood Build - Week 20 (Scratch)

A small deviation from the official build, I didnt get Issue 20 last week, a cock up with my newsagent, he then tells me it could take 3 to 4 weeks..just brilliant eh!, so I decided to build my own deck featured in this issue, using my plans and some wood of similar thickness.
If and when this issue comes in then I'll updated this post with the correct parts..IF and only if it comes before the hull planking come into contact with the deck area and I have to make a choice of either waiting or continuing.



Planking starts at Issue 22. You may notice a new smaller Issue banner (above), I'm trying to freshen things up a little, there is no need I think to have such a large image to show what's in each Issue and especially with on some occasions the issues only have small amounts of wood and or work to do. So let's see how I get on with this new banner.