Hachette Model & Issue 2 parts

Since there is a lack of good quality close up pictures I thought I'd take some scans of the magazine, not the best scan's but the printing is not the best, moire patterns on scans (I've been a printer for 27 years) so I've had to blur it a little to smooth it out. So below is some tasty pictures of our model, it's a shame Hachette couldn't provide picture's or information on the model this part-works is based on.

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!!!!

Getting Started - Hints & Tips

This from the Hachette web site -
http://www.buildabattleship.co.uk/gettingstarted.html

By looking at the last picture it is likely there will no mention of a build board, this is a must if you don't want your model to be a banana, simply take a length of fairly strong wood (something that is not going to warp) with the measurements of the ship plus add some extra (I will post a possible size for the board here soon)
By looking at the image above I would say screw the bottom section to the base board after making sure it is square and use plenty of set square to make sure all is straight.

Also what is interesting to see is the lack of any other part of the ship to go along with the hull frames, looking the Bismarck build they were supplying many other items from the word go, hopefully this doesn't turn out to be just the hull for the duration of the build up to that point.

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If this is your first model ship then please take your time and find out as much as possible on the net on how to go about getting the best from this partworks, take your time, dry fit always, and abive all if your unsure please ask, email me, find a forum, shout..help, there are some talents around that can and will help.

Build Preview

Well after hoping for years and seeing 2 company's do the try out, one come up with the goods, Hachette, I've no idea how this company compare, I don't care, all I know is for the next 3 years the Mighty 'ood is returning to the British shore's..
Partwork starts on 24th, not sure after that date if they continue weekly.

I've taken a few screen shots of the TV advert found on the official web site and had a closer look, it seems the hull does not show much if any hull plating, to be honest this doesn't worry too much as I can add that with either very thin plasticard material or some litho plates, which I've seen done to great effect on a large scale model of HMS Iron Duke.

If there are many inaccuracies (which is probable)then the HMS Hood Association web site is available to maybe scratch or re build certain parts.

Also when the Bismarck was released the deck planking was done with a printed sheet, after look through loads of these builds over the last month I've seen quite a few modellers complain to hachette about them, there was too many pages/posts to search but most seemed ok with them, if they are printed on it maybe worth will avoiding staining them to prevent the print coming off. For me, well I want to have a look into planking the deck proper.
I know, I big undertaking BUT I feel I have some ideas and lots of good source material to pull from.

New TV advert for Hachette Hood

Just today Hachette has updated the web site that includes a TV advert, scroll to the bottom of the page, hopefully as the days get closer to 24th this will be seen on TV.

I have no doubt that certain areas will need to be scratch built, I cant imagine this to be 100% accurate but if you want, like me a starter and hopefully a great magazine then this is the way to go.

Hachette or DeAgostini

Since at least February 2011 these 2 company's have put out tester issues of a large scale model (1:200), not in London but up north somewhere, some of the feedback has been mixed and both have stopped on or around issue 4.
Here is the DeAgostini site - http://www.buildhmshood.com/
and this is the Hachette version - http://www.buildabattleship.co.uk/index.html

After searching the net is seems Hachette have sent out letter's with the last issue saying they are starting the series on August 24th 2011.
This will run at 140 issues at a cost of nearly £840, big money but for some the only way they can afford such a model, thats a total run time of 2 years 7 months.
Ive seen many of the Bismarck build's (another Hatchette series) and if the level of detail is anything to go by then this will be a great model straight from the magazine, BUT, if like me you own many of the book on the HMS Hood then some scratch building and adding more detail to the ship, it will no doubt become a great model.
So the size? 1:200 that measures in at -
Length 1314mm or 52", Width 150mm or 6" and Height 275mm or 11", that's nearly 4 foot 4"
A large model, do we have the space??? I'll make space.

New 1:200 scale model to be released

Coming this August is the HMS Hood, a large (52") model based on the 1941 ship. Spread over 140 issues this is going to be a long haul but I'm determined to achieve what I consider THE classic British warship. Stayed tuned for my preparations for the next 7 weeks.