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.