I have been wrestling with this kit a bit. The parts are not 100% perfectly cast and there is quite a bit of work involved in preparation before installing them.
We are model makers and on a kit like this one could expect quite a contribution from the person working on it. But when one thinks that this kit retails for nearly £200 it should go together with less resistance.
I have now got all the parts ready and my plan is to assemble it basically from inboard to outboard thereby interfering less with the already installed parts. I will be weathering most of it as I go along as some parts will be difficult to access once in place.
The bridge is in place above – there is a position marked on the deck for this but it does not click exactly into place and needs some work on the lower edges to seat it. The clear parts on top of the bridge for weather protection are not mentioned in the instructions although they are marked in the drawings derived from John Lambert. I put them on anyhow.
The roof of the cabin behind the bridge was damaged and if put in place as it was would have left a noticeable gap at the bottom on the starboard side. I inserted a fillet to close the gap. The life rafts had to be filed down to fit in the positions shown for them.
I have also tested some weathering on the deck with oil paint and Wilder’s Deep Shadow wash. The next day the Wilder wash was still tacky. I feel that there is more control with oils.
First application of weathering
More parts in place and the first application of weathering. The side of the boat was done using small spots of oil (brown, green, blue, white and mud); this will be smoothed out nearer completion. I added straps to secure the life raft.
More ready use ammo boxes and forward view of the Lewis gun positions. The port and starboard lights do not really fit in the position indicated in the instructions as the splinter protection obstructs them.
As a break I painted the figures that Coastal craft made by Gunthwaite Miniatures. These are very nicely detailed naval crew. All of the figures supplied to me are in duffel coats but there are a lot more to choose from in the range. I have a little more work to do on them but they are very small and when mounted on board a lot of the detail on them will not really be visible.