Carley rafts
The examples in the kit are fine and because the mounting structures are largely hidden from view once the floats are in place I didn’t replace them and using the kit examples, they fit perfectly into place once the superstructure assemblies are attached to the hull. I added some extra detail in the form of railings to the forward raft supports kit parts C-22. I also added a small derrick boom to same. This was made from fine brass rod and simply glued into place.
Now all period photographs of Belfast post rebuild show her with additional Carley Rafts stowed along the outer edge of the shelter deck bulwarks where the twin 4” gun mounts are. And also on the roofs of the shelters, (structure in between guns (four of them, two either side of ship)). You require 7 per side and 8 to fit on roof areas, making a total of 22. I simply got these from L’Arsenal as they produce sets of these in various sizes in cast resin, beautiful items (in hindsight should of replaced the whole lot with these but the kit examples are fine). The set was AC350-94 No.20 Royal Navy Carley Floats. I mounted these on cocktail sticks and painted them separately from hull, only attached them into place in final assembly.
Forward superstructure
Ship’s cranes
Belfast had two of these at the time of build and I replaced the jibs with photo etch examples and “tarted” up the cab structure with etch and plastic strip. Once again they were painted separately from hull and attached in final assembly.
Masts
I built the masts as separate assemblies that were attached in the final phase of assembly. I decided to keep the kit rear support legs of both masts but replaced the fore legs as they didn’t look right and sure enough when measured they are too short. They were replaced with brass rod cut to correct length and assembled. Once the basic shape (tripod) was established I set about adding the vertical ladders, upper platforms, crow’s nest (on forward mast), yardarms and aerials. All of these parts were from either stock brass rod or WEM photo etch set. In fact I had to “borrow “a few aerials from one of their King George V class battleship sets, in future I would simply use the dedicated WEM set for Belfast that is now available.
