Well, I am finally able to sit and work comfortably at my work table. This excrutiatingly slow build may now progress. A total lockdown here should also help. The first news is, I have finally received a book I ordered last May.
This should help me with detailing Zulu. While the book concentrates on Cossack, all the Tribal class were identical unlike some of the other destroyer classes. The book is also highlighting other mistakes/omissions on Trumpeters part. The latest I have found is the rear of the bridge area around the director tower and rangefinder. Trumpeter has it as wood planking. It was actually covered in rubber compound. This is the anti-slip coating used on most of the deck walkways. Onwards, the bridge/wheelhouse will be built separate and then fixed in place once corrected and equipped with the necessary binnacles/pelorus/binocular sights/voice pipes,etc. This is the starboard side of the bridge/wheel house. One porthole(top right). The port side is a mirror image although all photos of the ship show two portholes in this position.
This is the port side after I have added the missing porthole. It looks wonky in this view, but is fine in real life.
I have also made a start on what to do with the main armament. On the left the kit offering. Overscale and lacking detail. On the right are the A/M parts. This has just had a quick splash of paint so I can actually see it as they are printed in a translucent material. Every thing will, of course, be painted properly before assembly. Here is where I could do with some help guys. Would you recommend a wash of some kind to enhance the detail as the guns will be mostly hidden in the mountings. If so, what ? I am pretty new at this wash business. All paint will be Vallejo
Model Air.
And finally this is where we are up to at present. Deck Houses in place and deck fittings done. Funnels still need etch tops fitting. Note rear funnel has been shortened as per refit in June /July 1941. This was to improve arc of fire of A/A guns.
All C and Cs gratefully received.
John.