HMS ZULU 14 SEPT. 1942. ( FOR SIMON ).

[JayCee]

Once upon a time, a long time ago
On a forum far far away
(A small homage to Simon's Avatar)
Mr T. built a 1/700 scale Fletcher class destroyer.

While my eyesight would struggle with that scale I am going to build this in a way I hope Simon would approve of.

Base kit. I am aware of the numerous faults, but it is the only one on the market. Some work and loads of A/M should sort things out.



box full of plastic. Some will be modified and some replaced with the A/M.



The P/E. the small one is from the kit. The large one is a dedicated one for Tribal class destroyers. The bottom right is a set of watertight doors



The A/M. Basically the ships armament.

The shipyard will open as soon as possible. An unscheduled hospital stay temporarily held up progress.

 

[scottie3158]

John,
I will follow along

 

[Mickc1440]

Love watching you ship builders, so I’m in

 

[Deleted member 6559]

Wow, will all of those extras fit that tiny kit John? Looks like a Simon style special coming up.

 

[rtfoe]

Woo hoo...lots of stuff for the destroyer John, Will grab a seat for this.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Steve Jones]

Lots of bells and whistles for this project. Looking forward to seeing how you tackle it. Good luck

 

[boatman]

YEA an im in toooooo
chris

 

[Mini Me]

Figures Chris.........just what your Ship brain needs ! LOL I can't pass up a good "Floaty Thing" project, I'll sit in the back and keep a watch. Rick H.

 

[boatman]

Figures Chris.........just what your Ship brain needs ! LOL I can't pass up a good "Floaty Thing" project, I'll sit in the back and keep a watch. Rick H.

YEA SNAP Rick great minds think alike lol
chris

 

[Jim R]

Hi John
I'm in. That is a lot of stuff to include. Should result in a stunning model.
Jim

 

[adt70hk]

Looks interesting!!

ATB

Andrew

 

[Steve Brodie]

Mae west on and sitting with a mug of tea !

 

[JayCee]

Good Day one and all. Paul, Mick, Peter, Richard, Steve, Chris, Rick, Jim, Andrew and Steve, many thanks for joining me on this endeavour.
This is the first ship I have built since I was 12 years old( that was in 1959 ! ). Then it was tiny 1/1200 scale by Eaglewall I think.
Anyway shipyard is open so off we go.
The main fault with this kit is the foredeck. It is completely flat as below.


In reality it should slope upwards at the bow. an approximation below.


On with the build, the platers and welders are getting jumpy.


The main deck and fo'csle bulkhead glued in place to brace the hull. The rear half of the foredeck glued down and left to set. The bow section of deck was then raised the required amount (3mm) with various size plastic rod across the width of the deck, securely glued in position. The resulting gaps were filled in with vallejo filler slowly built up. Apologies I forgot to take photos of this stage. So here is the finished rebuild. the test will be what it looks like under paint.

Before any more build progress can be made all the watertight doors will have to be removed and replaced with the correct pattern. There are nearly 20 all told.


That is all for now, the workers have gone for that great British institution the tea break.
John

 

[minitnkr]

A true endeavor. This will look excellent w/all the extras. PaulE

 

[mrtintheweb]

That is all for now, the workers have gone for that great British institution the tea break.
John

I'd be worried they were on strike!

 

[Mini Me]

Well done on the Bow mods. I'd say you have a pretty good crew of "fitters" on this one.

 

[JayCee]

Paul, Toby and Rick. Thanks for joining in.
John.

 

[JayCee]

Hello one and all. Well after the longest tea break in the history of mankind a modicum of work has been done. The main problem has been one of labour. The original Zulu was built in Glasgow (Scotland) where there were plenty of skilled shipbuilders. This one, of course is being built here in Cyprus. We have no concept of heavy engineering and my minions just want to get back to their farms and pick potatoes. Anyway the incorrect kit doors were removed with careful use of a chisel blade and sanding sticks. The new P/E doors were then assembled (at least I tried to). The doors are 6mm x 2mm and consist of two pieces. The door itself and the frame. This was when I found how much dexterity I have lost in my left hand after the Stroke I had a year ago. Onwards. These proved beyond me, the locking dogs were so small even my optivisor was no use. For the moment the doors are in place without the frames, held on with PVA so they will be easy to remove. Plan B is to purchase some 3d printed ones.



Two doors missing from the foredeck bulkhead have been added, as well as a start on the deck fittings.


The deck houses are only placed on. This is to determine the best way of assembly. Structure first and then deck fittings around them or fittings first and place the structure between them. The instructions of course give no assistance. Lots of access ladders to go on as well.
John

 

[Jim R]

Hi John
Hope the tea break was relaxing. Looks like despite some problems you're making good progress. You seem to have a clear idea of the way forward.
Jim

 

[Deleted member 6559]

Looking good John. Must be plenty of distractions living in your little bit of paradise - here in the UK we're hunkering down in the cold weather.