Building DDG 139 "NINGBO"

[Haddock]

Now the Prince Suvorov is finished, I was wondering what to do next. My last two builds aren't suitable for the September competition because of the period and I don't have anything else that is already well travelled so I don't have a competition entry.I was going to build HMS Queen Elizabeth in 1:350 but I've decided that September is a tall order to do it justice what with the camouflage scheme and all the brass-work, which I haven't ordered yet and is going to set me back £60!. The kit was about the same but I used all my Cropper vouchers ( pressies from the family ). Not only that, Mrs Haddocks annual tour of Great Britain is looming ( a weeks holiday ) and our relations from Gillingham are threatening to visit for a week. On top of which Mrs Haddock has informed me that now the weather is improving, it's time I went out  a bit more and got some fresh air and exercise, nipping down to Croppers in the car with the window down don't count, and we've got school holidays looming so grand-dad duties will be expected. It looks like modelling activities are going to be severely restricted.
        I've decided, after much soul-searching to do the "Ningbo" . I'll send some pics later as Ive just opened the box and don't know what I'm in for yet but it looks to be a nice kit.
Haddock.
Here's  a couple to start with.   

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[Bigkev]

Hi Haddock,

Looks like Mrs Haddock has got you by the short and curly's.

look forward to seeing it progress.
Bigkev

[Haddock]

She pulled em out long ago, didn't half make my eyes water! Still, anyone that can put up with me 47 years deserves the occasional bit of attention, only occasional though, got to get our priorities right.
    The kit looks very nice, all the brass you need is in the box with the exception of some inclined ladders with hand-rails but I have some generic ones that should do. Not bad for £24.99 as ship kits go.
    I've made the fatal mistake of doing some research, if you look at the two pics enclosed, the anchor windlasses and the hawse pipes that lead the chain into the chain locker don't look big enough, also there are two dark objects to the right of the windlasses, I don't know what they are and whether the chain runs over them or to one side. Looks like a bit of re-engineering and some artistic licence is in order. Perhaps Martin might be able to shed some light.
   Haddock.

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[Haddock]

Could this be what I'm looking for. Different ship, same idea. Bingo!

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[zak]

Look forward to seeing your progress.

[Haddock]

This is progress so far, not much glued together, just building sub-assemblies ready for painting. It fits together like a dream, much credit to Trumpeter. There's a few shims, mostly hidden, 0.005" and 0.010", then a few swipes with a sanding stick but nothing drastic. I started on Tuesday morning!
I'll dash upstairs, pull it to bits and take some pics of the sub-assemblies.
Haddock

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[Haddock]

And here they are in all their horrible glory!
 The picture doesn't do justice to some of the fine detail that Trumpeter have achieved on the mouldings.

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[zak]

Beware decorating and holidays!
they seem to ruin the modelling flow.
Dave

[Haddock]

small parts, small parts, small parts.
All this lot are assemblies, the guns at top left consist of 16 parts.

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[councilman]

Make sure you finish that one before starting the monitor. 

[Haddock]

Oh dear!

[Haddock]

For a ham-fisted oaf like me , this is quite difficult but if you can't build this, the whole kit is useless! There's more stuff to go on top yet. Phew!
Haddock.

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[zak]

Busy again I see.

[Haddock]

No peace for the wicked!
I can see why Toymaster are selling these kits cheap, this amount of brass ain't everybody's cup of tea.
Haddock.

[Haddock]

Here's a couple of hours fun! More to come.

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