FRENCH BATTLESHIP STRASBOURG IN 1:350 BY HOBBYBOSS

[Haddock]

                                Started this about three weeks ago, I'd no intention of starting it, just opened the box to put some accessories in a safe place, before I could stop myself I was attacking the plastic with great gusto.
                                Got the kit from Models for Sale for £50, RRP looks to be about £90 so another bargain from these guys.
                                As usual, the parts count is quite high with lots of etched brass. For some unknown reason, Hobby-boss haven't included any railings for the weather decks, that's for-deck, main-deck and quarter-deck, all the rest are there.
                                I found a set of railings and some wooden decks to solve the problem from Artwox,
these are a different design to the normal railings and look very nice. The plastic decks are good enough to paint and wash but seen as I've paid for wood, I'll use it.
                                The fit of plastic to plastic is almost too good, everything needs dry-fitting but that's no bad thing. The plastic is commendably thin where it needs to be although there are some technical errors to correct, the entry to the chain lockers on the for-deck being an example. The wood decks need quite a lot of effort to get a fit and there are some errors between the kit and the wood but nothing insurmountable with some artistic licence.
                               The brass barrels, from Starling models proved a bit of a problem. you're supplied with resin castings to mount the guns instead of having to modify the plastic parts to fit. My usual superglue refused to work, I resorted to MIG Slo-dry which worked a treat, just goes to show that all super-glues aren't the same.
                              The instructions are a bit confusing. As is normal with most ships, you get lots of small sub-assy's which build into bigger sub assy's. The instructions dance about from page to page with no logical sequence or identification of each assy, easy to get it wrong.
                               Here's some pics of where we are now, nearly ready for some paint. before I start painting, I must finish USS Guam, then a Chines Iron-clad which is about 60% done.
Haddock.






 

[MSea]

Will enjoy seeing this take shape - do you have to wear a beret while you are working and ask for your drinks in a French accent ?

[Bigkev]

Hi Msea,
Perhaps not, but I bet in between modelling shifts, he does go for a 'oui-oui'.

Other than lowering the tone with the joke(perhaps not!)

It looks like it is going to get the masterful 'addock' build again.....

We, watch, learn and decide if the thumb screws would work this time!

Bloomin' marvellous stuff 

Cheers,
Bigkev

[zak]

Will enjoy seeing this take shape - do you have to wear a beret while you are working and ask for your drinks in a French accent ?

O La La!

[Haddock]

The only French that I remember in "JE FRAPPE LE GARCON"  accompanied by a stinging sensation at the back of the head.
I did get my revenge in the end.
Haddock.

[zak]

See what a classical grammar school education did for you.

[Haddock]

I can tell the time in Latin too!!

[zak]

A very useful skill, especially for an ex-engineer.

[Haddock]

Came in handy at sea when the ships clock had Roman numerals.
I think I was the only one who knew what time it was. Some of the skippers
never knew it was bed time so we ended up staying awake for days.
Haddock.

[Haddock]

                                            CATAPULT.
           It's stuff like this where all the time goes. The brass is 0.!5mm thick, relief etched to enhance the detail so very thin and fragile.
           The pictures probably speak for themselves but you've got both sides of the brass, first bend with some scraps of plasti-card to make life easier, second bend, then third bend which is completed by fingers.
Then we have the final assembly with bits and bobs added.
              I'm not convinced some of this is correct. The walkways look wrong and I think there should be  some more railings.
            If I'd followed the instructions, which are very vague, most of this wouldn't have fitted together.
As it is, I'll just have to live with it. Probably won't be noticeable under a coat of paint.
Haddock.

[zak]

Masterful!

[MSea]

Masterful!

More like the master at work

[Haddock]

THIS MODEL IS NOW BACK IN IT'S BOX TILL I'VE FINISHED OTHER STUFF.
Haddock.

[MSea]

Ooohhh you little French devil you - so masterful and decisive - hohoho - yes I know "I will pay for that in the future"

[Haddock]

Having finished decorating and all the other little tasks I've been promising to do for months, I thought I'd better resurrect this. Lots of sub-assy's to go at so watch this space.
Haddock.