HMS Eskimo Trumpeter 1:700 FlyHawk Photoetch

[Aginvicta]

I got this kit a couple of years ago and discovered that Flyhawk produce a Photoetch detail set for it. I ordered the detail set and it arrived a couple of weeks later. I am going to paint the Hull, deck and Superstructure but leave the Photoetch unpainted. there is a lot of fine detail that will be hidden by paint.





Cheers Andy

 

[Uwek]

Nice and interesting project. I am looking forward to see how it is looking, when the parts of the details set are not painted.....

 

[Aginvicta]

Nice and interesting project. I am looking forward to see how it is looking, when the parts of the details set are not painted.....

Danke Uwe,
Before starting I enlarged the instructions from the Flyhawk set to make them easier to read and then spent a couple of lunch breaks at work studying them to work out the best way to build this ship. The plastic that is being replaced by the Photoetch was then removed from the various partsand any rough edges cleaned up. The 2 plastic Bridge parts were glued together and whilst the glue was drying I removed the P.E. Bridge Deck and folded as instructed. This was glued in place using PVA and then C.A. glue was applied from underneath. The 2 side pieces were then added.





The various P.E. parts that fit at the front of the Bridge and are mainly the control equipment were then folded and glued in place, followed by a Companionway Cover that needed folding in several ways.




The P.E. sloping roof in front of the Bridge needed careful folding to get the correct angle and then the rails were bent to shape and glued using C.A. gel applied with the tip of a sharp Cocktail Stick. These start full length and keep getting sharpened until they end up about 1 inch (25.4mm) long and then thrown away.


At the rear of the Bridge is the Range Finder, this is made from a plastice support and several P.E. parts. The platform side wall has to be rolled to match the diameter of the platform base. I used several small drill bit shafts to roll over the etch on my cutting mat to get the rquired bend. This was then bend up and glued to the platform base a bit at a time. The ladder and side walls were then bent to shape.




Cheers Andy

 

[dj56]

nice Andy, look forward to seeing her grow
Greetings Willy

 

[Aginvicta]

Having got the Range Finder platform completed I glued it to the plastic support and then the whole thing was glued to the Bridge Deck. Another ladder and platform was then folded and glued to the ladder from the Range Finder platform at the rear of the Bridge.





The Gunnery Control Unit is made from a plastic main body and some P.E. add ons. A piece of P.E. was curved to fit the rear of the main body, glued in place and then the P.E. base got fitted with 2 ladders glued against the main body. The whole assembly then got fitted to the Deck. The plastic Range Finder was glued in place and 2, one each side, signalling devices were then fitted.








Cheers Andy

 

[Donnie]

At some point, I wish to be brave enough to try one of these models. I am not familiar with PE. I am only curious (so that I will understand) is there a reason why you prefer the natural brass finish? I also wish to know if the PE add-on instructions make suggestions as if to paint the items or not? Thank you for answering if you have time.

 

[Aginvicta]

At some point, I wish to be brave enough to try one of these models. I am not familiar with PE. I am only curious (so that I will understand) is there a reason why you prefer the natural brass finish? I also wish to know if the PE add-on instructions make suggestions as if to paint the items or not? Thank you for answering if you have time.

Hello Donnie, there are no instructions or suggestions regarding which colours to paint the P.E. The parts would normally be painted the same colour as the rest of the ship. A few years ago someone on a forum in Britain built the Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi using P.E. and left it unpainted and it looked really good you could see all the extra detail easily rather than it being the same as the rest of the ship. At this small scale it will make the detail stand out.

 

[Donnie]

Andy,
I was thinking the same thing. It does seem strange to have the addon but it painted (or blended in) with the colors of the rest of the ship. Well, I look forward to seeing this build continue. I am sure it will be nice.

 

[Aginvicta]

I have been a little bit lazy this past week, the weather has been really good so each evening when I get in from work I have been sitting out in the garden, but I managed to get a bit more done this morning. The lower front superstructure consists of 5 plastic parts, I first of all removed all the parts as per the instructions.




I glued all the parts together and then painted the deck areas, and whilst I had the paint brush out I painted the Hull light grey and then added the dark grey. Photoetch was then fitted to both sides of the lower superstructure and then the "ramp" structure was folded and gradually adjusted until it fitted in place. A small support then had to be fitted to each side, it was a nightmare trying to get it fitted but eventually I managed to get them to stay in the correct place.





A short side note, I made it clear that when we move I would have my own workroom, den, lads room. I was given my new workroom this week,



Cheers Andy

 

[dj56]

Andy, being a little lazy is not so bad, the bow does not always have to be tense. A nice little dog do you have there? What is it a schin sue?
Greetings
Willy

 

[Aginvicta]

Andy, being a little lazy is not so bad, the bow does not always have to be tense. A nice little dog do you have there? What is it a schin sue?
Greetings
Willy

Hi Willy it's not often we get so much fine sunny weather here so I like to make the most of it. Archie is a Shih Tze but he has some King Charles Spaniel in him. I got him 2 and a half years ago from a nearby rescue centre, he's about 7 now. He sits with me when I'm working on my hobbies or out in the garden.
Cheers Andy

 

[Pathfinder65]

Your “Workroom” has lots of light and ventilation.

 

[Swabbie]

I live in a flat, so now I am jealous ;-(

The model is coming along really well, Andy.

 

[Aginvicta]

I live in a flat, so now I am jealous ;-(

The model is coming along really well, Andy.

No need to be jealous Peter, it's nice sitting out in the sun but it takes a lot of time keeping it neat and tidy, time I could spend building models
Cheers Andy

 

[Aginvicta]

I thought I would explain in detail how I work with Photoetch so I am going to show how I built the 2 Pounder 4 Barrelled Anti Aircraft "Pom Pom" Gun. This is made from 8 parts. First of all the instructions and the tools that I use.





I wear my old reading glasses when I use the Optivisor and the large mug is for strong and Tea. I located the base of the gun platform and cut it out on the back of a steel rule using a scapel that is not too sharp, I'm not allowed sharp knifes unless I am supervised by an adult. I make sure I don't cut too near the part so as not to damage it. I then hold the part in a pair of tweezers and use the scissors and small needle file to remove any burrs.





At the rear of the base 2 parts have to be folded to create platforms, I use the P.E. bending tool to make the first bend and then I use tweezers to complete the platforms.







The next part is the gun side supports, this needs to be folded in two places.







It is then glued to the base. I use PVA first as this gives me time to get it in the correct position and then after I have left it for 5 minutes to dry I apply some C.A. using a pin.

 

[paulv1958]

wow, I dont know how you do so small. beyond me. Great work

 

[Aginvicta]

wow, I dont know how you do so small. beyond me. Great work

Thanks Paul, I must admit I am struggling a bit, I spend about 10 minutes working on this then take a break for 5 minutes. This will be my last ship at this scale, I have built 4 others before this,

Cheers Andy

 

[Aginvicta]

The gun barrels are next, these are on one piece and need folding into a rectangular box with the front end closed, again this is where you need to decide in which order to do the folding. I started folding the front part and then worked my way on the edge to fold into a box.




I then ran a drop of C.A. glue along the join inside the "box" to seal the join using a metal sewing pin "borrowed" from the household sewing basket. The gun barrel assembly was then carefully dry fitted to the gun support brackets and small adjustments made to the brackets. A dot of PVA was then put on each bracket and the barrels were then fitted. I left it for a good while and then used C.A. to secure the barrels.






There are 4 gun magazines to be made, each one was cut out, edges were cleaned up, and then they were folded into boxes.





A dot of PVA was then put on the gun bracket and a magazine fitted, a dot of C.A. secured it, I then fitted the next magazine repeating the process until all 4 were fitted. The gun sights were then carefully cut out because they look really delicate, the sights were folded up and then the whole thing was fitted.








There are 4 railings left to be fitted but I am going to leave them until the Pom Pom gun is fitted to the ship.

Cheers Andy

 

[Uwek]

Great work. I am every time surprised how good these parts can look like......do not stop showing us your progress

 

[Aginvicta]

I decided to build the plastic Pom Pom gun that is included in the kit so that you can see the difference between the plastic and P.E. versions, and the reason why I like to use P.E.



These are 2 other small scale ships that I have built. HMS Hero, Leander class Frigate, 1:600 scale Airfix kit with Atlantic Models Photoetch.



HMS Badsworth, Hunts class Escort Destroyer, 1:700 scale, IBG Models kit. This is a great little model kit from a Polish company and includes the Photoetch.



Cheers Andy