White Ensign Models HMS Abercrombie 1944 – page15

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Hints and tips

1. I thought it worth putting together some hints and tips on construction.
2. Wash the model parts: resin, brass and white metal before using. Use white spirit then a mild detergent and leave to dry thoroughly
3. Assemble the main hull and glue the main parts of the superstructure to it
4. Assemble the bridge and its supports: in hindsight the brass option I think would be better than the resin. DO NOT FIT IT TO THE SUPERSTRUCTURE
5. Assemble all the guns but don’t fit to the hull
6. Prime the hull, bridge and all sub assemblies
7. Pre-shade the model with Tamiya NATO black or your preferred alternative
8. Spray the red on the base of the hull, mask and then paint the black Plimsoll line
9. Paint the sides of the hull and the superstructure with a thin coat of the light grey base colour. Do the same with the brass railings, ladders etc, whilst still attached to the brass carrier sheet.
10. Spray the very dark grey cammo colour; mask where necessary
11. Spray the two blues being careful to ensure you dry-fit the gun turrets to ensure the cammo scheme lines up
12. Mask the hull sides and spray the deck and all top surfaces with medium steel grey
13. Use Tamiya Buff on the wooden deck at the stern of the ship; use raw umber oil thinned with turps to create the wood grain
14. Fix the guns to the ship and spray the complete assembly with thin gloss varnish
15. Oil wash with a mix of Paynes Grey and Raw Umber as described in the main text or use your preferred methods
16. Matt varnish the model and then use pastels to weather to your liking
17. Fit deck rails and hereafter handle the model with extreme care
18. Assemble and fit the lifeboats to the stern
19. Assemble and fit the brass Orlikons
20. Assemble and fit the gun radars
21. Assemble and fit other ancillary deck parts
22. Construct masts as per kit instructions, paint in light grey and weather as appropriate.
23. Fit bridge and masts to ship
24. Rig
25. Get a cuppa tea you deserve one!