hms belfast

Most of the Airfix 1/600 ship kits are quite easy + straightforward to build. However as many of them date back to the 1960s, the kit moulds are quite worn resulting in large amounts of "flash", mould lines, sink marks, etc. which can make assembly more difficult.
The Belfast is one of the better kits in the Airfix range, but it's still recommended to carefully clean up the parts before assembly with a small modelling knife. Sink marks (found in large solid parts like turrets) can be filled in with modelling filler putty then sanded flat.

Another very useful tip (for any ship model) is to paint the deck + superstructure before adding the armament and fittings (searchlights, masts, lifeboats, etc.) This is particularly important if you're painting a camouflage scheme! I found this out the hard way with my first large ship model (1/350 Tirpitz).

The Airfix Belfast kit doesn't actually represent the ship in its current preserved/museum ship condition, but in its original WW2 configuration (early/mid-war I think) hence you need to be careful when using photos of the preserved ship as reference for painting/detailing the kit.

thnx ill have to get cracking on that model soon

 

                                            ryan

 

This kit is easy to build, but difficult to paint, because it has a lot of overhanging decks and setback guns and superstructure.  It is, however, very nicely molded, especially the complex hull contours, and very much worth the extra effor4t to make it look clean and neat.  The ship itself is quite sleek and handsome and Airfix has captured that look in their kit. 

thnx mbt70 when i finish it i will post some pics so use can see how good or bad a job i made of it

 

                                                ryan

Looking forward to it ... I predict excellence!  A caveat emptor, though ... try to avoid the camouflage scheme on such a small scale unless you have the requisite skills.  When I built it I used an all-grey scheme ... I'm no Jeff Herne, so I was cautious.

i am goin to try the camoflage sorry lol i have done camoflage on a 2 spits l8tly n it went good i am hoping to get anuva good result

                                                         ryan

RgR DgR ... B sure 2 post pix.

i will i will start building it on th 1st of may has any 1 got any pics of their hms belfasts because i find it hard useing the colour sceme on the airfix instrutions so if use have any could use post sum

                                               thnx ryan

i might not use the camoflage no more depense how good my camoflage is after i finish my fokker wulf fw190

    ill post pics of my hms belfast                          ryan

i did the airfix belfast years ago which i still have. did the camo on it but no pictures available.

kool is the cammo hard

 

i didn't think so but depends on the individual

ok i dont mind doing cammo ive done it on all ma planes that ive done so ill give it a bash it can onli go rong lol

                                                   ryan

tornado wrote:

i will i will start building it on th 1st of may has any 1 got any pics of their hms belfasts because i find it hard useing the colour sceme on the airfix instrutions so if use have any could use post sum                                                thnx ryan

Ryan,

I can send you some pictures (I can't seem to post them here).  I also can send you some scans of the camo, if you'd like.

Regards,

Martin

yer thnx do u want ma email adress to send them coz its ryan_47@hotmail.co.uk

                                                ryan

tornado wrote:

yer thnx do u want ma email adress to send them coz its ryan_47@hotmail.co.uk                                                 ryan

Ryan,

I'll get them out to you over the weekend.  

Martin

martin thnx your a big help

                                                               ryan

kool carnt wait to get this ship started now lol

 

thnx martin thats a big help now i got them

How did this turn out?  Pics?

I had the opportunity to visit the ship in London two years ago.  I was disappointed to see that, although the ship remains in her 1960's configuration, she has been painted in her WWII camouflage scheme.  I wish that the caretakers would be more careful about accurately presenting the ship.

However, she is maintained beautifully!

Bill Morrison

Sir,

Not to sound uppity or to appear that I'm 'attacking you' ... BUT.

To back-date the ship back to her WW2 configuration would not be financially feasible to do so.

And, in regard to her scheme?  That was done to have her more eye-catching as a tourist attraction.  True, it is inaccurate for her present configuration and all that, but it is attractive ...

Just my 2 cents.

Garth 

Garth,

I never advocated backfitting her to her WWII configuration, although it is feasible.  But, the ship should appear in the color scheme for the period she represents.  It is just a personal quibble of mine.

Bill Morrison

PTConsultingNHR wrote:

That was done to have her more eye-catching as a tourist attraction.  True, it is inaccurate for her present configuration and all that, but it is attractive ...

Yeah, but some nods to historical conservation ought to be made.  I remember BB-36 USS Texas in her original "Parks" guise.  Grounded on the mud of the ship channel, wooden decks replaced with low-bidder concrete, Kingfishers on the cats, but quad 1.1" installed too (and empty 20mm positions on deck) with stray quad 40's and their directors all in place--all with a post-war haze grey paint scheme.

How much better, after the last big refit, when the plating and leaks were repaired, set to pilings so she floats, and in a lovely measure 21, with aramaments fitted to her '44 configuration.  The blue is striking (and can be quite warm in the summer), but, it all "fits" together.  Now, if TP&W can find a way to dewater a few more spaces . . .

This thread sure came lurching out of the mists. I have a friend who was a doctor in the sick bay of the Hornet in Vietnam. He's a volunteer restoration worker. He went to a SF School district auction of old furniture and scored big on gray metal desks and chairs from the 60's, just the ticket he thinks.

Feasible?

Cost of research?

Cost of purchasing plans, drawings and photos?

Cost of finding correct armament or having good quality reproductions made?

Cost of towing it to a drydock facility?

Cost of occupying a drydock for however long?

Cost of facility laborers, costs of labor?

Cost of materials, paints?

I'm sure she still has asbestos in some areas of her hull, so that has to be removed and disposed of safely. 

It seems that it'd cost more than her Trust has or that they could raise in today's economy.

Sure, it'd be great to see her as she looked in her hay-day, but is it realistic to think it could be achieved?  No.

Look at this way, ... as I do, a HISTORIC ship was saved for future generations.  If they want to learn more about her history, there are sources on board and in their giftshop to provide the information.

Heck, I've heard that the RN wants to sell VICTORY because she is too expensive to upkeep and all that.

I'm just being pragmatic and realistic ...

I'm not attacking anyone.  

 

I've been onboard the Belfast, and found it a facinating ship. I wish a better model existed on her. I would encourage anyone visiting London to tour the ship and also go to the Imperial War Museum in South London.

I well remember the Texas from her bad old days, concrete decks and all, but still quite the stirring site for a teen-ager with a vivid imagination!

We have to remember, guys ... 99 out of 100 people who tour these ships aren't going to know the difference between a ships 1944 armaments fit and a Measure 32/4T camouflage scheme. And that's just fine. They are going to tour it because it was there, or because it looked kind of neat, or because grandpa was on one in WW II, or something like that. And the money they spend while doing so will keep the hands of time from chipping away at the proud old ladies a little less enthusiastically than they might otherwise do so.

Exactly, ... exactly.