hms belfast

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

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 ill have to get cracking on that model soon

 

                                            ryan

 

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.