I am building a 1:96 scale model of HMS Diamond D35, She was a 1960's Daring Class Destroyer. This is a Scratch build from plans supplied from the Model Dockyard. This is the 1st Scratch build model I'm attempting and wanted something simple enough to get me going.

Some of the initial keel laying and build of the hull. I've tried to use spare wood I have instead of buying new. A lot of what I have is 1/4" Pine and I've had to double up to get the required thickness, it does involve a lot of sanding when gluing two pieces together to achieve the desired look. Next Phase is to shape the hull before adding the 1/8" Ply sides and Transom.

Just noticed I have made an error with the Ship Number in the blog title, the model I am building is D35 NOT D34. Sorry

Hello, latest updates.

I've now started to round off the Hull lines and add the Bow sections. in the photo's I've uploaded, I've added 2 of the 3 Bow sections and partially sanded smooth, I will add the 3rd after it has been shaped and finish sanding the forward and lower parts of the Hull before I add the sides and Transom

Hello, it's been a while since I added anything and I have done a bit of work to the ship. Hull sides added and then filled / sanded, I'left the transom for a bit to make sure I had the side level. I've been taking my time to get this looking good and you'll see in the next upload I've jumped ahead a bit with the construction.

Hello, as mentioned on the last update I've jumped forward a bit, sorry I did not take too many pictures of the finishing and painting, in a nut shell I've sanded smooth and applied a coat of Primer and Varnished the interior of the hull. I plan to rub smooth with wire wool to get an even smoother finish.

Once that is ready I'll paint the 1st coat of Grey smooth again and start to work out any Imperfections in the hull lines. Fingers crossed this method will work, if not I'll let you know.

OK, as mentioned I've not been too good a keeping this up to date with each step, apologies. I've started to work on the Superstructure, I'm building this all from Balsa, 1/16 and 1/8 thickness.

I started on the Aft Deck structure decking, building this up to a point where I am ready to give is a coat of primer and smooth with wire wool. I plan to have rotating gun turrets on this ship and have cut out the holds within the desk and structure. (See Images)

I'm using micro motors (3RPM @3V) I order these from ebay / China, came quickly and they rotate at what I think is a very realistic speed. I've mounted the motors on old motor mounts I had from an old RC project and adapted them to suit this ship, fingers crossed I will work out how to get them turning in sync via an old speed controller which goes to channel 4 or 5 on the transmitter I'm getting, will let you know how that pans out.

This is just to show the work I've done so far.

Thanks

Dave

Hello,

I've not had much chance lately to get much done, the photo's I've attached with this update show that I've added port holes to the side (and superstructure) I tried to find some pre fabricated "Navy" port holes but did not have much luck, I had a look at another build blog on a Destroyer and found he had used Eyelets you'd use on shoes! I thought I'd give it a go, I think they look good, some may argue it's not the original but it'll do for me 😊

I've also made a start on the turrets, I need to do a lot of sanding / smoothing before I attached them to the running gear and make sure they are level. Once I get to this point I am going to upload a video as I've not seen any "Simple" design solutions to rotating turrets for others to view, not being overly cleaver with the electronics just yet it may help others??

Last photo's are of the Hull with it's 1st coat of paint, I'm going for a darker Grey (Humbrol Sea Grey No-27) than the recommended light grey. I'll need to rub down with finishing paper and add a few more coats before I'm happy, I'll upload a few more close up when ready.

Good luck with your build's

Dave

Hello all,

Ok, so getting closer to the Hull being finished, I've painted the Antifoul and Water line, I've gone for an Olive Green Antifoul, it mentioned this on the plans and found a Revell colour that suited.

I've also sealed the Foredeck now, I was waiting to make sure the Gun Motor was working OK and that I had the base of the Gun Turret fitting correct. in the pictures you can see I've covered it in a fine filler, once sanded and painted (once at least) it will give me a smooth metallic look.

I've also cut out the Anchor port holes, I pre drilled a 3mm hole and angled this up to come through the deck, I then enlarged this with a 6mm bit but did not go too deep into the hull side as the plans only show small oval holes on the deck where the anchor chains run out of. They need a little work to round / smooth off and look right.

I will hopefully get the Hull complete in the next week, work and Baby depending 😊 I'll upload pictures of the finished results.

Good luck with your builds

Dave