1/350 Trumpeter Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland

[Guest]

Good evening lads,

First point, I'm not a ship builder, armour & aircraft have kept me at the bench for decades. Many years ago at the very beginning of my modelling career I built the old Airfix HMS Belfast, HMS Ajax and HMS Fearless and then a couple of years ago a really small scale HMS Sheffield and a US missile destroyer but they have been my only forays into the maritime segment of our hobby. Recently however, because over seventy of my models are displayed at work, I was asked to do a commission build as a leaving present for a colleague who has just been posted onto HMS Sutherland. Research pointed me to Trumpeter's Type 23 range and I foolishly agreed to take it on. Chuck in some etched railings and I thought how difficult could it be? Three weeks from opening the box to closing the display case I got her done. Much swearing and late nights over the etch but 80 hours of work produced what you are about to see. Funnily enough, the bit I enjoyed the most was the tiny Merlin. Hope you like it.
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Andy

[Steve Jones]

Andy
Nice to see you posting again. I hope all is well. A wonderful build with the floaty stuff and a lovely intro:thumb2:. I used to deliver to the Sutherland a few times in Devonport dockyard in Plymouth.
Steve

[Guest]

Thanks Steve,
As a creature of habit I'm going to have to get used to this picture posting lark all over again. My first attempt included two of every picture.

I'm hoping to get back up to speed this year. So much plastic, so little time....
Andy

[flyjoe180]

Super build Andy. Three weeks is impressive, I build at a snail pace

[Guest]

So do I Joe, Nothing like a bit of pressure to motivate you though. Done for a colleague who was leaving so timelines were tight.

[Dave Ward]

That's a beauty, Andy! Just as a visual - the Merlin looks too big to fit in the hangar - too tall? It almost looks like a slightly different scale?:thinking:
Dave

[Jim R]

Hi Andy
Very nice indeed. I am sure your colleague was very pleased.
Jim

[Si Benson]

Hi Mr C,

Good to see you been busy.

I couldnt tell thevdifference between a frigate and a fish cake but looks great to me:smiling4:
Si

[Guest]

Dave, Jim and Si,

Thanks very much for your kind comments chaps.
It is deceptive to be honest Dave. It JUST squeezes in normanlly but I decided to add some visual interest and cut the hangar door, mounting it as though it is being raised/lowered.
He was over the moon fortunately and a number of the team were very vocal in their praise for it.
Si, a man after my own heart. Iam appalling at Ship recognition and could probably only distinguish a submarine from an aircraft carrier.
Andy

[papa 695]

She looks very nice indeed Andy, great job

[Guest]

Thanks very much for that PP.

[Guest]

Really a nice looking floater Andy ! Is it possible I can still see the bling of pe parts here and there ?

[spanner570]

Excellent model Andy.
...and a cracking base too.
Your colleague must have been dead chuffed with the ship - I know I would be!

[Guest]

Hi Guy and thank you.
Quite possibly to be honest. I have to say that the final stages of doing the brass caused me some considerable eye-crossing. New glasses will be called for if I tackle any more of these.

Greetings Ron, Thanks very much. I have to say that you provide a good deal of maritime motivation and seeing what you achieve has got me tempted to try more. The base is covered with a navigational chart off the coast of Libya and is just purely the base of one of Trumpeter's Display Cases. I didn't take photos with the cover on because of the glare.

[Steve Brodie]

great build, surprised to see a Merlin on the back, as no where to park her in bad weather lol