Deans Marine

General Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Antrobus148 on 02 November 2017, 11:36:40

Title: HMS Hannibal
Post by: Antrobus148 on 02 November 2017, 11:36:40
I’ve been reading posts in this forum with great interest because I’m considering building Hannibal or Magnificent. To help me decide I would be most grateful if someone would give me the benefit of their experiences with these kits, and Deans products and service in general.
I’m wanting to build her as a static display model to be housed in a glass case and to be as authentic as reasonably possible.
So, my questions:
Is the kit geared solely towards a working model?
How authentic is the detail design of hull, superstructure and parts etc?
How much of the bits and bobs supplied in the kit needed to be corrected?
......and lastly and most important:
What are your impressions, what advice would you give, would you build a static model with a Deansmarine kit ?
I have been pondering this decision for months now and really look forward to your replies.
Title: Re: HMS Hannibal
Post by: paul swainson on 02 November 2017, 17:23:08
The kits supplied by Deans are of a very high standard and the items which make the model (the bits and bobs) are also of high quality.  They will require to be cleaned and trimmed to give the respected detail.  The model will be as good as possible with the effort you put into it.  The build is a labour of love to make it as good as your skills allow. 
The company reseach all their models and I am sure you will be aware from the build blogs posted on the forum reflects the workmanship put in be the Dean's team to ensure a quality model is built.
Their models make very good static displays if you choose not to install the electric motors.  I am sure if you speak with Ron he will ensure that the motors which you do not need could be exchanged for addition components to make the model work for you.
As for service should you need clarification of the build instruction he and his team will help with as much detail as possible.  Also the research you do in the build also helps to understand the build.
The build will be I am sure a pleasure you will enjoy.
Title: Re: HMS Hannibal
Post by: Antrobus148 on 03 November 2017, 14:33:37
Hi Paul, thanks very much that is helpful and improves my confidence in Deans.
The idea of swapping the motors etc is a brilliant one!
How do I get to communicate with Ron, so far in all my 'contact' emails I've had another gentleman respond, namely Jonathan Bartzsch?
Title: Re: HMS Hannibal
Post by: raflaunches on 03 November 2017, 20:43:11
Hi there

I’m in the process of building/modifying the Hannibal kit to build a sister ship HMS Prince George. The Hannibal kit is the one to go for as it has all the upgraded etched brass whilst the Magnificent kit is the basic model kit. Whilst you’re looking for extra detail ask Ron for his upgraded gun turrets which are made from GRP and are more accurate in shape compared to the Vacform kit items. Beautiful bits of work! The Hannibal kit also comes with a laser cut deck which if I remember correctly you can get different types of wood to suit your tastes. I went for the sycamore because ships of this era had amazingly white decks. As a reference for your build I recommend RA Burt’s book British Battleships 1889-1904. It has an entire section on the Majestic class with plenty of photos and plans. If you can afford the hideous priced plans from the National Maritime Museum they do the original builders plans. If you’re not happy with some of the recommended layouts of some of the fittings in the kit just use the plans or photos to put them to your preferred position. You can also buy the RB fittings 11mm 2/3 ball stanchions if your mad like me which just adds a bit more finesse for a static model. Remember this kit was designed for RC use primarily. Another good book to get hold of is Brian King’s Modelling Late Victorian Battleships. If you want extra detail this is the book to read!
If you visit www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk) and click on forum and do a search for Deans Marine HMS Hannibal you’ll find my build log so far. I’m currently finishing off a build of Invincible which when finished I will be back on the Prince George build. Oh and finally if you intend to build the last two Majestics- Illustrious and Cesaer- you’ll have to build the gun turrets from scratch as they are different to the rest of the class.
Hope this helps
Title: Re: HMS Hannibal
Post by: raflaunches on 03 November 2017, 20:58:34
Oh by the way... what era or ship in particular do you intend to build?
Title: Re: HMS Hannibal
Post by: Antrobus148 on 03 November 2017, 22:36:35
Hello raflaunches, Thanks very much for your very helpful opinions, I’m now much closer to making a decision.
The ship I want to make is Magnificent, and Jonathan told me if I bought Hannibal I would get a more advanced kit and all I had to do was to paint her in Magnificent’s colours and call her Magnificent.
By the way, as I want to make her as a static display model how much of the kit do I not need, and do you think there’s a chance I might be able to swap those bits for something else? Or a discount?
If it’s a swap can you suggest What I should ask for in the swap.
FYI, I got the price for her plans from the Nat Maritime Museum, £384!!
Title: Re: HMS Hannibal
Post by: James59 on 04 May 2018, 18:33:06
Hi
Sorry this is a bit late but I've been away from modelling for a few months.
I have the Hannibal Kit and whilst searching for photos etc I had an email discussion with the guys at the National Maritime Museum and they told me there a some differences between Majestic and Hannibal around the Bridge.
I know this is late but better than never, good luck with the build.
Title: Re: HMS Hannibal
Post by: raflaunches on 05 May 2018, 09:04:55
Hi James

Yes the guys at NMM are correct. The first three Majestics (Majestic, Magnificent, and Prince George) had a bridge which sat around the foremast but the designers and the Admiralty soon realised that in a battle if the foremast was hit the entire bridge would collapse with it! So in the remaining six vessels they relocated the bridge to the conning tower position as this area had a greater survivability rate. I’ll see if I can photo the plans so you can see the difference.