Hi Colin , thanks for your help, I’ll probably wait until I am at the point where I need to really think about it. I intend to visit the store later this year and pick up Dido , when I’m there I can have a good look at Ron’s fantastic Dido . My camera will working overtime ?

Hi All
 Deans Marine is pleased to announce the the new Semi Scale kit of H.M.S.Lightning is now on general releases the first batch of this kit.  SCALE 1/32    L  710mm   B 95mm    This is classed as a semi scale kit ( underwater section aft and propeller not to scale )    First run price £160.00 ( incl VAT )   the kits are only produced in batches as ordered some delays at tines may be caused

 Details of the STAND OFF SCALE kit The fibreglass hull in this kit is with full plating detail. Computer generated LASER CUT 1.5mm H I Ps plastic forms the deck and 1mm LASER CUT superstructure A complete set of fittings are included in the kit with all detail parts such as weapons, deck fittings, etc, cast in light alloy and 3d printed in resin to add the museum quality of details, Propshaft in stainless steel are cased in brass proptube + comprehensive instruction and a detailed instruction book plus a set of decals and a FULL SIZE PLAN and a build c/d of 100s of pictures In colour assist in the assembly of this impressive model.                Details of the STAND OFF SCALE kit
The fibreglass hull in this kit is with full plating detail. Computer generated LASER CUT 1.5mm H I Ps plastic forms the deck and 1mm LASER CUT superstructure A complete set of fittings are included in the kit with all detail parts such as weapons, deck fittings, etc, cast in light alloy and 3d printed in resin to add the museum quality of details, Propshaft in stainless steel are cased in brass proptubes + comprehensive instruction and a detailed instruction book plus a set of decals and a FULL SIZE PLAN and a build c/d of 100s of pictures In colour assist in the assembly of this impressive model.
                        HISTORY OF THE FULL SIZE VESSEL
HMS Lightning was a torpedo boat, built by John Thornycroft at Church Wharf in Chiswick for the Royal Navy, which entered service in 1876 and was the first seagoing vessel to be armed with self-propelled Whitehead torpedoes. She was later renamed Torpedo Boat No. 1.
As originally built, Lightning had two drop collars to launch torpedoes; these were replaced in 1879 by a single torpedo tube in the bow. She also carried two reload torpedoes amidships.

Vesuvius and Lightning, appeared at the Naval Review at Spithead in 1878.
The boat appeared at the Naval Review at Spithead of August 1878.
The Queen recorded in her Journal that she was impressed by the 2 torpedo boats, Vesuvius & Lightning, which rushed about at the rate of 20 Knots
The Lightning spent her life as a tender to the torpedo school HMS Vernon at Portsmouth and was used for some experiments.
She was broken up in 1896

 The model  can been seen her on you tube on trials  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSKl57bfAgg

for larger jobs or areas...  you might like to try the planking (laser Deck Panels No.3)..

https://deansmarine.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/5_19/products_id/2253

Very interesting indeed! A bit broad at 1/96 (scales out about a 16 inch plank?) and a bit brown for an RN cruiser (think of all those poor matelots toiling away with holystones) but spot-on perfect for a 1/48 fishing boat. Wish I had known about them when I did mine. But I have a couple of projects in the queue that I can use them on and will.

As for RN decks, I wonder if my choice of tangynika has too much colour in it? It comes out a sort of pale honey shade. I suspect a blond lime might be more realistic for decks that were scrubbed to perfection every morning. But then lime has no visible grain.

Thanks John for your advice, it sounds relatively straightforward but I'll do some practice  just for the sake of my sanity