Topic: HMS Zulu build

[radio joe]

Just ordered HMS Zulu, my third Deans build, just been pottering around the last 3 months new exhibition cradles for Solebay and Bramble etc. So I'm looking forward to another enjoyable build, Zulu is a little more up to date than the other two but still with all the "clutter" I like about warships, and a single shaft, and as Bramble I'll fit an exposed shaft I like the look of these, she promises to be a nice winter project. Joe.

[Tanzy]

Looking forward to your build Joe, I have Zulu and as a first time modeller will hopefully follow your build on my table at home! 

[colin]

me thinking (not a good idea) "Joe" with a zulu (tribal class destroyer)... but no.... its Zulu the tribal class frigate.... much bigger.. enjoy your winter evenings 

[andy]

I am sure you will enjoy building HMS Zulu Joe. The HMS Nubian was my first Dean's Marine kit I purchased back in the fall of 1987.  She will be heading back into dry dock this winter for a major refit  Over 20 years of enjoyment from this model. Witch I believe is longer then what the real ship served in the Royal Navy.

Andy

[radio joe]

Well if my first two builds are any thing to go by I'll really enjoy it, yes I think with a bit of care they are quite durable, Andy you don't see many refits on here it would be good to see a refit of a 20 year old ship.

Colin I guess you are talking about one of Mohawk's sister ships the 1900's .destroyers.   

Tanzy I hope my build is of some help.

[andy]

Andy you don't see many refits on here it would be good to see a refit of a 20 year old ship.

Hey Joe..I am looking at doing a refit posting here along with a couple of builds.  To go along with me HMS Nubian, I also have a flower class corvette, tribal class destroy and the escort carrier.  Just have a little yard work to finish up on before the coming of winter and the start of the building season.

Andy

[radio joe]

Hey that all sounds good to me Andy, I look forward to following your posts.  Joe

[radio joe]

Zulu kit arrived today so well done to Deans for another fast delivery just over a day, first impressions are she looks quite large with her round bow and large transom, and studying the kit and plan she also looks delightfully complicated lets just say she will not be built as quick as Bramble which is not a bad thing, My plan is to take the winter to build her so she can be exhibited at the SWA exhibition at Action Stations in Portsmouth dock yard late spring 2014. Trouble is once I get the bit between my teeth etc. I must learn to pace myself, so today I marked the station lines on the plan, degreased the hull and transferred the lines to the hull, and now the job I don't like much, rubbing down the hull top, and as the hull is quite big it is very flexible so I'll be fitting plenty of stiffeners though out. found a pic of Zulu and Gurkha at Portsmouth. Joe

[paul swainson]

Now Joe remember pace your self, I will be away in the other half of the world so I will not be on line as much as I am when in the UK so nice detail of each part of the build with lots of nice photos so I can catch up on your work.   If you put the photos together and with a spoken text you could make a build video  to have on the stand showing how the build went, that would get a few people to stand and watch and get the bug.   All fun aside enjoy your build and I look forward to the end result and the bits in between.  Paul.   

[radio joe]

Hi Dave,  by stiffeners I mean the usual bulkheads and cross members it's up to you how many you fit, I sometimes fit bulkheads and cut the middle out to allow cables etc. to run through, and because Zulu has a flat bottom which at the moment is rather concave I'll probably fit a plywood bottom liner inside weighted down on epoxy to stiffen the bottom. 
I've sanded off the hull top took about two hours using a sanding bat with 60 grit machine paper glued to it the surplus comes off quite quickly, are you sure you are not using too fine a paper. Joe

[radio joe]

rubbing down the hull top finished it was clear the foc'sle hull sides were over length, (fore end to fashion plate) so I thought the best way to mark them with some accuracy would be to tape the fore end  and foc'sle decks in place, so after checking the width of the decks with the station lines it turned out the printed cut lines on the decks were this time spot on, and taping them in place made it easy to mark the cut off points. The hull bottom is quite concave/ dished upwards so I've decided to fit a 3mm ply stiffener floor epoxied in place and I'll need to strut it off the ceiling to push the "dish" out so it's out tomorrow to get some plywood. 

[karlgalster]

Just a thought Joe. One of the most noticeable things when comparing Deans Marine standard kit models against the more scratch built models is the stanchions/rails. The brass etched combination stanchions/railings are very good and are can take the inevitable knocks at the lakeside etc and can be bent back to their original positions with little ill effect. However for exhibition purposes perhaps separate stanchions and rails would be a big enhancement. Interested in your views. I must admit that up to now I have always used the brass etched jobs but I am interested in taking that next step.
Robin

[radio joe]

Interesting thought Robin, , Oddly enough this Zulu kit dose have some single stanchions, (see photo) for use on the superstructure decks, lookouts etc. and has the usual etched brass combination railings round the main decks I'm thinking probably for durability as you mentioned, the single stanchions are in white metal if used round the main decks they would be trashed in no time, but fitting some brass ones is certainly worth considering.
Fitted the stiffener floors inside the hull today.  Joe

[paul swainson]

I have used the single stanchions units in my build of the Parkasa, I liked them very much gave the look of quality and have taken a few knocks and are still in place.   The deck was wood so they have a good hold and are not at the very edge of the boat deck.   I like them and I may use them on my HMS Illustrious.   But with so many the cost will be high.  So you have to compare a single cost of about 30p to 50p each to the style used by Deans.

[radio joe]

 That's right Paul cost is a consideration I found some turned brass ones that would suit at about 6 pounds for 10 it would add about 100 pounds to the build and as we all know when you add the cost of all the "bits" that make them go they aren't cheap, so I may stick to the etched brass railings for round the main decks, most of the visitors to the exhibition marvel at the "handrails" on the boat and ask how we do them.  Joe.