Topic: HMS Dido

[Railbob]

Well with Solebay nearing completion I’ve started to think about the next in fleet, originally I was considering Swiftsure but someone nearby has beaten me to the punch so I started thinking what about Dido? It’ll be my first semi kit in about 30 years but I’m happy with my recent builds to have a go. Now I’ve never done any deck planking and that’s what is making me nervous  Has anyone have experience with this?
Railbob

[rondean]

Hi
 Nice ship some pictures of my one, built may years ago from the semi kit
 Ron

[Railbob]

Hi Ron,
          There’s something about a Dido class that just looks good, the raked funnels and the balanced armament. I think I’ll enjoy building her  need to get the money first and a plan to get her into the house without the boss noticing 
Ron can I ask what the displacement is and is there plans available?

Railbob

[rondean]

Hi
 Set of plans to1/96 of Naiad from mouldeans range also a semi kit list of fittings ( set a e-amil to the works for a copy) plus the new 3deans printed range of parts coming soon
Regards
 Ron

[Railbob]

Thanks Ron , I'll send an email today and the 3d printed parts sound great.

[John Davies]

The way I do deck planking is to get a bunch of 1mm x 2mm tangynika, get the king plank in along the centreline then lay strips working outwards. At 1/96 that scales out to about an eight inch plank; maybe a little wide but it looks okay. I glue down with cyano. I don't bother to depict the caulking. A little surplus glue coming up between planks looks fairly convincing for that. The eye can see that this is not a single piece of timber with lines ruled on it, but many small pieces each with their own grain. The effect is very nice indeed. There have to be margin planks along the edges of the hull and in theory the individual planks should be rabetted into them but in practice at 1/96 it is not very noticeable. Once an area of deck is complete, rub it down smooth then give it one coat of a fine linseed oil varnish to seal it. (Le Tonkinois recommended) It is a lot easier to do than it sounds and goes pretty quickly.

Displacement would be about 18lbs.

[Railbob]

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

[rondean]

Hi
 have a look at these planks
https://deansmarine.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/5_19/products_id/311

[John Davies]

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.

[rondean]

HI
 order a small batch and ask for them in Sycamore in 2mm size ?
 Ron

[colin]

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

[Railbob]

Colin, I noticed that the planking comes in two sizes for different types of ships, what would you recommend for a Dido class cruiser?

Railbob

[colin]

Hi Bryan,
That's a very good question..
I have built HMS Enchantress and HMS Inflexible both have laser engraved decks..  which are complete deckpanels that have been engraved with a laser so it looks like individual planks..

For the Dido as it is a rather large ship, I would probably use a mixture of individual planks and the deck panels..

Or I would draw up my own deck panels and ask Deansmarine to laser them..

[Railbob]

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 ?