Topic: HMS Zulu build

[Dennis]

Wow Joe, another fine build. Really like the look of the wood decks. One to be proud of.

[radio joe]

Thanks Dennis,   Made up some of her many whip arials , and I have her Gemini's ready, as I have a few cast, Zulu is getting two, ( maybe on special ops)  , it also helps to fill up her aft deck, I think I'll leave the arials till last I can see me keep catching them while fitting the railings.

[radio joe]

Most of the fittings are done now, the aerials will be fitted after the railings, there are four lockers which I am going to fit close to the railings so to make painting the railings easier I'll fit them last, I had a couple of spare cable reels so made them into fire hoses, I guess she would have had some, they may not be in the right place as no doubt a few other things but I don't worry too much about being historically correct.

[Dennis]

Looking really nice Joe, I always like that part of the build. Adding the fittings always seems to bring it to life. 

[Horatio123]

Hi Joe .

       She is coming along very nicely . Look forward to seeing her completed .

[swiftdoc]

Hi Joe, very nice progress  The Details are eye catching

[paul swainson]

As the quality of the work you do Joe has seen the model grow from bear bones to a fine model with lots of the personal input.  I have to say this model looks great and the additions of your Owen builds have made it one of a kind.   Well done Joe and I look forward to the sea trails. Paul

[radio joe]

Thank you all for your kind comments, I made a start on the railings to day, I've used the white metal single stanchions in a couple of places but they are so fragile, I prefer the brass etchings, I'll get her in the wet dock in the week to finalise the ballast.

[Sparker]

Hello Joe,
I have been reading your notes and replies on the site regards ZULU build. I am new here today and having served on the ESKIMO i am thinking  of building the Nubian or Zulu as a first build. Just a couple of questions  if i may.
I noticed some of your posts regarding sanding of hull top and reinforcing the hull with bulkheads. Is this a necessity on the build or is it possible  to just go straight ahead and build the ship straight from the box? I would also like her to have the necessary running gear and R/C too which is also a new project for me.
I have a friend on the Tribals website that has built the Nubian and  offered any help i might need, but haven`t spoken  to him yet as to if he needed to make similar alterations too.
Do you think i would be taking on too much as a new build or are the instructions very informative with advice?
I would like to take it on as a first build regardless but was a bit concerned with the above posts of yours regards the bulkheads etc and sanding.
I have patience and plenty of time to take as much time as i want, and would like to buy either the ZULU OR NUBIAN and do the necessary alterations to make it the Eskimo.
Advice would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
KEVIN

[radio joe]

Hi Kevin, The main thing to remember about Deans kits is that they are not like Airfix or Trumpeter kits that fit together with location points and fit together by numbers etc. You do have to "build" them, you get a rather nice grp hull that is light but strong, some trays of resin and white metal fittings and some brass etchings, the decks and superstructure are sheets of plastic card there is a fare amount of measuring and cutting to do, and assembling with Cyrano or polyglue, you will need motors, speed controller radio gear etc. If you have never built a model boat before, I would study the build logs on this forum I have done three Solebay, Bramble and Zulu, in which I've tried to point out some of the pit falls a novice could face, I'm in no way trying to put you off, but they aren't cheap and it's as well you know what you are taking on.
You mentioned the fitting of bulkheads etc. If you were building as a static display model you could probably omit these but as a working sailing model it would be better to fit them, they add structure and strength, I hope this is helpful, if you decide to build one there is always plenty of help on this forum. Joe.

[radio joe]

Got the railings finished today and part painted, I'll fit the davits after painting the railings, just ordered the upgrade ships boats that have a lot more detail than the vacuforms,still need to finalise the ballast, she has no ballast at this time, apart from the batteries, running gear,
and the servomorphs and she floats almost on her water line, but she has got the large piece of ply wood I fitted in her base at the start to stiffen and flatten the bottom, I don't think she will need much more. Joe

[Horatio123]

She is looking really good Joe . Excellent work . Look forward to seeing her at the show in June !

[paul swainson]

She is a work of art and pure pleasure to see her completed.

[radio joe]

Thanks guys, still pottering about, a little more railing paint to apply, then I'll fit the davits and all her whip aerials and ships boats, plus I have the jack and ensign staff to make and occasionally I think of little enhancements to add that personal touch like the intercom hand set on the emergency conning position, albeit a bit off scale, but what the heck it pleases me. today like David, I thought I'd better dust off Solebay and Bramble for the SWA show this weekend so I got buzzy with a 1/2" soft brush it's then you realise just how much clutter these WW2 ships had, it would be much easier to clean a type 45 LOL.

[mikearace]

Lovely classy build as always Joe.