Good to see you back 'in action.' I'm operating from a very old memory here so forgive any inaccuracies! I bought and built Belfast when she first came out, which would have been about the time she was saved for preservation and moved to the Pool of London. The kit was one of the very last 1/600 scale warships Airfix produced and was easily better than any of the rather clunky predecessors. They did, if I remember correctly, bring out a Prinz Eugen, a King George V and HMS Repulse afterwards but I don't recall any others. The last few models they released in this scale were pretty darned good by the standards of the time and it's sad that the company's financial woes, coupled with the growth of 1/700 scale, meant the end of Airfix's once quite prolific ship range. A tip, free and for nothing! Do not, whatever you do, buy their Tirpitz /Bismarck........absolutely dreadful! And if you fancy a really good one with a suitably tragic history, try their Repulse; arguably the best one they ever did. I have it in my stash together with a lot of photo-etch to go with it. Now all I have to do is pluck up the courage to build it. Good grief, a 2pdr pompom is SMALL in 1/600!! Great build, and I really like the diorama. Stay safe and I'm ready for your next video right away. All the best from the UK.
Hey Q, great work on this one! Im a big navy buff myself, and sadly naval modeling doesn't seem to be as popular as armor modeling, so this video was a treat!
Hakumai I must admit I’ve never built a model ship but I’ve always wanted to, though I think some people are nervous to give it a go they often take up a lot of space
Thank you for the video. It is a good kit, you did a nice job building it, and the video was well done. You have a couple of surprising major techniques: spraying black first, and then bright colors. I have had good luck without employing them. I have seen another modeler use a black primer, but I would think you need a lot of paint to cover that. Here are a couple of ideas you might want to consider trying. Generally I have found that a white primer works best for me. I built the Belfast about 20 years ago. I assembled most of the model, airbrushed the gray including parts still on the trees, airbrushed the wood deck, then hand painted the gray details around the wood color, and then added the details. I back dated it to 1939 when it was completed. For Airfix's King George V, I airbrushed everything before removing the parts, and then used ACC after scraping paint from the appropriate areas. Although that worked very well, I never did it again because I prefer regular model cement. Thank you for the ship's tour. When I visited London 9 years ago, I got only about 5 minutes on the ship. Thanks again. You are informative and interesting at the same time.
Wow, I don't know you but it certainly appears that you like this video and are impressed with my work. I'm just a normal guy enjoying this hobby and I try my best to inspire people like yourselves to build their own model kits. Thank you very much for watching. I honestly appreciate it. 😀😀
Very nice sea diarama. I used a different technique with alluminium foil spread over and crunched up for sea waver effect. I have a problem with my airbrush. Keeps blocking up. Starts and stops. Continuous cleaning neccessary.
Ah man, that was an excellent build. I love HMS Belfast and have visited her numerous times and you’ve done her proud! Also thank you for giving a “regular guy” tutorial on how to make a sea diorama, will certainly be having a go at this. Be well and safe mate!
Really enjoyed watching this build and tour of the real cruiser. Currently, I am working on an Airfix 1/600 scale ship HMS Fearless, and despite some issues, I am enjoying building it. Really not my first time with the kit as I built this same one when I was in high school when MPC was putting out Airfix kits under their brand.
I like your video very well also that you have the original in the video. 2012 was the last time I was on the old lady, until then it was the biggest ship I visited before I was on the USS Texas and the USS Missouri (BB-63).
My Uncle Don who I'm named after served on HMS Belfast from 1943 including when it took part in the bombardment of the Normandy coast before the D-Day landings in 1944. My father was on HMS Cossack (R57) a C-Class Destroyer from 1945 but went straight to the Pacific. He later served on the carrier HMS Venerable (R63) before transferring to the New Zealand Navy 1948 & then leaving the navy in 1952 & immigrating to NZ.
I built this kit when I was about 10 maybe 11 and it was...(sigh) piss poor. I've built most of the major Airfix 600 ship kits in my youth, Bismark, Hood, Ark Royal, Graf Spee etc. although they were never really good - this one always bugged me since it was so much worse than my other efforts. After watching your video - I'm gonna give it another go. Your inspiring dude.
Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure when you were younger that kit was built right given your ability back then. Try it again, I'm sure it will turn out better! Stay safe.
I have just purchased this kit from a "flea market" for only £5! and it looks like a very good one. My aim is to create a diorama of HMS Belfast in the Pool of London with Tower Bridge in the background. Are there any models of the bridge in suitable scale?
Awesome video. Really helped me get through this kit. The first one of this difficulty I’ve ever built. It was very nice to see the boat itself. Brilliant video I am now subscribed. Thank you
Excellent video and build and I love the format. I bought the kit when it first came out in 73ish and it was a nice and well detailed kit indeed. The new kits and figures that Airfix were bringing out around then were a new generation for them and all good kits.
Did you say that was HMS Belfast yeah? Thought I recognised the captain bridge! Been on this a few times in dock here in London UK, the masts are nothing like the real thing bit hey it's old ! stay safe yourself even though you missed out us in the UK haha remember we are not part of Europe now hahaha
I just wanted to comment that your videos is very calming and have watched you since years ago, your videos gave me insight like you are my teacher. they made me interested in modelling again and that helped me go through some unpleasant times, so thank you for your videos and keep doing them and stay healthy
Thank you Daren for your kind works. It's very heart touching to know that I helped you rediscover this old hobby again. Things that we done as children does resurface again as adults either good or bad but it seems that this hobby made you feel better. My current project is the Academy B-29. Last month in July, I flown inside the real B-29 for 30 minutes. Here is the link to the RU-vid video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-G6djOYu6TRE.html I should be finished the Academy kit soon I hope. Take care 😃
Thanks QDC for another great video. I love your technics for weathering and water fxs. Can't wait until your next build! Keep safe and best regards from Argentina!
Ignorance on my part. Where does one get styrofoam sheets? How do I frame the styrofoam sheet? Do I have to be an artist to paint the ocean diorama? Excellent presentation.
Hello, I got the foam sheets at my local hardware store. It's used for home insulation. Of course not, you don't have to be an artist. Just enjoy it. That's all what counts. 😃
It's a real nice ship! The layout is spacious compared to United States warships of World War Two. I like it for it's spaciousness and his historic role!!! 😃
We went on a field trip and went on a sleepover in this boat we had pizza as well and this was all so long ago thx u I feel so nostalgic 9:08 looks like our place we slept
Great build David ! Love the way your supervisor checks your build ! I went to that ship , back in Sept 2001 , but couldn't get in because of 9/11 , everything was closed. Those molds look goods for an old kit. Hope you and your loved ones are safe . Take care, tony
I’m 2/3 of the way through building mine. The poor fit and ubiquitous flash are PITAs. Perhaps I got a bad moulding, but several times I’ve got close to binning it.
Good luck. This kit was first made in the late 1960's or early 1970's so your working with old school products. Airfix is still using those old molds so it will be a challenge. Hang in there and I hope you enjoy the challenge of building this classic kit. I want to wish you and your family a happy new year. 😀😀
Oh, it was YOU I saw in London last spring??? I thought the face was familiar.. ;) Great to see the model built, of a ship I have seen in London, so many times. Maybe next year I'll get to go on it finally, myself.. Beautiful model, the diorama / seascape shows the ship at full speed through the water, you really do get the impression of speed, the ship heading towards combat, I would imagine... or maybe chasing a Whiskey class submarine?? ;) Really enjoyed the video... :) :)
I wish that someday someone will make a 1:1 replica of any mighty battleships like Bismarck or Yamato so their legend can become alive. You have done a great work with this model.
Hello QDC, very entertaining and worth seeing video. I really enjoyed your little tour of HMS Belfast. Many thanks for this! Your calm manner and the contemplative ticking of the clock in the background - simply wonderful! Your diorama is a beautiful eye-catcher! All the best to you and your family, stay healthy and see you soon. Greetings from Germany, John
When you started this kit , like you I was wondering what you could get from a 1:600 model and I'm impressed you made an excellent job . I was curious about the colour scheme but it made sense , it , for some reason looks really good and your personal look over the ship was a nice touch , being ex RNZN to have the personal touch with the ship herself just adds to the hole building experience . Well done I hope you do some more Tamiyas 1:350 done in a similar video format done by yourself would be of interest which I'm about to start . My local model shop has Airfix's HMS Belfast is currently in-stock and after your video the kit will be coming home very soon . Just FYI the RNZN is for Royal New Zealand Navy which mean s living this far south the opportunity to see on board the real thing is limited so your video is of real interest. Well done Sir . John Christchurch , New Zealand.
I just looked at your video again and noticed in my comments about the Tamiya 1:350 model I'm about to start ! what I didn't say was which one , sorry bout that , it's the 'Missouri' one of my favorites from the past and the present the kit is great and I can't wait for the wooden deck to arrive so I can start 😁. Also since writing my comments earlier Ive ordered Airfix's Belfast and Devonshire , the latter also being 1:600 so your video being so good has started something half a world away , well done and thankyou . 👍 Kind rgds John
Great video, qdc! Thanks for the tour. Truly interesting. I wish that you and your family (and your kitty) stay safe and well and happy modeling. We will get through this!
A lot of people bad-mouth Airfix (I used to be one of them many years ago) but really they are well thought out kits that go together really well and you did this one justice, looks really nice and the water base Dio just sets it off beautifully. Should take pride of place on the display shelf !
Very nice build. I especially like the mix of build and real-ship tour. It's tempting me to get the HMS Prince of Wales off the shelf and have a crack...
Hi Qdc. Hope you are yours are safe and well. Curious to know what do you do with all the completed models you make. Do you have them all on display? Lot of dusting i expect, lol. Keep em' coming. Your brilliant.
Thanks for bringing my childhood memories back we had a school trip to London and we visited H.M.S Belfast I built the kit but not to the finish you have done excellent job Cheer's
Looks great! Love your videos! Sometimes I don’t have the time or energy to enjoy working on my own kits and I honestly enjoy watching your videos just as much. Thank you for sharing your time and your hobby!
Ugh, you're lucky, I got this model and the two hull halves don't actually fit together. Like the plastic is warped so much that the bow and stern don't actually fit together because the midsection is further out than the bow and stern.
Ignorance on my part. Where does one get styrofoam sheets? How do I frame the styrofoam sheet? Do I have to be an artist to paint the ocean diorama? Excellent presentation.
It would be cool to see all the models that you have built over the years! Do you keep them on glass shelvings? How do you even go about dusting these things? It must be a lot of work to maintain them.
If you like that, I trying to make a video of me flying inside a real B-29 bomber. It should be uploaded to RU-vid by this week. I invite you to watch it once it's uploaded 😃
Congrats by the video, human, interesting and informative. Normally the more popular models of ships of II World War are of capital ships, Battleships or aircraft carriers not a light cruiser. Your modesty is only equalled by your skills in modeling that are of high level, congrats but..its a stimulus for the grow of this hobby in the society, Receive the best wishes and positive energies from Venezuela,,,and keep your smile ;)
Great job for that scale. The tour was good too. I've got the tour book, but it's nice to see actual vid. Watched your vids for some time and impressed with your skills. Loved the colour modulation you did. I'm convinced on black base issue. Thanks for sharing and stay healthy brother.
Hi qdc748a, nice to come across this video of yours. I am also a model builder and like you not an expert, just like to build or fix models to enjoy it during my free time. I like the diorama, looks real, wonder what colour you used, please do recommend.
great build chap! i built this one last year, i must of got a bad moulding there was more flash than kit in someplaces! it fought me all the way! it got sacked 2ce but i got there in the end! thanks for sharing!
This model definitely is not for the faint of heart! When I built mine I wasn’t prepared for just how much of a challenge it would be. Yes it is highly detailed for a 1970’s model but that’s where the problems arise, the mold are showing their age. I have never seen a model with so much flash and on those small parts it was a challenge to remove it. The fit is really poor and a lot of parts were mis-shaped, warped and it some cases totally unusable. It took a lot of putty, fitting and scratch building to get it finished. If you had to go through that too I commend you your finish project looks good and you did a good job! This is definitely not a model for beginners!
Thanks, my kit didn't have the problems you had. Since it's a reissued kit, Airfix must have used the original molds but retooled it to solve the problems you had.
