First up, I wanted to add the deck marking decals before fitting all the deck houses, this meant using the break water to locate the circular marking around the forward gun… but, oh, Airfix!
to get to this point was no easy road: almost every component needed fettling and adjusting to get a neat fit.
I suspect that now the journey will progress somewhat more easily and quickly as the number of plastic parts remaining, I could count on one hand! Only the PE masts, railings and yard arms remain…
Russ, she’s really coming together now! I’ve occasionally had builds like this too where structures and assemblies that should be straightforward end up being challenges because the @#*%$&! kit seems to want to fight you all the way! Your building talent, and, perhaps more importantly, your impressive persistence, are clearly winning the day… soon Dauntless will take her place alongside your other beautiful creations and her obstinate resistance will be but a memory!
She’s certainly been a challenging build that’s for sure, but having the support of fellow model ship wrights and your kind words of encouragement keeps the motivation up to see the build through to the finish
That glacier is almost running now, mate!
Now she’s really looking like a Type 45 destroyer, great to see things coming together!
HMS Dauntless will definitely be a proud addition to your fleet very soon! Great work overcoming so many obstacles on the way, Russ!
Looking forward to a not-too-far-out commissioning!
Always great to have the support of fellow model ship wrights to help push through the more difficult builds. There’s a sense of relief now that the majority of the plastic is done with and can move onto the more friendly after market components
Truly this is a difficult kit to build and not for Airfix’s target audience, if you know what I mean
With literally only 6 plastic parts left (4 for the break waters and 2 for the lynx) and the rest to be replaced by AM (weapons fit out, railings and aerials) things are looking up
With the effort this build has required, I’m starting to doubt my choices of the next 4 planned builds, all Airfix, 1/72 a/c: Swordfish; Be2c; Eindecker; and a pair of Typhoons… Maybe I need a cleansing Eduard or Special Hobby build?
This shouldn´t be too difficult to make as these close in defense weapons seems to get painted plain gray at the lower body and white at the zylindrical upper dome. My suggestion would be: Spraypaint everything in grey and paint the white color by hand with a small brush. After drying you can bring out the details with a black acrylic wash. Should look great after all
It’s come to my attention that my tin of Colourcoats RN grey is starting to skin over, so if I want to avoid buying another that I’ll only use a tiny percentage of, I’d better get a move on
The funding certainly wasn’t what it should have been to avoid the staff shortages that caused her to be laid up for so long 
Those are horrific. Barely even looks like a phalanx.
I’ve no idea how I’m going to mask up the Veteran sets 
