Still plugging away at the USS Erben. It’s not very neat, and it’s not really pretty, but it’s getting there. Here is the rear deck house with the 5"/38 main battery & a twin 40mm AA cannon:
Any one have any idea what that “thing” is by the forward gun, besides in the way?
Jim
…Any one have any idea what that “thing” is by the forward gun, besides in the way?
Jim
It is a small crane used for torpedo reloading. It does seem to be kinda in the way!
Thanks, Tim. So is it in the wrong spot per the instructions? Should it be near the torpedoes?
Jim
I think you probably have it in the right spot. These little cranes were retractable when not in use, so you could reduce the height.
If you remove the crane you can drill through the little deck it is on and pass it through so its base rests on the main deck below.
Because the Campbeltown kit’s 20mm guns ended up being slightly oversized, I have replaced them with White Ensign Models etched pieces.
To make singles of the White Ensign Models twin mounts, I bent them in the middle to double the barrels and the bodies and leaving a space between the shoulder braces at the rear. The tiny assemblies were then temporarily glued to a toothpick for painting. Here the braces are already painted pink, and the gun on the right has the barrel and body painted black as well.
The paint on the finished guns flows between the thin halves to give the flat etch a nice three-dimensional look.
Better! 
I just can’t come to terms with how small these details are that you’re working with Tim: I know how small the 20mm are in 1/350, so working with them in 1/700 is just mind boggling!
Nonetheless, superb work!!!
Thanks Russ. Yes, those 20mms are really small in 1/700…
…and I still have to replace the .50cal guns too - which are even smaller! 
new .50cal guns on Mk 3 mounts
So teeny. 1/700 is well outside my comfort zone that’s for sure.
Everyone,
Calling my USS Buchanan build done. I didn’t install any rigging on this one due to the mast being extremely flimsy. Did add railings and some other upgrades to the weapons and superstructure. I did learn some good lessons on how not to assemble a 1/350 destroyer.
Here are a few photos.
Now to finish the Burning Coal group build
Mark 
She’s a beauty! Congrats on the completion.
Beautiful work, Mark!
If I may suggest, some rigging would really make the most of your excellent build. I hear you about the flimsy masts - a common problem with destroyers! Good solutions can be microfine wire (which I use a lot) and Uschi van der Rosten (“Rig that Thing”) line which is unbelievably fine flexible (rubber?) line especially for rigging models. I’ve tried it, and that stuff is so fine that even under tension it won’t bend your masts.
Anyway, it is just a thought, and if you don’t do a thing more you already have a build to be proud of. Congratulations on your commissioning!
McRunty, Tim,
Thank you for the feedback.
Tim, I never gave it a thought on using micro-wire on the mast until I saw your post yesterday. The next mast I have the problem with will get the wire treatment.
Mark
Great looking destroyer, Mark. I think you did a bang up job on her. I to am learning how not to assemble a destroyer with my Erben build.
Mark, I like your idea about micro finer copper wire for rigging. I’ve never heard of Uschi van der Rosten (sounds Dutch, I’ll have to look that up), but I have heard of EZ-Line.
Jim
…I like your idea about micro finer copper wire for rigging. I’ve never heard of Uschi van der Rosten (sounds Dutch, I’ll have to look that up), but I have heard of EZ-Line.
Hi James,
Uschi van der Rosten (they’re German) produce a range of really cool products primarily targeted to aircraft and some armor modelers, but their flexible rigging line is what I’ve used - and it it wonderful! It is a lot like EZ-Line but finer and, IMHO, noticeably better.
With the addition of the Royal Navy Ensign and her nameplate, HMS Campbeltown is now complete!
Woohoo! Outstanding build Tim!!
Tim,
Congratulations on your commissioning of the HMS Campbeltown, she looks great and ready to destroy some dry-docks.
Mark
Jimb,
Thank you. The micro-wire is Tim’s idea, like you I been using EZ-line. Next flimsy mast I come across I will give the wire a try.
Mark
Mark,
You’re welcome. There must be some confusion. I never said that I used EZ-Line, just that I heard of it. I am looking for something to rig my USS Erben, and I’m thinking that the micro-copper wire that Tim is using is the way to go.
Tim, great job on Cambeltown. I think it looks great.
Jim
