HMS-Daring-01

HMS Daring D32 Type 45
by Ayala Botto

1/700 HMS Daring D32 (Cyber Hobby)

After an interruption for almost 10 years dedicated to Scale Model Trains Gauge 1/87, this is the first model ship I’ve built since my last contribution to this Forum back in 2003, as you can see in ModelWarships Gallery:

The HMS Daring D32 Type 45 Destroyer from Royal Navy, is a 1/700 scale plastic model produced by Cyber Hobby (Ref. 7093). It includes a small photo etch fret and a set of decals sheet so complete, it allows the modeler to build not only the HMS Daring (D32) but also the following two ships in the class, the HMS Dauntless (D33) and HMS Diamond (D34). The PE set includes safety nets for helicopter flight deck, accommodation ladders among other brass details and the kit includes a separate upper and lower hill, giving the modeler a choice for a full hull or water line display.

A more detailed review of this model is available here. It’s a very straightforward build and a very impressive model in terms of the dimensions. It’s probably the largest modern frigate or destroyer that I’ve ever built and it took me about 70 hours to complete it.As all the models I've built, there is always room for improvements over the original kit.

I used:

White Ensign Models 1/700 Westland Merlin Helicopter (Ref. AS 7107) with PE parts,
Vulcan Phalanx CIWS from JAG Collective
MK 141 Harpoon missile launchers (2x)
SRBOC chaff launchers (4x) from the spare box.
Generic PE hand rails were also used to complete this model.

I must emphasise at this point the original kit only includes a Lynx Helicopter without any PE parts. I also replaced the original (too thick) gun barrel of the Oerlikon 30mm guns with 0,13 piano string and this extra detail made all the difference as the original gun barrels are oversized. The (extended) accommodation ladder (included as PE part in this kit) parallel to the ship’s and RHIB, both on the port side of the model, created an additional point of interest around this overall good looking 1/700 model. The internal RHIB bay sides are well detailed although no handling crane is provided.

WEM colourcoats were used to paint (hand brush) this model. For the hull and other “vertical” surfaces I used the M01 - Royal Navy Light Gray, and for the decks and horizontal areas, I applied the M02 - Royal Navy Dark Deck Gray. The Merlin helicopter was painted with the Humbrol 165 Medium Sea Grey. Regarding the antennas I used 0,3mm strings from a grand piano.

In order to display this model, I choose a wooden plate, but I’m looking forward to learn how to produce the water effects which provide a more dynamic and impressive presentation of my model ships at this scale.

Ayala Botto

Gallery updated 9/24/2014