The Duke's Shipyards Launch Two Ships in May

[Duke Maddog]

I was hoping for more, but these are the ones I was able to complete. Maybe the rest will be able to launch in June.

First is the USS Albany, the original kit was the USS Chicago in 1/500 scale; I got aftermarket decals to make her the Albany:







Yes, there are a few pieces missing; it is a Distressed Kit, so that is expected. I do hope to find and/or replace what's missing later, but for now this is done.

Next up is Trumpeter's 1/700 scale HMS Queen Elizabeth, their newest fleet carrier, and now my newest fleet carrier:








And that's all we have for now. Stay tuned for more ships about to come down the slipways. Thank you to all who stop in to comment, they are always welcome.

[speedgraflex]

Mark, Is there a general aesthetic rule that ship models do not receive much weathering? It’s great to see such well built models but I can’t help but wonder this. Apologies if I should ask Google but I’d much rather have a human response!

[Stuart]

Great builds Mike, even that blooming awful white elephant of a carrier we've lumbered ourself with.

[Stikpusher]

Nice pair of…. ships Mark

Ya gotta love those old early missile cruisers

[Duke Maddog]

Bruce, many people do actually weather their ships and you see a lot of it in most of them out there; especially the larger (1/350) scale ones. 1/700 scale ones sometimes have it as well, although, not too many more than the larger scales. I usually don't weather mine, mostly because on these smaller ones I tend to make it look too heavy handed, and I'm also at a bit of a loss as to how to do it. I have done some minor weathering on a few in the past but it never looks realistic to me the way I do it so I don't anymore.

Thank you Stuart! It's sad that this one is such a 'white elephant' as you say, since Britain was the pioneer and grand master of aircraft carrier design and construction until WWII when America kind of took the lead. I do like the looks of it, even with two islands and frankly, white elephant or not; I'm glad to see Britain with a first class aircraft carrier again.

Thank you Carlos! Yes, I agree. I have another in the stash I'll be starting soon.

[Medicman71]

Very nice work!!

[Duke Maddog]

Thank you Mike!