Powering on with the Pacific Fleets

I am powering on with the Pacific Fleets in 1/700. Current total 168 with 8 more ordered. Of the 176, 70 are yet to be ‘launch’ (built) so as to have all that I ’need’ for the battles of ’41–’42, with another 12 more after that, selected from the many, that joined those of the earlier ships that were still afloat for battles in ’43 to ’45.

Completed scratch-built ships to date (L to R, from front) MMS51, HNMLS Tromp, HMS Tenedos, HMAS Yarra, with constructed HMS Anking and RFA Francol that are being ‘fitted out’ based on the photos behind.

Most of the ships are model kits, with 28 3D-models and 11 scratch-builds. I have built six of these, with five more planned, to cover ships that I want to represent that are not available in kits (or conversions from existing kits). I am pretty pleased with the results.

HMAS Yarra

HNMLS Tromp

MMS51 (simply a ships' boat from a carrier or battleship (I cannot recall which), painted and based.

I am gonna keep going with making these ships until all are constructed as I think that if I stop, I may not get back to them with the same focus. I have set an ambitious target to 'average' around one per day, so want to have them done by the end of March—70 ships in 90 days. I am presuming, based on experience to date, that I can average more than one per day in the case of smaller ships, with more time needed for carriers, battleships and larger cruisers. I'll paint bits of some, perhaps even completing a few, as I go along, but most of this will be done later on an 'as needs' basis for each action in the chronology.

Like all plans, it will likely fail, but at least it gives me a target and end to this being my main focus. Not that I don't enjoy it, just that I wanna do other things too! 😃