It's a few days into the build and here's the photos. There is clean up to do on parts. mostly seams, but there is some flash. Not much though and overall I really have to niggle to find much wrong with this kit.
First up is the stand. This you actually build in stage 5, after the hull is complete, but I don't think that's right. With the Italeri big boat kits the stand is the first thing you build, then you have something to put the thing on!

Painted. I have done this in matt black and just needs decals and a clear matt varnish over the top

Lets move on to the hull. Italeri suggest that you paint it first, but there are parts to go on and so it makes sense to put the parts on before painting. The hardest are the port holes. they are etched brass parts and so we have to be careful with the old superglue

I tend to use thick glue most of the time as it won't run anywhere.

A close up of one in place.

Porthole glass not installed at this stage.... I have yet to paint the hull.
The hull is painted overall with medium sea grey. It seems to fit, although photos in the accompanying book show the MTB's as a light grey. At the start of the war they should have been in 507C which is quite a dark grey, so I compromised a little.
After that I masked off the waterline. This is going to be flat black. Any parts on the bottom of the hull such as prop shafts and supports are fitted

Painting commences. Solid colours take time and more than one coat.

Somehow there is overspray! I can't see why as I thought I had masked off enough. Some paint lifted on the grey and I will have to do that again. No problem. Just means more time with the airbrush! You can just see some of the overspray and a couple of areas where the paint has been lifted or damaged. Easily repaired.

Moving back to the workshop from the paintshop I start doing components for the deck. Propeller less torpedoes. Ready for the paint shop

Torpedo Tube ready for the paint shop



OOH! Shiny! Main screws painted brass. a mix of 1:1 bright brass and silk varnish produced this. I would have used gloss varnish, but I don't have any in yet - Still it is a nice effect.

Flying bridge and cabin panels built and just waiting for the grey paint! There are still parts to add but I need to paint them separately.


Painted one of the Torpedo tubes. This is ready for the matt varnish and the rigging to be added.

Both Torpedo tubes now built. One painted, one not.

Other bits and pieces have been done such as the depth charges and their racks, smoke discharger, anchor..... Torpedoes currently in the paint shop and the main deck has been painted. I just have to tidy up the non slip areas and correct over spray. The clear portholes have been added to the lower hull.
This is a really nice kit. I am enjoying it. If the typhoon wasn't so close I would get the MAS to do!
Partwork Building is like meeting enemy action - no plan survives first contact!!
Certified model building idiot! Please treat with kindness!