King George V

Treehugger
Not to want to sound like a snob here, but have you considered 1:700 scale kits?
They can look really nice, especially for larger ships, as smaller vessels become to small on the shelf. Can look nice with some aftermarket photo etch. 1:700 kits are less work I suspect, than the larger 1:350 scale kits.

Chris
Thank you! Yes, I considered, but a very short time. My major topic is planes and vehicles in 1:72. Some time ago I had the idea to create a diorama, showing a torpedo bomber in flight against a ship. With such a little ship the diorama will not be too big. The next idea was showing the little ships on top of the door frame of the bathroom. So I have 7 little ships and I build them because I have them. I also had the idea to make a diorama that looks like looking through a periskope of an U-boot.
Maybe I went into the trap you layed out for me - and I will buy a 1:700 ship. Just to try how it feels 😉

Treehugger
I thought I'd mention that some kits come with photo etch, but is rare. Like Academys Missouri battleship, kit no 14223. Photo etch can be a source of frustration, but one can get used to working with it. Detailing can be a blessing and a curse. Too little and too much, and it might be bad.

Chris
After a pause of 23 years I try to get familiar with photo etched parts in my Caproni-project. Handling is not easy but I get it going - hopefully 😉

Treehugger
Some issues working with PE are more irritating than others: I think photo etch looks the best on vehicles, like tanks, less stress and much easier imo than on ship models.

Problem 1: Tiny parts. Some tweeers are better than others. Though I prefer holding thiny parts with my fingers, to avoid part catapulted into nowhere if it springs off the grip with the tweezer.

Problem 2: Application of cyanoacrylate glue. I mainly use a "glue loop", but one can use the tip of a sharp blade to collect a tiny drop of glue, or something else.

Problem 3: Cyanoacrylate glue drying up. I keep my tubes of superglue in a small sealed glass jar filled with silica bags, the moisture in the air makes the glue go hard.

Problem 4: Precision placement of parts is tricky. So tricky, one is wise to use methods for making this easier, like using a small bit of masking tape to hold things in place at the correct position, or use some other water based glue so that you can at least have ample time gluing the part onto the plastic, even if it won't fully stick, then you can add cyanoacrylate glue around the edges if you have to, once your part is somehow fixed properly at the correct place.

Problem 5: Tools. Tamiya diamond file is nice for sanding off stubs off metal parts like photo etch, I have three, as they wear out over time.

Problem 6: Photo etch can be too hard sometimes, and so one can soften it up by exposing the PE to a lighter flame. Works best with parts that aren't thin. Annhealing thin parts = easily destroyed PE parts. Softening the metal is required some times becuase one often just can't bend the PE good enough without softening the metal with a flame.

Problem 7: Safety. Well, anything sharp and adhesie might be bad, best keep control of your hands (and elbows, for your coffee cup on the table), maybe keep them well away from your face, so don't make a habit of scratching your face while also holding a tool. Also, best not have the habit of rubbing your eyes when working with superglue.

Problem 8: I forgot. Painting photo etch with a brush I can only imagine, is not fun. I have used an airbrush for some time and so I never thought about this kind of issue until now as I sit here and write this text.

Problem 9: PE parts can be removed using a debonder agent (liquid, somewhat toxic probably), but imo this liquid tend to soften the plastic, and so using a debonder is undesirable if one want to maintain a perfectly smooth plastic surface finish. One can instead try pry the PE part off using a sharp blade.

Using the minimal amount of cyanoacrylate glue, might be wise at first, so that you can remove the part if you aren't happy with the placement.

wolfgangjb
Nice camo! And the detail on that plane...wow.