HMS Rodney 1/700 scale model by MENG

A model of the British battleship HMS Rodney in 1/700 scale. Model by MENG, can be built without paint and glue, because parts are multi colored and designed to snap together. Mine, however is glued together and fully painted.

Painted using Tamiya acrylic paints, Hull Red on the bottom of the hull, Royal Light Grey over the waterline and on the superstructure and turrets. Main deck painted with Wooden Deck tan and heavily washed with brown wash. Steel decks on the superstructure painted with Dark Sea Gray. Various details in other colors.

I valorized this kit by adding a set of photo ethed railings, around the main deck and also smaller sections on the superstructure, funnel and masts.

This is Rodney as she appeared during the mid 1930s, before she started being outfitted with octuple anti aircraft Pop-Pom 40mm cannons prior to WWII.

I also replaced the stern flagpole which I broke and added a bow one using the stretched sprue technique and reprinted the ensign, original of which I somehow misplaced. Rigging made using line technically intended for wooden models of tall ships.

Besides heavily staining the deck with brown wash, I also used black one to accent details all over the model (nicely visible on main turrets) then I used thinner applied by brush to blend and streak it downwards

Model was entirely brush painted, without using masking tape. The fact that main deck is moulded in two layers, some of which protrude from below greatly helped.

After being satisfied with the paint and washes, I sealed the surface by spraying the model with Tamiya flat clear from a rattle can.

Rodney herself would go on to distinguish herself during WWII, especially in the action against Bismarck. She exceeded her design speed chasing after the German ship and then pounded Bismarck at point blank range using her nine powerful 16 inch guns (along her sister ship Nelson the only Royal Navy vessels to be so armed). She is also credited as the only battleship to have launched torpedoes against enemy battleship, also in that engagement.

She spent the remainder of the war in various theatres, escorting convoys and also notably providing fire support for Normandy landings. Towards the end of the war, she was so worn out, she was relegated to secondary duties. Having never received planned extensive refit, and with the age of battleship clearly over, she was retired shortly after the end of the war and sold for scrap.