This is a model of a German World War II "Z" Class Destroyer. It is also known as the "Narvik" class after 8 of the type were lost at Narvik, Norway, in 1940 during an action against the Royal Navy.
The model is a Semi Scale or Stand Off Scale model. This is a type of model that represents a particular subject but is not a fully accurate representation of it due to simplification of the design. In this case the most obvious manifestation of this is the square section hull which eases construction. The plans for this model came free with Model Boats magazine June 1982. It is a Glyn Guest design and measures 33 inches in length and appears  to closest represent "Z37", a sub type 36A mob. The plans are still available in the UK. This version of the ship features a large forward turret that mounted twin 6" (150 mm) guns. These turrets were retrofitted to some earlier examples of the class. Unfortunately, whilst improving the firepower and enviroment for the gun crew, the excess weight at the front of the ship messed up previously fine handling characteristics. The class was quite fast being able to attain 38 knots, but it suffered from reliability issues. A fair number survived the war and served in various allied navies for a time afterwards.

The model is fitted with 2 channel radio control for rudder and motor operation. Power is supplied by two 380 motors. These may be reduced in size in the future to give a more controllable scale speed. The speed controller is an old Tamiya RC car controller of 1980s vintage salvaged from another model, again this will be replaced in the future. One of the reasons for the project was to try out various techniques before embarking on a serious scale project, a 1:96 scale model of the 1906 Royal Navy Light Crusier HMS Kent. I was initially just going to build it to the plans which had minimal detail but I purchased an Osprey book titled "German Destroyers 1939-1945". This gave considerably more detail information and I added/modified various parts. Other than hull shape the main departures from scale are the funnels which are more typical of earlier vessels in the class and the shape of the large front turret, though it's size is not far off what it should be.

Progress is slow due to the fact I became a father 3 times in the last 5 years !!
 

Simple Hull construction. 1/4" balsa hull bottom. July 2003.	Sides of hull planked with a single sheet of 1/8" balsa each side.	Fitting of deck.	Filling of dents in hull after a couple of coats of primer.	More filling.
Starting the superstructure. Balsa sides & ply sheet decks.	Superstructure base structures & turret.	Superstructure base structures & turret.	Initial assembly of superstructure. Coke can added to give scale.	Rear view of initial assembly.
Close up of turret and bridge. Thin card used for bridge wing sides.	Rear funnel & range finder housing.	Rear superstructure island and 4.5" turrets from ply. The turrets were later scrapped & plastic sheet used.	Another assembled view.	Rear assembled view.
Painted. I was going to add splinter camo. However I liked the lines of the ship & left it plain grey. Dec 2005.	Building the 4.5" gun turrets, forward breakwater and anchor windlasses.	Detail of the forward turret and bridge area.	Construction of the anchor windlasses from plastic tube and sheet.	Internal layout of radio & propulsion systems. Lead ballast was needed in the rear compartment.
Initial voyage, Canoe lake, Southsea, Portsmouth. Jan 2006.	Initial voyage.	Initial voyage.	Second voyage, Rangefinders, anchors & minelaying derricks added. Warminster town park lake. Dec 2006.	Third voyage at dusk, East Beach lake, Selsey. Radar, flak guns & search lights added. Dec 2007.
State as of 20 Jan 2008. Not anywhere near 100% scale but I still think it's a handsome ship.	Life rafts moulded from epoxy using plastic card plug & childrens "Play-Doh" to form mould. "Play-Doh" gave inconsistant results due to it's deforming. I'll try Silicon rubber next.	Problem apparent with rear deck warping. Some serious reinforcing necessary.	The next task is to create two launches that are stowed to the rear of the bridge. I am creating a "Blender" 3D model based on some isometric drawings. "Blender" is a free 3D modelling package downloadable from www.blender.org.	Here is the "unpainted" model. I shall slice up the model & print offf the sections.I currently intend to build it from plastic card. There are a large number of ships boats on HMS Kent so this should be interesting.
Here the plans of the decks and ribs/bulkheads have been printed onto card and cut out as templates	Basic hull frames prior to planking.	Planking complete. Sanding and trimming next.	Fourth Voyage Canoe lake, Southsea, Portsmouth. June 2008	Ships Launches, Life belts and deck lockers added.