The Debris Field, the only website dedicated to researching and modeling all types of merchant shipping, is pleased to announce the ‘2003 Build the Same Kit’ event! This is not a contest but a group project to focus attention on researching, building and detailing a single kit, or as the case may be, models of a single ship. The idea is that by sharing our resources we might all learn a little bit and have a lot of fun in the process. There is no judging and no competition so all are welcome whether this is your first model or you hundred and first.

The proposed topic for this first BTSK is none other than the venerable QE2. The ship is a natural for this kind of project given the many changes in configuration she has gone through during her 30+ years in service. The opportunity for scratch building and customizing models of this ship is enormous. With the recent re-release of the Airfix 1:600 kit, and the impressive 1:1200 kit from Revell of Germany it should be easy for participants to find a copy either online or at their local hobby shop. If you need assistance in finding one, please refer to the several on-line model suppliers we have posted on our ‘Links Page’.

There are no rules to speak of, and no deadlines since BTSK is all about having fun and relaxing with models, books, paints and all your friends here on the DF! We'll be posting photos of our kits as they progress, and of course look forward to sharing photos of your models as well. For the benefit of those who wish to participate, we bring to your attention the 1:600 Airfix QE2 kit review, posted in the DF ‘Kit Review’ section, as a good starting point.

So make a run to your hobby shop, or dig that kit out of the closet and start thinking about gray hull's or black; Quarter deck, or Magrodome -- the possibilities are limitless!

We would like to thank Patrick Hull for use of his QE2 photographs featured here. More of his work can be found on his website http://www.quaysides.freeuk.com/index.htm.

 Details to follow both here and on the Forum.