Looking good, Keith! Keep it coming!
I am still lockled in that AAVP-7 build for a German magazine. I am dying to build a ship...!
Cheers,
Guido

Bit more progress on the Manxman.

The 2 quad 0.5" mgs have been built up



and fitted, along with the tripod section of the foremast.



the fwd funnel has had it's stays and siren lanyards added, quite fun as they weave in and out of the tripod and each other. the basic structure of the mainmast has also been added as the same thing with the rigging on the after funnel.



next job, remainder of the funnel rigging.

Si

Nice work on the mast Simon, and the .50 sure looks small!

Cheers/Jan

Hi
It has been a long time since I last logged on – caused by computer failure, then a long holiday.
My original intention was to have a go at the old 1/700 Matchbox fast minelayer I have had knocking about for ages. However, as Simon is making such a super job of his 1/350 model perhaps something different might be a good idea.
However, the holiday has prompted a change of direction. I spent a month motorcycling on my Triumph in glorious Norway, ending up at a motorcycle rally for British bikes in southern Norway. My friend and I were made most welcome and the organiser, Hans Christian, put us up at his house following the rally. Discussion revealed that his father had been in the Norwegian Navy and had escaped to the UK. In 1944 he had been in charge of minesweeping operations at Dundee. Hans Christian also had a diary written in English by his father’s secretary during the time in Dundee which mentioned that they had been to look at the new BYMS sweepers.
With this co-incidence in mind I have decided to make a little diorama of some of the YMS sweepers which were transferred to the Norwegian Navy in 1945, and when it is complete, send it to Hans Christian as a thank you for the hospitality we received.
So far I have scratch built a hull in 1/700 and am in the process of making a mould from it to cast three vessels to be depicted moored together at the quayside.
I hope the change in direction is OK by the rules of the campaign, and if so I will get some pictures posted soon.
Cheers
Don

Si- Keep up the great work! These .5" look sweet!

Welcome back, Don!
What a great idea you brought back from, what sounds to be one of the Great Rides this planet has to offer! Please keep us posted and show some of your WIP!
Cheers,
Guido

Ok I took some of Guidos mush welcome advice and added a black wash to the roadway to make it look a little less muddy

I also mixed up some arclyic light foilage green and air brushed the trees with it

also added some more mud to the boots and car tires couldn't flaten the tires cause the vehicle is glued down too well

but i did learn some things and will apply them to my next build Thanks again Guido

Nice to be back Guido, and yes Norway is one of the great rides of the world.

If I can remember how to do it there should be a picture of progress with the YMS.

So far the master and mould have been made.


Cheers

Don

Nice work Sal, a good beginning on many more dioramas - they can be addictive.

Should you venture further into the world of dioramas, these 2 books is highly recommendable: http://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showmaker&makerid=948

Likewise, good work so far Don, what material did you use to do the master ?

Cheers/Jan

Looking much better now, Sal!

You're off to a good start, Don! Did you cast under vacuum? The cast looks completely bubble- and blemish-free! Bravo Zulu!

Guido

Thanks Guido.
The master for the hull was made bread and butter style from various thicknesses of styrene sheet.

I just used good old gravity for the casts, poking around with a cocktail stick to remove air bubbles. However, I would be interested to learn more about vacuum casting and how it is done as it may help with future projects.

The first three hulls have now been cast and here they are on the diorama base



Don

Slow progress so far but have got main hull built and roller unit also commanders unit. Base coat applied and shading,and a coat of klear ready for the decals have also started on a small base no figures yet hope to get some soon.

Nice going, guys!

Don- as far as I know (never having done it meself) there are two methods. The first requiring a vacuum chamber big enough to fit the pouring cup. This method is used for de-gassing the resin after mixing but before pouring. It should make the resin more smoothly fill corners and edges. Ther should be no stirring required during the pouring.
Second method requires the whole mould to fit into the chamber. Obviously the chamber is evacuated after pouring, so all the bubbles are sucked out of the resin.
Beautiful base!


Looking good, Keith! Nice shading!

Cheers,
Guido

Nice progress, Keith. Looks excellent so far.

I am still gathering courage for my entry, but when the work table gets clear I will get started.

Nice work Sal, Don, Keith.

A bot more progress on Manxman. The funnel stays are all added & painted. Just need a few touch ups and a wash to tone them down a bit.



The base has been sprayed a basic blue, the hull attached and white glue added randomly along the wake to break up the straight lines.

.

next job start layering up the paintwork on the sea & wake, a few deck details, boats and the rest of the light AA

Si

Good job!
Still tons of weork to do 'til Telford!
Cheers,
Guido

Hi Guido,

Yup tons of work & not much time, but Manxman is on shcedule (at the moment) and should be there, on the IPMS London Stand, with some other campain builds.

Si

Simon Nice work looking forward to Telford if work permitting
I,m calling this done base and some dusty wheathering done but still need to get the commander figure waiting to here from a freind who said he has a couple spare might save some cash for a change, but then again might cost more for a couple of drinks

Well done, Keith!
Bravo Zulu!
Guido

Looks cool, Keith. Nice weathering on the mine roller.

Thanks for participating and sharing your work.

Looking good Keith - maybe and a little vegetation and some rubble to the base, it looks a bit uniform right now - maybe a little "danger mines" sign ?

Nice weathering.

Cheers/Jan

Gent,s thank you for your kind feedback. Jan thanks for the advice will add some small shrubs and dry grass stalks, also hope to get two figures to look as though reading a map and plotting next path to follow
Cheers Keith

A bit more progress on the Norwegian YMSs. The forecastle deck bridge, funnel, mast derrick post and magnetic sweep reel have been added to all three. Still got the armament, moored minesweeping gear, rails and rigging to do.

Don

Looking really good!
Cheers, Guido!

Nice little fleet - going to look nice on the base .

Cheers/Jan