Hi Andy, oh, that T34 was many years ago - thanks a lot mate! I have the update set in the same order for later delivery - at that price it was a bargain !

Personally I don´t like wooden decks, I am suspicious how they react over time or with altering temperatures - will they suddenly pop of after a few years ???

I go for the painted version:



Julian, I´m going to work a bit on them anyway - masking of will probably save the paint job.

Cheers/Jan

Very nice touch Julian ,not seen those on any pictures
I that a 1/6 Kett I spy in the background?
Jan,I didn't think about the decks lifting after a time,I'm building a 1/350 Academy Graf Spee and I've fell in love with the wooden deck and I have a Titanic with the same,but your painted ones look superb.
Whats the secret?
Andy

The Kettenkrad is the Esci/Italeri/Revell 1/9 version.
More pics on my Borodino thread.
Cheers,
Julian

Nice work on the decks Jan, looking good there.
Julian

Sorry Julian, our post must have crossed as I didn't notice yours - nice to see you are moving along, I´m not sure about drilling all the way trough the hull, as its quite thick, but lets see - it sure ads depth to the openings.

Andy - its just primed in a light brownish color - in this case a "hemp" - then individual planks are painted i various browns. Still needs a wash etc. to be finished.

Cheers/Jan

I have drilled the first sea chest opening out. I found some fine mesh PE in my spares boxes.
Which Hemp did you use. the Vallejo model air?
I have been using Tamiya deck tan so far with either an oil or MiG wash on top.
Cheers,
Julian

HI, Yes its Vallejo Air Hemp - it has a "dry" look which i find corresponds quite well with the sun bleached hardwood i suppose must have been on the deck.

Cheers/Jan

Okido, have a couple of those tubes somewhere on my bench. Thanks Jan,
cheers,
Julian

Andy and Julian - my experience with painting decks are somewhat limited, but since I like to go quite heavy on washes and weathering, I find a very light beginning is needed, otherwise the end result turns out much too dark for my taste.

I can´t say that a aftermarket deck will give troubles over time, but I am not the one to test it

Phontosmodels has announced an update set this january ... so they are in a hurry - but it will contain a replacement deck, turned brass barrels etc.

Been working on the different vents and openings in the hull - I don´t have any suitable etch, so I´ll make do with styrene - its placement just in the "bend" of the hull will make it relatively hard to see anyway.

The cooling water intake will get a lid after painting.

Nice work Jan, Trumpeter put that hull brace in a most unhelpful position if you want to detail the sea chests
The good old Evergreen rod is a good idea,as you say: in this location you won't see much of the detailing anyway. It looks much, much better than the solid vents though
Cheers,
Julian

Since the intakes are at an angle anyway, the bracing can be used as support for the forward wall. Close enough for government work

Sunday 18th update:
The hull openings for the cooling water inlets have been drilled, cut and sanded out. This is seriously thick plastic
I fitted the bilge keels too. The sea chest openings still to come. Unfortunately real life ran interference today.....





The inside looks like a dog's dinner at the moment:




All for now, time for a very nice Tempranillo before dinner.
cheers,
Julian

A good days work, and cheers to you!

20 mm AA guns are just stunning... 0,25 mm barrel thicknes ?

Awsome job done by Guys from Trumpeter !!

Now time for Tirpitz and 2013/2014 Yamato

Ehhyyy boys I have a mechanical saw in the garage!! Only to ask for it and sending!!!! Jajjaja
I like it ... I like it
Daniel

For the thickness of the plastic used here we really need explosives Daniel. My Dremel is in intensive care after today
Julian

Julian,

it's probably because this model is intended for RC purposes too.

Cheers
Wojtek

Possibly Wojtek, it needs some work to get through the hull....
Well, I guess that is what the British warships said as well
Julian

As good as it gets - at least from my hand.

Looks excellent Jan, hope I can get mine looking that good
Cheers,
Julian

I´m sure you will, and easily better

I spent the evening yesterday working on the deck and listening to a good e-book, painting the deck is a work of patience and endurance, especially in this scale.

The lower part of the deck. only have had 2 additional colors, but the upper part between the B barbette have had 3. So its far from done.

Looking very good Jan, wouldn't mind having that on the floor in my living room
You are getting into the build in leaps and bounds, great to watch.
cheers,
Julian

Great work Julian & Jan, both builds are impressive.

Following with much interest.

Si

Thanks Simon,

I have given the deck some washes with Promodellers mudbrown - normally you would wipe it down, instead I have swiped it with a wide damp brush in the directions of the planks - leaving much residue that effectively alters the color of the deck to a much darker tone, evening out the color differences on the individually painted planks.

Much talk, heres the pics:

Thanks Simon,
Not much to see on my build yet but Jan is doing a magnificent job.
Love the deck Jan, it turns out darker than my tan and wash effect I used on the Arizona.Got mail from Frank Brechman that the add-on set has arrived so I can combine that with an order of Lifecolour Kriegsmarine tints.
Cheers,
Julian