A rather drastic departure from the real measurements Warren,
I am sure you will solve this , ( and then declare war on Pontos). These things can really p*** you off though.
The build is still stellar though,
cheers,
Julian

Thanks Julian.

OK. Here is my repair job with no final trimming or paint added to disguise the unwanted seams.

No reply from Pontos yet. What pees me off is that the set is not cheap at about $50. It comes with a sheet of PE for all the fittings but having the elevator cutout so far off is a big sin.
Cheers all
Warren

Very disappointing fit issue with the deck. Good luck in getting some satisfactory service from Pontos. I do recall seeing something on one of the wood decks, (can't recall if it was this one) that the deck had accurate elevator openings and the kit did not.

Also all the best in tidying up the deck.

Si

According to Pontos that is exactly what they did, Simon, move the opening without putting anything about it in the instructions or anywhere in the package. Not good enough really.

Hm, that's very frustrating when a maker gets something so right, but so wrong at the same time. I'm sure you'll be able to overcome it though Warren, and Pontos will get back to you soon!

Hi Everyone.

Pontos got back to me very quickly and have offered me a replacement piece for that part of the deck.
I just need to send them a piece of the deck I have here now so they can colour match it and send me a new part to match the rest of the decking. The only way they could have done it better would have been to just send a new deck set out, but this is fair and reasonable. Can't get much better service than that I don't think.
Time for a couple of pain killers and back to bed to see if I can get some more sleep this morning.
They also said that there is a note in the instructions about it which is true, but it is in tiny writing and is hidden away amongst other information. I suggested it should be a bit more visible.
Cheers
Warren

Hi Warren, I agree it is not good enough to for an aftermarket product to require modification to the main kit to fit, it should be well documented in the instructions,

I have the Dreadnought upgrade set, and the instructions from Pontos to leave a lot to be desired.

Good luck with all the work on the deck, following with much interest.

Si

Thanks Simon.

Well I removed the old deck last night. It tore into quite a few pieces so it won't be going back on.

Now the Tico is going to have to go into dry dock for a while I think as I have to have that piece of deck installed to go much further, if any further at all. I suppose I could build the island... We shall see.

Cheers
Warren

oh no! what will you do Warren? Am I right in saying that Pontos will send out a whole new deck???

I think I will be lucky to get the centre bit I need or they wouldn't need a sample.. But don't worry mate I will work something out.

G'day everyone.
As far as modelling time was concerned this weekend was a disaster! Friday evening I flew to Sydney (plane an hour late. Ended up getting to my parents place after midnight..) and then Saturday I drove back to Brisbane bringing one of my cars back.
So that was those two days out and then today was taken up with a hospital visit and watching some rugby league.
Anyway here is what I got done.

The funnel cap on the right took about an hour or so to modify to take the PE grills. The part on the left is the funnel and the rest of the parts are for the plastic bits of the gun directors.

And here we have the island superstructure under pressure from four clamps. I drilled out the portholes before gluing them together and will check them tomorrow if I get a chance.
That's it for now folks.
Cheers
Warren

Hi Warren,

Good to see you carrying on, tidy work wih the etch on the funnel grill.

Si.

G'day shipmates!
Well, it doesn't look as though I have done much but PE tends to slow you down a bit, especially antenna arrays!

All those vertical elements are seperate..

And this is an overall view of the port side of the funnel. Other side has more platforms and antennas.

And I got more work done on the island including filling quite a few gaps with my new water-based putty which is fantastic. Let it dry and all excess can be removed with a cotton bud dampened with a bit of water. Brilliant!!
And that is all for now.
I am deep into consideration of my next build. Either Trumpeter Hood or Academy Warspite...
Oh, and I completed my Fujimi 1/350 collection with the DX version of the IJN Yamashiro.

Know what you mean about the PE Warren, but it is worth the effort.

Good work Warren.

Si

I built the Aoshima Kongo OOB, except for the wooden deck, and will build one using the Flyhawk set I have next year I think. That should illustrate if PE makes a model look any better!

Thanks for the encouragement mate.

Cheers
Warren

Greetings again.
I have been at it for a few hours but have run out of energy for the moment. Lack of sleep will do that to you..
Anyway, I got the two gun directors finished.


As you can see there are a few touchup bends to do when everything has cured enough. Some of these pieces bend if you just breath on them. I think I am getting better with these gun director antennae, but I still have a way to go. A bending jig would be nice..

Cheers all
Warren

Excellent work on the gun directors Warren, even more so considering this is 1/350th scale. I had trouble getting this type of gun director looking right on my 1/144 Fletcher and had to scratch the orange peel antenne myself.
What is the brand of water base putty you have discovered? Not Vallejo is it?
cheers,
Julian

Thanks Julian.
It is called 'Perfect Plastic Putty' and is made by Deluxe Materials.
I got a bit more of the island donw this afternoon..



I can see a nit of remedial bending is required but for now I am off to watch the rugby league on TV.
Hope you all have had a good weekend,
Cheers
Warren

The directors are excellent Warren, The only attempt I had at one of those was on my Gearing, which was nowhere near as even.

Good to see the progress, this is going to be one tasty carrier when she is done.

Si

Coming along very nicely Warren!

She is looking really nice Warren.....Cheers mark

Thanks guys.

I have done a bit more in the last few days and this is about as far as I can go until I get my new deck.




Just some PE bits and bobs around the island.
Cheers
Warren

The P/E is really looking great Warren.....Cheers mark

Thanks Mark.
I finally got the main mast finished.




That's all for now. I will try and get it painted this afternoon, although it is cold and wet here so I may have to put it off a day or two.
Cheers
Warren