Ahoy Simon


This is really starting to take shape my friend.

Cheers


Sean

Thanks Al,

Must admit the air in my workroom was "slightly" blue from time to time building the aerials, and a few were required after each session.

Thanks Sean,

Does feel it is really getting there, only the base, the nets and their associated "stuff" to go.

Cheers

Si

The cage aerials really do help to bring her together Si, looking good!

Thanks Russell,

Although I know they are not perfect, for a first attempt I am pleased with them, now all we need is one of the etch guys to produce the spreaders as a separate set and we are fixed for all the early ships that these aeriels.

Cheers

Si

Onward with the fairly tedious bit.

All the bases for the torpedo net unfurling davits added on the maindeck fwd of the wing turret on the stbd side, and the railing.



Quarterdeck guns detailed and painted.



Started adding the davit arms.



Davit bases going on aft of the wing turret.



1st section of maindek railing in place.



More soon.

Si

Simon,
Your progress on this is enviable and it is looking great.
Your bits of colour add a lot of interest and I am looking forward to your treatment of the nets.

cheers
Michael

Thanks Michael,

I am not yet sure how I am going to tackle the nets, it will be a case of get her on the base and work on it out as I go along from there.

This build has been a real journey, but an enjoyable one.#

Si

A break from all that tiny etch today.

Found a cheap picture frame that I thought might work for the base.



And it did, so I took the "glass" and backing out and covered them in loosely crumpled and smoothed kitchen foil.



Then sprayed with Halfords acrylic car paints, the two colours were as below, to get a varied colour & texture, I used an ordinary blue, and a pearlescant green.



The result.



Refitted into the frame.



and with Dreadnought re test fitted,



A bit of a cheat, but reasonably effective. Back to small bits of etch tomorrow.

Si

That is amazing Simon, what a fantastic way to display your build. Looks great!

Thanks Julian,

I must admit it is a great cheat, bit the trick is lay one colour over the other whilst they are still wet, then they sort of blend randomly giving a gently uneven finish. last trick a mist on the non pearlescent colour over the top, just to take any edge off it.

Si

Looking the part there now Simon will be another stunning build to add to your display tables.

Keith

Thanks Keith,

Getting there slowly but surely.

Si

All the bases for the net davits on and the maindeck railings all in place.



Taking a small break from the repetitive etch, the boat booms have the mounts fitted.



painted, not 100% the wood finish is correct, but the booms do look darker on some pics.



And fitted, they do make a contrast.



Net davits finally finished.



Few more bits to add, night lifebuoy under construction



and fitted.



The starboard side night lifebuoy built and fitted, and the last two rigging wires fitted, from the moianmast running aft. finally stuck down to the base, some thinned Tamiya clear blue will be run along the join to seal it and tie the ship and the base together.



Next, on with th nets, booms will be prepped first, after that trail & error, no idea exactly how I am going to bring it all together yet.

Si

Ahoy Simon

This looks great.

I like the picture frame/water effect.


Cheers


Sean

Thanks Sean,

I am pleased with the way it has worked. Cheaper and neater than having a custom base made. I am now looking at our local home fittings shop as a modellers accessory shop (along with the car parts / supplies shop, that is where the paint came from)

Si

Simon: I now offically "hate" you!! Jealousy is such a curse!! Looks absolutly AMAZING and the seascape is just the bees knees!

Simon, that is looking fantastic!! Love how you used a frame for your base! Great idea!

Mike

Hi Andrew,

Thanks mate! I will take in the spirit it was meant, appreciate your kind words.

Thanks Mike,

Not a new idea, nor original mine, but if you can find a cheap frame often better value than a npormal base.

Hope to start work on the nets over the next couple of days.

thanks again for your comments Guys

Si

Right, on with the tricky bit.

Net booms sorted and the shipboard ends sprayed the hull colour.



Each boom has two pieces of etch to be added at the net end, one is for the boom stays, and the other attaching the net, thus one should point up & one down.



One down 23 to go.

The two etch components are very small & tricky to handle, I felt it would be easier to fit the boom to the etch whilst it was still on the fret, therefore I found an old base and drilled a hole in it, and I had a jig that speeded up what would have been.



All done & sprayed, along the WEM waterline net sections, the net sections got a coat of Tamiya TS42 light gunmetal, which is a great steel colour.



The two net sections for each side have been joined as per the wem instructions, the bits of card keep the join clear so It didn't stick to anything.



Now I cannot avoid tackling the nets! oh well here we go.

More soon.

Si

You're better man than I, Gunga Din, er, Simon. Al

Hi Al,

Thanks for your kind comment, not better mate, just differently slightly mad.


Si

Big brass ones Simon, brave decision.

Thanks Julian,

There is fine line between bravery and stupidity, will find out over the Easter weekend which side of it I am on

wish me luck!

Si

Good Luck with the nets Simon cracking build so far

Keith

Fabulous work Simon!