Hi Simon

Do not get too crazy when it doesn't work. Rigging en 1/350 is anyway simplified. Just imagine all flaglines have a block and are double. Even if you can do it it it someties not look realistic.

Greeings from Shanghai

Hi Simon,
I think the rigging looks the part. While you can't rig every line I think it finishes the ship off nicely.
Having the choice of two etched sets would certainly be handy. Using the WEM set for me has been useful but it is interesting for what they left out as much as they put in.
I too amlooking forward to the cage aerials which is something I intend to try but I will have to find some aftermarket provider for the spreaders.

cheers

Michael

Hi Tom,

I have plan B (or Z or whatever it turns out to be) if the etch spiders fail, that is roll spare lengths of 3 bar rail lengthways into a semi circle and glue two together. I does work and is easy, but I want to have a go with these etched Spiders.

Michael,

Using both etched sets, it is interesting what has been included and omitted on each set. WEM has the details for the 12pdrs, Pontos has the parts for the cage aerials. Neither has the prominent and quite complex rigging for boats on davits abeam of the fore funnel. I am not complaining, just making an observation.

Si

On with the quarterdeck details.

The compass platform, as supplied in the Pontos set is folded up and assembled, the compass binnacle is the one from the Zvezda kit that was supposed to go on the bridge, but I replaced the Nanodread one.



I did touch up the paintwork on the cover before fitting. and here in place with all the other vents and odds and sods that decorate the quarterdeck.



On to the main top, using pontos parts. The bulwarks and mount for the main topmast fitted first.



The supports for the starfish fitted, care had to taken so that they were even and did not foul the mast fittings.



And in place.



Roof and topmasts next.

Si

Are you having fun yet?

Lots of fun mate! And it is going to get more fun by the day

Si

Very nice work thus far Si

Glad you are having so much fun.

Cheers


Sean

Thanks Sean,

Appreciate your comments

Lots done, lots still to do, along with the real challenges, the cage aerials and the torpedo nets.

Si

The main topmast has been assembled, there are etched attachment points for the rigging and a mount for the yard arm. the yard arm would not quite go all the way through the holes, so rather than try an enlarge them in a very fragile piece of etch I just opened them up. Also the roof of the top has had it's moulded detail removed and replaced with brass etch and rod from the Pontos set.



The topmast sits very neatly into the etched mounting at the forward end of the maintop.



The roof of the top has been fitted as have coaling derricks, although not called out in the Pontos instructions there are enough mounting brackets (Parts 123) to spare a couple to fit onto the trailing tripod legs, in line with the top of the structure that the vents sit on between the legs. The tips of the derricks still need painting.



Foretop next.

Si

Small update fro Saturday,

Basic rigging on the mainmast. WEM do provide footropes ], but they are too long for the pontos yardarm, also as according to both the Kagero book and AOTS there are no footropes, logical as no signal halyards appear to run from that yard arm.



Before the foretop goes on railings have been fitted to the signal platform, and one thing I forgot, the mountings for the bridge awnings.



The basic construction of the Pontos foretop.



The lower foreyard and it's etched mount fitted under the foretop.



Si

Nice progress Simon,

Thanks Julian,

had hoped to get a bit further today, but real life is getting in the way.

Si

Nice work Simon.

Keep it up!

Life itself has stopped me getting back to the modelling bench. I have had an extended period(years of inactivity)so I know what you mean.

Cheers


Sean

Hi Sean,

Thanks for you support, it is a little frustrating sometimes when real life gets in the way. Hope to be able to make time for an update this weekend.

Si

Yeah yeah... any excuse to slack off!

I am in a holding pattern at the moment as well Simon. Don't want to start anything new if I am off to Adelaide.

Cheers and great work so far
Warren

Thanks Warren,

First time I have been accused of slacking off for not being at my workbench

Promise I will try and make up this weekend.

Have fun in Adelaide mate and hope you get back to hitting us with another brilliant build.

Si.

Hi Simon I don,t think you are slacking off just maybe having a Tea break
Great build by the way I,am taking notes for when I can get round to mine now I know I have been slacking OFF because of real life but it does hit us all at times

Cheers Keith

Cheers Keith,

You could be right, following the advise of my late father, an old soldier, "When in doubt, brew up"

With the weather forecast for the weekend, hope to make some progress over the next couple of days.

Si

I was just watching "The great British biscuit" that I recorded a couple of weeks ago. If that doesn't make you feel like having a cuppa I don't know what will

True Julian, you can't beat a dunk!

Si

Coming up nicely Si, makes me think I might add a dreadnought to the stash at some point in the near future

Thanks Russell,

I particularly enjoy building ships from this era, for there size there seems to much more to them than their sleeker later counterparts.

Si

Right, teabreak over and on with the job.

During my teabreak I managed to mislay the roof of the foretop, therefore the only way forward was to scratchbuild a replacement from a thick piece of plasticard about 80 thou, filed to shape and a suitable piece of plastic rod decorated with the etched supports from the pontos set.





The support structure for the foretop completed, just awaiting painting.



Painted and fitted.



The pontos foretopmast assembled and fitted with it's etched components, mountings for the yardarms and rigging points.



Yardarms fitted and awaiting painting.



More soon

Si

See what happens when you skive off for a bludge?

Will I ever learn!

Probably not, but on the other hand a bit of scratchbuilding practice never hurts. To be honest I am quite pleased with the replacement.

On to today's plans. Get the mainmast up, populate the bridge and foretop with a few pressed fujumi figures and then on with the rigging.

Si