Wow Si, he deck looks superb! Loving that contrast between the wood and he black!! Tasty stuff!!

Si,

I everyone elses comments, the deck looks incredible. The contrast between the deck and the black really makes everything pop.

Look forward to seeing more as you progress through this build.

Dave

Thanks guys,

I am very pleased with the deck, the contrast and the contrast.

The superstructure components on the forecastle deck level next.

Imagine there will be a fair amount of filling and filing to do.

Si

I'm with the others. That deck really looks great. Almost convinces to give one of those decks a try. Almost, but not quite yet.

Hi Rodger,

Took me a while before I took the plunge, and now I am hooked.

The funnel casings and other structures on the fo'c's'le deck built and test fiited.



Brass skylights and doors fitted.



Other fo'c's'le deck superstructure cleaned up and test fitted.



Port side fits well, but looks like some issues with the sections around the miships secondary turret on the starboard side.

That will need to ne sorted then sprayng time.

Si

A bit more progress today,

The funnel casings and other superstructure units sprayed chaos black, unfortunately because it was a bit damp & chilly the unfortunately the painted bloomed as it dried.



The side sections fitted, the colour difference is noticeable on some sections. There are a few noticeable gaps as well.



Filler going down, the small section of tape is to protect the wood deck.



All cleaned up and fitted. the instruction call for the deck sections to be sea blue, personally I am not convinced, although I could find no definitive reference I went for dark red / brown, seems to be a popular deck colour for the period.



More soon.

Si

Looking very nice Si. I had this kit but the fit looked really iffy so I bundeled it with a couple of other kits to get something I wanted more. I'm intiqued by the 1904 Trumpeter kit announced.

Thanks Rodger,

It isn't the best kit I have seen, but that is part of the fun of this kind of project, and it is good filling and filing practice.

I have the 1917 Tseravitch, and am looking forwad to the 1904 version as well, nice to have all these pre-dreadnoughts.

Cheers.

Si

Hi Simon
Looks like great Progress on your build. Did this one myself, and I have to agree on the filling and filing bit.
Using the real Wood deck really give the build some caracter, and I think I'll try this on my next big nautical project. Just a Little nervouse that it will be too difficult to use, though.
Looking forward to see more of your build.
Jacob

Brilliant work, as always Si!

The Borodino sure looks a look more colourful than the post Dreadnought fleets that were built.

Sure would be nice if some of the kit makers turned their attention to the period just before the turn of the century-so many interesting ships that could be built!

Nonetheless you're doing a great job, mate, and I'm looking forward to seeing her progress!

Russ

Thanks Jacob,

The fit is interesting... to say the least.

I have only used Artwoex and Pontos decks, and had no issues with either. Both have fit the kits they are designed for very well. I gave it a try on a smaller project before using one on a big ship first, just in case.

Cheers Russ,

She is starting to come together, long way to go yet.

I agree, but not only are they more colourful, but they are quirkier in design too.

Si

Don;t be scared Jacob. They are very easy to use and save lots of fiddly painting.

Looking great Mr Red....

Hi Warren,

Thanks mate,

Agree with you regarding wood decks, they take a little preparation and planning, but the effect is worth the effot.

Cheers.

Si.

Test fitting the Lower bridge deck, the point of this is to see what needs to go on before this is glued down.



First question this brings up is funnels first or second, looks like either way, but I decided to get them built to be safe.

The caps need sorting out. They are crude.



The awful raised "grill removed.



Chain drilling the solid top out.



The etched funnel grill was bent to shape, using the end of a handy paint brush.



Both funnels assembled, the second one has the unmodified cap just placed for effect.



Si

Si,

here as well - great progress and a wonderful build!

Cheers

Jan

Thanks Jan,

I am enjoying the challenge of this temperamental old kit.

Yesterday's progress:

The lower bridge deck painted and fitted, along with a few small foredeck details.



The funnels primed and test fitted.



Paint on the funnels, the yellow is again a citadel colour, their yellow base coat with the unlikely name of "Averland Sunset" brushed on, two coats, has that sort of slightly mustard yellow tone I was looking for.



Need to get some black on the funnel interior.

Test fit with mid and rear decks and funnels.



some work to be done there before any glue goes down.

Si

The filling done, just the filing.



Whilst the green stuff was drying I got on with a few other bits and pieces. The GM etch has replacement parts for the superstructure on the bridge decks, first one for the lower bridge folded.



The bridge deck test fitted, a little fettling needed. As the mountings for the superstructure are for the plastic parts, so care needed in fitting the etch so it does not cause any problems.



The after superstructure sorted, the walkway connecting the midships "bridge wings" to it are a pore fit, a piece of scrap plastic strip is plugging the gap, it will need trimming to shape and painting.



The walkways leading forward are a much better fit.



The overall state of the old girl, looks like I have done a lot, but there is still a long way to go



Si

More progress,

The walkways painted in and the boat racks fitted.



Railings fitted around the lower bridge deck, two lengths are provided, but fortunately enough spare to allow it to be cut into usable sections.



Four 47mm guns are required on this platform.

The kit guns along with brass barrels and etched shields.



One kit gun cut down ready for upgrading.



two upgraded guns against the one original.



Guns mounted.



supports fitted to the upper bridge deck.



Upper Bridge in place.



Cheers.

Si

Looking really good. Brass guns really make a big difference. That black hull and superstructure makes her look menacing.

Wow, quite some progress here!! Looks great Si, as Rodger says, the brass barrels really make a difference!
It sure looks as if the finishing line is at least insight, if not really approaching yet...

Cheers,

Jan

Thanks guys,

The kit barrels are somewhat "chunky" to say the least, and not that round.

I am a great fan of brass barrels certainly for older kits.

Still quite a distance to go, barely 1/3rd of the way through the superstructure, main and secondary turrets, masts and boats unstarted, and the rigging is "interesting" to say the least.

Cheers

Si

Coming up a treat Simon. You should be pretty happy. Cheers..... mark

Hi Mark,

I am pretty happy so far, still a long way to go.

Thanks for look in.

Cheers

Si

Simon this is looking great, especially the color contrast and the wood deck. I think the red decks look great as well.

Bryan

I believe the red coloreupper decks were linoleum covered.

Bill