Hi Russ,
Those funnel rails were very fiddly. One thing I like a lot about Pontos is they give you spares for difficult parts allowing you a little leeway if things go pear shaped. So for the funnels you get two extra sets of rails. Very useful

cheers
Michael

Thanks Dave.
Despite some bits being a bit "clunky" the fit has been pretty good so far.

cheers

Michael

Well distilling all the excellent advice I have set the hull ready for its bling.

A quick test with its base.

Added the shafts

Hasegawa recommend Cocoa Brown

And here's Mikasa waiting for her brass. It just needs a shroud to protect the hull and base and we'll be in business.


cheers

Michael

Nice seeing the her propped up and getting some clothes Michael! Keep it coming!

Nice paintjob. With all the details and a great paint job, this will be an amazing sight.
These pre Dreadnoughts are really cool ships

Coming on well Michael,

Colour of the anti fouling looks just right. Neat paint job too.

Cheers,

Si

Nice progress, Michael

Thanks guys for all the kind comments, they're much appreciated.

Well a bit more progress.
I put a cover on the hull to protect from my wandering fingers.

I have started on the hullside etched. First the fixing points for the torpedo net booms. Tricky little blighters! The hull attachment point has a split pin arrangement to allow the boom to move. Trying to split the pin with the tip of a no. 11 blade was, well plenty of this Thankfully only a couple were lost and the Pontos extras covered that. Eight each side.

Then on to the torpedo net shelf, looks pretty but..


Here Pontos have been a bit naughty. The booms are meant to rest in the gaps when in the stowed position, like this

but only two of eight on each side will actually do this because the shelf supports interfere with the boom e.g.

I guess it is standard for Pontos to use photos as instructions, so they show the shelf as to be installed but only with the booms extended, in another photo of the guns though they show the booms stowed and if you look closely you can see they have just cut off the offending shelf supports. I guess that is one way to fix it

More brass to come.

cheers

Michael

Very interesting build. I'm saving my Money for that Pontos set, which really look excellent. I'll follow this one very carefully.
Jacob

Looking good there Michael!! Looks a might bit fiddly of a task too...LOL!!

Michael,

Your PE work is very well executed and she looks great. Looking forward to seeing more as you progress.

Dave

Ahoy Michael

Your effort thus far is looking really good.

Its a shame about the booms issue.

More cold weather and rain are forecast for Auckland so no doubt you will be able to get some more work done on the Mikasa.

Cheers


Sean

Very nice work with the PE, there Michael.

Shame about the support strut in the way of the torpedo net boom-is there any reference material available that shows how they got around that on the real ship?

Russ

Hi Russ,
The reference material would be helpful, but I decided with this kit I would just use what was provided by Hasegawa and Pontos. You know what happens if you go down the reference route...you can't help but change things, for the better of course

cheers
Michael

Thanks Sean,
Yes the weather helps but the house is only half painted. I need more sunshine.

cheers

Michael

Jacob, Todd and David,
thanks for the comments. The Pontos is the nicest etch/brass I have used so far. Comprehensive and lots of spares, which helps. I would certainly use them again.

cheers guys

Michael

Well moving from the starboard torpedo net shelf to the stern, I managed to get the Admirals walk completed tonight. The brass platform doesn't quite match the curve of the hull but close enough.


Onto the other shelf and I will try and adjust the supports before fixing to allow for the booms.

cheers
Michael

Ahoy Michael

Truly nice work on something so delicate.

Hahaha as I think I have stated before my house exterior has been an ongoing painting project for the last 3 to 4 years.

It probably mirrors my E-Boat build and my general modeling.


Cheers


Sean

Coming well Michael.

Good luck sorting out the fit of the torpedo net booms, following with interest, as I fancy this myself.

Cheers.

Si

Given this weather, it may well take 3 or 4 years!
The upside being Mikasa should be done somewhat quicker.

cheers
Michael

Thanks Simon,
The torpedo shelves are a bit of a challenge. The curves around the gun emplacements don't quite match, its marginal but enough. The other troublesome part is that they are in two long runs. If I had a third side to do (learning as I go!)I would cut them into sections. Next time!

cheers

Michael

Well with lesson learned from one side the booms fit now but you see the adjustment required to the supports, left vs. right of the boom. Also the shadow shows the shelf doesn't quite touch the hull. The gap is tiny but the mismatch curve under gun throws out the length.
.
Each boom still has another 3 pieces of etch to be added.

The brass is beginning to mount up. I was tempted to do what Warren had done with his Belfast and leave it exposure but the paint will go on once the hull is complete.


cheers
Michael

Nice solution on the Torpedo nets Michael.

Looking very good, more I watch this build more I want to have a go myself.

Cheers Si

Very elegant solution with the torpedo nets, Michael

Amazing etch work and a really interesting subject..

i will watch and learn!!