Wow Si!

those 20mm a microscopic!

Hi Mark,

I will be honest, I didn't realise they were until I tried to fit them.

Might have build this baby in 1/20oth just to use them up.

Thanks for looking in.

Cheers

Si

Hi Russ,

You aren't wrong mate, but the resin pedestal with the cradle cast in makes them easier to assemble than the Pontos ones. (easier, but not easy!)

Cheers

Si

Si,

I agree, those Veteran Models 20mm mounts are fantastic, and, in my opinion, hit that sweet spot between "perfect" scale appearance and buildability.

Your Bismarck is coming along beautifully!

Thanks Tim,

Have to agree with you, good use of materials, the resin castings to ease the assembly, and the etch adds the finesse.

Thanks for looking in and your kind comment.

Cheers

Si

Bit more progress.

Quarterdeck, practice loaders and vests / skylights down.



Ammo boxes around the after light AA fitted.



More vents / skylights. The black squares mark spots they have to be fitted.



Boxes fitted high on the after superstructure.



Lifebelts on the after superstructure, need painting yet.



companionways up on the quarterdeck fitted, again yet to be painted.



Overall view of the back end so far.



Cheers

Si

Hatches, skylights etc on the Quarterdeck done.



There are four accommodation ladders stowed against the superstructure sides, folded, ready for spraying.



painted , and with their racks fitted.



first one fitted, lifebelts also painted.



The production line for the paravanes.





Four done.



Overview of the big bad boy himself.



More soon.

Cheers

Si

Latest update.

12 single 20mm built and ready for paint



six paravanes.



cable reels under way.



Cable reels painted and ready to go.



example of the 20mm and paravanes.



detail down on after end of the superstructure.



20mm on the funnel platform



20mm and paravanes down up front.



and on the bridge.



overview of the stern, showing all the additions including the after gun cleaning rod stowage,



with a bit of luck might get an hour or two in the shipyard tomorrow,

Cheers

Si

One job achieved today, the Arados,

No waffling, just Kit parts at the top, polished up with Pontos etch at the bottom.











Cheers Si

those arado look much nicer in grey styrene than in clear.

All four of your builds are coming along nicely Si

I agree with Russ - those Arados look much better in gray than clear. Did Revell provide the airplanes this way? If so kudos to them; I am not a fan of those clear plastic airplane moldings.

Anyway, your planes look the part outfitted with their photoetch!

Hi Russ & Tim,

Thanks guys, the arados do come in grey plastic, and I heartily agree with you, grey plastic is far better for aircraft.

Revell do provide clear canopies, which is nice too, but I thought I would go with the etched ones, see what the effect is.

Cheers

Si

The correct scale 37mm arrived.

ordered a spare set, just to be on the safe side.



How didn't I spot the first lot were overscale????



Construction under way.





paint going on the Arados.





The cradles for the Arados.





The cranes under way.



Cheers

Si

those 37mm sure get tiny at 1/350 don't they Si?

It's been a while since I checked in on this build and it is looking fantastic. I admire your work with all the small armament. I think those fiddly bits would have been too much for my patience.

Nice job on the planes. They look good with the etch canopies.

cheers
Michael

Hi Russ,

They are, but so far so good with the construction. They are fortunately a bit simpler than the really big ones.

Still cannot believe I didn't spot my scale error as soon as I opened the box of the 1/200th ones. Need an eye test!!!


Cheers

Si

Thanks Michael.

The small stuff isn't that bad, I have a production line system, aided by a bit of smooth jazz, eases any frustration.

The etched canopies I wasn't sure about, but now they are in place they are in effective.

Cheers

Si

Hi Si!

Fantastic work you are doing there!! Just catching up - leave/holiday was great, but in the aftermath there's always a lot of real life stuff to be taken care of before it's hobby time again...

I love those Veteran kits you did - at some point of time I need to break out one of my DKM vessels and try them myself. Great work! Funny, your 1/200 story - however, the 'big' twin 37 do look great!!

A little over three weeks to go - you think you manage for the campaign? I'm glad I put my little sub in, slowly re-starting with my Hood. That will take me several more months...

Cheers,
Jan

Thanks Jan,

to be honest, there is still so much to do, unless I take the next three weeks off (which I can't afford) very unlikely. but I intend to go down with battle ensigns flying! (even if they are still on the decal sheet!)

Cheers

Si

Small update today.

Arado's done.







The cranes.

I love the detail Pontos have put into them, but they causing me extreme mental perturbation!

The kit boom against a semi assembled crane.



Trying to work out how the rigging goes together.



Cheers

Si

Those Arado look very nice Si!

Great paint job on them!

I totally agree with Russ - those Arados look outstanding - had you not put them next to that coin, I'd almost think they are 1/200 - fantastic detail and paintwork for those small planes!!

And yes - those cranes look rather complicated. But I'm sure you'll figure it out..good luck!! ;-)


Cheers,
Jan

Thanks Russ,

They, I hope will brighten up the catapult deck. Can't leave aircraft out on big ships

Cheers

Si

Thanks Jan,

As I said to Russ, always like to the aircraft in, if the ship carried them.

Your faith was not in vain mate, I have got the cranes together, went from the head of the jib, worked, will post the pics later.

Cheers

Si

Working on the crane from the other end.



That seemed to go alright.



test fitted in place.



The barrels for twin 37mm fitted to the breaches.



more soon.

cheers

Si