Ok, finished - this time for real!


With the ship painted and her airgroup aboard, my diminutive Ark Royal stands ready to help hunt down the mighty Bismarck!

Nice job Tim,

The mighty Bismarck trembles in fear!!



Cheers

Si

Si,

nice progress on your Bismarck, looking forward to see you crossing the finish line!!

Tim -

just amazing!! You managed (almost) not to be distracted and build a beautiful model from an ancient 1/1200 - kit (almost OOB) - absolutely amazing!! Your Ark Royal looks really great!! And your aircraft seem from a different universe - that scale - the picture with one on your fingertip - standing alone, they could pass for 1/350. I really do like, and like building, fine and small detail - but your skills and patience - incredible. Just great. And congratulations on your commissioning!

Cheers,
Jan

Very nice job, Tim!

Just about a week left. You can do it, Si!

Michael

I will do my best Michael,

with a bit of luck I should get a decent amount of time in the Workshop this weekend.

Cheers

Si

Great job on the Ark Royal, Tim and a fantastic job on those little Fulmars.

Rigging done today.



The base painted and decaled.



The chain stoppers on the main cables.



Cheers

Si.

Si,

Bismarck is looking better and better. I wonder if you will make the campaign deadline - it looks like you're close!

I like how the painted-over swastika on the foredeck is still just visible under the grey paint. Very cool.

Thanks Jan, Michael, Si, & Casey! The Ark Royal was a simple, fun build. The Fulmars were my favorite part-

Thanks Tim,

Glad you like the effect. I would think the overpainting was a bit of a rush job, so wouldn't have been perfect.

The maindeck railings are the big job, a few other details as well, off up I into the workshop shortly, so watch this space later.

Those little fulmars do look really to your Ark, great job mate.

Cheers

Si

Fine looking Ark Royal. My hat is off to you for being able to do such nice work at 1200 scale.

SI,

The rigging looks awesome. How did you make the insulators, a glob of glue and black paint?

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your kind comment.

The insulators are etched parts from the pontos set. initially painted with a thick white acrylic paint, then a black wash.

Cheers

Si

The final push.

Railings.







Boat booms.







Ensign hoisted.



Commissioned.





Will post on the gallery.

Made it



Cheers

Si

Congratulations, Si - absolutely stunning work! It's been a pleasure watching your Bismarck coming together, and the final result definitely does not disappoint. Bravo Zulu!

Si,

Great work, my congratulations! It's excellent to see you finish him in time.

Michael

My contribution to the campaign:






Quite happy to be able to finish a ship, as it sure was one experience for me putting those tiny bits on. It made me better appreciate the efforts of those who really put detail on their builds -- hats off to you all, and thanks for having me in this campaign!

Cheers,

Tat

Nice one, Tat! Great to see another finished product!

Michael

Well, my HMS Rodney is done for now.

I added a ton of detail to the Tamiya 1/700 kit, but I don't think it comes out well in these photos. Along with photo-etch, metal barrels and some 3D Model Parts AA, I did some kit-bashing with the Tamiya Nelson to try and represent the early 1941 fit. But overall, man was this a pain. Enjoyable for sure, but I am NOT going to attempt to correct an old Tamiya kit again. (What's left of that Nelson has been earmarked for the time when my 4yr old wants to build a model ship.)

Sometime soon, I hope to pull the Rodney off the shelf and add some more detail. I'm currently reading a book about her from "The Famous Ships of the RN" series, and finding small details I hope to add. Such as extra armor plating and a crated Pom-Pom that were lashed to the boat deck. And Radar - I wasn't fully confident which were carried (or even if there was a foremast) while they chased down the Bismarck, so I left it off for now.

This was a really fun campaign. A great theme paired with some really wonderful ships and aircraft in all scales.

Thanks for having me aboard!

- Steve

Thanks Michael!

Nice to see Rodney in the gallery, Steve-O. Well done!

Rounding out with a nice finish, everyone!

Michael

Thanks Tim,

Appreciated your support and kind comments along the way.

Cheers

Si

ThanKs Michael,

Was a bit tight, but very pleased to have made it, and thank you for your support along the ay.

Cheers

Si

Hi Tat,

Very nice job on you Bismarck, looks very good indeed.

Hi Steve,

Congrats on making it with the Rodney,

Cheers

Si

Thanks for running a Great Campaign Michael.

Have enjoyed taking part, and great job by every body that finished.

Cheers

Si