Howdy All,

Here's a few pic's of my graf spee build. Garry Beebe gave this model to me last year when I was down visiting him. This build is dedicated to him.
I used wood to do the planking. I decided to completely scratch build all the superstructure because the kits is more like the scheer then the spee. I'll post up some more pic's tonight. Talk to ya guys later.

Ray

Here's my gallery link.

http://photos.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=6665


Ray

Hi Ray!
Lookin' good! What size and kind of wood are you using? It looks like there is a plastic border around the new decking, if I am seeing this correctly what do you use for this border? What is your source for the wood? I'm new to warship modeling and want to try this technique in the future.
Plasticat

I'm impressed! I'm reasonably sure that this is a technique that I would not have a good time with. Since Plasticat pretty much asked most of the things I was wondering about, I would add this. Do you create a template to mark the locations of the deck fittings and the superstructure on your wood?

It's looking really nice thus far.

Are you using individual planking or did you find some sheets? It looks great so far. I think that is the way to go, just obliterate all deck detail and scratch new stuff. I know ZZguy is having a devil of a time trying to salvage deck detail on his Bismarck.

Looks very good so far. I'm guessing this is the 1/400 Heller kit? You mentioned it looked more like the Scheer than the Spee, perhaps an earlier refit of the Spee?

The wood looks great. This sounds like a good topic for a feature article for Armorama. I'm sure there would be a lot of interest in your method.

Howdy All,

Thank you for all your compliments. I'd love to do a how to article but I'm clueless as where to start to do one.
I use Midwest Basswood for my decks. There 2 x 2's in ho scale (.0208" X .0208"). I decided to try using the whole length of the strips rather then cutting them down to "In Scale" lengths. It helped me to make it straighter. It also cut the whole proces down to a quarter of what it is doing it the other way.
Plasticat, You noticed the border I put around the edges of my decking. I use Evergreen item # 101 (.010 X .030") strips to do this. I completely outline the area I'm gonna plank with this. I've not seen any decking just end with wood. It usually has some type of border around it. This stuff accomplishes it for me. When it's painted it really highlights the decking.
95bravo, Once you try to plank using this method you'd be shocked at how easy it really is. As for a template. I use my printer and enlarge pic's of deck plans and use those for templates. Just make sure the plans you use are accurate. I use a really sharp pencil to mark the decking after it's planked.
Blaster76, By scrapping away all the deck detailing It makes the planking job way easier. I use individual pieces when I'm planking so the less cutting and fitting you do the better.
Halfyank, It is the Heller 1/400 kit. The entire superstructure base resembles the Scheer rather then the Spee. The upper superstructure is fairly accurate. I decided to just scratch the whole thing for a fun project. I'm a glutton for punishment.
Again, Thanks for all the compliments guys. Garry always was encouraging me to come over here and post things. He said you guys were all great bunch. It appears he's right.
Ray

Hi Ray!
Thanks for the great info. Makes me want to get out my old Heller Hood kit and have a go at it. I hope you keep up with the progress in photos. I am excited to see this ship come together. Thanks for sharing!!!
Plasticat

Very impressive IMHO Ray. Great work! We love having you here, so please stick around.

Howdy Guys,

Just added a few pic's of my build. I've started to add the detailing around the aft superstructure. My turrets are almost completed. I'll add a few pic's of those as well.
Ray

http://photos.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=6665

Hi Ray
Looking good!!!! Hope I'm not getting any drool on my key board.

Hi Ray!
I was wondering how your Graf Spee was doing. I haven't been able to get to your photo album for a while now. Like it doesn't exist any more. I hope you had a great Fourth!
Plasticat

Ahoy Ray!

You have been doing a great job!!
Both the decking and the Turret looks great!

As Rodger mentioned, an article on "How to make wooden Decks" would be (much) appreciated!!!

Keep us posted!

Skipper

PS: I have edited your posts so that the links work

Howdy Guys,

I took a break from my Spee for a few weeks. My eyes were getting crossed. I'm ready to get started back on her now. Especially since reading all your compliments again.
I'm making a how to article. I'm doing it with the 1/471 AHM kit "SS Hope" and my Graf Spee. I'm past the point of actually taking pictures of the process with the Spee so I'm using the Hope for that.
I'm converting the Hope to the USN Repose. My doctor was on her briefly when he was in Vietnam so I'm building it for him. He doesn't know yet.
I'll get you guys some more update pic's of both of them soon. I'll post when I have them up. Again guys, Thank you for your compliments.

Ray