1:75 diving support vessel Well Enhancer

[tweety777]

Update:

Painted the first part of the container black to stop light from coming through.

Added a plank which should had been placed at least a year ago...

Continued the work on the tower for a change.

First part of the hang over on the tower under construction.
I actually should have build this out of 1 piece, but this is partially due to some changes in the design of this particular part of the tower causing it to be able to make it out of 1 piece.

As the rear wall of the dive-area had bended I started adding some reinforcements to get it straight again.
Off course it won't get straight without using a straight material with a certain amount of weight, for which the battery seen in the photo seemed to be perfectly suitable.

Added some more stiffeners.

Added another part of the hang over.

Greetings Josse

[Steppenrig]

Josse,

Very nicly coming along. I'm gunna borrow the right angle bit of steel brace idea though

Dave

[tweety777]

Update:

Sanded the bulwark though not entirely to satisfaction.
As I might take her out sailing with club next Saturday I decided to paint it anyway.

Bulwark proved to be unable to resist the forces of a sanding machine, so I needed to add some more filler to reinforce the bulwark, which has also been trimmed to the correct height.

More sanding to do tomorrow, but first I'll need to sign for my new job.
Hopefully I can finish the filling and sanding process before the end of this month as my new job starts next month.

Still a lot to sand...

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

I added a plank in the gap between the superstructure and the foc'sle deck.
I put the superstructure back in it's place as nothing can keep the plank better in place then this.

Also filled the rear deck so first I covered the edges in tape.

With the tape applied the deck didn't fit in it's place properly any more...

Then fill the lot, hoping the filler will let go of the removable deck...

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Lunch-update:

Added the last corrugations to the container.

Then I started to transform the boat stand into the floor of a dry dock.
The blocks haven't been placed quite scientifically but it only needs to carry the weight of Well Enhancer.
When the glue has dried I'll apply some interior varnish to protect it against the elements.

The supports are a bit too low and should need an additional part but as this is just a boat stand in scale 1:75 and all it needs to do is carrying the weight of the model I don't think I'll be adding the other part.

Captain checking the progress.

As I already was working with wood I also made a new part for the part.
tomorrow I'll be sailing with the club so hopefully I can show some pics of Well Enhancer in the water by tomorrow!!

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

In order to strengthen the new plastic plates I decided to trim the removable deck.

Then I glued the outside of the deck to the superstructure.
There is 1 corner with some more deck space which is the place of a crane.

Painted the boat stand with interior varnish.

It should be possible to walk underneath the ship with only ones head bended forwards but as one can see that is not the case here.
Who cares?
Not me at least...

The removable part still fits.



Size of the container seems to be correct.

Still far from smooth unfortunately but the filler hadn't cured enough so I'll sand this bit sunday.

Height is now much more accurate.

Yesterday I also added a new piece to the bulwark.

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

Went out sailing with the club.
The bow thruster worked better then it has done for quite some time but the main engines didn't seem to know what they're top speed should be, the best I got was about half her normal top speed.
I might need to build a new fuse box as the only reason for this weird behaviour I can think of is the leaking power.
The hull remained dry inside so the repairs have paid off.























Added the captain to give an idea of the sheer size of this ship.

Some-one gave me the advice to build a new bulwark out of 2 layers of styrene, so I first made a mould so I could cut the plates in the correct shape.
It probably isn't the best mould ever but it will do the job for this first time I try this method.
Next time I'll make the bulwarks out of glass fibre in 1 piece with the hull, much stronger and very little trouble shaping it.

Parts prepared for giving the new bulwark it's shape.

Let's hope that when the glue has dried the bulwark will stay in this shape.
The amount of glue clams won't be a reason for failure, that's for sure.

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

As I would like to have the bridge deck fit properly as soon as possible I decided to continue the work inside the superstructure only to remember that I can't fix the bridge deck before I have placed some flood lights on the front wall of the superstructure.

Then I tried to solder 3 LED's to their wiring but I destroyed 2 of them while doing so and the last 1 has got loose of 1 of it's wires somewhere during the night.
When not having any luck with these kind of things it's usually best to store it for a little while and try again later on and so I did.

Read quite a few old build logs in past few days and while doing so I found a solution for how to make the coffee can, so I took a transparent sprue and cut a small bit out but I also did drill a small hole for the part with which 1 can hold the can in his hands.
The I placed the small part with shaking hands, but the result is satisfying.

So far the new bulwark seems to be a success, after the glue has dried through the night it pretty much kept it's shape apart from bending outwards a little bit, but that can be fixed by pulling it to the correct position using tape when glueing the bulwark on the deck.

As the new bulwark was ready to be fine-tuned I needed to get rid of the old bulwark, so I took a knife and cut the old bulwark off.

Where has the bulwark gone?
Do I hear a peekaboo coming??

Old and new bulwark.

After a lot of sanding and cutting the bulwark fitted as good as it would ever do so now I needed to mark the places where the Panama locks would be so I could drill the holes while there was no glue that could get loose.



Drilled the holes.

The new bulwark has been placed.

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

First some good new!!
As I know I'm getting close to finishing making a proper base for the detailing stage I made a to-do-list so I could see what still needs to be done.
I came up with a list of just 12 issues of which the last 2 are involve painting, the last being weathering.
That means that if I keep building at the speed at which I build now I could well enter the detailing stage in about 1,5 weeks!!!!
First I will make sure that every single wall on the boat fits properly and is as smooth as one can desire, the decks need to be adjusted so that all the removable decks fit perfectly inside their opening in the deck.
Finishing the plating of the tower (placing all the roofs and walls) is also an item on the to-do-list.
The rear bulwark will be reinforced with frames and a cap rail and then it will be sanded so that it will be perfectly smooth.
Finishing the bulwark on the bow is also part of this stage.
When all that is done I will paint the entire model above the waterline including the decks and all structures.
Last point on the list is weathering and then the detailing (involving more weathering) can start!!!!!!

Now it's time for yet another update:

With the superstructure in place it looks better already.

As the front bulwark turned out to be too high I started placing the frames so I could mount the cap rail at the correct height.
When this is done I can trim the bulwark to the correct height.



Placed the coffee can under the coffee machine.

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

First point on the list took me about 30 minutes to reach the point of pretty much done, only some trimming to get the heights to properly match and then the first issue is finished!!!

Another issue nearing completion fast, the tower.

Looking a lot better then with the tape.

Got rid of my last plank by turning it into a few frames which I have also placed already.
Tomorrow I'll first buy a few new planks and then I'll make new frames, 20 at a time as my arms start to dislike me when I cut them all at once...

Added some more frames.
The remaining old frames have no visible text indicating where they should be placed so I'll simply replace them by new ones.

All the plates have now been attached so tomorrow I can fill and sand the lot and then this item can be marked as done on the list.

On 1 place the glue hadn't really secured the bulwark so I added some more glue and also filled the gaps.

As the deck parts seem to not be able to get to the same height by making way underneath I decided that the filler would bee the solution.



As the new plating didn't have the correct height I added some filler to fill the gap.

Last but not least I filled the wheelhouse and the dive-area.

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

We have a visitor!

"Boss, I like the boat but I still prefer to sit on your shoulder!"

As the rear removable deck suffers of hanging over a bit due to the weight of the tower I decided to pull it down in position using magnets as this area will later be covered with some platforms, so I couldn't use the trick of a covered screw...

Added a piece of PUR foam to add some strength and area for glueing it under the deck.

Adding the frames to the rear bulwark is now at approximately 1/3 so if I keep going like this it could be done by tomorrow.

Superstructure and wheelhouse have already been sanded.



Last piece of the cap rail has been placed.
Also applied the second layer of filler on the deck on the left side.

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

Drilled the holes for the windows to the correct shapes as the windows made in the wood didn't have the same position as does in the plastic plates.
Unfortunately things didn't go rather well...

At the places where there was still wood behind the styrene plates things went rather well but as soon as there was no wood behind the styrene any more things got way bad...
Quite a thrill with the end of the construction stage now so close by...

After some bad news I now have some good news: 1 of the largest jobs is now pretty much half way through!!!
I now have added more then half the amount of needed frames!!

Had the heavy calibre tools to trim the front bulwark to the correct height.
Although I used quite some force the bulwark kept it's shape and didn't break free anywhere so it certainly is much tougher then the old version.

Not yet entirely smooth but it does look better yet.

While sanding the funnel I noticed it was starting to get loose and as it had caused quite some trouble already I decided to remove it completely.
Unfortunately some planks came loose as well so I glued the good ones back in place and then added a new plank.

The new funnel will have an outside made of styrene plates but I wanted to have some proper reinforcements inside.
The only suitable material I had in stock was this PUR foam but that will do it's job just fine.

Attached the magnet to it's bracket.

Some more work done on the new funnel.

Rear deck is looking better all the time as well.
Tomorrow I can check if the reinforcement of the bulwark pays off.

Greetings Josse

[Richard J OMalley]

Looks like you have been buisy .Things are looking good .

[tweety777]

Update:

All the frames are placed!!!!

The other deck next to the superstructure is also getting some extra thickness.

Did some more filling on the new bulwark.

Placed the first pieces of the cap rail.

Old and new funnel.

This is what it will look like with the new funnel.



Here's some proof that this is really a 4 seat couch.





Much work being done at the rear deck.

Towing cable ready for use.
The towing cable is actually only there because I like to be able to tow other models that get in distress when out on the water...



Tried to make a panorama photo but that didn't work out all too well.

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

As a PUR foam frame alone doesn't look particularly good I started to place the first plates which will cover the frame.
The top side of the funnel will remain open for a while as I need to install some lights to it which off course need wiring.

More plating.

This is the funnel now.

Cap rail has now been finished as well, only needs to bee filled and sanded.
I estimated it would take me some 10 hours to do this but in fact it took me less then 5 hours to do so.

Done some more sanding and now also filling.

Sanded both decks.

Also sanded the bow.
The bow now feels very smooth though I can see with my eyes that it's not completely smooth yet.

I also trimmed the walls under the dive-area to the correct height, finishing the third point on my list.
Now I got only 7 points to finish and then I can start painting!!!

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

There were still some gaps in these walls which are now being closed.

Closing the gaps was started be placing some reinforcements.

The funnel is now ready to be filled and sanded.

As the rear deck still doesn't fully close I placed another magnet.

Attached a metal plate to the deck itself.

After lots of rain this afternoon I found a dry time to do some sanding.

Made the bulwark both smoother and trimmed it a bit more to the correct height.

1 pretty much smooth deck.

Pretty much smooth deck number 2.

I also sanded the top side of the bulwark.
While doing this I could clearly feel and see the difference between a lot of frames attached and only a few frames attached.
I might decide to make the remaining frames as well before continuing the work on the bulwark.

Greetings Josse

[raivo]

Hi

It's only my think, of core, but I think you ship form begin are good. After that all was only like a sand box. Way you just don't finish it?
English is not my better skill but I hope you understand.

[tweety777]

Hello Raivo,

I'm afraid I don't really understand what you mean.

I will finish this model, just not today...
The weather is pretty bad here at the moment and I have to go outside when I want to sand, I don't have a room just for model building.
The room in which I do most of the building is the same room as where I sleep during the night so sanding in there is really not a good idea.
Does this answer your question?

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

Some more filling and sanding has been done on the bulwark.

The windows are getting a new edge to give them their correct shape.

New funnel ready to be sanded.

Design for the sea inlet chests also drawn onto a brass plate.
Unfortunately I've run out of metal saws so I can't yet do anything else with this.

The sheer strakes on this side of the hull had been pretty much sanded away so I added new planks to give them the right thickness again.

First bit of filling.

Since the progress shown above I did some more filling and sanding.
At this moment the only major job other then painting is to give the windows their proper shape.

Greetings Josse

[tweety777]

Update:

I started to be annoyed by the small piece of deck that tried to be "berried" under the removable deck so I cut it loose from the removable part of the dive-area and glued it to the non removable rear wall of the dive-area.
Hopefully this will make things stay in place better then it before.

The adjustments to the inside of the wall.

As filling the deck to the correct height hardly seemed to work I decided to add some styrene plates to the decks which will hopefully works faster then the filler.

Also added a new plate to the other side.
This side had the tendency to hang over a bit which I'm trying to fix by holding the deck up while the glue dries.
Hopefully the glue will keep the 2 plates in shape.

Greetings Josse