The Ship Model Forum

Thanks for the comments dave.I tend to jump around a fair bit, i think it is to not get frustrated working on one area.My order of build seems to be the hull,then i rough in all the major structures bridge ,funnels,all major structures and turrets.Then i do all my castings,this takes a bit of time because i have to make masters of all castings.i make all my deck fitting at one time then put them it storage.these are the last things to be added,Because it do not glue anything down unless absolutley necessary,and deck fittings would get damaged with all the fitting and takeing on and off of all the structures. One problem with this is that one ends up with 100,s of little pieces that are easy to forget where they belong As one can see i make a group of sub assembles that get stuck on the hull only after they are all complete.This is the theory ,but things never seem to go according to plan,but i try .Right now i am adding all the detail to the tower bridge,each deck is a sub assembley,each deck will be painted before they are put together i will post some pics of the progress a bit later.

russclark wrote:Thanks for the comments dave.I tend to jump around a fair bit, i think it is to not get frustrated working on one area.My order of build seems to be the hull,then i rough in all the major structures bridge ,funnels,all major structures and turrets.Then i do all my castings,this takes a bit of time because i have to make masters of all castings.i make all my deck fitting at one time then put them it storage.these are the last things to be added,Because it do not glue anything down unless absolutley necessary,and deck fittings would get damaged with all the fitting and takeing on and off of all the structures. One problem with this is that one ends up with 100,s of little pieces that are easy to forget where they belong As one can see i make a group of sub assembles that get stuck on the hull only after they are all complete.This is the theory ,but things never seem to go according to plan,but i try .Right now i am adding all the detail to the tower bridge,each deck is a sub assembley,each deck will be painted before they are put together i will post some pics of the progress a bit later.

Hi Russ I adopt much the same method , saves problems later in the build . On the painting side I tend to leave this to the very last minute as I really don't like adding to much finer detail to , say a large deck housing that has been painted.
Looking forward to more of your build .
Dave Wooley

hi guys ,heres a few updates on the tower bridge,lots to do yet.things look a bit out of wack because nothing is glued down yet.

russclark wrote:hi guys ,heres a few updates on the tower bridge,lots to do yet.things look a bit out of wack because nothing is glued down yet.

Very good!
But - oh,God! - how to paint this assembly in different colors?

hello garry, here,s the start of painting the tower. as one can see the decks will be painted one at a time heres some pics of it.

Hi Russ your pictures show me a wonderfull well made superestructure of these difficult japanese ships.
excellent

thank you norbert,i hope to have the tower done in the next few days.i am looking forward to any updates on bismark

Hi Russ cool.
yes i am working in some parts - a few in the structures, a few in main gun - a few in another parts..
but when new progress i am post certainly
thanks for the support

well the tower bridge is done,a few things to add such as poleris and rigging.i had to glue few decks together to make them fit properly,but the most of it still comes apart.it is done as of 1944 i think,there where so many small refits it is hard to fiqure,she should have 68, 25mm,s in this build plus a type of radar,it is on top of the tower,i used some bits and pieces of photo-etch for it.heres some pics.

Russ Stunning work on an extremely complex build. This is one of the most complicated structures I have seen scratch built for a model ship and well thought through. As you say there remains more to add.
Dave Wooley

Russ, Exceptional work! A real enjoyment to follow!

Thanks!

WOW!!!!!!
this image is classic.
a great skill was used here - and with a great knowledge.
sincerely for me is spetacular what you do in these very complicated structure

thanks for the kind words guys. it is because of exellent modelers like the ones on this forum dave,norbert,bill,arh and many others that keep me trying to improve one day i will match your skills.
well its on to anouther area,the plane deck.the lino deck covering was giving me fits,i could not fiqure out how to do it,on the bridge i used thin brass rod,it did not come out as i had hoped,so here is what i did.i always thought tamya tape as a waste of money,but i tried some and was amazed how well it worked,no bleding and it left very little residue the painted lines are about 1/64 in,s wide,i am a believer i will redo the bridge deck.heres a few pics

hum yes this plate with brass is very used in older japanese battleships ya.
very well executed

Looks magnificent i think you just passed the worst of all it should be smooth sailing from now on Russ.


Jose

Hi Russ thats a really good bit of lateral thinking.
Dave Wooley

thanks for the coment guys ,well its time to try some more soldering,i could not find paste solder anywhere here so i have to fumble along with the old flux and dab method this is my attempt at the catapult i made it in the launch position not the folded .there are about 50 or so brass bits to solder together,some only 1/4 in. long.some joints are also only 1/8 in. apart,this makes for tricky work ,to much heat and the joint next to the one being soldered lets go .well we stumbled through. heres some pics.

Hi Russ very good job on soldering work
each time the model appearence is changed and the pieces atached is always of good work and dedication.
this piece of brass is wonderful again.

Impressive
How long did it took to build the catapult ? (nervous breakdown excluded !)

Hi Russ A Tricky job you have there but an excellent one . Soldering small items is good for reducing the heart rate.
Dave Wooley