ChrisLBren

Greetings !  Pack 4 of the Bismarck is completed.  I have huge admiration for plastic modelers who use photo etch - which is a fiddly pain.  Here are some updated photos - 1/3rd of the ship is complete - and a lot more challenging than I thought. It is fun using different techniques - and the wiring and motors are cool.

After this one will return to the world of wooden ships - probably finishing the Wappen Von Hamburg and then my retirement project - either Le Gros Ventre in 1/36 (the keel parts are already completed) or La Renommee in 1/36 (plans are enlarged and ready to go)

Heres a picture of the portholes.  World of Wayne is a great resource for this build.  I do have surgical gloves and weathering powder if I choose to make the blast bags.  

I confess - you're right - I wont let him touch it with a ten foot pole.  Im having too much fun.   i think pack 3 arrives any day.  Great tip to simulate portholes - use a black 2mm sharpie followed up with Mirco Crystal Clear - nice effect to simulate glass.  

Here's the front turret and anchors in action after being wired.  This is just  test of the motors- sound chip will be added later and fuller range of motion for the anchors.  

This will be one long beast - already 12 inches long at the first turret.  Next I need to wire the electonrics on the front turret.  I am not going to sweat the small paint chipping - no one will notice as she grows.  Notice I have to use a paint bottle to hold down the deck because of all of the motors mounted in the rear until I permantently install it.  

The fun continues !  Next stages are mostly concerned with gears and motors to work foremost turret - "Anton" and the anchors.  Shes going to be large and heavy.  A little bit bummed about some metal showing where the hull parts are screwed together - I could always use some weather powders or touch ups if needed.  

LOL - at 130 per month for the next 10 months - I cant leave this build to chance until he earns the skills.  And Im having too much fun with it !!!!!!

This is a FUN build - here are the results of the first 8 installments. Each chapter is maybe 30 minutes a piece work time which works great for me and the family.   The turret works electronically, the bow is solid metal and very heavy and here are my tools (much different than a wooden ship build) - God Hands - they cut plastic parts perfectly off the sprue, tweezers, screwdrivers and CA.  I have 9-18 next - more electronics and a growing hull. Ill be back at my wooden ships later but for now a nice diversion - and have pretty much taken over for my son on this one for now.  Im teaching him model building on some Airfix 1/72 airplanes which are disposable.  

I have read that some have used the tips of  surgical gloves for blast bags that are then weathered. I might make a test - again the fun of this project is the working electronics vs complete accuracy.  

Update !  Unlike wood ship models - working with multi media is more like a jigsaw puzzle - very relaxing and easy.  Here's the results of the first three packs, forward deck, first of four Arado plans and the "Anton" turret.  I need to install the motor/electronics in the "Anton" forward gun turret next. 

Agora is terrific as far as customer service - if you damage or break a part they will send you a replacement ASAP.  The metal hull parts are terrific - she will be almost 4 feet long when completed.  

The first shipment arrived inside of 4 days - the packaging is impressive and the parts look great - as they should considering the price.  There's motors, wires, screws, plastic and metal components. I would have loved this as a kid - and loving it now as an adult !  There's a poster included and I downloaded the manual for the first stage - its 29 pages.  Also I paid a visit to my hobby store to pick up some sprue nippers, tweezers and glue - there's so many new things for the plastic model world - much more than when I was building these back in the 70s/80s.  Here's some photos.  

Thanks guys - I think we will have fun.  I am sure the Trumpeter version is more accurate - but the electronic features sealed the deal for my son.  And its pre painted so no need to break out the airbrush.  Believe it or not - the first shipment may be arriving Friday.  I just ordered on Monday.  Talk about fast service !  Yves - what techniques did you use on your Uboat to weather it.  Im thinking just some oil washes to highlight the panel lines - nothing too much though.  

Greetings everyone !  My son just turned 8 and has an interest in model building - so we have decided to purchase this model in 12 installments.  As a kid I used to love getting packages in the mail - he's so fired up he already checked out books on battleships at his school library.  Time is flying by as he grows up - and dont want to miss out.  My Ancre builds can wait for now.  

The ship has interesting features - working lights, revovling turrets - over 4 feet long.  I will want to weather it a bit to take away from its toy like appearance - so will be looking for suggestions. 

Here's a link to the website.  We ordered the first shipment last night !  I hear great things about this company from some of the members on the forum - its a bit pricy at 129 per month - but totally worth it to teach my son scale modeling skills and have a good time while doing it,.  

https://www.agoramodels.com/us/bismarck/?wmc-currency=USD&gclid=CjwKCAjw7J6EBhBDEiwA5UUM2rMWHi28rMOlLQINzTNyomjJ7jFdkcC-2RnK9ZNSfDAKdW8YSTwlUxoCW3wQAvD_BwE

As soon as the first shipment arrives we will post photos.  

Congrats beautiful model Mark !!!

Hi Mike - no LED strips - this build is a  plank on bulkhead scratch build with the help of some of Chucks original carvings when he designed the kit for Model Expo - along with Rusty we were some of the first to build the prototype.    And thanks for the complements everyone - it was a great adventure !

I have built my workshop with enough tools/power tools to tackle the next project which has to be a fully framed model as I have enough dimensioned Pear.  I love the Winnie - but really want to stretch on a fully framed build.  Her skeleton is complete - Chuck's plans and lazer cut parts are fantastic as demonstrated by many of the build logs currently here on MSW.  I will get back to her at some point. 

My dream was always a French ship.  Currently I have the keels parts almost completed for Le Gros Ventre in 1/36. I have learned to use chisels as well as a Proxxon MF70 mill.  I also have a Unimat lathe which I have yet to use along with all of Jim Byrnes Tools.

In the wings I have the plans blown up for La Renommee at 1/36 - the carvings however are daunting which gives me pause.  And  I also own Gerards new Mono for L'Egyptienne as well in 1/48 which is an attractive subject.  They are all about the same size - big models but I have the space.   

Updates soon !  

So 4 years later after completition she looks better as the wood finish has deepend and aged.  I know I should put her in a case - but she looks great as is.  

Personally I prefer Swiss Pear - bought a flitch of it a few years ago from this business 

https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/

I do own a 10 inch Dewalt saw, along with the Byrnes tools - but what I have very helpful is having a relationship with a cabinet maker.  My resource lives close by and with their industrial equipment can break down boards to useable dimensions.  Its much cheaper than buying pre dimensioned wood and less messy in terms of saw dust.  

Group - I order number 14 needle rasps kit back in August - handmade and stitched.   They arrived last week - wow - I can not recommend them highly enough.  I corresponded directly with the owner/artist Noel - during the manufacturing process.  They are not cheap but will last a lifetime if taken care of.  Here's his site.  

https://www.liogier-france.fr/

Looking good Rusty - your instincts are right with Pear -I am a big fan of more of a monochromatic look - especially with the bright friezes.  

Thanks for the tips everyone !

Hey Group,

I know I saw a comment recently about files and a certain manufacturer that makes the best ones for our modeling purposes.  Can anyone share a link ?

Thanks much,

Chris

Hi Group,

Quick question - wondering if there is an optimum speed when using your Proxxon MF70.  The pear wood I am using has a tendency to chip - any tips as to running at higher or slower speeds to avoid it ?  

Thanks

Go with this Dewalt Scroll Saw 788 and Stand - no vibration.  I somehow managed to scratch build Confederacy with a crappy Delta saw that had so much vibration.  The Dewalt is a game changer

https://www.grizzly.com/products/DeWalt-DW788-20-Scroll-Saw-with-Stand-and-Light/H7414?gclid=CjwKCAjw-YT1BRAFEiwAd2WRtgYQQy5pOwsZ7zKRoJVJzvSMlFpfwgzXx7z0GxEmpHPZu1i0UMuzRRoCcikQAvD_BwE

Wow - just wow - I have been collecting Ancre books and Monographs over the past few years.  This is by far the finest.  The incredible amount of detail in photos and plans are off the chart.  Some of the previous Monographs require back up of the 74 Gun Series (which I own) as a reference.  This one is a stand alone - everything is in here to make an incredible model - one that obviously influenced the Super Frigates of the US.  I ordered it two weeks ago and it arrived today.  I can't recommend this one enough - its a must have for anyone's library who love French ships.  Bravo Gerard ! 

Nice work Mike !  Now that it may be finally thawing here - I can start fairing my hull and hope my planking turns out nearly as good as yours...