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)

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)

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)

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)

Decided to spend the rainy day working on the Winnie.  This starts Chapter 9.
 
Happily, this is the chapter where we will cover up all remaining traces of the sub structure and bulkheads.  It will hopefully start looking much cleaner very soon.  
 
To begin, the bulwarks along the qdeck were planked at last.   There are two laser cut pieces to make this easier.  They are 3/64" thick. I added the aft section on both sides first.  You should shape it for a perfect fit first.  I made it a tad higher just in case there is some variation model to model.  You also have to notch it over the margin plank along the transom.  Then make life easier for yourself and paint these pieces while its off the model. 
 
Then glue them in position.   Repeat the process with the forward half of the qdeck bulwarks.  You can see the forward section for the port side laying on deck.  That will be added next before moving on to the fcastle.  Dont mind the dust.  I should have given it a blast of "air in a can"  to clean it up before taking the pictures.  Sorry about that.
 

For the fcastle bulwarks there is no need for laser cutting.  Just use a 7/32" wide strip cut to length and pre-bent.  I suppose a 1/4" wide strip would work to and just cut it down to fit.  I pre-bent the strip (3/64" thick) and then clamped it in position.  Then I traced the proper height and trimmed it to fit perfectly in one length.  But before doing so I added one short length against the bollard timber at the bow.  This is a flat piece painted red before gluing it in position.  Then you can use this to help position the long strip for the facstle bulwarks.  
 
I also pre- bent this long piece and once a perfect fit I pre-painted this as well.  Made for a nice clean edge against the deck beams although it wont matter because we will be adding the margin planks at some point soon.
 

It already looks so much nicer that I dont have to look at the bulkeads any more.  But lets keep going.
 
Time to add the caprail.  This will cover all the messy layers and finally close up all the framing so I no longer have to look at it.  So far I have only added the caprail along the waist.  A 5/16" x 3/64" strip was used.   I rounded off the outboard edge on top and bottom.  This edge will look nice this way above the fancy molding.   Then I painted it black while off the model including the inboard and outboard edges.  In fact those were most important.  When glued in position the inboard edge is flush against the bulwarks with no overhang.  The outboard edge should have much of an overhang but look nice being directly above the bright unpainted fancy molding.  
 

 
Here is an over picture of the model.....I will now add the caprail working my way aft first.  Then I will do the fcastle.  These pieces will be laser cut.
 

 
The bulwarks are widest in the waist at 5/16”…give or take.  If you have a need for a wider caprail that would be problematic.  There is nothing worse than an oversized and thick bulwarks.  It just means you didnt fair them down thin enough early in the project.  
 
The bulwarks and caprail are slightly narrower along the drifts and qdeck and the fcastle.  These next pieces will be laser cut so the width of your bulwarks will matter. These pieces will have cut-outs for the timberheads.

A few pictures of what is now starting to look like a ship.
 

Binding strakes + ledges.

Beautiful result ! I agree with Chuck - having worked with Ebony and Fiebings dye (on my Confederacy which is fading) on wales - I’m just going to paint them 
 
 

Wow Im impressed - I didnt know how you would be able to pull off the friezes and you've done it !  Kudos !!!!!

the figurehead:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks.
All tackles are installed.

Try FED EX - Ive had this issue before - they seem to have the only machines to handle this without "fit to size"

While waiting for inspiration, the two mascon decorations remained pending; I decided that it was time to complete them and to make the figurehead as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  


 

Planking of great gallery done :
 

 

 
For carved figures, I ordered wooden colored Fimo paste, it's a right solution at scale 1/72

Hi all,   just a quicky  - I got some lovely feedback and comments off the owner of  Arcane Scenery  who I purchased my  LHS  farm kit from,  he is an established builder himself  and such an honour to get such lovely comments from him.😃
 
OC.

Gangways - temporary attachment.

My personal Windows updating project, certified without any bug (not glued) :
 

 

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.