hof00

9 hours ago, CDW said:

Beautiful model! Outstanding is an understatement.

Thank you, Sir!!

A "Low Impact" day today, Aft S/S Skylight/Hawse Reel installation (And I guess I'll try to get some better photos.... 🙂)

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

6 hours ago, BobG said:

It's a big project, Harry, but you're making nice progress!

4 hours ago, Old Collingwood said:

Excellent work   - truly  loverly.

 

OC.

Thanks OC and Bob,

Appreciated!!

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

4 hours ago, Kevin said:

very nice indeed, i also found her hard to photo, there is so much detail for the camera to focus on, i will not build another Bismack, but sometimes look at mine and see things i could have done better

 

Thank you, Kevin!!

Nice rendition of your Bismark!! (I must have a look-see for your build log if there is one....)

Yup, you are correct about aspects that could have been improved upon, just one's own criticism I suppose.

I'll attempt to get some better photos tomorrow.... 🙂

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Hmmm....

I think my photography skills need some improvement....

Cheers....HOF.

Hi All,

It's been a while since I updated this thread....

Anyway, I have been busy and many times "Agonizing" over the build.

So, the Superstructures are pretty much complete, Fwd S/S and Bridge Deck on.

Installed Funnel, Hangars and Foremast Detail bits, Guns, Etc. installed.

Had fun and games with the Aft S/S, (As I did with the Fwd.... 🙂)

The major issue I had was how to align Mast with Aft Signal Station, anyway, it's done/installed and everything that needs to be is vertical.

 Arados are complete, Canopy Frames "Hand" painted by my partners son, a very nice job too!! (Apologies that these photos did not come out well, I'll get more later.)

Things construction-wise, Skylights/Depth Charges to be installed around the Aft S/S, Catapult Covering, a couple of small AA Guns, Anchor Fixing Points, Anchor Chains and Air Recognition Decals. (I'm sure there's a few more things than that....🙂)

I have also been communicating with Joe, (joe100) who very kindly supplied me with Accommodation Ladder Plans and positions on the Hull. I thought I'd "Prototype" a deployed Accommodation Ladder asd the "Kit" has these stowed on the S/S sides. I thought they made things look a little "Cluttered."

Anyway, something to have a go at soonish.

And not to forget Rigging.... At least the 12.5 Ton Cranes are done. (Small Blessings.... 🙂)

There are errors on my build, things that I am not completely happy with but that's life, maybe the Trumpeter Bismarck will be better....

Anyway, forwards....🙂

Cheers....HOF.

Photos:

Hi Kevin,

Very nice!!

LED Strip Lighting is definitely the way to go!! 🙂

Are you planning the same for the superstructure?

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Very nice indeed!!

Cheers....HOF.

Looks like a nice save!!

1 hour ago, HIPEXEC said:

Decals on wood are tricky. It’s very hard to get them perfect 

these decals are on painted wood. 
good luck

Thanks for that Chap!!

I have thought that "Tricky" would be something that I'll be looking at, hence my Thread/Posts....

Cheers and Regards,

Hasry.

9 hours ago, realworkingsailor said:

Sanding can’t hurt. If you have a bit of scrap material, apply a coat or two of gloss and see what the results are (with and without sanding). Even better, if you have any leftover decals from another project, you can see how they’ll work (and get familiar with the micro sol/set).

 

I find it’s always better to try a new technique with scraps and leftovers, rather than risking everything on a prized project.

 

Andy

8 hours ago, thibaultron said:

Also finish up with an overall coat of matt varnish/finish to blend the glossy area into the rest of the model, unless you plan to have a final gloss finish.

Thanks Gentlemen!!

I do have a couple of very small scraps and a bit of "Pinstripe" Decal.

I'll have a play with these first.

Much appreciated.

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

5 hours ago, realworkingsailor said:

A decal needs a glossy surface in order to adhere properly, regardless of the underlying texture or material. Testors Glosscote works well, but any clear gloss finish will work. Otherwise, follow the instructions on the bottles.

 

If you’ve never used micro sol/set:

I typically will apply a small puddle of micro set (blue bottle) to the area on the model to allow the decal to float off the backing paper. This will help prevent air bubbles. Soak up any excess with a tissue, position the decal and gently dab with a cotton swab or hobby sponge. Allow to dry.

When you apply the micro sol (red bottle), the decal can wrinkle. Alarmingly! This is normal. Do not touch the decal! The glossy surface will allow the decal to settle back down and conform to any contours (like the seams between planks). If there’s any air bubbles or silvering, when dry, prick the decal with the tip of your hobby knife or a pin and apply more micro sol. Repeat the process until all bubbles are removed.
 

Apply one more gloss coat to seal the decal, this should make all the decal edges disappear, followed by whatever other finishes you desire.

 

Andy

Thanks Andy,

Do I need to sand the wood before initial Gloss?

(I am sort of thinking that I do, it seems a little "Rough" in texture.)

And yes, this will be my first time using these products.

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Nice!!

Looking forward to the next installment.... 🙂

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Hi All,

I thought I'd atart a new topic on Decaling a Wooden Deck.... 🙂

I need to ask as I think I'm only going to get one "Shot" at this....

I have ordered Micro-Sol and Micro-Set and am awaiting delivery.

I have also been reviewing tutorials on use of the above.

My question, how to prepare the wooden Deck prior to Decals and solutions?

Smooth the Deck first with very fine abrasive paper and seal with clear acrylic as per plastic models?

(I wish to replicate the "Painted On" look on the Deck with the Decal adhering to the contours of the Planking/etc.)

(1/200 Bismarck)

Any experience/ideas would be greatly valued.

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Hi Chap,

Looks good.

Please let me know if it works well. (As designed)

I bought similar some years ago, unsure of brand, but proved to be too much trouble. (Amati I think. (Consisted of a plastic vise with metal topped jaws.)

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

4 hours ago, Dr PR said:

You might try posting the question on model railroading forums. They use a lot of decals on engines and rail cars.

 

I have used a decal wetting/setting solution in the past but I don't remember much about it, and I don't recall any "super strong" versions. I certainly am not an expert with decals!

4 hours ago, Paul Jarman said:

I have never used Mark fit so don't know how good it is.

Personally I use Micro Sol and Micro Set for decals. Once dry it makes the decal appear to have been painted onto the surface.

It is a bit more expensive, but I would highly recommend it.

Paul.

3 hours ago, Egilman said:

There is only one answer to this question

 

Micro-Sol....

 

There isn't any others better... All others try to live up to it...

4 minutes ago, Jack12477 said:

I concur with Egilman  and Paul. I've been using it for at least 30 years,  there is none better.

Thank you all very much for the advice!!

Very much appreciated.

I guess that I now need to "Troll" through the handful of decent modelling retailers here. (I'm not sure I'll have much luck here  in New Zealand.... 🙂)

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Hi All,

No replies to my topic?? 😶

There must be someone out there that can save me from errors/disaster and educate me a little?

Thanks maybe in advance.... 🙂

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Hi All,

I have a couple of questions regarding Tamiya Mark Fit.

I am soon to place the Air Recognition Symbols, ()Swastickers), on the Fore and Aft Deck of the Bismarck but before I do, I want to ensure that I have the correct Tamiya Mark Fit....

Currently, I have in my possession, "Normal" or "Original" Mark Fit.

I am concerned that I may seed the "Strong" or "Super Strong" version, a couple of reasons for this thinking is that it would be nice to see the outline of the Deck Planking and the Fore Deck has an additional layer of Decking, on top for the Anchor Chains to run over, so, the Decal needs to conform to this also.

I have read also that the "Super Strong" version may damage decals and only for use by experienced modelers??

Any advice would be great, also any "Sage" experience or techniques would be fantastic also.

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Hi Rod,

An awesome 1st Planking!!

I did wonder when I looked at the lack of Frames....🙂

After three layers it'll be pretty rigid!!

(What are the model dimensions?)

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

1 hour ago, rvchima said:

I like the photo with paint splatters all over the paper. That's what a workbench is supposed to look like. 😀

🙂

Thanks Rod,

That's my "Brush" painting palette.

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Hi Rod,

Nice change of pace for you.... 🙂

I'll follow along.

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Hi All,

Update:

Affixed FWD S/S (Bridge Deck not yet permanently attached.)

Bridge Wings installed

Midship Redoubt Ventilators installed

Barbette Cesar complete and installed (Aft S/S not yet attached

So, Fun and games.... The build continues and the Sub-Assembly boxes are beginning to look "Depleted)."

The detail stuff for Barbette Cesar proved to be a real mission, the Barbette did not want to fit, made worse with the PE detail, however, it's on, not perfect, but it is what it is.

I posed the Ship with Main turrets on.

Tomorrow Barbette Bruno will get some attention.... 🙂

(I find it difficult to work on this at night, no natural light and too many shadows. I guess you could call this planning time.)

Cheers....HOF.

Photos:

4 hours ago, rvchima said:

It's looking very good Harry!

Thanks Rod,

I think that its coming together o.k.

I have got to the stage of attaching the Fwd S/S.

Just taking my time at the mo.

I have not yet permanently fixed the Bridge Deck to this as I am seeing quite a bit of detail stuff that will be very difficult to install after the fact. (Same for the Radar "Domes.")

Tomorrow, I'll start the Barbet detail for Bruno and Caesar

I am thinking that I'm going to have quite a few plastic and PE detail bits left over??

Anyway,,,,

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

30 minutes ago, ted99 said:

One final note.  I don't think it's possible to do this job without a magnifying class on some sort of stand.

Hi Chap,

Awesome work!! (Something that I have to look forward to)

I have purchased some PE Chain Link Railings from Aber, so, hopefully, my task may be a little easier.

I must agree, you cannot do this stuff with ought magnification of some description.... 🙂

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.

Hi All,

Small update, (Photos), to go with the above text.

(Hope this helps to explain the text.... 🙂)

Cheers....HOF.

9 hours ago, Joe100 said:

Oh yeah, I know the motivation question well. I haven’t made a single piece for my HMAV Bounty in about a week. Your thread here kinda got me back into my KM books. I’m also writing a piece on a Bismarck-related subject, and I need to get motivated and get back on that too. It involves some new research that no one has yet seen, which I’m quite excited about. More on that later this year. Thankfully I’m down to 2 ship “projects”, both the research article and Bounty. Thankfully Bounty is at the mast stage, so up we go with that.

 

8 hours ago, Dave_E said:

I've found things like this to be reassuring that a community such as MSW can be so much fun and educational. I have not touched my rattlesnake in a week, but I have been enjoying learning, watching and reading on the forum. 😀

Thanks Joe and Dave.

A better day today....

Completed Issue 138 and now have started the penultimate 139.

The last issue was not without it's problems, there are two small searchlights on the Admirals Bridge that I had real difficulty with. I managed to screw up one of the PE mounts and had to build one Plastic Searchlight from scratch, I think I lost this quite some time ago....

I fitted the same Searchlight on the Main Mast, no problem and am thinking about the Admirals Bridge ones. If I decide to install these I'll need to come up with a mount for thee of some description.

Smoke Cannisters and Depth Charges installed on Stern Deck.

Issue 139 like "A breath of fresh air!! 🙂"

Completed the Three Radar sub-assemblies' and temporarily mounted on the S/S to ascertain fit, etc.

Completed Aft Gunnery station and search light platform.

Added square section ducting on the rear of the Fwd S/S and a real bonus to have the Bridge Deck unattached to facilitate this task. This was something that I was not looking forward to.)

It's good to have the sub-assemblies, makes things "Flow" a little better.

I guess the above doesn't mean much I'll get some photos tomorrow, that'll help!!🙂

Anyway, that's me for the day....

Cheers and Regards,

Harry.