Piet

Is the pin in the gun base plastic, or part of another PE? If plastic cut it off, and drill for a smaller pin.

Piet
Thanks for the kind words. When I was a young lad, would have been hard pressed to buy a detail set, that's for sure. But there was no such thing back then, only magazines/periodicals where we could learn from the masters how to scratch build and add detail. Some were very very good. 
OC
I have bought some pre-built and painted limited production model cars whose detail and finish is just incredible. Price was very reasonable for what I got, in the $300-$400 range. So I do think pre assembled photo etch and resin parts could be done, I just don't know if there would be enough of a market for it to make it worthwhile to a business investor.
 
Tonight I have been working on the 30 or so little single 20mm Oerlikon gun mounts. I find these to be the most trying of all the gun mounts I've built so far. Part of the problem is an undersized hole in one of the very delicate photo etch parts and it needs to be enlarged to fit properly on a pin that projects from the gun base mount. Have not found an effective way to drill and enlarge the hole without destroying the part, so it makes that step of things exhaustive for each and every one of the guns. I probably should buy some other similar oerlikon guns from another manufacturer to see if theirs are not more user friendly. 

Loving the detail with the PE,   I often wish some PE would come pre assembled like the Pom Poms or other complicated assemblies, surely companies like Pontas with all thier experience could do that - IM sure it would help a few of us with less tahn stella eyesight or dextrus fingers.
 
 
OC.

Denis, you are a tough guy to keep up with. I would be confused beyond hope if I tried to do so many projects at once. This one is looking good ( as do all your others).
 
Bob

This looks like a nice little kit. good work.
 
Russ

Friday,  I did get a little further with the Jolly Rogers........the rails fore and aft of the deck opening were cemented in place.

the gun port lids,  along with a couple other parts,  got the flat black wash treatment.


the exterior of the ship's boats still need to be done.  I took the day off today.....nice that I have an extra day to play.  as with any kit,  any modifications made to it can turn out to be a hazardous move.   models are built with such close parameters,  that there might be a problem with the fit of other parts.   sometimes you gotta pick and choose which mod to do.   here is the first modification of the build.....an idea that I came up with.   there are two stair wells that lead to the lower deck...orlop,  I would think.   railings around these two openings will be added......but first,  holes must be drilled.

following the same lead as what I did on the Thermopylae {but a bit different procedure},  more wire was cut to serve as the stanchions.   eight short pieces were cut from them and cemented in place.

using the jig that I had used on the Thermopylae railings,  they were cut down to 4 mm.    using the thin wire,  it was wrapped around the stanchions,  leaving the front open.   the special tweezers were used again to position the wire,  but instead of being straightened out,  they were given a sagging appearance.

the first one was touched up with paint,  and the second one was done....in the same manner.

the ladders still need to be added.   at this time,  a couple more parts were added near the capstan.  along the sides of the deck opening,  railings were added there as well.  these were a bit of a pain.......they are really fragile and fitting was kinda messy {glue wise}.   I had forgotten what a pain it was to deal with 'angel hair'...the thin hair like stuff you get,  when dealing with thicker glue.
     I use the tubes quite a bit.........I have the Testor's cement in the bottle,  but I rarely use it.   touch ups to follow  

should have more to show later on    

thanks Piet.......just keep in mind that there are a few problems with the kit.   this ship can be modified to create other known ships.   the Le Flore.......the Wappen Von Hamberg....these are just a couple that can be modeled with little trouble.  Revell and Monogram have a few kits that are aimed at the younger crowd,  and they are easier to assemble.   to venture into these lesser known companies,  can get a little dicey.   color choices can be gauged by the color of the plastic used.   welcome aboard and I will try and highlight all the idiosyncrasies with the kit,  so to eliminate the aggravation of running into them    
 
yea.......you gotta read with me sometimes EJ.......I love playing in the text as well     no,  the Thermopylae is not done yet.....although I think it became clear why I brought this model out of the closet.   I wanted cannons for 'ole Thermie......these presented themselves to be adequate for the task,  but I haven't gotten back to that build to find out yet.  I wish I could jump into something and come out of it with a quick build ........but it usually works out that I come up with ideas,  and the quick build turns into a full blown project.   but I do enjoy the challenge.....even though I have active projects all around me.....I have four on the tables as we speak    continuing the conversation...........
 
no Zoltan........no playing......this is how I roll.  I am very lucky to have the admiral I have.....she doesn't complain about the clutter of active projects.  although she does get confused when I mention I have to get something for one that is not on the table.  she has asked me about the trawler a few times though.....probably because for the most part,  it looks finished and should be off the table.  there are benefits for my madness.....especially when it comes to the transfer of ideas from one project to the next.

Thank yo Anton and Ken for your response and kind words.
 
Yes, Anton I remember your comments about your uncle Carel van Groeneveld who served on the K XVIII. I don't know whether I send you a photo of the crew and few pics with the K XVIII at sea. I like to do so here and if you already these then let this serve as a memorial to the folks here.
 
Hi Ken, welcome. Yes, Cox goes into a lot of detail, more so then any other historian. I have a draft from his book before it was published and a good section was left out of his final published book, which I have. In that missing section my father was mentioned by a survivor. No problem for me at this time, I know he didn't survive but his name lives on with me. When I am going to build the Java model I'll have lot more to tell.
 
The crew of the K XVIII, time unknown.

 
Hr. Ms. K XVIII approaching Soerabaja Naval base of the KM (Royal Navy, Netherlands)

 
Hr. Ms. K XVIII at sea.

Cheers,

Fantastic progress Dave and those turned cannons came out great.
 
Cheers,

Hey Denis, that's looking real spiffy. Nice idea with the flat back washes, never thought about that.  I bought a 1:130 Lindberg kit, "Captain Kidd," pirate ship for my grandson, many moons go. Your's and mine look identical. Now, my grandson has two left hands and all thumbs when it comes to model building so I inherited that kit.  Hmmmm, someday I'll just be nuts enough to tackle it - - - after all my other wants.
I may just convert that one to a Dutch VOC ship
 
I'll be jotting down a few notes here
 
Cheers,

WOW, beautiful detail on that crane, really impressive work Craig. Agree, the PE makes the model - - - if one can afford it
 
Cheers,

Fantastic progress Dave and those turned cannons came out great.
 
Cheers,

Great progress Hennie, very impressive.
 
Cheers,

WOW, beautiful detail on that crane, really impressive work Craig. Agree, the PE makes the model - - - if one can afford it
 
Cheers,

Great detail Lawrence and I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of the crew with the steward holding a serving platter with the Dom P 
 
Cheers,

Hi Rob,
you are absolutely right, N scale (1:160) is adequate and is bringing her to live....., for the passengers on the decks, they will be N scale in period fashions, I did`nt put them on yet...
For crew and machinists I use regular N scale and also scale 1:144 (like for instance from "North Star" marine crews)
 
Nils
 
 

It is all coming together so nicely Nils....Very impressive vessel.  I'm just guessing but are those model train *N* scale people you are using?  If so what a perfect match.  You can buy those people prefinished in all manner of positions and you can fill the ship with action.
 
Very impressive.
 
Rob

Thank you so much Greg and Piet,
for your nice words...
 
Greg,
Thanks for looking in regulary,
am pleased you like the ship. On 26th May it was 2 years since keellaying, estimated was 2,5 years to complete, guess it will not be earlier....
 
Piet,
lovely to have these romantic emotions, I often have same thoughts when trying to implement mental ideas into a model....
 
Nils

Doris - 
 
What a great artistic eye you have !  Thanks for sharing your techniques and photos.
 
Dan
 
 

If you really want to lose your mind - go read through her royal Caroline build!

Waow !
 
It's not only a vessel from an era I love, but also a way of modelling I love too; starting nearly "ex nihilo".
 
Respects. It's simply...fantastic !!!
 
 
 

As usual, you live fully up to our high expectations of you! Lovely work.

out of cardboard?! amazing!!

Doris - as ever, your talent shines through with a capital T!  Is there a wait list, among your friends, to have their likeness modeled and placed somewhere on the ship?  That is such a wonderful and personal touch that must make the experience of sharing your models that much more rewarding.  If I ever get to know you well enough that you would include me on one of your ships, I hope that you will give my likeness a full hair restoration!

Wonderful work Doris, your model is very very nice.