Force9

Ahoy @DavidG
 
Wow - your bottom plating looks terrific and I salute the effort it took to achieve your result!  That hull is long - you must've stood on a step stool to get everything in your photo... 
 
Thanks for your additional insight... I appreciate having others on the same voyage to provide perspective and prepare me for any rough seas ahead.
 
Cheers
Evan

Happy Independence Day to all my fellow American modelers... Happy Ungrateful Treasonous Traitors Day to all my Brit friends...
 
Hull Openings
 
In addition to the portholes, I will need to cut a few more openings into the hull.  
 
First is the Condenser Discharge opening...This goes into the gap in the line of small holes near the waterline above the intakes.
 
The kit provides small grills to represent the lower intake openings.  I also cut an opening for these… I don’t like the look of pasting these directly on the hull.  I want them recessed
 
I used one of the photo-etch pieces for a template and cut out the small openings.  I then lined these with .010 x .080 Evergreen to create a narrow ridge to seat the PE.  I’ll come back after painting the hull and put a black interior box behind these to give some sense of depth.
 

You'll also notice some openings for doors... I'll be showing glimpses into the interior at various points in the build.  For the hull I'll open views into the 1st class entrance lobbies (P/S) and the 2nd and 3rd class entrance lobbies.  I've also opened up the D deck baggage door that leads into the 3rd class covered promenade.  I'll have views into that area through the baggage door and the open forward Well deck hatches above.
 
After cutting the opening, I rounded the inner corners slightly before final filing to square everything up:

 
Bow Detail
 
I've also cleaned up the bow hawse a bit more and added the narrow strips that helped to keep the anchors from catching on the lip of the plating as they were raised back up to the anchor hawse...

I peeled away a bit of the plate overlap detail to make sure everything laid down smooth...
 

This mostly catches everyone up to where I am at the build.
 
Bottom plating up next.
 
Cheers,
Evan
 

Ahoy @DavidG
 
Wow - your bottom plating looks terrific and I salute the effort it took to achieve your result!  That hull is long - you must've stood on a step stool to get everything in your photo... 
 
Thanks for your additional insight... I appreciate having others on the same voyage to provide perspective and prepare me for any rough seas ahead.
 
Cheers
Evan

Happy Independence Day to all my fellow American modelers... Happy Ungrateful Treasonous Traitors Day to all my Brit friends...
 
Hull Openings
 
In addition to the portholes, I will need to cut a few more openings into the hull.  
 
First is the Condenser Discharge opening...This goes into the gap in the line of small holes near the waterline above the intakes.
 
The kit provides small grills to represent the lower intake openings.  I also cut an opening for these… I don’t like the look of pasting these directly on the hull.  I want them recessed
 
I used one of the photo-etch pieces for a template and cut out the small openings.  I then lined these with .010 x .080 Evergreen to create a narrow ridge to seat the PE.  I’ll come back after painting the hull and put a black interior box behind these to give some sense of depth.
 

You'll also notice some openings for doors... I'll be showing glimpses into the interior at various points in the build.  For the hull I'll open views into the 1st class entrance lobbies (P/S) and the 2nd and 3rd class entrance lobbies.  I've also opened up the D deck baggage door that leads into the 3rd class covered promenade.  I'll have views into that area through the baggage door and the open forward Well deck hatches above.
 
After cutting the opening, I rounded the inner corners slightly before final filing to square everything up:

 
Bow Detail
 
I've also cleaned up the bow hawse a bit more and added the narrow strips that helped to keep the anchors from catching on the lip of the plating as they were raised back up to the anchor hawse...

I peeled away a bit of the plate overlap detail to make sure everything laid down smooth...
 

This mostly catches everyone up to where I am at the build.
 
Bottom plating up next.
 
Cheers,
Evan
 

Ahoy @DavidG
 
Wow - your bottom plating looks terrific and I salute the effort it took to achieve your result!  That hull is long - you must've stood on a step stool to get everything in your photo... 
 
Thanks for your additional insight... I appreciate having others on the same voyage to provide perspective and prepare me for any rough seas ahead.
 
Cheers
Evan

Happy Independence Day to all my fellow American modelers... Happy Ungrateful Treasonous Traitors Day to all my Brit friends...
 
Hull Openings
 
In addition to the portholes, I will need to cut a few more openings into the hull.  
 
First is the Condenser Discharge opening...This goes into the gap in the line of small holes near the waterline above the intakes.
 
The kit provides small grills to represent the lower intake openings.  I also cut an opening for these… I don’t like the look of pasting these directly on the hull.  I want them recessed
 
I used one of the photo-etch pieces for a template and cut out the small openings.  I then lined these with .010 x .080 Evergreen to create a narrow ridge to seat the PE.  I’ll come back after painting the hull and put a black interior box behind these to give some sense of depth.
 

You'll also notice some openings for doors... I'll be showing glimpses into the interior at various points in the build.  For the hull I'll open views into the 1st class entrance lobbies (P/S) and the 2nd and 3rd class entrance lobbies.  I've also opened up the D deck baggage door that leads into the 3rd class covered promenade.  I'll have views into that area through the baggage door and the open forward Well deck hatches above.
 
After cutting the opening, I rounded the inner corners slightly before final filing to square everything up:

 
Bow Detail
 
I've also cleaned up the bow hawse a bit more and added the narrow strips that helped to keep the anchors from catching on the lip of the plating as they were raised back up to the anchor hawse...

I peeled away a bit of the plate overlap detail to make sure everything laid down smooth...
 

This mostly catches everyone up to where I am at the build.
 
Bottom plating up next.
 
Cheers,
Evan
 

Ahoy @DavidG
 
Wow - your bottom plating looks terrific and I salute the effort it took to achieve your result!  That hull is long - you must've stood on a step stool to get everything in your photo... 
 
Thanks for your additional insight... I appreciate having others on the same voyage to provide perspective and prepare me for any rough seas ahead.
 
Cheers
Evan

Hi Evan,
good luck for your bottom plating. I did it on mine, it took me a month, but enjoyed the process, despite most of it will be hidden. 
There seems to be three sources for the layout; the mentioned planking expansion, a scaled underbody view and the Woody kit. Note, all 3 are different patterns. The styrene kit is probably the less hassle, and fits well to the kit hull, however quite expensive. I investigated the planking expansion drawing as well, but it requires to re-draw it from scratch to the hull, which I didn't feel ready to do. So ended up using the bottom template from facebook, which neither fits very well to the existing plating of the kit, but by omitting some plates, can be tweaked to an acceptable result. There are around 500 plates to cut individually. Here is how it looks:
 

The kit has some partial plate detail in the bow area, where I had to adjust what to include and what not. But after a coat of primer (which I sprayed yesterday) it looks acceptable.
I look forward to see your approach.
best,
David

Happy Independence Day to all my fellow American modelers... Happy Ungrateful Treasonous Traitors Day to all my Brit friends...
 
Hull Openings
 
In addition to the portholes, I will need to cut a few more openings into the hull.  
 
First is the Condenser Discharge opening...This goes into the gap in the line of small holes near the waterline above the intakes.
 
The kit provides small grills to represent the lower intake openings.  I also cut an opening for these… I don’t like the look of pasting these directly on the hull.  I want them recessed
 
I used one of the photo-etch pieces for a template and cut out the small openings.  I then lined these with .010 x .080 Evergreen to create a narrow ridge to seat the PE.  I’ll come back after painting the hull and put a black interior box behind these to give some sense of depth.
 

You'll also notice some openings for doors... I'll be showing glimpses into the interior at various points in the build.  For the hull I'll open views into the 1st class entrance lobbies (P/S) and the 2nd and 3rd class entrance lobbies.  I've also opened up the D deck baggage door that leads into the 3rd class covered promenade.  I'll have views into that area through the baggage door and the open forward Well deck hatches above.
 
After cutting the opening, I rounded the inner corners slightly before final filing to square everything up:

 
Bow Detail
 
I've also cleaned up the bow hawse a bit more and added the narrow strips that helped to keep the anchors from catching on the lip of the plating as they were raised back up to the anchor hawse...

I peeled away a bit of the plate overlap detail to make sure everything laid down smooth...
 

This mostly catches everyone up to where I am at the build.
 
Bottom plating up next.
 
Cheers,
Evan
 

Happy Independence Day to all my fellow American modelers... Happy Ungrateful Treasonous Traitors Day to all my Brit friends...
 
Hull Openings
 
In addition to the portholes, I will need to cut a few more openings into the hull.  
 
First is the Condenser Discharge opening...This goes into the gap in the line of small holes near the waterline above the intakes.
 
The kit provides small grills to represent the lower intake openings.  I also cut an opening for these… I don’t like the look of pasting these directly on the hull.  I want them recessed
 
I used one of the photo-etch pieces for a template and cut out the small openings.  I then lined these with .010 x .080 Evergreen to create a narrow ridge to seat the PE.  I’ll come back after painting the hull and put a black interior box behind these to give some sense of depth.
 

You'll also notice some openings for doors... I'll be showing glimpses into the interior at various points in the build.  For the hull I'll open views into the 1st class entrance lobbies (P/S) and the 2nd and 3rd class entrance lobbies.  I've also opened up the D deck baggage door that leads into the 3rd class covered promenade.  I'll have views into that area through the baggage door and the open forward Well deck hatches above.
 
After cutting the opening, I rounded the inner corners slightly before final filing to square everything up:

 
Bow Detail
 
I've also cleaned up the bow hawse a bit more and added the narrow strips that helped to keep the anchors from catching on the lip of the plating as they were raised back up to the anchor hawse...

I peeled away a bit of the plate overlap detail to make sure everything laid down smooth...
 

This mostly catches everyone up to where I am at the build.
 
Bottom plating up next.
 
Cheers,
Evan
 

Happy Independence Day to all my fellow American modelers... Happy Ungrateful Treasonous Traitors Day to all my Brit friends...
 
Hull Openings
 
In addition to the portholes, I will need to cut a few more openings into the hull.  
 
First is the Condenser Discharge opening...This goes into the gap in the line of small holes near the waterline above the intakes.
 
The kit provides small grills to represent the lower intake openings.  I also cut an opening for these… I don’t like the look of pasting these directly on the hull.  I want them recessed
 
I used one of the photo-etch pieces for a template and cut out the small openings.  I then lined these with .010 x .080 Evergreen to create a narrow ridge to seat the PE.  I’ll come back after painting the hull and put a black interior box behind these to give some sense of depth.
 

You'll also notice some openings for doors... I'll be showing glimpses into the interior at various points in the build.  For the hull I'll open views into the 1st class entrance lobbies (P/S) and the 2nd and 3rd class entrance lobbies.  I've also opened up the D deck baggage door that leads into the 3rd class covered promenade.  I'll have views into that area through the baggage door and the open forward Well deck hatches above.
 
After cutting the opening, I rounded the inner corners slightly before final filing to square everything up:

 
Bow Detail
 
I've also cleaned up the bow hawse a bit more and added the narrow strips that helped to keep the anchors from catching on the lip of the plating as they were raised back up to the anchor hawse...

I peeled away a bit of the plate overlap detail to make sure everything laid down smooth...
 

This mostly catches everyone up to where I am at the build.
 
Bottom plating up next.
 
Cheers,
Evan
 

Ahoy all...
 
I should mention some key resources that I will be utilizing going forward...
 
Firstly, Robert Read has generously opened up all of his Titanic plans for everyone to access and download free of charge. 
 
1. Titanic Plan Page 1  This plan page is a starboard profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
2. Titanic Plan Page 2  This plan page is a port profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
3. Titanic Plan Page 3  This plan page has plan views of the upper decks, underbody, and forward and aft elevations. Updated 6/23/23
4.  Titanic Plan Page 4 This plan page has drawings of visible ventilators and a location map. Updated 6/17/23
5. Titanic Plan Page 5 This page has individual drawings of deck equipment and a location map. Updated 6/23/23
6. Titanic Plan Page 6 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “Boat deck” and “A deck” deckhouses.Updated 6/17/23
7. Titanic Plan Page 7 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “B deck” deckhouses, forward and aft well decks, and    docking bridge.  Updated 6/17/23
8. Titanic Plan Page 8 This page has Hull Lines drawings with sheer plan, body plan, and half-breadth plan.  Updated 6/17/23 
9. Titanic Plan Page 9 This page has a shell plating expansion drawing. Updated 6/17/23
 
These are available with certain conditions regarding attribution and non-commercial use, etc.
 
Of particular interest to me is the Shell Plating Expansion plan... I'm in the midst of the bottom hull plating and this is a critical guide.
 
Also very useful are the internal deck layouts available from the folks at Titanic Honor & Glory.  They charge a reasonable fee to get a single download file with all of the decks included.  You can zoom in and out and grab snippets to print as needed.  A wider set with individual files for each deck is also available, but not necessary for my purposes. Here is the deck plans link: TitanicDeckPlan.com. (Note:  I'm not affiliated in any way and don't get $$$ for the shout out)
 
Cheers,
Evan

Ahoy @Roger Pellett...
 
THANK YOU for the reference - I will add that to my collection.  I had a terrific book that I found at an awesome used bookstore hidden away down a side street in Boston that specifically focused on the engineering of the Olympic class ships... Alas, I can't find it.  Ugh.  This looks like a valuable substitute.
 
Cheers
Evan
 

Ahoy all...
 
I should mention some key resources that I will be utilizing going forward...
 
Firstly, Robert Read has generously opened up all of his Titanic plans for everyone to access and download free of charge. 
 
1. Titanic Plan Page 1  This plan page is a starboard profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
2. Titanic Plan Page 2  This plan page is a port profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
3. Titanic Plan Page 3  This plan page has plan views of the upper decks, underbody, and forward and aft elevations. Updated 6/23/23
4.  Titanic Plan Page 4 This plan page has drawings of visible ventilators and a location map. Updated 6/17/23
5. Titanic Plan Page 5 This page has individual drawings of deck equipment and a location map. Updated 6/23/23
6. Titanic Plan Page 6 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “Boat deck” and “A deck” deckhouses.Updated 6/17/23
7. Titanic Plan Page 7 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “B deck” deckhouses, forward and aft well decks, and    docking bridge.  Updated 6/17/23
8. Titanic Plan Page 8 This page has Hull Lines drawings with sheer plan, body plan, and half-breadth plan.  Updated 6/17/23 
9. Titanic Plan Page 9 This page has a shell plating expansion drawing. Updated 6/17/23
 
These are available with certain conditions regarding attribution and non-commercial use, etc.
 
Of particular interest to me is the Shell Plating Expansion plan... I'm in the midst of the bottom hull plating and this is a critical guide.
 
Also very useful are the internal deck layouts available from the folks at Titanic Honor & Glory.  They charge a reasonable fee to get a single download file with all of the decks included.  You can zoom in and out and grab snippets to print as needed.  A wider set with individual files for each deck is also available, but not necessary for my purposes. Here is the deck plans link: TitanicDeckPlan.com. (Note:  I'm not affiliated in any way and don't get $$$ for the shout out)
 
Cheers,
Evan

Ahoy @Roger Pellett...
 
THANK YOU for the reference - I will add that to my collection.  I had a terrific book that I found at an awesome used bookstore hidden away down a side street in Boston that specifically focused on the engineering of the Olympic class ships... Alas, I can't find it.  Ugh.  This looks like a valuable substitute.
 
Cheers
Evan
 

Ahoy all...
 
I should mention some key resources that I will be utilizing going forward...
 
Firstly, Robert Read has generously opened up all of his Titanic plans for everyone to access and download free of charge. 
 
1. Titanic Plan Page 1  This plan page is a starboard profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
2. Titanic Plan Page 2  This plan page is a port profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
3. Titanic Plan Page 3  This plan page has plan views of the upper decks, underbody, and forward and aft elevations. Updated 6/23/23
4.  Titanic Plan Page 4 This plan page has drawings of visible ventilators and a location map. Updated 6/17/23
5. Titanic Plan Page 5 This page has individual drawings of deck equipment and a location map. Updated 6/23/23
6. Titanic Plan Page 6 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “Boat deck” and “A deck” deckhouses.Updated 6/17/23
7. Titanic Plan Page 7 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “B deck” deckhouses, forward and aft well decks, and    docking bridge.  Updated 6/17/23
8. Titanic Plan Page 8 This page has Hull Lines drawings with sheer plan, body plan, and half-breadth plan.  Updated 6/17/23 
9. Titanic Plan Page 9 This page has a shell plating expansion drawing. Updated 6/17/23
 
These are available with certain conditions regarding attribution and non-commercial use, etc.
 
Of particular interest to me is the Shell Plating Expansion plan... I'm in the midst of the bottom hull plating and this is a critical guide.
 
Also very useful are the internal deck layouts available from the folks at Titanic Honor & Glory.  They charge a reasonable fee to get a single download file with all of the decks included.  You can zoom in and out and grab snippets to print as needed.  A wider set with individual files for each deck is also available, but not necessary for my purposes. Here is the deck plans link: TitanicDeckPlan.com. (Note:  I'm not affiliated in any way and don't get $$$ for the shout out)
 
Cheers,
Evan

Ahoy all...
 
I should mention some key resources that I will be utilizing going forward...
 
Firstly, Robert Read has generously opened up all of his Titanic plans for everyone to access and download free of charge. 
 
1. Titanic Plan Page 1  This plan page is a starboard profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
2. Titanic Plan Page 2  This plan page is a port profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
3. Titanic Plan Page 3  This plan page has plan views of the upper decks, underbody, and forward and aft elevations. Updated 6/23/23
4.  Titanic Plan Page 4 This plan page has drawings of visible ventilators and a location map. Updated 6/17/23
5. Titanic Plan Page 5 This page has individual drawings of deck equipment and a location map. Updated 6/23/23
6. Titanic Plan Page 6 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “Boat deck” and “A deck” deckhouses.Updated 6/17/23
7. Titanic Plan Page 7 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “B deck” deckhouses, forward and aft well decks, and    docking bridge.  Updated 6/17/23
8. Titanic Plan Page 8 This page has Hull Lines drawings with sheer plan, body plan, and half-breadth plan.  Updated 6/17/23 
9. Titanic Plan Page 9 This page has a shell plating expansion drawing. Updated 6/17/23
 
These are available with certain conditions regarding attribution and non-commercial use, etc.
 
Of particular interest to me is the Shell Plating Expansion plan... I'm in the midst of the bottom hull plating and this is a critical guide.
 
Also very useful are the internal deck layouts available from the folks at Titanic Honor & Glory.  They charge a reasonable fee to get a single download file with all of the decks included.  You can zoom in and out and grab snippets to print as needed.  A wider set with individual files for each deck is also available, but not necessary for my purposes. Here is the deck plans link: TitanicDeckPlan.com. (Note:  I'm not affiliated in any way and don't get $$$ for the shout out)
 
Cheers,
Evan

Ahoy all...
 
I should mention some key resources that I will be utilizing going forward...
 
Firstly, Robert Read has generously opened up all of his Titanic plans for everyone to access and download free of charge. 
 
1. Titanic Plan Page 1  This plan page is a starboard profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
2. Titanic Plan Page 2  This plan page is a port profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
3. Titanic Plan Page 3  This plan page has plan views of the upper decks, underbody, and forward and aft elevations. Updated 6/23/23
4.  Titanic Plan Page 4 This plan page has drawings of visible ventilators and a location map. Updated 6/17/23
5. Titanic Plan Page 5 This page has individual drawings of deck equipment and a location map. Updated 6/23/23
6. Titanic Plan Page 6 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “Boat deck” and “A deck” deckhouses.Updated 6/17/23
7. Titanic Plan Page 7 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “B deck” deckhouses, forward and aft well decks, and    docking bridge.  Updated 6/17/23
8. Titanic Plan Page 8 This page has Hull Lines drawings with sheer plan, body plan, and half-breadth plan.  Updated 6/17/23 
9. Titanic Plan Page 9 This page has a shell plating expansion drawing. Updated 6/17/23
 
These are available with certain conditions regarding attribution and non-commercial use, etc.
 
Of particular interest to me is the Shell Plating Expansion plan... I'm in the midst of the bottom hull plating and this is a critical guide.
 
Also very useful are the internal deck layouts available from the folks at Titanic Honor & Glory.  They charge a reasonable fee to get a single download file with all of the decks included.  You can zoom in and out and grab snippets to print as needed.  A wider set with individual files for each deck is also available, but not necessary for my purposes. Here is the deck plans link: TitanicDeckPlan.com. (Note:  I'm not affiliated in any way and don't get $$$ for the shout out)
 
Cheers,
Evan

I decided to start a build log for this project after tinkering around a bit with the kit across the past year or so.  I’ve hesitated because I know that there are many passionate folks out there who scrutinize every aspect of the great ship and can be very strong minded about the myriad details in play.  I will make plain my intention to do justice to Titanic but will likely fall short on complete historic exactitude… Especially considering that the ground is constantly moving as scholars and enthusiasts refine our understanding of the ship’s details.
 
I need to confess up front that I am not a Titanic guy.  The great tragedy and human folly of her demise has always pushed me away from the subject… Just too sad.  Additionally, I need to confess that I have never seen the entire James Cameron movie.  I went with my wife to see it in the theater back in the day, but we left halfway through – literally right after the ship struck the iceberg.  I leaned over to my wife and whispered “spoiler alert – this doesn’t end well, and I couldn’t care less if all the spoiled and selfish main characters go down with the ship.  Let’s get outta here and beat the crowd to the good restaurant nearby”. I’ve never seen the rest of the movie.
 
That is not to say, however, that this project won’t be a labor of Love.  I am building this for my daughter.  She has been fascinated by the Titanic tragedy from a very young age.  At age six she could tell you all about Captain Smith going down with the ship and nurse Jessop and her surviving multiple sinkings, etc. She made me get up in the wee hours on the exact date/time of the 100th anniversary of her sinking to ring a bell in commemoration. We’ve even toured Margaret Brown’s home in Denver (nobody called her “Molly” in her lifetime).  She is more interested in the human stories than the ship itself but will very much appreciate this representation when it is finally completed.
 
It was always a head scratcher for me that Trumpeter started their new line of 1/200 scale ships with the USS Arizona back in 2012.  It seemed to me that Titanic would’ve made more sense.  It was the 100th anniversary of her sinking and is clearly a very popular subject as we can see with the explosion of 3rd party add-ons and doo dads that have proliferated in the marketplace to enhance the model. There is a significant cottage industry that has since formed just around this kit.  I suppose better late than never for the folks at Trumpeter.
 
The workshop out in the garage has been reorganized and made shipshape:
 

 
Hopefully you get some sense for the size of the model.  It is big.
 
I have thrown all the relevant documentation into a binder so that I can have quick access to key references.  Sliding the pages into clear sleeves also allows me to overlay notes with a grease pencil or Sharpie pen.
 


 
 
I will forego the box opening and contents review – folks can find all that in many other logs and online resources. I will however include this quick view of the Trumpeter packaging… All very neat and carefully laid out (as is the case with all their kits that I’ve got in my stash).
 

 
Most modelers will splurge and invest in either the KA Models upgrade set or the one made by Pontos.  Both have their pros and cons, but I have opted for the KA set.  I like the extensive 3D print and resin components and the etched brass is very comprehensive.  Again – I won’t lay out all the contents here… That is easily found in other logs or the KA website.
 
I do have various other add ons including several brass sheets from Woody’s Model Works.  Very nice stuff and highly recommended.  (Neil Woods is in a bit of a hiatus right now as he figures out how to deal with UK VAT requirements).
 
I’m not sure I’ll go down the LED route.  Certainly, Titanic is the perfect model for LED treatment, but it generally isn’t my thing – not sure the extra time/effort will be worthwhile.  Still pondering…
 
A note about online resources.  Ken Marschall has long been a great visualizer of the Titanic, but anyone who is taking this kit seriously will find their way to three key players:
 
Robert Read – Mr. Read has a great catalog of white papers and research material that he has created and maintained on his website Titanic CAD Plans.  He illuminates many fascinating details, resolves conflicts and controversies, and explains many of the inner workings of Titanic’s systems and gear. Terrific resource.
 
Vasilije Ristovic’ – Most Titanic aficionados will know Vasilije’s work.  His digital renderings of Titanic bring the great ship back to life and are breathtaking. His thoughtfully researched images shed light on many unique details and provide a terrific color guide for those of us trying to navigate our paint choices. He also has a very impressive 1/200 Titanic model of his own in progress.
 
Cyril Codus – Mr. Codus is a gifted digital artist who has created some outstanding full-length profiles of Titanic and her sisters. He also has very detailed overhead deck views that highlight the positioning of deck equipment and rigging.  Incredibly useful stuff. You can find samples on his website RMS Titanic Art Work.
 
For those who can stomach Facebook, there are several terrific resources utilized by the Titanic community:
 
RMS Titanic Model Research and Tech hosted by Zeno Silva and friends.  You’ll find Bob Read, Cyril, and Vasilije all contributing here.
 
Trumpeter TITANIC 1/200th model ONLY building tips and tricks hosted by Gene Davis.  This is an essential meeting place for the Titanic modeler community with extensive Guides and downloadable files to facilitate enhancement of the kit.  Gene shows remarkable patience and perseverance amongst the wide spectrum of modelers that post on his pages. (Although I’m sure that Gene’s head will explode if one more novice jumps in to ask about three bladed props versus four…)
 
RMS Titanic – 3D Illustrations by Vasilije Ristovic.  This is where Vasilije posts most of his incredible Titanic renderings (and offers images for sale).
 
Visiting the Midwest Model Shop Youtube channel is also recommended.  Ben and his charming wife Nora walk through every stage of their 1/200 Titanic build and give a terrific overview of their process along the way.  It is refreshing to see an experienced modeler identify his own mistakes and show how he goes about correcting for them along the way. Includes terrific episodes about 3rd party upgrades – in particular the brass sheets from Neil Woods.
 
Regarding more traditional resources I do have a small library of books with lots of photos and tech specs:
 

 
I have not invested in the two-volume set TITANIC – The Ship Magnificent.  I think I have other sources for most of what I would glean from those pages and the investment just seems a bit much for now.  I’ll use those funds to purchase additional upgrades instead.
 
Give me a few days and I’ll start to catch everyone up on my progress to date.
 
Cheers
Evan
 

Great Build!  I am looking forward to more posts.

Ahoy all...
 
I should mention some key resources that I will be utilizing going forward...
 
Firstly, Robert Read has generously opened up all of his Titanic plans for everyone to access and download free of charge. 
 
1. Titanic Plan Page 1  This plan page is a starboard profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
2. Titanic Plan Page 2  This plan page is a port profile of the ship.  Updated 6/23/23
3. Titanic Plan Page 3  This plan page has plan views of the upper decks, underbody, and forward and aft elevations. Updated 6/23/23
4.  Titanic Plan Page 4 This plan page has drawings of visible ventilators and a location map. Updated 6/17/23
5. Titanic Plan Page 5 This page has individual drawings of deck equipment and a location map. Updated 6/23/23
6. Titanic Plan Page 6 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “Boat deck” and “A deck” deckhouses.Updated 6/17/23
7. Titanic Plan Page 7 This page has plan and elevation drawings of “B deck” deckhouses, forward and aft well decks, and    docking bridge.  Updated 6/17/23
8. Titanic Plan Page 8 This page has Hull Lines drawings with sheer plan, body plan, and half-breadth plan.  Updated 6/17/23 
9. Titanic Plan Page 9 This page has a shell plating expansion drawing. Updated 6/17/23
 
These are available with certain conditions regarding attribution and non-commercial use, etc.
 
Of particular interest to me is the Shell Plating Expansion plan... I'm in the midst of the bottom hull plating and this is a critical guide.
 
Also very useful are the internal deck layouts available from the folks at Titanic Honor & Glory.  They charge a reasonable fee to get a single download file with all of the decks included.  You can zoom in and out and grab snippets to print as needed.  A wider set with individual files for each deck is also available, but not necessary for my purposes. Here is the deck plans link: TitanicDeckPlan.com. (Note:  I'm not affiliated in any way and don't get $$$ for the shout out)
 
Cheers,
Evan

U-505
 
A slight diversion…
 
I’ve been very interested in a future project to build a submarine kit – specifically WWII era Gato or UBoat of some sort…
 
I recently visited Chicago to attend a nephew’s graduation and was able to check off another bucket list item – visiting U-505 in the Science Museum.
 
It did not disappoint. 

For those not familiar with U 505, she was captured late in the war by a US Navy task force that was specially trained to board a U-boat after forcing it to the surface.  Dan Gallery was in command, and he wrote a very entertaining book about the effort that I read way back in middle school.  
 
The museum does a terrific job of presenting the story of her capture and highlighting the many contributions made by the combined team to pull it off.  However, they do leave out much that is interesting about U-505 and the overall operation that you can dig up with online searches.
 
A previous commander, for example, cracked under the tension of an extended depth charge barrage and pulled out a pistol and killed himself in front of the crew.
 
U-505 survived a low-level bombing and sailed across the Atlantic entirely on the surface and was probably the most damaged German submarine ever to return to port.
 
Most of the internal spaces had been gutted before the boat reached Chicago.  German companies donated most of the gauges, harnesses, etc., needed to restore the interior.

Dan Gallery himself was nearly court-martialed by Fleet Admiral Ernest King for his efforts.  King was angry that the sub was not scuttled after removing everything valuable. The key goal of the project was to capture the critical naval codes and Enigma equipment (along with useful manuals about torpedo technology, etc.) before the boat could sink.  An enterprising sailor managed to put the lid back on the main scuttle to prevent further flooding and the German crew otherwise neglected to arm explosive charges when they abandoned ship.  

The captured submarine was a dangerous liability… If another U-Boat spotted her being towed to a friendly port the jig would be up and the German navy may well have revamped all their codes and reconfigured the Enigmas – ruining a key advantage that the allies already had in place at that period of the war. 
 
Gallery managed to calm Admiral King down and issued a proclamation to his task force reminding them all to keep quiet or suffer severe consequences.  The captured U-Boat crew was sequestered and denied communication back to their homeland in violation of the Geneva convention.

Be sure to plan to visit this incredible artifact if you’re ever near Chicago.

 
Cheers,
Evan
 

Evening, 
Dinner is in the oven. Whole chickens on sale at the market.
A deli style dry rub for the chicken, garlic roasted potatoes as a side. 
Titanic needs an update. 
 
How'd I do?

 
 

Some of the flat PE pieces on the hull lost some paint from the tape job.
Easily touched up. 

I was worried about the white areas and bleed thru.
Not too bad. 

 

Kinda wonky where the red meets the black.

The inner white areas of the hull that meet the deck pieces will get a touch up with the airbrush.
There's PE that goes on those inside areas if memory serves me. 
She's starting to take shape. 

Be good, 
 
Tom E 
 

Evening, 
An update is in order. Overdue in my eyes!
 
Don, 
To answer your question, yes, I'm very pleased that I bought the upgrade set.
I'm using both the kit supplied PE and the MK1 together and it really improves the overall kit. 
You know what you're going to get from Trumpeter, the MK1 just gives it that extra something. 
The resin pieces can be tricky. I did not use the MK1 supplied rudder but have started using other resin parts. 
 
With the white areas taped off, the black paint was next.

I purposely did not tape off what will be the hull red area. I want a coat of black underneath it. 
I did lay small lengths of tape well below where the red paint will start.
Acts like a guide for the black pain. 

Thin light coatings. 
No heavy spray with time to set before the next layer. 

Using Tamiya rattle can flat black.
Photos outside give it a shine. 

Ignore the central propellor.
It has been removed for its separate bronze/copper paint.  

One side was done at a time. Four light coats per side.
In total, it took me a week. Plenty of time drying. 
The Tamiya spray paints really level out quite well. Make big projects like this just a bit easier. 

Be good, 
 
Tom E 
 
 

Ahoy @Kelp!
 
I appreciate your continued interest and look forward to seeing your efforts down the line...  Happy to assist in any way I can.
 
Here are some quick looks at fiber optic filament inserted in a port:
 

 
You see the filament intentionally poking out to get a sense of the fit.

 
Here it is pushed flush to the exterior.  I haven't treated the end at all... I'll likely need to buff the ends before final fit to get the best look.
 
I agree with your concern that acetate set behind the drilled out ports will not have the right effect given the thickness of the hull.  You could come back and fill in the space with clear canopy glue or some clear resin (hardened with UV flashlight) but that would seem to be many more units of effort than using filament.  Probably more expensive too.  I'd have to recommend the filament route... Just be careful to size the drilled out ports in relation to the filament and not in relation to the historically accurate scale diameter.
 
I purchased my filament online at a very reasonable overall cost.  I have 10 foot lengths each of 1.0mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm. 2.5mm and 3.0mm with a total cost (incl. shipping) of around $20 US.
 

 
Filling the ports is a long ways away for me... Many steps remaining before I even smear any paint on the hull.
 
Cheers
Evan