RGL

OK, third last post for this build: I affixed the ships boats, I got to the stage where I had to draw a line, the kit does not include cradles (which it really should) and fabricating them at this scale is quite hard and I think I'd probably just make a mess of it.

I have made a temporary base where I'll park the old girl for a while, I only have to add the rope coils when they arrive.

It's a really nice and very different kit, the Artwox resin is nice, but it is missing many deck fittings and I think the creators went of the Kagareo book a little too much for accuracy when the plans are available.  I would like to see some of the resin made available commercially, such as the ships boats and the fairleads. No sea steps, just the original Zvesda bumps on the hull, no mast ladders, no stand for the model at all.

The guns have all been replaced, the kit ones are just too inaccurate. The masts are wrong, the instructions are atrocious, some of thr alignments are not explained and you don't find out till way too late, and some oif the details left on teh fret I'm still scratching my head over.

Whilst I'm a mutt at the photo etch thing, the frets are too thin. I think it they were as thick as the Eduard ones it would be a step ahead,as the detail is very nice.

Thank you for the likes and comments, I don't think I'll ever show her or my Endevour though, the shipping to the states would be a killer.

Fantastic build Greg. I thought it was the real thing when I saw those black and whites. I would love to see that model at Manitowoc when finished it would be a show stopper.

David B

Getting there, the anchors are attached, I just needed some micro chain to secure them, there is no reference to it in the instructions. All the guns are now attached as are the flagstaffs and one set of stairs. 

I just have to attach the lifeboats and fabricate some braces for them, and I am awaiting some photo etch rope coils from the Ukraine.

I added the shafts and screws, and propeller guards which are by no way known referenced in the kit!

If you can be bothered, sand the Wales flat, then use some1mm hardwood. Just do it piece by piece, cutting each one to exactly the same size, bending where required to follow the hull. Drill your treenails in after putting a layer of varnish so they don't split. You need to do 3 planking lines. Any gaps use a dark filler. I know Janos doesn't use treenails just a dark filler. It's a Couple of days work. Not the best shots but you can get the idea.

I attempted it on mine, it's not that hard, just a lot of work. A lof the photos went with MSW v1 but I have back ups, but use a good hardwood.

I tried to use it and I got the same spillage (it's crap for house painting too!), try the Tamiya though as I think the glue is on finer or better coverage. Nice kit tho, I have the Emden to go then maybe I'll go large with the Dreadnought, there's something about the old girls that appeal to me.

What mask are you using? The Tamiya one works very well, normal tape is rubbish.

Looking good mate, I used the Caldercraft brass pins as well and blackened them, the wooden ones seem to be so out of scale that a human hand could not grab them at the scale. I think the amount of work required to fix up something that's replaceable with aftermarket comes down to time v money at times. That being said, your detail is fantastic. Leave some space for the mast coats.

I've already rigged the Davits, it how they are correctly braced and lashed whilst at sea with chocks etc, there is no reference to it apart from 1 photo.

Onto the ships boats; 12 in all, nothing overly complicated. What is complicated is how I'm supposed to secure them to the davits properly as they seemingly are just plonked down. The Eduard fret has a semblance of braces but not the Artowx fret. Mind you, the boats are very nice. I drilled out the windows on the large cruiser and put brass rims on them to actually represent windows and not just a resin divot.

Well done and well deserved

Yes mate, completely missed it until it was way too late

Next are the torpedo booms. There is no bracket on the booms to hold them to the ship which exist on the real thing. I used parts of the oars from the Eduard Fret to add them. there were not rigged in most photos that I saw so I didn't even try, whilst I could have it just would have looked messy. I think Artwox could have done these in brass as other era ships have of these details, and that allows them to be swung out.

I took the old girl into the sunlight which shows her up nicely.

anchors, chains, props and prop guards to go, as well as the replacement 47mm. Then the lifeboats.

the searchlights, a couple of nice pieces of resin and photo etched cradle, and two tiny flywheels on the base. There are six in total. I also included some to scale 37mm rapid fires at the stern (next post)

Couple of things I missed on mine Dave, a brace behind the belfry and cleats on the side of the belfry. If you do the rigging according to the AOTS you will need them. First class effort on the carving tho, beyond my ability.

Well done!!!!

Bet you're glad that's over

Bit more to the layer cake, the awning stanchions and the boat booms. I know it kinda looks messy, but to the naked eye it's not that bad.

Next will be the torpedo net booms.

Next the anchor winch on the bow

The final boat davit done, this was the broken set that sit behind the bridge, also a close up of the rear set.

Now to the Davits. They are a layer cake construction making them thicker. They have tiny little brackets to attach them to the hull. The rigging was replaced once I constructed them with Ezyline. Some bits are still hanging loose which i will place rope coils at the ends. There are two resin ones as well which sit behind the bridge. All 4 of them were broken on the resin fret when I opened the box and had to be repaired.

Ok, the last of the railings are complete. Given it is soo tiny, it just takes ages to thread these needles.

Nice work, this upgrade kit is definitely in the cue for me

Well done Dave, worth the effort