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Robin Lous

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Everything posted by Robin Lous

  1. Robin Lous
    The tiled cabin roof....it looks a bit odd. I prefer the planked roof shown on the images...my personal taste...Sorry I love this build! Robin
  2. Robin Lous
    Very neat lion! I like this a lot...but I think I've said that before already. No harm to repeat it Robin
  3. Robin Lous
    That's a BIG Graf Spee...impressive! And a lot of airbrush time ....nice! Robin Edit: the "Coronel" plate on the front of the bridge is MIA, but it looks like it was there before (glue stains)
  4. Robin Lous
    probably something like this... Robin
  5. Robin Lous
    Yes, paint is the "backup plan", but I try to avoid it, even though the Greek ships were often painted with a mix of yellow and red ochre. The bow and under the waterline they were treated with pine tar to protect the (soft) wood from soaking up the Aegean Sea. I'm thinking about using cherry wood stain for the ochre...several layers will result in a nice medium orange finish, but still able to see the wood. Only when this will look bad...for whatever reason...I'll fire up my airbrush to hide my failure underneath a layer or two Vallejo acrylic. For the pine tar I'll use ebony wood stain and I presume that will be fine no matter what. Dark enough to hide mistakes, but nicer than paint I think. Since I'm still slaying planking demons...it's a bit too hot to do much at all...I did some paint schemes. Still making up my mind. Some possibilities. (forgive my graphic skills...I have none!). There several forecastle options. I choose the "planked on the outside variant", because I can paint a larger eyecatching "ships eye" there. All other options (open frame, frame with wicker, planked on the inside of the frame)...have a smaller eye below the forecastle. Keeps me busy Robin
  6. Robin Lous
    I like this a lot! Robin
  7. Robin Lous
    It's a bit like watching grass grow now....9 planks finished. I was curious about how the planking looks after sanding, so I sanded one side to see the result. Also good to check if my planking is ok. and if the bevelling works. Well...I think it looks fine....no gaps. On some points the used CA glue turned dark. I think it picked up colour from the stained frames inside. This leaves some dark lines in between planks. Annoys me, because it looks like gaps, even though they're not. I hope that won't show after staining the hull....we'll see. More soon. Robin
  8. Robin Lous
    Heel mooi Hans! (translated: very beautiful Hans! ) Robin
  9. Robin Lous
    Oh yes...I agree, but...I like to see the light at the end of the tunnel at least. I admire the ships of the line and other huge projects I see here, but I doubt I'll ever go there myself. 3 years or so to finish a ship....pfff. Several months...that's ok for me, but years? I don't see myself building such ships. I really enjoy this and I will build more for sure, but ships within my patience borders. Already made an ambitious list in my head. Another bireme (same kit, but build differently), at least one trieres (Dusek Trireme) and I have plans to scratch build a Mycenaean and a 800-700 BC pentekonter. All 1:72 scale and maybe I do one of those in 1:32 (54mm scale) also. But I finish this one first and I'll see what I do next (likely the Dusek trireme). Ok....planks to do now! Robin
  10. Robin Lous
    Thanks guys. When I finished the planking, I'll make extra "drop in" frames in between the kit frames. Still have to figure out where I can place them exactly, because they must not block the oar holes...or hinder the rowers. These frames will be glued to the planks also, so there will be only about 16 to 17mm between plank supporting frames. I think (guess, hope, pray) that will be enough to prevent the planks from the "bouncing" Don mentioned. And I'll sand very carefully. I'm not in a hurry, so I'll take all the time it needs. Perhaps it will go quicker when I get the hang of it more, but when not...fine also. Thanks again! Robin
  11. Robin Lous
    More planks... Worked hard and long hours the last few days, but it's going slow. It takes me about 3 hours to get a single plank done. Not sure if I'm slow or if this is normal. Done 6 now and since they're only 3mm wide...that's a whole whopping 1 centimeter on each side I use Zap-a-gap medium CA for the first and the last...when set I add some UHU Hart glue there also. For the frames I only use UHU Hart and I don't glue the planks together in between the frames. I hope that's ok? It takes me a long time to shape, bevel and fit the planks. It's an open ship, so I can't add glue or reinforcement/correction strips on the inside. I try to make the planks fit perfectly...so far so good I think, but when someone sees a problem please tell! More soon....but it takes time. Robin
  12. Robin Lous
    Ah! ok....
  13. Robin Lous
    Beautiful! 2 1/2 weeks?!?! wow! Robin
  14. Robin Lous
    For heaven's sake....I once build a 1/16 scale tank and that was already huge
  15. Robin Lous
    Thanks Jack! Some photos will help me with my bireme build. Rudder construction and attachment and the use of one eye deadeyes Robin
  16. Robin Lous
    Yeah...I have a nice library of PDF files by now. I read or checked most. Much is helpful, but a lot of it is still unclear to me also (or doesn't apply to what I'm doing). I have so much to learn here Thanks, Robin
  17. Robin Lous
    Okey...stuff happens. I wanted to bend the first plank just a little bit more...just a tiny little bit...."snap"! "Oh...rats..why oh why...why me?" Instead of using plank 2...I made 1 again (had to do it anway). A plank! Breaking plank 1 was caused by trying to get that last insane upward curve, so instead of trying the same again I raised the plank. Will sand off what's above the planked deck later. Advantage of this is not only a less sharp upward curve for this plank, but the next ones will be easier also. It simply wasn't possible to get the plank flush to the keel. I'll sand this to a nice round stern when I finished all the planks. More soon! Robin
  18. Robin Lous
    Finished bending my first two planks! A small step for the most honourable ship building nobles here, but a giant leap for this apprentice I was afraid of this part of building wooden ships...it really scared me. But it's not that hard after all. I just hold the planks under the tap and shaped them on the tip of the hot iron. Marked the frame positions and moved from one to the next...checking the fit along the hull often while doing. I now let them dry and check again before I glue them to the hull. It's okey when I have to guide them a bit, but no force whatsoever...we'll see. This really is fun guys! To be continued (it's almost a live blog now ) Robin
  19. Robin Lous
    Yep...I figured that out. Last night I did the upward stern bending of the first 4 planks (2 right, 2 left). I boiled the end of the strips, did the bending and secured them in a jig (big word for a piece of foamboard, some pieces of wood and a pile of pins). Dried overnight. Unexpected day off today, so I can do the "normal" bending of those planks today. The wood (boxwood I think) seems very user friendly...it bends easily. I'll use steam and let it dry before I continue Edit: I confiscated the Admiral's steam iron! works great! Because of the surgery on the keel and frames the ship lost some of it's stiffness, so the planks must fit well or the whole thing will warp. At least the first couple of planks. About the wood plugs...you're right. Must find a nice ballance between scale and what looks good. More later today...I hope Robin
  20. Robin Lous
    Thanks When I see trouble on the horizon...I'll throw my hands in the air and stop...and ask you guys what to do next. Robin
  21. Robin Lous
    Thanks for the advise Bob. The odd shape of the bow and the raised stern will cause me headaches here and there I guess, but I just start and I'll try to spot issues before they become...issues. Robin
  22. Robin Lous
    Thanks guys! I try my best, it's fun! Working on the top seats now and practised bending hull planks. Not even that difficult (phew!). What worries me a bit is...the planks are only 3mm wide and 2mm thick...making neat stealers will be very tough....I think We'll see...more soon! Robin
  23. Robin Lous
    QFT It's a bit of a Dragon issue it seems...superb molding, but my goodness how they can f up otherwise...geez! An example...their 1:32 Bf 110D-3 (that's a plane....sorry ) decals...horrid...a disgrace! lovely kit, but....pfffffff!
  24. Robin Lous
    I bow to you Sir! I once started this also...Artwox, barrels, pe...the whole lot. The pe brought me on my knees. Really great build...really...really cool! Robin
  25. Robin Lous
    4th Christmas day...exciting!

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