Mirabell61

Hi Patrick, yes, the decision has been made for this model, first I wanted to wait until I have the frame aligning on the slipway, but then I thought one must have confedence in the planing design work, and to push the boat out now..... I`ve been working on the scale brass four blade, bolted on propellors and shall probably have some pics tomorrow... Nils

Introduction "SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" (120 year old passenger expressliner) Fascinated by this beautiful 22,5 knots, 197,7 m long Atlantic runner, built by Vulcan shipyard Stettin, and launched in year 1897, 120 years ago, I started exploring if there would be any build plans available for building a model of this super liner. The “Kaiser Wilhem der Grosse”, short KWdG was the first luxurious German twin screw fourstacker of the North German Lloyd for the Bremerhaven-New York route and became awarded with the blue ribband for fastest Atlantic crossings at turn of the century. The ship was initialy equipped with two 3-blade counter rotating screws and later on with two 4-blade screws with blades seperately bolted to the hubs. The ship has a streamlined hull (stern underwater shape) with underwater rudder system, as we also know from Cunard`s “greyhounds” twins (Mauretania and Lusitania) later on, built in 1906. Due to the size, the models length should not exceed 1500 mm and so I chose the scale 1:144, resulting in 1380 mm overall length. Knowing that it’s a tough and ambitious scale to tackle, at least there may be some few photo-etched general parts available in 1:144, for use, if my house made build capability can not deal with. Unfortunately I could not find any plan, but found some for modelists valuable historic detail information on the web. With a portion of luck I also found and bought an odd set of the card build KWdG, which is out of production at the moment, totally sold out, and perhaps may find a revival by end of this year, acc. to the editoring and Publishing company. The card version may give important (when enlarged) rating for my model and it`s fitting out at a very much later time. To get along now, I am designing my own frame-plan after the gathered information, for keellaying and kicking off the build this summer, as my “HMS Pegasus”, Swan Class is in the completion phase at the moment. This project shall probably be my greatest challenge since I started building model ships, and I estimate that it may take between 2,5-3 years to complete as a static POF /POB scratch built model Nils Preparation phase....... Build log part 1 The four funnels are situated in two groups here still the originaly equipped 3-blade screws with bolted on blades. The center window outcut is not for a third propellor (like Titanic), but for preventation of fouling the slightly overlapping prop-circles, stagered in propshaft lengths this dry dock pic shows the four-blade screws (note the seperate bolted prop-blades to the hubs) The card model in scale 1:250 This is a mini cast-model in scale 1:1250 starting with the frames design note the different propshaft lengths, the prop circles are a bit overlapping within the centre window outcut area at the stern heel further with frames / bulkheads plan..... here a little mock up for the width of deck planking (2mm) versa figurines of only 12 mm hight in scale 1:144 this plastic box already contains the raw ply-wooden frame outlines (26 frames), ready for cutting out the contours. For the frames / bulkheads I am using up all my "left over" plywood Nils

Paul. lovely handcraft work resulting in a beautiful made model. I love those hull lines, well done ! Nils

wonderful rigging Bob, Nils

Peter, nice deck plankling waterway and caulking look good. Perhaps you may want to check with the plank width 6 mm (1:64) will be in actual 384 wide ! Planks..... Nils

Hello Martin, the second planking Looks good, but still Needs some sanding (careful !) . Will you be coppering the Sub water Portion ? In that case you could prepare a smooth surface by using filler in the critical (to be coppered) Areas. At this time you see light at the end of the tunnel and that is encouraging. Will be curious to see the progress in two or three months....... cheers, Nils

Thats nice to hear Lawrence, yes sometimes the Admiral come up with good ideas, once they understood what you are looking for. I experienced that already several times with success and explain to her what is required, like for example, if I´m looking for something (where the Basic shape could be suiting, a Little Tuning to be done), she knows where a shop is that sell something alike, if I can`t make it with my own Workshop capability. If you Google "Preiser ships Crew figurines" you probably shall get a good overview of what "Little guys" are available Nils

Popeye, I`m refering to your build log from 2013, (the year I joined in) must have overseen These twins, great models, ist good you put them into your Gallery now. Lovely built and charming boats, very well done Nils

Hi Lawrence, Thank you for looking in and for your nice comment. I`ll gladly answer your questions as follows....... - fasten reef strops (pls. look into attached handscetch, trust it will be self explaining) - "lttle guy" figurines. These are from Company Preiser (for "Bohuslän" 1:50, for "Gorch fock" and "Pamir" 1:87 train H0 scale, or 1:100 scale), Source mostly Ebay or Amazon, these come already painted - The "Pegasus" figurines are metal cast from your model hobby source, or from web-shops that sell appropriate maritime sailor figurines The scale 1:64 figurines = 28mm hight are a bit too large, but there are better suitable ones with 25 mm hight (same scemes) available as well. I am intending also to fit a couple of british 18th century marine soldiers on deck, I have them already in scale 1:64 All these for "Pegasus" have to be own hand painted first Nils There will be a knot on the sail frontside, and when pulled tight the rearside will be tight and selfblocking, it works well, I have practiced this on all sail reef strops Secure the sail rearside with a small drop (toothpick) of CA where the strop-end comes through

Hi Turksailor, thanks for your nice comment.... Nils

Kees, that is such a beautiful build you performed per excellence already the second lovely Trawler from your shipyard, in realistic look, well done !. I like every single Detail on it, also the "wheathering" Are you planing another goodie ? Nils

Wonderful ! Nils

beautiful work Augie, ist a pleasure to see this model grow Nils

Looks very precise Lee, how did you do the outcuts into the rail ( drill, file, narrow chissel..... ? ) the result is stunning Nils

Bob, your rigging looks fantastic. I like that worked in wooden bar (lowest "ratline" ) of the upper shrouds, it also provides a secure hold to the deadeyes and their lacings Nils

Lee, I fully second Rao`s comment.... Nils

amazing Details Igor, very nice looking Nils

A very fine race-hull Pete, Nils

Shipaholic, thanks for sharing your "stay-mouse" making, that woven character Looks great... Nils

Many thanks to you Pete, I`m happy that you like the model at this build stage.... Nils

Thanks Martin, the Loops get a thin viscosity CA secured knot at one side and are taken off the jig, put on the belaying pin by means of a Long tweezer, and there again secured with a Little CA drop. The Loops on the Balustrade left and right of the belfry stool are knotted (short end of line was there left already) with a single knot, then secured with CA, the Surplus end after securing the knot is clipped off afterwards Nils

Jason and David, thanks for your kind comments relating to the loops Nils

Lee, what a beauty, and all at scale 1:64 !! outstanding work Nils

I appreciate your nice comment Bob, am glad that you like it Nils