yvesvidal

Great model. It is also nice to see a ship modeler, living in the same area (Triangle, NC). Yves

We are now detailing one of the most important section (if not the most important...) of a passenger car: the lavatory! The kit provides all the main parts: The toilet bowl The seat made of wood and polished round to welcome the user. The lid, also made of wood as it was common on these cars, in the early 20th century. The overhead tank for flushing The sink and faucet The mirror to re-adjust your hair and face after the event... The toilet paper dispenser. I have added a piece of soap, the chain to flush, painted holes in the sink and bowl and the infamous brown paper that was used in those times. That paper (for those who never experienced it) was a thinner version of the brown wrapping paper, was not provided in self-cutting squares (you had to tear it with both hands) and had an incredibly abrasive capability on that part of your anatomy. The drains, as everybody knows, were a direct fall to the ground located between the rails. Overall, that little bathroom is well rendered and provides a nice antique touch to the model. Note that seat and lid (at that time) were made of wood, as plastic was introduced much later. Sink and bowl were never perfectly clean on a passenger car, even in Second Class.... Now, is the time to start gluing one of the sides..... Yves

I am now building one of the sides, focusing on the interiors. The outside is done later on, according to the instructions. Overall, it is a lot of planking and is not that different from a boat... 🙂 The wood, after being glued, is treated with an oil made of beeswax and orange oil. I like it for the rich color that it gives to the wood and the slight fragrance. Checking that everything dovetail nicely..... The windows are just stained and I may have to improve a little bit, to harmonize the color. The heaters are glued on the wall: Next on the list, are the lavatory and all its details. Yves

Time to build the main separation, between the Second and Third class sections: The fancy side with fabric is for the Second Class passengers, while the Third Class are having to look at wood planks. The partition is then glued on the main floor: Third Class perspective.... and Second Class view: As mentioned before, the fitting of the parts is exceptional and everything dovetails perfectly: Yves

Next is the building of the lavatory. Access to it is done through the outside platform, located on the Second Class end: All the "tiling" is done with a stick-on plastic film. They could have pushed the kit with using micro tiles, to glue one by one, but that solution is pretty easy and quick. The lavatory room is glued to the main floor and some wainscotting is built along the sides: Then, some kind of wall paper or fabric for the Second Class travelers, is glued on the walls: It is all coming along nicely and the fitting of the parts, is very precise. Yves

For the time being, I am just following the instructions and reviewing my Spanish language: Building the main floor/platform of the car: Stained with Natural and golden oak oils, then a couple of coats of Wipe on Poly, to seal the deal: Yves

Yes, you are correct: it is all about planking 🙂 I have already spent a tube of glue, just on the flooring and a little bit of wainscotting on the walls.... Yves

Following is a quick presentation of the kit, offered by Occre: The box is rather heavy due to the large number of metal parts. Instructions are beautiful with all pages printed in color over glossy paper. The text is in Spanish but that does not bother me, as I can understand it to a certain extent (reading is easy). There are translations offered in English, Italian, German and French in the box. I have also purchased some wheels/axles from KADEE to replace the toy like wheels provided with the kit. KADEE couplers (American style) have also been purchased, as I plan to modify the model to make it compatible with both types of couplers. We will see about that in the future.... Yves

Folks, after completing the massive 1/48 CAF MODEL Kit HMS Bellona, it was time to take a break in a different direction: Trains !! I bought that Occre kit last summer and was trying to find the time to build it. It is a model of the rare wooden coaches used by the M.Z.A Catalan railroad company. M.Z.A. stands for Madrid-Zaragossa-Alicante and operated these wooden coaches between 1914 and 1930, along the Costa Brava in Spain (Cataluna would say the purists). Being born on the French side of Cataluna, I have a natural inclination to depict such a passenger car in its original version. These coaches were made of wood since MZA never used metal coaches as they were considered too hot for their southern lines. The coaches are equipped with open platforms with balconies at each end and two compartments: Second Class and Third Class. Originally these coaches had a steam heating system and gas lighting, which was later replaced by electric lighting. The model depicted by Occre may have been one of the four cars that were built by the New York American Coach company, because of their very American (and non-European) clerestory type roof. That unique arrangement was used to concentrate hot air to the ceiling and to extract it, provide natural flow of air and as a receptacle for lighting. The model is at the 1/32nd scale and although my preference goes to 1/48th, I have started accumulating a couple of 1/32nd train models. Yves

I love that tricycle van. Great choice. Yves

A few pictures showing the size of the model: it is indeed massive ! My partner, who has been extremely supportive of this project Hopefully, the next picture will have the ensign floating on the stern.... Yves

More pictures of the HMS Bellona kit, designed by CAF Model: Yves

I just got the stand for the model, built by a friend. The low table is made entirely from Maple wood. I realized that the ensign is still missing (although finished), but I hope you will still enjoy the pictures: More pictures coming.... Yves

Yes, but so detailed !!!! Yves

What a beautiful figure head!!! Is this Artemis or Diane with her bow? I assume that this delicate figure is made out of resin. Are you planning to produce a boxwood carving of that figure? Beautiful work all around. Yves

Beautiful, Alan. Very well done. Yves

Well, it should be the double in all directions: eight times bigger !!! I love the 1/48th scale or the "Quarter of an Inch for a Foot", as they call it. Yves

Tesla technology starting to be used for the transmission of electrical energy.... Yves

Superb work. It is a pleasure to watch what you are building. Yves

Great decision to tackle such a large model. The first time I saw one of these cars for real, was on Biscayne Island, on my way for a Sunday morning brunch at the Rusty Pelican, in Miami. Needless, to say, I will be following your progress with a drooling mouth.... Yves

I like the engine overall, but the oil filter is out of this world. Yves

What a pleasant surprise !!! They are definitely enjoying your model. Yves

I will be following with a lot of interest. I also wish someone would produce a 1/200th scale of the Type VII-C, someday, to go with all the larger ships in that scale. Yves

Great job Alan. You did a fantastic job at rendering these tumultuous waters. Perhaps, you could paint some glossy clear coat on the bow to show the wet aspect of the water. Which scale will be your next Corvette? 1/200th ? Yves

The depth charges are just so detailed. For 1/96 scale, it is just amazing. Yves