Kevin

Hello again and today was rather productive and enjoyable.  It's nice when things work and fall into place without any snags.  
 
Started out in the morning finalizing the parts for the dingy loading boom.  I had to install the few 3 mm pulleys in their brackets and secure the pins.  Then I made the cable shackles a bit smaller yet to see if the cables still go around them and it worked.
 
I whipped two of the cables that I put around the shackles and secured them with nail polish.  So I thought why not assemble the whole blooming thing!  It only took about half an hour for the boom and rigging was completed  
 
Then I heard some thunder and figured to quickly mow the backyard before the rain.  Then I had some lunch, read the mail and ventured back into the garage aka the dockyard.  I took a few pics of the assembled loading boom and discovered I had reversed the boom cable and the loading cable, so I quickly re routed them, no prob, done in a few minutes.
 
With the success in making the shackles smaller I now also made the ones for the forward torpedo loading boom smaller and what a difference that makes.  I "quickly" whipped the cables around them and prepped a few more parts for the forward boom.  By that time the grass was dry enough to finish mowing the southside of the backyard.  I don't like to mow when it's whet, I'm using an electric mower and one never knows - - -  
 
By that time it was time to call it quits and downloaded the pics and put them in my O19 file.
 
Okay, here are a few pics of todays work.
 

This shows the whipping of one of the shackles.
 

Here are all the parts laid out for the dingy loading boom on top of the drawing.
 

Here is a side view of the dingy loading boom, sorry about the camera movement.
 

A shot from the rear.
 

Looking straight forward through the torpedo loading gantry at the dingy boom.  It's getting busy.
 

A close-up of the dingy loading boom.  I had to hang some weight on the loading hook to keep the cables taught.
 

A look kinda from above.  I had to stand on a small ladder here. 
 
Cheers,
 

Today I managed completing the rigging of the aft torpedo loading gantry.  I'm not really happy with it, primarily about the cable thimbles.  They are way too large for my scale and look bulky.  I have to do some thinking on how else I can "fake" the thimble issue before I tackle the forward gantry.
 
We are getting into a realm where the real full size thimbles are not much more then perhaps 2 inches long or 1 mm.  There is no way in the world I can make them that small and make 'm look realistic.  
 
For now though I'll just leave things as they are and when I have figured it out for the forward gantry I'll redo the aft one.  
 
Overall it didn't come out too bad and everything works as well, even the boom elevation "come-along" gizmo, which is a plus.
 
I also painted both mines black as well as the torpedo (you see John, I do listen and take advice  ).  They don't look to bad either. Menacing even 
 
Here are a few pics of today's accomplishments.
 

This shows the gantry sideways pretending to load a mine to the deck.  I needed some weight on the boom to keep things from jumping off - - - the "cable" is rather stiff and needs a little tension.  I also temporarily, stuck the torpedo into the loading tube to show the prop and black paint.  This is never done in real life, just in case somebody makes a smart aleck remark       I just wanted to how the finished mines and torpedo painted in black.  Loading torpedoes is a rather delicate operation that requires quite a few men.
The black cord at the exhaust pipe is to haul the torpedoes up or lower them.  In reality this cable is connected to an electric winch below decks. 
 

Here is another shot looking forward,
 

A side view shot with a RG 58 coaxial cable spice thingy for weight.  I still have "stuff" from my days when I owned and operated an aircraft repair facility in New jersey, about two lifetimes ago, or so it seems.  Hmmm, we could call it a secret weapon 
 

So sorry, I moved taking this shot looking forward with the "secret weapon" hanging on the boom.
 
Cheers,

Besides messing around with the torpedo I also started with the rigging of the aft gantry.  That proved to be challenge and had to rework a few parts just a little.  Enough though that in the process I jammed a small drill bit under the nail of my left index finger.  AUCH        Hmmmm, no blood though, just a little, but it stings.  Domkop     Yeah, yeah, Remco, no pin vice, just my little old fingers but some of these parts can't go into a pin vice though.   Okay, I'll shop for one, honest 
 
I did manage to finish one propeller for the prototype torpedo and installed it.  The propeller actually turns but a little stiff because I think the shaft has a slight bend in it.  Gwen said I should but some grease or oil on it.  Yeah right, I don't think so just be more careful and not to bend that shaft piece.
 
Then I put some primer on the torpedo and am waiting to buy black paint.
Okay, now that the torpedo size is established, thanks to Freek, I'll need to buy a few more hardwood dowels at the DIY store.  I think I'll make about six of them, that way I'll have a few to place on te display board with the extra mine and most likely a spare anchor and a few cases of good ole Heineken.
 
In order to rig the loading boom I managed to wind some "cable" on the boom elevation "come-along."  The last picture below shows it after I had wound enough cord on it and put a small clothe pin on it to keep it from unwinding.  The center picture shows the assembly partly rigged.  Sorry, but I didn't make the ratcheting parts, too small for me   Well, we'll just have to use our imagination and assume it's there 
 
That's it for now.  A few pics for my archive and your viewing pleasure.
 

Here I have laid out all the parts that make up the propeller assembly.  The top propeller is completed.  I started out with a round piece of brass shim of 0.3 mm.  Drilled a 1 mm hole in the center and drew out the four quadrant lines.  Next I cut 2 ea 1 mm long pieces of 1 mm brass tubing, one is for the propeller hub and the other is to keep the assembly from coming out.  A piece of brass rod acts as the shaft and is also soldered into the hub, then through a longer piece of 1 mm brass tube and finally the last small piece of tube is soldered to the end of the shaft, which locks everything up.  
The rough propeller is next shaped by using a razor blade and a small hammer to cut through the four marked lines as close to the hub as possible.  Then using a pair of scissors I carefully snipped away the unwanted brass shim and finalized the shape with a diamond file and then twisted the blades to a guessed at pitch.  
I drilled a 1 mm hole in the end of the torpedo deep enough to accommodate the shaft assemble and inserted the shaft assembly only about ⅓ of the way and then put a dab of CA gel cement on it and pressed everything home, making sure that the propeller rotates as the CA cement cures.
 

Here is the fully assembled torpedo in a coat of primer waiting for the final black paint.  I masked the propeller to keep it in brass.  You'll also see the "come-along" gizmo with the other hardware for that part part of the rigging.  The two small brass teardrop shaped thingies are thimbles that'll be part of the rigging cables and fit inside the triangular piece.
 

This is the famous boom elevating "come-along" device.  I just finished winding some cord on it just like the real thing.  I hope I can demonstrate it later on to show how everything works.  keep fingers crossed 
 
Cheers,
 
 
 

I've now done the upper hull planking on the port side. The planking is boxwood with caulking simulated by using pencil on one side and one end of each plank. The planking that I've done has only been rough sanded to this point and no finish will be applied until the planking is complete.
 
 All was going pretty well until I got to the planking of the quarterdeck area. The kit then hit me with yet another unpleasant surprise. The bulkhead extensions (or arms?) turned out to all be too short ( as well as of varying sizes, which I already knew). This required a lot of fiddly work to increase the height. My use of isopropyl to remove unsatisfactory work is now nearing record proportions. The good news is that the previous adjustments that I made to the defective framing parts has resulted -- at least so far-- in pretty good looking lines. The true test for that, of course, will come in the lower hull. I'm also pleased with the modification that I made to the bow framing and the knight heads.
 
Now it's on to the starboard side. Hopefully, it will be a little easier, having figured out the problems on the first side. I'm also debating with myself about tree nailing. At this scale, it's beyond my ability to do real treenails, but simulated ones, using filler, may be possible. The question is whether they would be worthwhile even if possible.
 
Bob
 
 

Thomas, I wish that I were as confident as you about the outcome of this one.
 
The bow section of the framing is now "done". I thought the aft end was a challenge, but the bow turned out to be at least as difficult. The problems were the same -- incorrect drawings, dimensionally incorrect parts and really no way to know if I was getting it right when I was done. Again, the best that I can say is that the framing is now "fair" and hopefully can be planked. I still need to make and add the bow filler pieces. 
 
I'm going to do the stern framing now. I'm hoping that the stern frames are correct, but I know that there are discrepancies between the drawings and Sam's prototype photos, so we'll have to wait and see.
 
Bob

I finally made my decision. The choices were: 1) abandon the project (totally unacceptable); 2) try to get a whole new kit from ME and begin again ( not likely to happen); 3) get replacement parts from ME and tear out the bow and stern framing (possible, but not likely for a while and probably a pain to accomplish); 4) try to correct the bulkheads (worth at least a try, since I'd still be able to remove them later).
 
I started with the stern bulkheads. The last four were improperly sized and shaped. The simplest fix seemed to be to add wood to them and then sand to shape, which is what I have done. I added 1/16" x 3/16 " strips that were wet heat bent to shape and glued on in layers as seemed to be needed. The two sides were different because I had previously tried to fair one side. After these had set up, I faired both sides. I can only say that now the stern area is faired to a point where battens fit. I have no idea whether the lines I have faired to are "correct" or whether the port framing I have done by extrapolating from incorrect drawings will turn out right down the road. I'm hoping for the best.
 
The photos show the sequence of the work and the current state of the stern area. Now it's on to the bow.
 
Bob
 
 

I've now attached and braced all of the bulkheads. Mostly this work was very straight forward and went along with few difficulties ( after I had spent considerable time opening up the slots when I first fitted them). A couple of the bulkheads were not sized properly and had to be adjusted by adding strip wood on the inner side at the top and reducing the outside by sanding.
 
Kudos to Model Expo for sending me the replacement laser cut sheet that I had requested in just a few days, which allowed me to complete the bulkhead  mounting.
 
I braced the bulkheads with strip wood, added wood blocks for mounting the masts and added strip wood framing for the drop down deck planking. Lastly, I sanded the bulkheads to get them level for the future decking. Next, I will do the gun deck gun port framing to help stiffen up the framing prior to fairing. I will leave the stern framing and the bow and stern filler blocks until that's done.
 
Bob

For those wondering if I was ever going to get started -- I finally have gotten underway. Part of the problem was spending some time over a few days on the computer going over some issues with the kit with Sam Cassano, the kit designer. To make a long story shorter, Sam designed an alternate in the kit to allow opening up the gun deck and building up portions of the deck below. There were problems with the plans and the bulkhead former in doing this.  Sam will comment here on how he and Model Expo will address these issues.
 
I have now cut the former to do the deck drop downs, cut the bulkheads from their sheets and done some cleaning up on them, attached the rabbet strip, chiseled and sanded to the bearding line at the stern and attached the stem, keel and stern post. Since I am sort of the guinea pig on this kit, I have some comments for those following. The plywood for the former and bulkheads was difficult to work with: one of the sheets was not cut through by the laser and I have requested a replacement because the parts could not be released; even on the sheets that were fully cut, the tabs holding the parts to the sheets were large and hard to cut through -- I gave up on a knife and ended up using chisels; the slots on the former and bulkheads required considerable filing to open them sufficiently to fit; cutting the deck drop downs and the new slots for the affected bulkheads, after I figured out what to do, was hard work with saws and chisels ( hopefully this will now be resolved for the future).
 
Having said all of this, I'm still eager to go forward. Sam is intent on solving any problems and I believe that he will. Next up will be attaching the bulkheads.
 
Bob

Clarification as Kevin brought up a good point.
 
I've heard it said that we are two countries separated by a common language.
 
I think, lining is only done on POB models as there aren't enough frames.  If one looks at the fully framed and the real thing, the sills and the frames provide the port linings.  Usually, the ship was framed and the ports cut while in frame.  They would plank her and then cut or at least finish fit the planking around the ports.

Good evening everyone
 
The kit is ordered, the Deluxe PE kits is not available in the UK at present, should be another couple of weeks
The Victory is safe and secure for a while, and will be finished
The Workroom has had a bit of a make over as well, i put a window in at the weekend, at last i have some natural light in there and a different carpet as the one i had, it was impossible to find anything when dropped onto it, 
 
research 
 
http://www.ipmsstockholm.se/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2250&start=30
http://www.kbismarck.com/models/
 
http://3dhistory.de/wordpress/3d-models/dkm-bismarck/bismarck-high-res
 
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=144178
http://www.bismarck-class.dk/shipmodels/shipmodels_menu.html
https://www.facebook.com/BismaarckModell148Scale/photos_stream
http://www.bismarck-class.dk/shipmodels/shipmodels_menu.html

All Canons cut ready for the framing to start, well I said all there is a little matter of the other side to do. The larger square section on the top centre deck which ive yet to cut, what is its purpose. ? I ask as it appears to be hidden in the rigging / ratlines

Yes, Constructo does use castings that are less desirable than some other kits, AL kits are the same with this issue. But one good thing is, we can always substitute inferrior castings with really nice ones with the money we saved on the kits. One major issue I have with Caldercraft that I just couldn't get over was the use of so much preformed sections from stern to gunwhales. To me these sections look better built up. Also, Constructo uses better woods than most other kits and Victory not excluded. There are very few Victory kits that I would consider not painting and Constructo's version is one of the few. But then again, the wood is one thing, but talent to build it and make it fit enough for a natural finish without gaps and wood filler is another issue. You my friend are a natural at this and I see many more models in your future.   

latest pictures, planking the hull, planking a slow process as I'm sure many have done many times but this is my first so I have no idea what pitfalls lie ahead.

sorry mark rough is what I wrote but not what I meant,

Goos afternoon, torn between lots of things today, F1 Race test match and Victory, so i have delayed watching the Race so that i can listen to the Cricket, Brilliant game
 
anyway - LOL subject to change the Gun-ports are finished, that for me is a big milestone, i have a couple of lanyards still to put away but the quarterdeck decoration still needs to be finished
 
so these might be the last few outside photo to be taken as she is going to be a handful to move outside as i start soon on the deck decoration, thank you all for likes and comments which have kept me going
 

good evening everyone
 
Nearly there, just Nine left to do, two this side and then strip 7 and redo them on the port side,so hopefully i can put this saga behind me (been a saga to me) 
Lanyards - once into a routine i was ok
 
click on image to get better image

Progress made
 
had the opportunity so far to just get on with it, instead of an hour here and an hour there,although i will be in this position a lot more now as i have just stopped my other hobby (Eve online) 
 
sat in my mancave listening to us being beaten by india 

sorry mark rough is what I wrote but not what I meant,

Thank you for the nice comments, Pete, Michael, Mij
 
 
Good question, Kevin. I'm not sure on either point.  As built, she had lids and the appropriate rebates.  At the time of her capture and after a major rework, I can find no sign of lids.  There are sills, but again, no indication of linings as kits have them.  The frame is the side linings. I'm not sure "rough" would describe the ports.. they'll be filed/sanded smooth as will the sills.  The internal and external planking will be to the opening and smooth.  Things are still pretty roughed in at this point with more work coming once all the frames are in place.

mark in real life would these gun-ports be lined and rebated now or later to accept the lids or left rough for the rest of her career

Agree with all comments ,brilliant work ,just be carefull of the thunderstorms !!

Goos afternoon, torn between lots of things today, F1 Race test match and Victory, so i have delayed watching the Race so that i can listen to the Cricket, Brilliant game
 
anyway - LOL subject to change the Gun-ports are finished, that for me is a big milestone, i have a couple of lanyards still to put away but the quarterdeck decoration still needs to be finished
 
so these might be the last few outside photo to be taken as she is going to be a handful to move outside as i start soon on the deck decoration, thank you all for likes and comments which have kept me going
 

Hello Kevin and a WOW to the nth power!  Magnificent!
 
Cheers,

Always a sight to behold.  Congratulations on the milestone.

Goos afternoon, torn between lots of things today, F1 Race test match and Victory, so i have delayed watching the Race so that i can listen to the Cricket, Brilliant game
 
anyway - LOL subject to change the Gun-ports are finished, that for me is a big milestone, i have a couple of lanyards still to put away but the quarterdeck decoration still needs to be finished
 
so these might be the last few outside photo to be taken as she is going to be a handful to move outside as i start soon on the deck decoration, thank you all for likes and comments which have kept me going