HMS Dreadnought 1907 by RGL - FINISHED - Zvezda - 1/350- PLASTIC

[RGL]

Onto the big guns. As they really are the thing to draw the eye on a model, there is a lot of detail required. If you compare the AOTS image to the kit provided gun, there is a lot of work to do.

 

As I got both upgrade kits, there is not a lot of overlap, and the Pontos stuff is nicer, but Flyhawk gives you resin periscopes, compared to using the blobs provided by Zvzeda. As such lot of reduction and sanding to do. The 12 pounders will all be replaced of course.

 

Pontos provides a full barrel and trunions, where as Flyhawk has plug in barrels. Pontos it is. Neither kit has enough 12 pounder barrels to meet the full complement, but with a combination I can get there.

[Haliburton]

Hi Greg - I've been following along on your build for a little while. This is top notch work! I wondered what tools you use for photo-etch bending. I have some small bending pliers but wondered what else you use and find helpful? Thanks

[RGL]

A photo etch tool from the small shop, there is a photo of it on 21 June

[RGL]

Moving along, as I don't have enough of the Pontos barrels, I have to use Flyhawk ones, which require a bit more reduction of the North Start 12 pounder's barrels. Not hard, just tiny. Then adding the small pieces of photo etch to the side of the guns on some tape for stability. I will paint and add the flywheels off kit so they don't just blend in. .

 

The main guns fit nicely but the brackets for the trunions require sanding back so the top and bottom of the turrets sit flush.

 

Then there is some small pieces of etch that represent the turret rings, which require bending of the 1mm brackets upwards so they sit flush.

 

Finally the ladders for the front of the guns and the periscopes. The tops of the turrets are going to be painted separately as they are a darker shade of grey.

 

I have now painted them all, but in the process of adding washes and drybrushing to bring out detail. Once that is done I shall post again.

[WackoWolf]

Outstanding detail, excellent. Thanks for sharing this, keep the post and pictures coming. She is going to be a beauty when finished.

[jbshan]

I'm thinking whoever is assigned to those 12 pdrs. (?) atop the main turrets is gonna have to strap themselves in or the suction from firing the big guns may get them.

[RGL]

Apparently they were placed there to meet the threat of torpedo boats, I reckon the concussion from the big guns would kill you. There are control rods (which I have not attached) which where slaved to the main guns used for training.

[cog]

 

Apparently they were placed there to meet the threat of torpedo boats, I reckon the concussion from the big guns would kill you.

 

The question surfaces: What to do when in active combat with an enemy battleship/cruiser and torpedoboats running in on the ship ... I wonder if they would decide either the big guns or the smaller ... Honestly, I can't imagine the concussion would kill you, but I'm not savvy on the subject

[RGL]

OK, maybe not kill them but I don't think you'd be very well! I suppose a naval person here could clarify fleet actions?

[jbshan]

The question surfaces: What to do when in active combat with an enemy battleship/cruiser and torpedoboats running in on the ship ... I wonder if they would decide either the big guns or the smaller ... Honestly, I can't imagine the concussion would kill you, but I'm not savvy on the subject

If you were manning your 12 pdr. on one of those side turrets and the main battery fired on an aft bearing . . .

 

Later:

I did a little Googling and while I didn't find anybody who could testify to the results, nobody volunteered to go stand on top of a turret while the guns were fired.

Edited August 21, 2016 by jbshan

[jud]

Would not be using the Main Battery and the Secondary Battery guns mounted on the turrets at the same time. Guns were not mounted for long on top of turrets until the need for more AA guns in WW 2 came along, Then the US Navy installed quad 40's on top of turrets 2 and 3, manned only during AA action, other countries did the same. The Dreadnought was the first of a type that rapidly was overshadowed and improved upon as more of the Steel Navy evolved, think that Germany had a larger and better armed vessel on the ways before the Dreadnought had her first sea trials, beginning the Battleship race.

jud

Edited August 22, 2016 by jud

[cog]

Thank you gents, I never had the need to be up one of those, and wouldn't look forward to it either

[RGL]

There is a heap of research on this online (concussive injury). No death but not good for you.

[amateur]

I can imagine.

Even a relatively small 155 howitzer gives some showckwave, and isn't too good for your ears....

And a double 12" gun is slightly larger

 

Jan

[BANYAN]

Finally back after the road trip to find the amazing progress you have achieved Greg; she is looking the 'ants pants' with some amazing detail at that scale.

 

Back to the plates under the cable; i would be very surprised if she did not have any.  These acted as 'scotchmans' to protect the wood deck, or even thin deck plating, from the chain as it bounced around while being worked.  You would be amazed at the damage that can be done from that.

 

cheers 

 

Pat

Edited August 23, 2016 by BANYAN

[RGL]

Welcome back old boy! Most of the painting is done, but I did spend a good hour today searching for a prodigal lamb of a periscope that went into orbit, and my employer demanding that I put in an honest day's work. My youngest saw me searching the floor said; "you've lost something"

"Yes mate"

"I bet it's important"

"Yes mate, otherwise I would not be on my hands and knees looking for it"

 

As it eventuates, it was 6 inches away, not on the floor, and the hour I spent mentally preparing the email to Flyhawk begging a replacement was not wasted as the floor is very clean.

[BANYAN]

Oh you have to love those moments Greg    i don't know how often I have lost a small part only to find it a couple of days later exactly in the area I had searched and searched.

 

It was a great trip and I enjoyed our catch-up.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[cog]

You mean you polished the floor, whilst looking for the elusive pimpernel, I mean telescope. I like the way your youngest puts her finger on the sore spot, very observant

[Old Collingwood]

Welcome back old boy! Most of the painting is done, but I did spend a good hour today searching for a prodigal lamb of a periscope that went into orbit, and my employer demanding that I put in an honest day's work. My youngest saw me searching the floor said; "you've lost something"

"Yes mate"

"I bet it's important"

"Yes mate, otherwise I would not be on my hands and knees looking for it"

 

As it eventuates, it was 6 inches away, not on the floor, and the hour I spent mentally preparing the email to Flyhawk begging a replacement was not wasted as the floor is very clean.

I had the same problem Greg do you think I could find the bollards and part of my spinner that just fell off somewhere,  The carpet monster has a lot to answer to

 

OC.

[RGL]

Now, the big guns and 12 pounders are finished. I won't bore you with the sequences, but like all piece work, it's just added bit by bit. I have also added strips under the anchor chain. Plus a few other old photos which are pretty cool.

[BANYAN]

The detailing is looking superb Greg; a very fine addition to your miniature fleet.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[cog]

Very impressive Greg. Details are real sharp too.

[RGL]

The detailing is looking superb Greg; a very fine addition to your miniature fleet.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[RGL]

No where near finished yet, railings, aerials with spreaders then more Davits and torpedo nets to go yet! The rigging is going to be complicated.

[Canute]

Impressive detailing, Greg. Will be interesting to see the torpedo nets. Will you deploy them or leave them stowed?

[CDW]

I love the way those turrets came out. Beautiful.

[RGL]

Torpedo nets will be deployed old chap.

[Canute]

Looking forward to seeing that, Greg. Love your work on this ship.

[Jim Lad]

Magnificent work, Greg!

 

John

[RGL]

There is a special room in hell for the designers of the aerials on the dreadnought. The kit comes with spreaders, and I see most people try and use stretched sprue or thin metal wire, but trying to be consistent I used the ezyline. The first attempt came out like this.

 

A little more thought and going cross-eyed because of the scale, I came up with this.

 

And hopefully I can end up with this.

 

I just have to attach them under tension now. Then I can finally ad some more rigging, and back to making progress.