Danmark by BuilderBen - Billing Boats - 1:72

[BuilderBen]

After a long pause (almost 30 years) the first picture of the Danmark building process. I have finished the planking of the main deck. There is a difference in colour, because the new wood has been in the box and the wood that had been glued to the deck has been exposed to light. I hope that after sanding the deck with fine sandpaper (400) this wil disappear. Furthermore the deck has to be varnished in  wood colour. That leads me to some questions. 
- what colour should I use for the deck ( I.e. oak or Mahoney etc.), and shoul I use varnish from the DIY store, or is there special modelling varnish?

- on the boards I have glued some planks that are thicker than the deck planks. I am planning to sans them an varnish them, however on pictures of the ship I saw that this is metal. I am not sure if this is done later (as the ship was launched in 1932). Or would this be a builders decision? Any advice on this is welcome!
 

As final remark, this. Is my first wooden Billing Boats kit. Time will tell whether I should have started with a simpler kit 😀.

 

Best regards,

 

Ben

 

[PietFriet]

I use light oak as the way I understand it, the deck is/was always light of colour. I use matt/satin varnish, water based from the DIY store. After that I use steel wool to make the deck smooth. You can put additional pressure in areas where people walk to get a weathering effect. Something I don't do because I feel that you would need to weather the whole boat to make it natural.

Peter

[BuilderBen]

Thanks Peter, I will try to get some varnish and light oak from the DIY store (corona lockdown). They have a pick up service, so I should  be able to get it.

[BuilderBen]

Here are some more pictures of the varnished deck. I am not completely satisfied with the colour of the middle deck, as the oak colour isn’t that that solid. Having said that, varnishing it again might result in a dark oak colour. Maybe I leave it like this, decks are always a bit worn down 😀. I further started with the hull, first parts are mounted and I am rather satisfied, but comments and advices to improve are always welcome.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 7, 2021 by BuilderBen

[ccoyle]

Weathered decks on working ships tend to look pretty bland and worn. Star of India in San Diego just got a new deck in 2017, and the contrast between the old deck and the new deck is interesting.

[BuilderBen]

The difference is indeed interesting. I think I will keep the deck as it is now.

[BuilderBen]

I am working on this item and the metal parts have to be painted trainer yellow (billing boats number 13-1 according to the instructions). The billing boats paint is hard to get in the Netherlands, at least this colour.  Does any of you know an alternative number I.e. from Vallejo or Model Masters?

[BuilderBen]

Just an update in the building process. The planking of the hull is going rather well (for a first time). i am also working on the cabins. I must say that the plastic doors don’t look very mahogany. I have finished these with Vallejo paint but they still look a bit ‘plastic’. Any tips on how to make them more realistic are welcome (maybe make wooden doors?). Finally, I have found some yellow paint, just have to see how it will look on the brass part. As always, tips and comments are welcome .

[ccoyle]

The doors are items that you could very easily replace with scratch-built parts made from wood or card, if you choose.

[BuilderBen]

Thanks Chris,

 

I will try building a door from scratch.  It took some time to reply, sorry for that. Keep the forum updated on the results.

 

Ben

[BuilderBen]

We are slowly moving forward. Painted the hull with primer an used filler to make it more smooth. Still one layer primer to go, I hope the final paint layer will no show any brush markings. Painting tips woul be appreciated 😉 . Also fitted the rudder and propeller and made some small deck cabins.