Amerigo Vespucci by DanielD - OcCre - 1:100

[DanielD]

Good evening, today’s update is all about the cranes located at the bow. The hardest part for me was building the tackle, these pulley's are very small, just 3mm at the widest part.

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by DanielD

[DanielD]

Well mates, it’s been a few days since my last update, so I thought I would give a little hint on what I’ve been up to. I’m not happy with the way OcCre designed the canopy for the fly bridge, basically gluing small pieces of wood stock to the clear plastic which makes sanding and blending very hard not to mention painting. So I’ve designed my own to be made of 1mm plywood, which will look like the sketch below. These pieces are small and I broke my first attempt, but a little redesign and I think this one will work.

 

[DanielD]

Good afternoon all, here is the progress on my new design canopy for the fly bridge.

 

Next step, install the rivets, then prime again as the yellow paint does not like to stick to the rivets, then paint AV yellow, install glass, window trim, install on main structure and finally install molding between canopy and base. Wow, lots to do.

 

 

[clearway]

we do like to create hours of boundless fun for ourselves in the modelling world don't we- whether its railways, planes, armour or ships 🤪.

 

Keith

[DanielD]

More progress on my fly bridge canopy…but still lots to do.

 

[DanielD]

Another update, I have installed the window trim, 28 very tiny pieces, from 2-6mm long.

 

[DanielD]

Good evening mates, I’ve made a bit of progress on the chart room and sky bridge. Added the trim today and started working on the fine details. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I’ll have it reattached to the ship, for the last time!

 

[clearway]

way to go Daniel- looks awesome.

 

Keith

[DanielD]

Good evening mates, I spent the last couple of days getting some of the details on the chart room/sky bridge completed. Long list of “upgrades!” Life rings, horn speakers, fire fighting equipment, ladder cage, doors with handles…and I’m sure more things I forgot. Finally I have installed the building back on the hull for the last time.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2023 by DanielD

[DanielD]

Good evening mates, the last couple of days I’ve been studying the Amerigo Vespucci fore deck railings. The kit supplied flat etched bollards are, well, very poor so changing it up a bit. It’s no easy task but I’m pleased with my progress. Not permanently installed yet as the railings get painted black and white, but getting there. Thanks for stopping by and for all your support.

 

[DanielD]

And a little update today with the port side railings painted as per the AV.

 

[DanielD]

Good evening mates, today I worked on my first hatch. I’m not happy with what OcCre provide in the kit, so I made my own version. The first two images are my attempt and the last two are photos from the actual AV.

 

Edited November 12, 2023 by DanielD

[clearway]

nice one looks great Daniel 😁- nice details on the fife rail showing the sheaves on the posts and blocks fastened to the deck.

 

Keith

[DanielD]

Good evening mates, had a little time in the shipyard today after chores and was able to complete my second hatch. This time I used the OcCre provided parts as they appear the same as on the real AV. Also did a little fire fighting fittings. Had to make a couple of versions to get the scale correct as I was attempting to put too much detail in them which made the pieces way too big for a 1:100 scale model. Will see how this looks for a while, maybe make another one (or two)…

 

 

Edited November 13, 2023 by DanielD

[DanielD]

Good evening mates, finally finished the hatch by making the vent more scale appropriate, finishing the port holes and even added a small red sticker that is present in many of the AV images available. Also added a valve handle to the fire apparatus but not sure if I’ll leave it brass or paint it black.

 

 

[DanielD]

My next project was finding wheel handles for the vents. I needed round wheels 4mm in diameter with three spokes. I wasn’t able to find any for purchase with these specs so I decided to manufacture them myself. I first tried using wood dowels, but that didn’t work at all as the thickness of the wheel just makes wood way too fragile for this use. Next I used brass wire connecting the pieces together with CA glue. As you could imagine, this was very messy, gluing my fingers more than the wire. Finally I soldered the wire together. While this worked well, it took several attempts to get something I liked. Keith (clearway), why do we continually put ourselves through these kind of things? …just follow the plans, it’s so much easier!

 

Edited November 16, 2023 by DanielD

[clearway]

15 hours ago, DanielD said:

Keith (clearway), why do we continually put ourselves through these kind of things? …just follow the plans, it’s so much easier!

Follow the plans.... hmmmmm could make life a lot simpler 🤔................................................... naaaa wheres the fun in that😂.

 

 

The wheels do look great though Daniel (books you a session in a darkened room with soothing music).

 

Keith

[DanielD]

For all the US captains, Happy Thanksgiving and for all the other captains I hope you will have a great weekend!

 

This last week I started working on the major crane on board the AV. I feel that OcCre failed us with their design of this portion of the ship in that their design feels/looks clunky. So…I have again deviated from the plans and am working from actual images of the Amerigo Vespucci.

 

Below are the first images of my take on this section of the ship. The cranes boom is functional in both the x and y axis. If I was thinking about this area of the ship months ago in the planning stage, I think I could have made a working crane with motors, alas I didn’t think that far ahead. Also, I have finished the stack/funnel and first layer of primer and almost finished the railing with one more support to make before paint.

 

Edited November 23, 2023 by DanielD

[clearway]

some nice details on the derricks and funnel Daniel

 

Keith

[DanielD]

Good evening mates, more progress on the ships funnel as well as improvements on the derrick and its home resting on the railing.

 

[DanielD]

Another update, this time with my progress on the motors that drive the derrick. A few more odds and ends to add, but I’m happy with the progress. The last two images are actual images of this section of the ship.

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by DanielD

[DanielD]

Good evening mates, more work completed on the Derrick motors, just about ready for paint.

 

Edited November 30, 2023 by DanielD

[DanielD]

Quick update, derrick motor paint nearly complete. I covered it with a black wash to hopefully highlight the details.

 

Edited December 2, 2023 by DanielD

[DanielD]

Good morning mates, well…its seems that the best laid plans need room for change. As I have been working on the mid ship crane/derrick, I discovered that there are two lights on it that are important for the lighting effect. Except that I didn’t plan for them in my initial design. After a little fishing and rewiring, I was able to get the derrick lights to work with the deck lights. Change is good, or so I’m told.

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by DanielD

[DanielD]

Another update mates, more work on the mid ship derrick, building the equipment at the top. Below is a portion of an image I’m attempting to model after.

 

 

[clearway]

I dont know if american railroaders use them but here in the U.K. we use open spoked pulleys to guide signal wiring ( a firm called wizard models does multi layered etched ones in 00 gauge and 0 gauge)

 

the build is really starting to look nice and busy- keep it up.

 

Keith

[DanielD]

3 hours ago, clearway said:

I dont know if american railroaders use them but here in the U.K. we use open spoked pulleys to guide signal wiring ( a firm called wizard models does multi layered etched ones in 00 gauge and 0 gauge)

 

the build is really starting to look nice and busy- keep it up.

 

Keith

I’ll look and see, I’m not happy with the pulleys but when I try to add the holes, the entire thing falls apart. I hadn’t thought about railroad pulleys. Good one and thanks!

[DanielD]

Good evening mates, time for a weekend update. I’ve continued to work on the main derrick with completing the motor sled and nearly have the derrick tower completed. Almost ready for permanent installation!

 

This is my first time I’ve attempted a texture paint job. The base of the derrick tower on the real AV is covered with aluminum colored diamond plating. I’ve dabbed silver acrylic paint over the surface a couple of times with the hope of achieving something that resembles the rough texture of diamond plating.

[DanielD]

Good afternoon mates, more work on the derrick. Nearly finished with this part of the ship and ready for the next AV adventure. I think I’ve spent about a month working on this feature! 
 

Many thanks to Keith (clearway) for suggesting some railroad belt pulleys that I might be able to use on the derrick. I had to modify them a bit, but I think they look just right.

 

[clearway]

You are welcome - they look a trillion % better Daniel- nice job 😁

 

Keith