Kawasaki ultra 310LX jet ski by Bryan Woods - FINISHED - metal Earth - 1:30 scale

[Bryan Woods]

After two weeks away from the shipyard. Then one week,  sitting in the shipyard thinking of starting back on the Gretel. Then came frigid temperatures and more snow than we’ve seen in years. So working conditions forced me out of the shipyard. Luckily Ludwig reminded me I still had the metal earth I purchased in Montana ( it was the only one I could find). I saw only one on the shelf and quickly grabbed it paid for it and caught up with my wife doing her own hunting:-)

I thought it surly was a snowmobile being this far north. I’m glad I got it so I can build without a huge mess in the house. 
 

[Bryan Woods]

 

Ready to start!  I think good lighting is very important when attempting one of these models. The shipyard has the lighting, I thought the breakfast room would do. With my eyes blinded by the snow covered ground through the window made it a struggle.

 

 

The first three parts fell together nicely. Then when looking at the rear of the ski where all three parts come together, I had trouble seeing the tab and the slot at the same time. For me to insert the tabs and twist or bend them, I need to turn the model so I can line up the tool with the tab. I find this easiest when the back drop is solid white. I thought the snow outside would work great for this:-) but the screen on the window made it almost impossible for me to focus on the tab. It made me think the screen squares were slots:-)

 

 

 

with a light hand and patience they will marry:-)

[Bryan Woods]

Few more steps before stopping for the night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Old Collingwood]

Take  it  indoors    build  it  on the   lounge  table   -  I   do.

 

OC.

[Bryan Woods]

On some assembly steps I think faith can be most helpful:-) After moving it around between my fingers for probably 10 minutes, just trying to see if it was even possible, both tabs fell into place:-)

 

 

The other side went on, but not quite as easy:-) Here’s where I was at when my eyes needed a break.

 

 

 

[Bryan Woods]

Today I just stopped in about four different times and spent about 10-15 minutes at each setting. I’m on step 7 of 15.

 

[Bryan Woods]

Nothing like a good challenge to start the day:-)  Hand grips first things. 
 

This

 

Into this.

 

Those together here.

along with the jets, it seemed to be a good stopping point for the day:-)

 

 

[Bryan Woods]

Upper half completed.

 

 

Here’s another tool that helps accuracy.

 

 

lower half fits together nicely.

 

 

Lots of detail around the rear jet.

 

 

And the two half’s come together, just as the temperature outside creeps above freezing and starts melting the snow.

 

 

 

 

 

As I cleaned up the breakfast table, after the build was completed. I casually set the jet ski on one of the shelves in one of my wife’s vignettes. We’ll see how long it can stay:-)

 

Edited January 23, 2024 by Bryan Woods