I went with a more expensive paint but the quality of the paint was soooo much better. It went on very nicely. Now I can do the below the waterline. \
I had both Tirpitz and Bismarck upright in the paint booth. My paint mask straps broke so while I was fumbling holding that I ended up causing a run in the paint on Bismarck below the waterline. I 'll have to sand it down and repaint it. The foam rubber superstructure wasn't cut very well so I am going to have to make new 2 level armored conning tower, the section that is at the forefront of the superstructure. It was a very poorly cut section and useless to me. The rest of the foam of the 01 level where the 5.9 in secondaries revolve in are poorly cut there as well. I am not happy with the way the foam was cut . My original foam superstructure was cut nicely. Well I will have to try and trim the cuts as best as possible. Slow progress with the model but a little progress is better than no progress.
The hull was resanded of paint runs. The paint booth is very narrow. Bismarck is longer than it is wide and nearly as tall standing up. The forward and rear hatches have been sanded again and repainted with primer. Next would be painting the fore and aft deck the hatches and test fitting the new hatch again. Once that is done it's just a matter of getting the topside together. Speaking of I decided not to use my new swampy foam superstructure. Instead I orderd the Laser Jet cut new superstructure from Strike to replace my new one. I may keep the new one as a battle structure or sell it along with the AAs as I ordered the AA with the details molded on from Strike.
I made another center hatch and resin it to waterproof it. This one fits better than the first one I made. The forward hatch was test fitted but needed sanding to fit. There appeared to be a large gap which I used sytrene shims to fill in the gap. Just need to trim and seal it. This weekend I will have more time to buckle down and get more work done on both Tirpitz and Bismarck.
The center hatch received a coat of primer today. I sanded it smooth and test fit it on the hull. It fit better. So did the forward hatch after some more light sanding on it's edges. I sanded the main funnel smooth and reapplied another thin coat of putty to finish it. Today I test fitted the McFadden superstructure which was slated for Tirpitz's hull however I am well behind my building schedule and I need to get Bismarck moving along to completion to make room for North Carolina. I figured the McFadden superstructure would be more useful on Bismarck since it is the one that is a combat model and will see more action maybe another on Nationals. It would be wasted on Tirpitz as that model will be a detailed runner. With the new Strike Model's Bismarck superstructure on order I could't put Bismarck off any longer. By the time it arrives Bismarck should be near completion and Tirpitz should be ready to accept the new superstructure and I should have the drive shafts in place by then. My work was cut short today as my Wife and her cousin were rear ended by another car while they were stopped at a traffic light. Minor damage to the rear of the car and they both have mild whiplash but should both recover . I didn't take pics as I forgot the camera. Hope to take some tomorrow tomorrow. I spent the time trimming the excess flash off the superstructure.
Fiinaallly. With the extreme weather of late and my bad shoulder I managed to get to the dockyard by sacrificing a few hours of morning sleep on Saturday and Sunday. I assembled the McFadden Superstructure . Nest would be to add the platforms to cut out and attach followedby the remaining details, like the mast and cranes ect. Hull - I recarved the anchor wells at the forward bow location. Cut out another center hatch. I shimmed the edges of the aft quarterdeck hatch to fill in the gaps there using strips of sstyrene sheet. . Main Turrets - I removed the old platforms that that had velcro strips which was used to secure the turrets. However their too tall for the Terminte Bismarck Turrets so I chopped them down and I had to remove material inside the turrent so that it would sit flush on the barbette over the cannon upfeeds. The Terminte Turrets are too short in height, more sqyat than the Vinly Turrets which are molded for the kit. The Vinly turrets are accurate in their dimensions as I measured them against the plans for the width and height. The Termite Turrets are too wide and too low in height. However I removed enough inside material so that the turrets fit flush on Bismarck's ;barbettes over the bb cannons. I have the same issue with the Secondary Termite Turrets. They too are out of proportion width and design. I will use the Vinly Secondary Turrets as they will fit near the alcovers of the lower superstructure much tighter and not overhang the hull. The Termite Secondaries I can use for Tirptiz but I am leaning towards getting a set of the secondary Turrets for Tirptiz instead. We'll see how it goes. I had to abandand the dockyard as the heavy rains was causing the yard to flood so my work was cut short before I got really going on it. My other problem is with my shoulder. I just got back from Physio and my right Shoulder Blade is not where it should be. Itis rotating away from my back not sliding over it as it shouold. So I will be working on that to get it where it belongs and then build it's strength up. Otherwisse I will be using very small warships from here on in.
I finally started the detail work on the Bismarck's superstructure. I am working forward towards the rear. I got one Bridge wing built and one level made and attached. The styrene adheres to the Mcfadden Superstructure very quickly and well.
Work still progressing on Bismarck superstructure. I finally have the bridge wings finished.Just need to clean them up and attach. Also have a deck level attached. Slow but tedious progress. Strike is still working on my new Bismarck superstructure which I will use for Tirpitz when it arrives. Along with the other goodies the Missouri will get more AA guns and I the Bismarck and Tirpitz should have their compliment of AA guns. Meanwhile been researching for line drawings of the Sovyetskiy Soyuz. Strike would make a hull if the wood form was built and ready for molding. He also plans to make a superstructure for Montana. When that is available I am gong to get it . I will have to sell off a few hulls like my KGV, Dunkerque, Vdt and Konig to make room for the beast. I would later than get the Soyuz (crossing fingers) if and when that is available. I love the superships.
Work progressing well today on Bismarck. The bridge wings were rail section were sheeted in thin brass sheet and the wings attached . The deck that the conning tower resides on was sheeted in brass sheet rail. The Bridge itself has styrene sheet around it with windows attached. The searchlight platform was attached. The little platform beneath that was attached. The platform bridge deck with wings and the catwalk at the rear of the platform are attached. The platforms have been also ribbed with triangular pieces to brace and support the levels. Still more work to do of the conning tower but it's finally coming along. Once that section is done I will be moving on to the Funnel details.
Work continued on Bismarck. I had to remove the brass railing strips in favor of the styrene. They popped off after a little trimming with the dremel and the heat transferred from teh cutting wheel to the brass made the rail break free from the ca adhesive. I wasn't at all happy with them anyway so it is just as well. I managed to get another level attached and trimmed the rails to correct proportions. It's starting to take shape. Just need to add a small platformat the rear of the tower about mid way up that has a ladder that connects the searchlight platform. More ladders to add along with windows and door hatches. Then I will build the radars and attach the mattresses to the radars , attach them to the bearins so that they can swivel. I will have to order a new set of searchlights for this superstructure and running lights.
A couple of setbacks mainly with losing my little parts on the table and around the workshop necessiated in rebuilding those parts again... sigh.. Good news is the Bismarck Bridge tower is coming along really nice. I started the Foretop Radars and will continue with the remaining radars. I also added railing (chicken wire) to the rear of the tower walkway or catwalk to the main funnel. Rail added to the searchlight platform. Trimmed the triangular brace supports benath the uppermost platform and beneath the bridge platform. I wanted to make the windows recessed but the bridge has a slight curvature and would require too much time and work to get it the look I want so I am leaving as is and will install the windows later. Yamato 's 2 panels with the cracks show that the cracks are long the centerline of the ribs that each panel is glued too. May have been when I was trying to place the hull on the shelf I sort of dropped it and it may have caused the rib to flex a little causing a crack in the balsa panel. Good news is on checking the backside of the panel against the rib there is no break in the seal against the rib on the inside of the hull so fixing those cracks will be easy and quick. . I will build new catupults for the ship and will get new planes for it. I will be backin the yard to continue the work on Bismarck . Goal is to get the ship launched by end of april at least. I want to start Craig's North Carolina kit asap.
Fore top Radar is completed and attached. Armored conning tower Forward radar is completed and attached. Hatch doors attached to the structure beneath the foretop radar. Next up is the aft Radar suite and the hemisphere AA directors to attach, plus the foremast needs to be built and attached.
Progress report. Rear Radar built and installed. Just need a very very small antenne wire to proturde from the top of the mast on the radar ( Not the radar itself) . I had to cut the dome of the aft AA director as it was glued in place by mistake. I couldn't pry it off however I successfully sawed it off with a mini hacksaw. I hope to get at it again a few more times this week and spend some time on it the weekend. It's finally moving along. Goal is to complete it , paint and attach it to the center hatch . Strike informed me that he is hoping to get my order out this Wednesday which includes my new Bismarck Superstructure for my Tirpitz and other goodies for the ship. Also included are my AA's for the Missouri .
Thanks. I completed the Rear AA directors. Next up is the funnel details. Hope to get pics this weekend and post them.
I forgot to take the camera again . I lost my Ca glue and had to work without it. Frustrating day it was. However progress was made. The Funnel needs the mini cranes , and the searchlight dome covers and platform, and the funnel need the exhaust pipes and grills on the funnel cap. After that the lifeboat supports need to be made and attached to the main hangar and small airplane hangar roof tops. Main mast and cranes will be welded and installed. The AAs and secondaries need barrels installed. The base of the main mast will need the platform and the smaller platform up the mast.
I just had a little time today but I managed to get the rails on the main platforms of the funnel. The platforms are attached, including the funnel crane platform. Next will be the searchlight dome covers, funnel grating and exhaust pipes. On another note my Bismarck superstructure from Strike is on the way along with the secondaries and I have AA'S and a couple of 40mm gun tubs along with the order for Missouri.
