Now for Battlestations. Currently we have Vance's Surcouf French submarine under re-fit in order to make the boat submerge. The Surcouf has already been on the water for sea trials, and gunnery trials. But has not been entered into combat. I also have the P.E. under construction for the Denmark Straits project. The hull has advanced to the point of nearly being a complete skeleton. The deck, sub-deck, bow and stern profiles, and almost all of the ribs are all cut out on wood. I am planning to finish the hull for this project and pass it off to someone else to finish. I am considering making the superstructure for this project as well. As for future Battlestations projects.. I am planning to lay down a German Pocket-Battleship for Jeff C. I hope to get that project started in the next couple of weeks. And have the ship on the water by spring. I may also build some sort of escort ship to go along with it for Kevin. Something axis. Possibly one of Mark's Italian Capitani Romani destroyer-leader kits. I am considering starting perhaps one more new Battlestations project for next season. But I have not decided what it might be, and may wait to see just how the current projects progress to make sure that I do not take on too much. Mikey
Not much progress on this front as of late. Too many other projects were going on. But most of those other things are behind us now. So we should be able to get back on track with some of this stuff. No progress at all on the Surcouf, and P.E. But the sub should easily be ready for combat in the spring. We are looking for another captain to take on the P.E. build. But we may continue to work on that project to the point of getting her ready for sea trials. I am planning to contact Jeff C. about the new project to make sure that he wants to go ahead with the pocket-battleship, and her escort. No other projects beyond the discussion phase at this time. But we had an absolute blast with Battlestations this season. So there remains a lot of excitement. Mikey
I am currently working on the last rib for the P.E. Trying to decide just how we want to join the hull halves. I have also taken up the Capitani Romani build for Kevin. I am hoping to start sheeting the bottom of both of these new boats in the near future. And the Surcouf will be moved to a front burner early next year. Mikey
P.E. has a new owner. She will perhaps be stationed here for a time. But we hope to see some more progress on this wonderful ship. I am still working on Jeff's Capitani Romani. Not a lot of progress lately. But it seems like this project will start moving along shortly. Surcouf now has it's own table in the shop. So we should be seeing the sub back on the water soon. Mikey
Here you can see the Prinz Eugen project is actually moving forward. The plywood hard bottom is on and the stuffing tubes are in. Here are the main cannons. Torpedoes are next on the list of things to acquire.
