You can get pre-made ballast systems. I have seen them used in the large scale submarines. In my searching I found a 6 foot long Typhoon class sub that was able to hover at any depth and launch missiles from launch depth. really cool. but yes the tanks and systems already exist. I guess it depends on how in depth you are willing to go with it. The sub used two tanks one on each side. A ship this large could easily use them to help weight the ship down as well as help re-float it.
I included a photo next to a 1/144 Sodak for scale. The picture showing the bottom of the Bart looking like an alligators back shows the block and fill method I prefer, but for the sides I will be using two layers of 1/16" laminated together with epoxy on the outside of the ribs to give the warped effect, while also providing a straight lower edge to rest the 1/8" sheeting on top of, to provide a smooth hull shape which is borrowed from the technique Mark employs on his larger kits.
The Sodak looks more like a light cruiser than a battleship next to the Bart. Looking really neat, looking forward to more progress. Beaver
The first photo shows the 01 level being formed, the second one shows how the double wrapping of the impenetrable area with 1/16 ply, to form the 1/8" shelf for the hull skin to sit on, making the hull appear to be flush, the last photo shows the platform levels for the superstructure.
Well finals are over, finally.. I'm waiting on some more stock to finish wrapping the stern I knocked out some of the superstructure
The Bart is back, having previously sold it prior to completion, work is being accelerated on this project to get it hammered out and clear the ways for the next monster.
Tonight I cut the holes in the deck for A and B turrets, and made B Barbette, I also finished shaping the deck and cap rails. I don't have a set of Jean Bart plans to really tell what the 02 level looks like, if it is the same as Richelieu or not. I still need to lower B Barbette into the deck. and finish the sterns impenetrable area, I had previously drilled out the holes for the stuffing tubes, but plan on doing the filling between the ribs with balsa instead of the hard wood used on the rest of the ship. I will continue to wrap the doubled 1/16" ply over the vertical sides of the hulls impenetrable area. Does anyone have a set of the Jean Bart plans from the French maritime site? It does not appear to be up anymore.
Work and school have been taking alot of my boat building time, but went back to toiling on the Bart this weekend, I am having problems figuring out the 02 level of the SS, I think their is a separate level between the 01, and the pieces I have sitting on top of the 01 in the above pictures. Any Bart fans have an idea?
