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[carlmt]

Sorry - forgot to add photos......

[wartsilaone]

Thanks Carl. I did spot that one. Not too much trouble to cut it back. I'm sure there will be more little bits that will need a bit of tweaking.

Ali.

[wartsilaone]

With the back bit cut down I've been doing windows. They are only a millimetre high so they're pretty hard to get right, I not happy with these so I'll do them again.
 


The windows on the front lounge and bridge are ok but I still might change them.



Ali.

[Norseman]

1mm I could never work that small Ali - big clumsy hands mate 
I admire your dexterity and patience 

Dave

[wartsilaone]

Thanks Dave.

I can't find any info on how the professional masters are made. I think they use clay and just prick the windows using specially made tools, I might give it a go. With a bit of practice it turn out the best technique and would save time.
Some elements still have to be made from plastic so maybe I'll stick to what I know.

Ali.   

[carlmt]

I'm with Dave on this one - the dexterity needed for this kind of work is incredible!!!

An idea - maybe the windows could be a waterslide transfer added after painting the model? They could be printed on a strip for the modeller to attach?
Would save trying to 'cut' each one individually - and they would all line up.

If you like, I could draw them up in AutoCAD and save them to a format you could use? As I draw at 1:1 it would be no problem for me - I would just save them to the correct scale....

Your call Ali...........
Carl

[wartsilaone]

It's not a bad idea Carl, It would save a lot of hard work.

On the other hand, once this bit is done I will have a quality master and subsequent casts should be just as good.  I fond the decals I made for the Pride of Hull tricky to apply even though I designed them to be as easy as possible. So I've come to the conclusion that when it comes to transfers, the less the customer has to do the better. It's just too easy for the customer to make a mistake and be left unhappy and blaming bad parts.

Ali.

[wartsilaone]

Maybe this is the way forward. The plasticine has been in the garage so it's gone quite hard. I used a nail to do these.




Ali.

[carlmt]

Hi Ali - on strawberry device so will be brief...

Have you heard of FIMO? Like plasticine but goes hard in a warm oven. Will post more when I get home...
C

[wartsilaone]

Thanks Carl. I'll look it up.

[cos918]

Hi Ali
She is starting to take shape. The Sprit class has many many diffrent angles ,this s what gives them there very unique shape. When I went to the science muesum I found out a new angle on her that I had never  been seen before. I put up a few of the photos I have.

John

[cos918]

second lot

[wartsilaone]

Thanks John. Some of those photos have just the detail I need. The angles are a bit of a pain. It's hard to get a strait edge where two angles join. I'm still working out ways of making professional looking windows.

For this one I used another nail attached to a soldering iron.



Ali.

[Colin Bishop]

Weird looking ships really, they'd never build anything like that these days. They do have a bit of character though.

Colin

[wartsilaone]

It's funny how you don't really appreciate a certain boat until you start making a model of it. The more I look at this ship the more I like it's lines. They certainly don't build them like they used to.

Ali.

[carlmt]

The naval architect for all the Townsend fleet from the Free Enterprise I to the Pride of Calais was James Ayres.

He certainly did not follow conventional fashion when designing his ships. The Free Enterprise I was far removed in design terms from the State ferries plying across the Straits in the early 1960's.  When he designed the FEIV class in the late 60's / early 70's, again they brought a breath of fresh air and grace to the water whereas the Sealink management were just too frightened of spending money incase a channel tunnel was built!

Then, in 1979 / 80 came the Spirit class of 3 - with an appearance that drew critisism and praise in equal measure......just as any good Architect should!!!! The Prides of Dover and Calais, really, were just evolutions of the Spirits and nicknamed 'Chunnel Beaters' as they were the largest ferries ever to cross the Dover Straits...........at that time.

Today, set against the Maersk 'D's, the new Spirits or even the Darwin sisters, the two Prides are quite modest in comparison.  Spirit of Free Enterprise was lengthened by some 30m to perform as a 'running mate' to the two Prides - to ensure that there was some parity between vessels on the Calais run.

James Ayres was, in my eyes, a revolutionary naval architect - a man I would truly love to meet.
Carl

PS - Ali.........here is a link to the FIMO.  My sister uses it to create all sorts of jewelry and crafty things.....

http://www.fimo.com/FIMO_oven_hardening_modelling_clay?ActiveID=138502
C

[wartsilaone]

I'll get some and do some experiments with it. I should think I'll still need to make the hull in plastic but if I can get some even layers of this it would be perfect for the decks on a superstructure. 

What do you think about the 'hot nail' technique. I might give it a go on the POFE and I suppose if it goes wrong I can start again with the FIMO.

[carlmt]

You certainly get a more regular square hole with the hot nail.....it seems to work well 

As you say, it is the time taken to get the master perfectly right that will pay dividends when it comes to moulding later.

I guess it is just a case of experimenting with all manner of materials and tools until you hit upon the right combination. You will know when that moment arrives!!!!

[Colin Bishop]

The Prides of Dover and Calais, really, were just evolutions of the Spirits

Quite right there.

I travel frequently on Brittany Ferries and they have had a policy of building no two ships the same which makes for a fleet where everyone has their particular favourite. They operate on the  Western Channel routes and to Spain so are very much 'overnight ferries' with lots of cabin accommodation.

My favourite ship is Bretagne, see below.

Colin

[wartsilaone]

Well Colin, the Bretagne is on my hit list and when I've cracked these windows I'll have a bash. Hopefully Carl can help with some plans. Make some room in your display cabinet.

Ali

[Colin Bishop]

Make a Bretagne at 1:1200 or 1:1250 and I'll buy it like a shot!

Colin

[wartsilaone]

All my Ferry Small Ships are 1:250 scale so they should go with your liners quite nicely.

Ali.

[carlmt]

All my Ferry Small Ships are 1:250 scale so they should go with your liners quite nicely.

Ali.

1:1250 I think you mean Ali?

[wartsilaone]

oops sorry.  Yes I do mean 1:1250 scale.

Ali.

[Norseman]

Lidl from Monday Ali


 

Dave

[wartsilaone]

I think a trip to Lidl is in order.  Cheers mate.

[wartsilaone]

I gathered the courage to melt some windows this evening. I think it's an improvement.

What do you think?



Ali.

[Norseman]

Yes Ali, much more regular. What did you do different?

Dave

[wartsilaone]

Hi Dave. This is still a learning process and I'm sure I can improve with further models. I could make the windows a bit bigger thus making them appear closer together.
I have adapted a soldering iron to use a 1 inch nail at the tip. The nail has a nice square point.
Other tips can be shaped to give a more elongated window, round windows can still be made with a drill. You just push the point of the nail into the plastic and it melts. you will get a bit of melted plastic that squirts out and this will harden almost immediately and can be filed away.

Ali.

[wartsilaone]

Hi guys. I had a couple of hours spare this evening and did a few more windows. They need a bit of tidying up but I think I getting the hang of it. I have made the bridge windows bigger and they do look better.
I shall definitely be using this technique again.
 





Ali.

[Colin Bishop]

Practice makes perfect, keep up the good work. Getting the master right is a real investment.

Colin

[Tug---Kenny]

Please be Careful about the FUMES the heat might cause. These could be carcinogenic and affect you and your health.

You've done a nice symmetrical set of windows there. Well done.   

ken

[Norseman]

I can't find any info on how the professional masters are made. Ali. 

Hi Colin

I know you have quite a few models, and I just wondered if you could point Ali towards any info/links re 'professional masters'?

Dave

[carlmt]

Bonjour everyone - arrived safe and sound in belle France after solid 12 hour drive from Dunkerque!!!!!

Just catching up now......

Ali - those windows are certainly looking the biz.  I think you may have hit upon the method to use there 

SOFE / POFE will certainly test your modelling skills to the full with all those angles!!!!!!!

Looking forward to the next installment 
cheers,
Carl

[wartsilaone]

It Has been said that men think about sex every three minutes but I would like to say that this is completely untrue. It is actually every four minutes. 

When I have a boat project on the go which is fast becoming most of the time, I am nearly always planning my next move.

So even at this time of year, things have to get done. Not much has changed on the actual model but that doesn't mean I have been idle. Here are the preparations for the transfers which will be in the kit for the Pride of Free Enterprise.
 


Ali.