That hull looks beautiful John. Looks like 1/12 scale to me and a very nice size it is. I am going to do a kit in both 1/12 and 1/16 scales and to do this, I am investigating 3D CAD so that a CNC machine can make both hull patterns. Jürgen, many thanks for all your hard work. The files are with the CNC company now to make sure they are all compatible and they can use them as they are.
I am writing this on my pad but tomorrow I will sort out the Freeship issue (excuses, excuses) on my PC. I can hardly wait.
To anyone who is interested in 3D modelling and 3D printers and stuff, download 123D Design (It takes ages) but what you get is really good and its FREE!
On
Youtube there are lots of very good, well structured training courses in 123D Design for the beginner, and I mean beginner (me).
After about four hours watching and playing I am definitely getting somewhere. I drew up the main winch of the Shannon last night and its ready to go to the 3D printer. Both scales can be done at the same time and you get an area of about 100 X 50 to fill with as many bits as you want. Its £40 for the first two hours and £25 per hour after that, (fantastic it is but fast it ain't).
So for less than £100 I can have the winch, that complicated release mechanism on the foredeck, a fairlead, the instruments on the bridge and whatever else I can cram in and in either scale!
The company with the printer is able to produce the parts in four different levels of finish from very good anyway up to polished. From these we make the silicone moulds and then resin cast them.
I might have a go it producing the entire 'cockpit' area as 3D drawings and then do the whole thing as a casting using this method.
Its at times like this I wish I was 60 again!
