Topic: Kenny builds the TITANIC (Read 30918 times)

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **on:** July 18, 2011, 11:30:50 am »

I have been building this gorgeous ship for the last 6 months.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2011, 11:51:08 am »

There is a lot of information out there on this ship and it is not collated all together. The research took ages and the literature was obtained from all over the world.

There are plenty of very small kits by various manufacturers and all the ships vary in details, so I tried to ensure I had the most accurate version I could make. What I didn't want was the comments at the lake of "you shouldn't have put that bit there" or " are you sure she only had 20 lifeboats".

I decided (due to age !!) that she must a reasonable size to make working on her a little easier, so I decided on a scale of the model railway "N" gauge, which makes her 1:175 and produces a model about five and a half foot long. This also proved an advantage when it came to the assembly of the 'Little people'

We started with timber structure using the band saw and loads of wood from an old pallet. I have taken hundreds of pictures and won't bore you with all the little details but just show a general route through the construction.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2011, 11:56:02 am »

The band saw came into it's own when I cut the 200 or so planks.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2011, 12:48:37 pm »

Had a bit of fun with the props shafts as we were in uncharted territory. Thanks to Marks Model bits for the extra long ones.

mersey dave · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2011, 12:48:47 pm »

Looking good keep us posted on your progress.

Regards Dave.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2011, 12:58:24 pm »

Thank you Dave. Just sorting out which pictures to transmit. Some were taken which were altered on the final model.

Ken

tony52 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2011, 01:30:16 pm »

Ken,
Here is photograph I took back in 1998. This model was featured in a newspaper after crashing into the bank on the maiden voyage!

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2011, 01:44:37 pm »

Thanks for that Tony. Another picture for my records.

It's not a lucky ship, even to build.

Mine tips over on the water but that's at the end of my story.

On with the photos after lunch

ken

Arrow5 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2011, 01:51:53 pm »

...aw naw, the butler did it ! Thanks for spoiling a good story !

Be sure to give an autopsy, top heavy due to pallet wood ?

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2011, 01:53:45 pm »

Got it in one

ken

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:37:49 pm »

Proceeding with the build we worked our way upwards.

You will notice the large amount of heavy wood used but have no fear as most of it has been exchanged for plastic.

Arrow5 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:38:21 pm »

Elementary my dear Watson

Foamboard would have been er ..um..paperweight

Did you know you are being used as an example on RCGroups ?

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:42:08 pm »

The prop tubes were covered in and then it was out into the sunlight for a photo call.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:43:02 pm »

See all that 'orrible' weight going on top

ken

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #14 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:47:06 pm »

The funnels had to be hand made so I chose the ever faithful coffee stirrers from MacDonalds.

These were wrapped vertically around oblong formers and glued overnight.

Arrow5 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:49:42 pm »

Ach yer wee man is out of scale

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #16 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:52:14 pm »

Wait until you see the picture with my hand on her parts.

Next we built up the Bridge deck to get an idea of the shape of her. This turned out to be replaced later with a plastic version. (beginning to loose the weight a bit !)

We also Knocked up the Glass dome for the Grand staircase

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #17 on:** July 18, 2011, 05:10:39 pm »

Next we had the problem of the planking. We tried printing the parallel lines onto a card after pricing various options. This looked very nice when laid on the decks, but proved a bit difficult when glueing parts on top which needed to be firm.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #18 on:** July 18, 2011, 05:12:51 pm »

Talking of scale a little while back, I have place the 'lovers' on the bow

Arrow5 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 18, 2011, 05:37:46 pm »

Aw you romantic fool

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #20 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:03:57 pm »

Thought that might bring a smile.

Next I filled in the gaps and smoothed out the hull ready for priming.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #21 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:13:06 pm »

The plating of Titanic is well documented so I was able to follow the contours with accuracy. The hull bottom was clinker built and curving around the bilges it progressed to sheet iron plates laid flat. The joins were plated over with strips on alternate rows.

I used a very thin plastic to cover the whole ship and then laid strips alternately along the sides. This was done twice to correct the errors and was a steep learning curve. (and expensive!) The last picture is the improved version.

Enter the builder's finger.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #22 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:21:44 pm »

A start was made on the inside by fitting the battery box. C Deck was then glued in as, no more large parts were to go underneath.

We then dry fitted some of the pieces and took a few snaps.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #23 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:23:34 pm »

The builder alongside to show the size she's growing to.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #24 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:29:32 pm »

The next part was the funnels.

These were covered in one piece of thin plastic which was riveted (punched with a nail) with over 500 rivet marks in a pattern of squares.

News:

Author Topic: Kenny builds the TITANIC (Read 30918 times)

mersey dave

tony52