Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: Tug-Kenny RIP on July 18, 2011, 11:30:50 am
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I have been building this gorgeous ship for the last 6 months.
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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' ok2
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.
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The band saw came into it's own when I cut the 200 or so planks.
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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.
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Looking good keep us posted on your progress. :-)) :-))
Regards Dave.
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Thank you Dave. Just sorting out which pictures to transmit. Some were taken which were altered on the final model.
Ken
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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!
(http://s1.postimage.org/1vibankec/Titanic_Lido_1998.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/1vibankec/)
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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
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...aw naw, the butler did it ! Thanks for spoiling a good story ! >>:-( Be sure to give an autopsy, top heavy due to pallet wood ? {:-{
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Got it in one {-)
ken
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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.
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Elementary my dear Watson {-) {-) Foamboard would have been er ..um..paperweight :embarrassed: :D Did you know you are being used as an example on RCGroups ?
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The prop tubes were covered in and then it was out into the sunlight for a photo call.
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See all that 'orrible' weight going on top %)
ken
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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.
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Ach yer wee man is out of scale
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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
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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.
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Talking of scale a little while back, I have place the 'lovers' on the bow
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Aw you romantic fool {-)
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Thought that might bring a smile.
Next I filled in the gaps and smoothed out the hull ready for priming.
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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. O0
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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. ok2
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The builder alongside to show the size she's growing to. %)
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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.
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These were then primed with Red Oxide.
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There a few windows in the Titanic. Some are square. Some are oblong. Some are different sizes
In order to not have to file over 600 of these I decided to make a jig. This involved filing a square bar to fit a square hole. I fitted this into a pillar drill and removed the plug from the wall and used it as a Fly press.
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Here is that strip fitted to the side of B deck
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We then stippled strips of plastic to simulate more rivets and attached these under the windows.
Paint spraying was finally started on the hull.
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After masking off we put on some Red.
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Another "show the scale" picture
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The side walls of B deck were then covered in plastic to simulate the white walls.Tthese were then wallpapered with cut outs (to scale) of the windows in the Cafe Parisienne
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The imitation decking was laid. It later proved no good and was removed.
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'A' deck was then fitted out with the pre made parts to see how they all lined up.
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This was where the cardboard deck failed so it was all removed and 4 layers of veneer box wood was ordered at £10 a sheet.
Cutting this was a riot as it was so thin. (one sheet ruined!)
Here's the overall effect on the decks. Pencil lines were added at a later stage.
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look forward to seeing it finished
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I'm looking forward to finishing this blog. I'm only here all day to rest my old knees. %)
Here's a few of the latest stand off pictures.
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There are 10 cranes on board Titanic. I hand made these from plastic parts but it proved difficult so the first batch were scrapped.
I also hand carved from solid wood the 20 lifeboats that were needed. There are 16 hanging on Davits on board the real ship and there were 4 collapsible lifeboats on the bridge roof.
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Time to think of rudder steerage so a lift out section was cut in the stern
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Moving over to the Bow section we have mad the main anchor crane and a few hatch covers.
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The main anchor was made from solid p38 and was easy to file into shape. It was noticed that the A deck was bowing a bit so judicious use of bricks and batteries overnight was felt the need ;)
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The first of our 'purchased' parts arrived in the form of railings from a train set. These had to cut about a bit as they had yo many bars on them.
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The new cranes were built and fitted.
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On to the lifeboats for finishing off. I used red wire for the grab rails but wish now that I had chosen grey. Still, it makes it original eh !!
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The bow section is nearly completed so I've put the lovers on board to check it out. :}
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More railings added and we have a rear steering raised deck
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I didn't like the rear second class entrance so I've made a new one from plastic.
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Here is my attempt at the compass platform in the centre of the ship. yes I know it's rubbish so I've made another one (pics later)
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A nice moody shot as if it were the real ship
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On to the smaller parts now with the production of the air vents and bollards.
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The 'Lovers' are inspecting the rear section. (ready to jump)
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There are lots of motor assisted vents on board and these were fabricated to look similar. The detailing gets a bit fine here for a bloke my age. %)
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Air vents dotted around as per the real ship. This information was very expensive. 16 books on the Titanic now owned.
Notice the New compass tower and lifeboat Davits.
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Some more arial views.
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Now was the time to glaze the 500 holes in the side of the hull. For this I used Clear Epoxy Resin which was dropped in, using a pointed stick. Unfortunately some of it ran through into the boat and had to be done several times to fill the hole.
As the mess was poor I never go around to photographing it but the blobs on the outside have almost ruined the hull. It has to be sanded down and repainted again, so I'll let you know nearer the day I do it.
Moving on it was now time to fit the electrics.
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We have purchased over 100 LED's and these were wired into the boat along the sides of the windows. Silver cooking foil was then placed over the inside to reflect the lights all over the place.
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And of course Night Time :-))
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Yippee, the bench seats have arrived from China. I could not possibly have made these as they are TINY O0
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The funnels have had their steam pipes run up the sides and the hooks fitted for the guy ropes attached.
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The stair well leading down to 'C' deck was forgotten about and had to be cut out. Also fitted were a few life belts. Did you know that Titanic had 20 of these, yet you don't see anyone throwing them about in the films.
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The ladders have finally arrived. Yet another tiny item i couldn't make.
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The front anchor ports have been cut out and some chain laid in place.
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The air vents have been smartened up with a bit of Grill
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More seats waiting for the tiny people
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POOL TIME
Though it was about time to get her bottom wet.
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Now is the time you've all been waiting for.
I added the top cabins and she proved to be unstable and started tipping over. It was a frightening experience grabbing her to wrench to top off. This saved the day and she stayed dry. Sorry no pictures. <:(
I put this down to her being top heavy and she is rather thin in the beam. The following day I had off and did a bit of thinking (that hurt) I have taken advice from you guys and am working on lightening her load and maybe fitting a false Keel just for sailing.
Here are the latest (and last for the moment) pictures.
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Kenny,
At Last the ideal subject for your first Mayhem Weekend reputation!!!!! ok2 ;)
Bob
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Gotta keep the flag flying for us Sinkers {-) {-) {-)
Nice to hear from you Bob
regards
ken
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Starting work on the RC iceberg soon ;)
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Dont forget Ken, she goes down bow first.
Looking good Ken. (http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/tumb.gif)
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Thanks guys
Do you think I'm in the right business 8) ok2
ken
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Thanks guys
Do you think I'm in the right business 8) ok2
ken
Submarines springs to mind Ken, at least they normally come back up on their own.(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/thinking1.gif)
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hi Kenny
That is a cracking build you have done there but it looks nowt like the one on the sea bed {-) {-)
aye john
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It nearly did look like that on Saturday night. %)
Going to put the hull in the pool in a minute and fill it with Bricks just to see how much she can take.
Will photo the scene. 8)
Ken
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Today I put her back in the water and placed house bricks in the bottom of the hull until she floated below her water line. The total weight that this hull will take is 21 pounds. I even pushed her down further with my hands to test the buoyancy, which flooded her. %)
As the top deck weighs 2 pounds I figured she will need around 15 pounds in the hull to balance out. This of course turns her over so the weight will have to be suspended below the bottom of the hull an unknown distance.
I am loath to drill a hole through the bottom of the boat, or to fit bulky brackets to continue the experiment with how deep the weight should be suspended so I've decided she will be a Non sailing vessel.
I have a few 'pretty' items to go on and complete her so she might make a good display model
ken
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Can you not fit long steel bars in the keel to balance it? Tried it in one of my boats before.. We can supply you with some M5 bar I'm sure :-)
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As Andy said can you not put a steel bar down either side [not the middle] in the bottom of the hull Ken ?
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As Above when I was looking at building the Titanic way back in the 80's I aquired a bar from an old desk which I was going to fill with lead..
Great Build looks really good.. :-)) :-))
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I measured the dimensions and have produced this little picture
The water line is 6 cm up from the bottom whilst the top of the funnels is 32 Cms from the base. The ship is only 18 cm wide. It's like a Skyscraper.
Whatever the weights used, I found that when pushed down in the water to the line, it was possible to tilt her very easily sideways. Once it moved from the horizontal plane any weight was out of the water and she was lost.
The only solution is hanging a weight below the boat and I'm not keen on this.
ken
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I wouldnt go as far as a false keel just yet ..there one more thing you can change..your battery.. it looks like a 7ah gell cell..these are tall,and its what i think is causing your stability issues..
If you can find one a 3.4ah gel cell takes alomost the same foot print,,and is half as high as the battery you have there..,its about 2lbs lighter so more weight can be added to the below the water line.
One similar to this .
http://shopping.microbattery.com/s.nl/it.A/id.5538/.f
or take 2 -6 volt and lay them on there side in series ..besure to alternate them as they have a holow on the top that will unballance the ship.
http://shopping.microbattery.com/s.nl/it.A/id.5572/.f
Nice ship ..hate to have to see a guy hack into it with out trying one more avenue of approach.
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Ken,
Stability is always a problem with liner type models. Whatever you do she will always be 'twitchy' but that big gel cell is doing no good at all. Cylindrical NiMH or even Lead Acid Cyclon cells low in the hull will improve things no end if coupled with some low ballast such as the steel bars suggested. The house bricks have a high centre of gravity too so are not a good test, you need lead sheet right in the bottom of the hull for maximum effect but that may not be enough if the superstructure is too heavy.
You have a double problem, first of all the inherent stability caused by the high superstructure which you needed to have built really, really light and then there is the windage which will be considerable on a high sided ship.
Other Titanic models depend on a false keel for stability so don't rule the idea out. The thing to do is to build in a couple of mounting strong points along the keel into which you can screw alternative false keels until you get the balance right. A false keel is a small price to pay to get a realistic on the water performance, scale sail people do it all the time. Nobody is going to see it while the ship is afloat.
Don't give up yet! I am building a liner myself but it is a more 'sturdy' full bellied design which hopefully won't have the same problems.
Colin
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Thank you all once again for your lovely support.
I like the idea of studs underneath where they won't be seen. Maybe %) %) %)
On the point of the 7 Ahr battery, I found an interesting fact. I did lay it on it's side longways and found it tilted the boat. When I turned the battery around, it tilted the other way.
These batteries are not level in weight (does that make sense ?). The way it equalised was to twist it on the keel until it would balance the boat evenly. The lowest part on the innards is the keel which is still a good inch up from the bottom. There is room each side of the keel for lower fitting lead so I'm going out to the scrapyard for some lead !!!
The Pool is still going down. Something else to mend. {-)
Ken
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The top of lead acid batteries is less dense than the main body of the battery which gives the effect you describe Ken.
Colin
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yes theres an air gap...
When I mentioned 2 6volt batteries on their side ,,and have them stacked alternatly that was why ..to equal them out.
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What really sunk the TITANIC O0
This film is on TV tonight at 10 o'clock on channel E4.
ken
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;D ...not sure so much about the airgap....the connection links are toward the top of the battery casing with the lead plates [greater weight] are lower in the battery shell itself...... O0 ....Derek
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Hi Derek,
How's winter over there ? I don't suppose you ever get to zero temperature very often.
As the battery has to be laid on it's side, an extra balance weight will be fitted to balance the boat. I just wondered how many builders realised this little fact !
I'm going for the removable depth bar now with a lighter heart. Extra 'tarty' bits are in the pipeline and even the 'Mrs' likes her. 8). The 'pool' has finally collapsed in shock and put away. It won't be deep enough for the next test
Ken
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:D hullo Ken...........
I can visualise a Titanic model as a prima belledona & not wanting to be blown off line {-) .......
A real challenge between low draft & high deck windage
I have every faith in that you will get the balance right/wright/correct %%
O0 oh BTW....has been a cool & mild winter here ............just a bit slushy {:-{.....Derek
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such a lovely looking model!
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Thank you for your kind comments.
Yesterday I was putting the deck on and caught the side panel and fractured it down through the windows. <:(
I am now in the process of making a complete new side panel with 68 new windows and as a neighbour remarked the windows on the other side were slightly out of line, I shall be re making that side as well. Anyone got a gun. {:-{
It's not all doom and gloom as I went sailing today with the ever faithful springers. See blog in Springer section. (later)
Ken
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"N" gauge, which makes her 1:175 and produces a model about five and a half foot long.
Just to be pedantic, British N gauge is 1:148 and US/European N is 1:160 {-)
But I have to say the figures you used didn't look out of scale so I guess theres no problem lol. When you are working at these small scales a little bit of difference is hardly noticabale
By the way did you have any luck stabilising her?
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Hello Mr Essex, :-)
Yes you are correct. I have the Chinese ones at a penny each and they are smaller than the N gauge rail people by 2mm. This is quite considerable considering the scale when side by side. %)
Not to worry as I'll have them half hidden perhaps.
I have reworked the side panels after getting some large plastic sheets from S.H.G last Saturday. Has anyone tried cutting a straight line through 5 foot of plastic ? I had the steel bar clamped to the table and ran a Stanley knife all the way down slowly. I glad to report it worked lovely.
All that remained was to cut out the round and square windows on both sides. Sound easier than it was. %) but we got there in the end. Removing the old sides proved a riot as a lot of cutting was needed to clear the window holes.
Here's a few pictures.
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top work :-))
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Thank you Carl. I am spurred on now she's looking smarter. :-))
ken
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Looking good now Ken.
Do you buy your holes for portholes and windows in bulk. How many in a box ? ok2
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How sweet of you to notice ---------- ok2
I've made a punch for the holes instead of drilling them and getting a rough edge on breakthrough. I'm now making a punch for the 1st class dining room windows to look like this chaps version. Wish me luck
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I know this is an OLD project but I saw her on the shelf and brought her down for a little refurbishment. %)
I still have not sailed her and that looks 'out of the window' now. I have been smartening up the edges and resprayed her yet once again. I still have the idea of making another one but more accurate to the old lady.
I have made a YouTube film around 23 minutes long of the complete build so get a cup of tea and lets have your comments, good or bad. :}
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgkRlL6c7p4&feature=youtu.be
Thank you for reading.
Ken