Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: Brian_C on July 17, 2011, 11:11:05 am
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THE RMS MAURETANIA hi all, i was approached a few weeks ago to restore this model of the Cunard Mauritania, the model has been in the Mauritania public house since it was opened in the mid sixties, the model was built by the late bob anderson, model maker for swanhunter shipyards for many years, he was a member of tynemouth model boat club till the late seventies, the model was donated to Scottish Newcastle breweries by Swanhunters and has took pride and place in the pub for many years, i remember seeing the model in the pub in the sixties and always admired it, but it was sadly damaged by vandals, the pub reopens shortly under new management, who approached me to restore the model back to its former glory, as you can see by the pics, its in a sorry state, the brass props were removed and replaced with plastic ones, theres some hull damage on starboard side, nearly all of the rigging is missing, both masts to be replaced, many handrails are missing, also 75% of the decks are marked and stained, all the funnels are loose and in need of repair, they are only in place to show theship at the moment and are now removed, enough of the sorry stuff, so I'm ready to start the restore of this once fine model, any tips, hints, or positive information would be most welcome, regards brian_c
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HERES SOME MORE PICS OF THE STATE OF THE MODEL AT THE MOMENT
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hi there my mate Brian
by I can see what you were saying on the phone last night - you do have your hands full - but my immediate thoughts are:
You are going to have to refurbish this in the exact same modelling style and skill as Bob Anderson - you are going to have to learn his modelling styles to do this justice. I see what you mean by the paints - you are obviously going to have to strip it right back down to the bare timbers and I would copy the way he has done the portholes not glazing as you suggested last night and those railings look like you are going to have to manufacture them yourself.
Mind, any information given must be rewarded by Newcastle Breweries by free beer - we know they are watching your restoration :-)
Good luck with it mate - and no trying to fit motors in it.
aye
john
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heres the last few pics of her
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hi john, its a good learning curve for me doing this restore as you know, im busy building mauretania at 96th scale aswell, she to will be appearing on the forum soon as a build, but your right, its more research in the tyne&wear museums (again)for me, O0
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Nice model.
On the bright side there looks to be enough left to reproduce what was there.Most of the stains are probably just nicotine and fly poo. Any luck a guy may be able to swab the decks with a little mild detergent and a stiff paint brush.
Best of luck with this one ,looks to be a real gem in the rough.
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Best of luck with the restoration, a really worthwhile job.
Colin
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That looks a huge undertaking, but she deserves to look her best.
Bob
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Brian, you do have a job in front of you.
I don't know if they will be of any assistance, but here are photos I took on board the QE2 of two models of the Mauretania on display on that ship. One model was about 6 or 7 feet long, but the big one was at least 15 feet long.
Peter.
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hi colin more coffee and peter, thanks for your comments and pics, i started yesterday by shaking the model upside down onto a white sheet and collected many loose bits , im going to start cleaning a section of the deck to see how it comes up with a mild cleaning fluid, regards bri :-))
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ive just done a test clean with just a warm damp cloth and it removed most of the stains BUT also took away the printed deck planks <:( looks like im going to loose the lot when the decks get cleaned, is there any screen print deck planking available anywhere, or i may have to strip parts of superstructer away to draw the decks back on, any ideas out there {:-{ regards bri
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Hello, seeing as you may lose the decks you may like to try Bristol Board, you can get it in a lovely light brown/beige colour, scribe the lines on & stick it down. As the vessel is not going in the water it will work out fine. Nemesis
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thanks for that bill, who,s the stockists :-))
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Hi Bri, Any good art & craft shop. Bill
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progress so far is stripping down the decks one at a time and lots of pics as to where all the (bits) all go back, some will have to be made and some replaced, lots of fine details to repaint back in, all the decks so far can be repainted and planking etched back on, all handrails will be lost, spoke to jim lane and replacements are being sorted,
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as you can see the whole model is in a sad state but getting there, as you can see, the rear deck is made up in many pieces but can be restored, also when taking the decks apart, under one of the decks is bobs name and when he built the model and states shipwright 1908, the funnels are tinplate and just need stripping and repainted with new brass fittings made for them,
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last to pics of the model showing the state shes in, :(( after spending two weeks looking and stripping the decks down (carefully) it wont be to long before im putting things back together, once all decks are removed its time to strip the hull down and a repaint, it all sounds so easy (not) {:-{
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Now that looks a Labor of Love Brian.
She certainly needed a bit more than TLC, but she deserves to live in all her built splendour, she looked like she was a superb model.
Bob
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Brian you certainly have your work cut out. I wish you the best of luck with the rebuild
Geoff
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You enthusiasm is catching, Brian. You're doing a splendid job. It will be lovely on the way back up. :-))
Ken
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hi ken, many thanks for that, ive been stripping more main decks away from boat deck to main deck and hit a few snags along the way but getting there, it will be a pleasure when i start fitting all the decks again complete with new handrails , vents and winches :-))
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stripping the decks are nearly completed, i had to take all the decks off, Ive started re planking the decks the same way they were done when the model was built in 1907, painting the decks and using Indian ink for the deck planks then satin lacquer sprayed over,
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damage to the bows has been repaired and ready for rubbing down and prepare for priming coats
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more pics of the decks completed and ready for handrails and deck fittings before final assembly
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the funnels have been stripped down and ready for priming and repaint, its been a struggle with the decking as it kept blistering with the acrylic paints and sprays, they kept reacting against the paints used when built many years ago, so the decks all had to be stripped down to the bare wood, but things are looking up and starting to resemble a ship again.
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Love the planking Bri, it had me fooled. :-))
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Dear Brian,
The Pub is going to be pleased they trusted this with you! Nice work.
Chris
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Dear Brian,
The Pub is going to be pleased they trusted this with you! Nice work.
Chris
i hope so,,, and i dont even drink, so free drinks are out {:-{
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Brian it is really starting to take shape now - a great job - its a shame it will be static only.
Geoff
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Crackin' job there Brian, - looking forward to the finished product :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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Crackin' job there Brian, - looking forward to the finished product :-))
Regards,
Ray.
hi Geoff and ray, its been a pain doing the decks, all new paintwork kept blistering with the old paints the model was painted with back in 1907 Ive had to strip the decks and the hull down to the bare wood, the hull was the worst, each time i rubbed it down it just clogged the glass paper, the paint was like rubber to take off, what amused me was the cardboard superstructure and bridge and wings also the sides of the ship between the decks, loads of cardboard it should of been called RMS wheatabix, BUT if its going in a glass case for a 100yrs or more, who needs plasticard, wood & tin ? the funnels have just been repainted and need a bit more work ready for the brass shiney bits n whistles, also just finished the foredeck planking with Indian ink, lots of smudges at first (not an easy task if you haven't done it before) it looks clean n crisp compared to the original deck, and pleasing to the eye, ALSO WOULD ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW THE CORRECT RED, HUMBROL OR AIRFIX FOR THE FUNNELS regards brian ive used humbrol satin no 60?
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This is just a stab in the dark Brian - if you have any of the old funnel paint flakes left from the strip down, would this assist with "colour matching" ?
The only other suggestion is to compare your photo's of the original posting with your latest ones. Obviously, there's the grime to take into consideration. {:-{
Regards,
Ray.
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Try looking on the Airfix box for their Cunard for the colour they use, it should splendid when finished after they reckon that she was the prettiest liner of her day.
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Looking through lots of the ship nostalgia type forums the concensus of opinions seems to be that the stacks were painted International Orange which is the same colour use on the Golden Gate Bridge.
http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/xtracolor-14ml-enamel-international-orange-fs/
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MANY THAKS LADS ,,, IM GOING FOR DICKYS COLOUR,, THINK HES RIGHT :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) O0
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funnels completed now and first primer coat on the hull ready for a sanding
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Looks like you are doing a superb job of restoring the model whilst keeping to the style of the original builder :-)) The planked decks in particular look really good. Did you re-surface them (with thin ply, or card as suggested by "nemesis") or just sand down the original wood?
I can't say I'd like to take on a job like this, I'd be terrified of accidentally wrecking something irretrievably (what with 100-year-old adhesives along with fragile construction materials such as card) and/or being unable to replicate the original building style when repainting and rebuilding! But as I said, you've done a great job of it so far.
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hi Edward i removed all the decks (very carefully) and sanded them down to the bare wood then used a light coloured paint recommended by the maritime museum when restoring their models, then marked the deckplanks using Indian ink, not an easy job, you say being careful not to damage bits that have to be removed, there are many pieces missing inc the rear docking bridge, stanchion's, ladders, several cowal vents, but getting there slowly, the hull has just been completed and ready to go back on its stand after a full stripdown and repaint, pics will be posted later tomorrow, regards brian
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hi all, heres the pics of the nearly completed hull
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hi mate,
that's excellent work there.
will it be going into a glass case this time?
regards
don
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Looking great Bri. (http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/tumb.gif)
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Its looking good Brian - she was some ship held the Atlantic Blue Riband for 22 years
found a you tube with some nice photos of her back in the day when Tyneside ships ruled the waves.
Geoff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhX_l_vwalA&feature=related
that is some Dazzle paint scheme she had in wartime
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Excellent piece of work there Brian...................and a wonderful shot of your Cunarder : Caronia.
Love that liner - unusual to see her in the more modern colours as opposed to her famous 'Caronia Green'.
Does she sail and do you sail her often?
Carl
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Excellent piece of work there Brian...................and a wonderful shot of your Cunarder : Caronia.
Love that liner - unusual to see her in the more modern colours as opposed to her famous 'Caronia Green'.
Does she sail and do you sail her often?
Carl
hi Carl, your mistaken about caronia (green goddess caronia) the model in question is /ex vistafjord, sold to Cunard as caronia / now saga ruby, saga cruises,,,,,,,,,,,, here they are in there original colours :-)) brian
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Hang my head in shame and stand in the corner with a pointy hat!!!!!!!!!!!!! :embarrassed: :embarrassed: :embarrassed:
Of course it is!!!!!!!!!!!! I should have known that - typing before engaing brain again.................
I'll get me coat................
Carl
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hi all,work on mauretania has been slow but still ongoing, heres the latest pics of her rebuild, funnels are only sat in place and not fixed yet,
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heres the last set of pics just taken today, theres still a lot of deck fittings ready to go on after a repaint and many more that were lost, i had to make, all stanchions and rails have to be replaced and im busy making docking bridge that was missing, along with many other small parts, all vents have been remade and in the painting stage, thanks to (james lane models) also bridge front will have to be replaced, regards brian_c
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Brian,
She is looking good, I do hope the owners will appreciate all the care and work that is going in to her.
Bob
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Yes, very good indeed. Looking at her like that you realise that ships of the period did not actually have much superstructure compared with their modern counterparts although they sat deeper in the water.
Colin
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Stunning refurb. She looks superb. You're doing a wonderful job on her.
Thanks Antony
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hi all, back on restore after a spell of health problems, i have started fitting the handrails on stern end (Jim lane rails) not an easy task at this scale, handrail cappings have been cut out of a length of mahogany, then sanded down to fit, i have started on stairways and ladders, (not fitted yet) propellers now fitted and more work on the foredeck,
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heres a few more of the model and 2 picks of the fittings Ive had to make, most of the air vents were missing and most of the lifeboats to, new ones have been cast in resin and are at the painting stage, the new glass case is is being made and should be ready next week, I'm plodding on at a slow speed at the mo and have a stomach opp on the 8th Oct at the freeman hospital (sir bobby robson wing) and hope all goes well then progress on the restore again. brian_c
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Brian the refit is coming along very well - you should be very pleased with her
Geoff
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Absolutely beautiful Bri, wondered what was happening.
Hope you are well now. (http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Smileys/MOST_P1-1.gif)
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Love it %%. Great looking refurb.
Mark
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Great work, good to see some of these older models brought back to their original superb state. What happened I wonder to all those shipping and railway line office models that used to displayed, I remember some quite superb items in the offices around Trafalgar square more years ago than I care to remember.
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What happened I wonder to all those shipping and railway line office models that used to displayed, I remember some quite superb items in the offices around Trafalgar square more years ago than I care to remember.
Private collections or to museums who no longer wish to display them.
Great to see the restoration progressing so well.
Colin
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Great work, good to see some of these older models brought back to their original superb state. What happened I wonder to all those shipping and railway line office models that used to displayed, I remember some quite superb items in the offices around Trafalgar square more years ago than I care to remember.
Theres quite a few in the NRM at York, theres a cracking model of the Holyhead Ferry 1 which our maritime museum ewanted to lend but unfortunately weren't allowed
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Theres quite a few in the NRM at York, theres a cracking model of the Holyhead Ferry 1 which our maritime museum ewanted to lend but unfortunately weren't allowed
many thanks Colin, i know your a traditional liner enthusiast, Ive now started on the lifeboats and davits, there were 11 boats missing and many davits, i have now duplicated them and ready for fitting then its more handrails on the top and boat decks,,,,,,,,,, i have spoken to the NEW owners of the model after a visit to my home this week (TRUST HOUSE INNS) they have just taken over the MAURETANIA PUBLIC HOUSE from SCOTTISH & NEWCASTLE BREWRIES and they are very pleased with the restoration work that i have done so far, i still have to make the docking bridge that was missing, along with many other small parts that were never found after the damage was done,,,, Ive also just found out that the two idiots responsable for vandalizing the model with a pool Que were let off with no charges because of lack of evidence and witnesses wont come forward, :(( >:-o (sign of the times) regards brian_c :-))
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Its coming on really well, sorry if this has been said before but did you change the props to brass ones?
Sam
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hi SAM, yes i changed the props,,, it did originally have brass props and were stolen, then white plastic ones were fitted by someone unknown app 15 yrs ago, perhaps they thought they were gold or some other precious metal
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Looking good Brian, looking GOOD ! :-))
Another subject (PM sent).
Ray.
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hi all, heres the latest update on mauretania restoration, just finished fitting funnel stays and handrails to top decks and cappings to the handrails, docking bridge still has to be made yet, now ready for the davits and lifeboats to be fitted, nine of the lifeboats were missing so ive had to make a mould and make them, all done and painted ready for fitting this week, any comments welcome ladies & gents, the boat deck should be completed in the next 10 days, regards brian_c
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You are making a really lovely job of it Brian.
Colin
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Excellent Bri, really is a great job you are doing. Wondered how you were getting on.(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Smileys/tumb.gif)
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WOW!!!!......that is looking beautiful.......top marks brian.............wonderful work.
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Stunning!!!
Bob
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hoooo we will make a modeller oot o yee yet bonny lad
you are making a good job of this though - when you going to tell them arl its a Revell kit like
aye
john
good job Brian
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Hi Brian
I have been watching this rebuild since day one. You have done a realy good job on restoreing this old model.
john
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many thanks to you all for your comments on the resoration work, and thanks bluebird revell kit my a**e the guys at legoland say im doin ok considering the plans are in dutch {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) :-))
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How bluebird you would have thought Brian would have moved that bit of scrap from the background when he took his photo of ghe revell kit :}
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revell kit i like it lol
but seriously your doing good job on restoring her :-))
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How bluebird you would have thought Brian would have moved that bit of scrap from the background when he took his photo of ghe revell kit :}
that bit of scrap in the background ha ha ha that is mauretania at 96th scale ready for the fibreglass stage,,,,, %% %% %% :-))
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Brian bout time you got a move on with that 1:96 bit of scrap - or we might have to get Riggers in to give you a lesson on storage of unfinished models :-) :o :o %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %%
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ooooooooooooooooooooh john {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) O0
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Brian bout time you got a move on with that 1:96 bit of scrap - or we might have to get Riggers in to give you a lesson on storage of unfinished models :-) :o :o %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %%
That should do it John. (http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Smileys/doh-45.gif)
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A job being very well done Brian - hope you are getting a swift half or two for your labours
Geoff
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That should do it John. (http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Smileys/doh-45.gif)
Lesson nah mate I've wrote the book on it
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just finished davits and lifeboats,,,, more handrails to do next then start the rigging
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Lovely job Bri. (http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Smileys/tumb.gif)
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Looking at the pictures she looks superb, no wonder the original was described as one of the most beautiful ships of her time.
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She looks superb! you are doing a great job restoring her :-))
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hi dicky, dodes &atb many thanks for your comments, ive just picked up the glass showcase today and the model should be in and completed before the christmas and back with its owners :-))
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hi all and a merry xmas, heres the latest pics of mauretania,,, nearly complete, but HELP AND TIPS REQUIRED. i have tried a couple of ways to make the ratlines & shrouds for the liner but with poor results,,,, the scale is 200th and finding it difficult to reproduce these on the ship, any help or info would be most greatful,,, regards brian_c or is there a topic on this subject on the forum :-)) :-)) :-))
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Hi Brian I've just read the complete thread - great job you are doing. I love to see restorations.
Dave
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many thanks dave,,, pleased you liked the topic and the work :-)) :-)) :-)) shes 90% complete and nearly ready to be installed in the new glass show case,
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I have only found this thread today,congratulations on doing such a great restoration.It looks a completely different ship now.A shame its a static model,it would look great on the water.
A credit to your skills.
Mick F
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With regard to the ratlines, Bob Wilson, who contributes to the Model Boats website, has an effective technique which simply makes the ratlines/shrouds from thin stretched wire made up off the model using superglue and then simply glued in place. No problems with knots or tensioning that way.
Colin
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hi colin, thats the probs i have,, the tension on the ratlines, trying to leep them even is an absolute nightmare at 200th scale, they keep wandering in and out and look awful, im now on my 4th attempt and they still look rubbish, at 96th scale or even better, 48th scale, i think i wouldnt have that problem, do you know if bob wilson has any pics of how its done on the forum, regards brian_c :-))
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Brian,
I do have a pic but it is part of a forthcoming article in Model Boats so I can't publish it here although if you'd like to post a query on the Model Boats site I'm sure he would be happy to help.
Basically, his technique is to use a flat 'plank' of wood and secure threaded rod along each side of it. This enables thin tinned copper wire to be stretched across it at equidistant intervals corresponding to the foot rope spacing on the ratlines. Then vertical wires are stretched across this horizontal framework at angles to fit the desired heights and base dimensions appropriate to each mast. The joints are then made using thin flux and solder although I think Fryolux solder paint would posibly be easier although it isn't cheap.
So basically what you do is to make up a jig to the dimensions you need, use tinned wire for the horizontals and verticals, solder it together, trim off the tails with a knife or cutters, paint black and then simply glue to the mast and deck/bulwark fixing points. The result is both strong and stable and will not sag etc.
Hope this helps,
Colin
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many thanks colin for that infomation and your explanation on how 2,,, you didnt say what month the rigging details will be printed in the magazine,
im hoping to have the model in the showcase within 2weeks and in place at the white swan hotel in alnwick, which also has most of the mahogany panels and fittings from the r m s olympic, when she came to the tyne for scrapping,,, regards brian_c
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A bit too late for you Brian as it will be in the 2013 Special issue for publication next Summer! However, given what you have done already, I'm sure you can evaluate the feasibility of using Bob Wilson's method for Mauretania based on the info I have given.
Using rigid wire does get over a lot of problems associated with thread at very small scales. I have used it very successfully for funnel stays on relatively larger scale models and it looks much better.
Colin
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Compliments of the season Brian- only just seen your comments re shrouds as been off-line.
I had to do some complicated aerials between the masts on a previous model so I drew the plan required
and stuck it to 1/2 inch thick balsa using double sided tape and used pins to tension it top and bottom and then
soldered it together or if using fine thread for shrouds same principle but superglue the thread instead.
Geoff
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hi geoff geoff,,, thanks for the tip, ive already started the way colin has explained, but at 200th scale its not easy,,, all the best for 2013 geoff :-)) :-)) :-))
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Brian,
I do have a pic but it is part of a forthcoming article in Model Boats so I can't publish it here although if you'd like to post a query on the Model Boats site I'm sure he would be happy to help.
Basically, his technique is to use a flat 'plank' of wood and secure threaded rod along each side of it. This enables thin tinned copper wire to be stretched across it at equidistant intervals corresponding to the foot rope spacing on the ratlines. Then vertical wires are stretched across this horizontal framework at angles to fit the desired heights and base dimensions appropriate to each mast. The joints are then made using thin flux and solder although I think Fryolux solder paint would posibly be easier although it isn't cheap.
So basically what you do is to make up a jig to the dimensions you need, use tinned wire for the horizontals and verticals, solder it together, trim off the tails with a knife or cutters, paint black and then simply glue to the mast and deck/bulwark fixing points. The result is both strong and stable and will not sag etc.
Hope this helps,
Colin
hi colin, many thanks for your help, using bob wilsons method was so simple, the front ratlines and shrouds are completed, sprayed and ready to be fitted,, i will post the pics over the weekend when all four of them are on and fitted, its made the job 100% easier and can now give a date when the model can be transported to its final destination, regards brian_c :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
Put outside of brackets for you. ken
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That's great Brian, the credit goes to Bob Wilson, I just passed on his method.
Anyway, I'm pleased to have been able to help on this great restoration.
Colin
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hi all, the ratlines and shrouds are well on their way to being comleted, thanks to colin bishop, heres a few pics of the work
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That is really a neat way to go about it.
Dave
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hi all, mauretania now nearly complete, just the flags to go on now,,,, hope you have all enjoyed the restoration of RMS MAURETANIA
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Brian,
I certainly have enjoyed this restoration.
Well done for such workmanship.
Bob
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just a few more pics of mauretania and shes ready to be fitted in the glass case,
its been a long restore job but its now all come together and believe shes looking
at her best again :-)
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last pics of the restoration of mauretania, now in the glass case and handed over to the white swan in alnwick,
the hotel has a first class dining room fitted out with all the oak panelling from the rms olympic, its on thier website
www.whiteswan alnwick, the owners are very pleased with the restoration now complete and will soon be on display
in the olympic dining room, well thats my job over and hope the work on the model has been enjoyed by all you mayhemmers,
regards brian_c :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
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Looking great Brian. Well done!
Colin
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Beautiful job, Brian.
Peter.
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Really nice - I hope they have invited you to dine too.
Dave
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Gorgeous job. Well done. :-))
We've heard of the White Swan in the Titanic Society and I've been longing to visit. Now I must go along just to see the Mauretania.
Cheers
Ken
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You have really made an excellent job Brian - Well done, I will have to call in for a look at it.
Geoff
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lovely job! well done,she looks almost new now.
Mick F
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I got a good look at this model "in the flesh" so to speak, prior to Brian_C starting on the restoration and, although I knew he was dedicated to bringing the model back to her former glory, I can honestly say I didn't expect to see it so thoroughly transformed.
An excellent and professional job there Brian - well done mate. Praise given where praise deserved. O0
....Oh, and thank you for sharing on the Forum. :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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Great restoration job Brian, you only have the small one to finish now. {-) {-)
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many thanks for your comments on the restoration of mauretania, i have now restarted work on the 96th scale maury at 8ft 2" long
i will be posting on the forum shortly :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))