Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Navy - Military - Battleships: => Topic started by: cheekyninja on October 30, 2011, 06:24:49 pm
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Having been a member of this forum for some time but never actually posted anything I thought I should give it a go. :-)
I bought a copy of the HMS Dido plans by Glynn Guest and fancied like modifying it to represent one of the two that missed out on the 5.25" guns. I bought a copy of Ensign 2 to help, and have been scouring the the internet for photos as well. Not too much to show so far, as both work and holidays have been getting in the way.
(http://s7.postimage.org/6qsvyibqv/Charybdis4.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6qsvyibqv/)
Bulkheads on - I am trying to use up my scrap balsa, so built them up as a sandwich.
(http://s4.postimage.org/u7s3dtc4p/Charybdis5.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/u7s3dtc4p/)
Hull sides on
(http://s4.postimage.org/qteibf63t/Charybdis6.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/qteibf63t/)
There is a hull somewhere beneath the clamps...
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Progress this weekend. I had to pull in the stern sides which is a bit that I find a fiddle, though my father was round so an extra pair of hands helped.
(http://s4.postimage.org/hk4zfbe7d/Charybdis8.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/hk4zfbe7d/)
Pulled in stern sides. The wood split a little so I had to glue and patch it with thin wood strips (just visible by rearmost bulkhead). Also added the bottom of that part of the hull (pins holding it on the underside).
(http://s7.postimage.org/6okl33ojb/Charybdis7.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6okl33ojb/)
At the bow I have done a first rough shaping and added the hardwood strip to the bow.
I suppose I had better let it sit to dry overnight.
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Looking good. Thank you for sharing. I shall be watching your build with interest as it progresses.
Bob
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It's good to see someone else starting off on the easy-build type of ships as well. It's a great way to find your feet in this hobby,in that you can make it as simple or as complicated as you desire. I've only built three personally,but I had great fun doing it.Keep up the good work,I'll be watching this with interest. :-)) :-))
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Maybe you might take a look at my EURYALUS build start to finish on my site www.johnrhaynes.com it might help ?Lots of pictures .
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bobk and Dreadstar - hi, thanks for reading and also the encouraging words!
John R Haynes - thanks as well. Have been having a look at your site and I think that there are a few photos that will help me out.
Well, the kitchen is full of dust and shavings, so it must mean I have been shaping the hull. Have done an initial planing and sanding and am waiting for the filler to dry.
(http://s7.postimage.org/3qj46qo7b/Charybdis9.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/3qj46qo7b/)
I planed the sides of the hull where they join the keel sheet as when looking down the length of the hull from the bow there was a slight coke-bottle shape from certain angles. Before that I also added a bit of extra sheet on the inside in case I was too overzealous (that razor plane is probably my favourite modelling tool...).
I think I didn't get the stern join quite central so I may have to graft on a little wood to remedy that - with hindsight I would have put on the deck supports after I had pulled the sides in. The clamps are in the way at the moment so I can't get my steel ruler close enough to check properly. I'll wait till the morning before trying anything drastic.
On the plus side we have had no Trick-or-Treaters tonight, though that may be because I turned off the flat intercom at eight this morning. 1 - nil to the boat builder.
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After looking at the hull once everything had dried I decided that the stern was a little off centre. I figured that an extra 2.5mm on the starboard side would do it, with about 1mm shaved off the port.
(http://s7.postimage.org/gmpgvi49z/Charybdis10.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/gmpgvi49z/)
I glued a strip of balsa in place and tried to get it to curve around the edge of the hull. That sat overnight to dry...
...and tonight I set about smoothing it out.
(http://s7.postimage.org/rn6tvasdj/Charybdis11.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/rn6tvasdj/)
I also sawed/sanded a flat surface to the tip of the stern - I thought I would add a bit of hard spruce to make it a bit tougher in the same way as at the bow.
(http://s4.postimage.org/c64d2afvd/Charybdis12.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/c64d2afvd/)
So with a bit more filler applied elsewhere I will leave her overnight.
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Been busy tonight, so not much progress. I planed and sanded the stern block to shape and have also been filling the gaps.
(http://s7.postimage.org/5belbwcs7/Charybdis15.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5belbwcs7/)
Currently the hull is looking like this
(http://s8.postimage.org/48sjsrrlt/Charybdis13.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/48sjsrrlt/)
(http://s7.postimage.org/dx4ky6e2f/Charybdis14.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/dx4ky6e2f/)
I am going to have removable deck housings rather than removable decks so I for the moment I will stop working on the hull exterior. I will get the running gear installed, then look at fixing the decks. After that the rest of the detail - armour belt and the bow knuckle - before finally plating the hull. That is the plan, anyway.
Although the next thing I really need to make is a stand for her.
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After a bit of a pause I have a few new pictures to post. I decided that I should build a stand, so on Saturday I went into town and bought a pine shelf for the princely sum of £3.77. I have some sundeala and had wondered about using that, but in the end I wanted a heavier base so decided on wood.
I don't have a proper workbench so I had to clamp it to the kitchen surface and carefully cut it up with my tenon saw. I gave it a few coats of varnish and glued foam on as cushioning.
(http://s9.postimage.org/3qkrk5h3f/Charybdis16.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/3qkrk5h3f/)
Not perfect but it will do for the time being, and Charybdis looks like someone owns her now. Cutting the recesses out for the hull was entertaining - cut the verticals easily with the tenon saw, but had to open out the horizontal cuts using a modelling knife (!!) before I could get my smaller saw in.
Pine looks at a craft knife and laughs. :-)
I also started making the rudder out of brass tube and aluminium scrap. Work in progress below - glue has dried, need to do some filing.
(http://s8.postimage.org/kbsdzt875/Charybdis17.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/kbsdzt875/)
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Progress seems to have been measured in millimetres so far this week!
I decided that the rudder looked a bit scruffy so set about making it look better. To that end I glued some balsa on each side of it to hide my rough filing. Once dry I sanded it smooth and streamlined it. I had some spare nylon mesh from another model so skinned the rudder with that and epoxy.
(http://s11.postimage.org/ybmmmkf4v/Charybdis18.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ybmmmkf4v/)
(http://s7.postimage.org/we6abkug7/Charybdis19.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/we6abkug7/)
I then sanded it smooth and removed the excess off the rudder shaft so that everything now moves cleanly.
My plan for the weekend will be to get fitting the rest of the running gear.
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Ahh! It has been 11 days since I last posted and progress has been a bit slow. I have glued in the prop shaft and tube for the rudder. I have tried to make the electronics/motor install neater than normal so everything will hopefully have a place to be screwed or velcroed to - all a bit over-engineered but seems sturdy.
(http://s9.postimage.org/x2p5dpyuj/Charybdis20.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/x2p5dpyuj/)
Servo in place. I put the oiling tube in at an angle to keep it out the way of the servo arm.
Battery compartment for one of my trusty 7.2v stick packs.
(http://s9.postimage.org/40ong4gq3/Charybdis21.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/40ong4gq3/)
Motor compartment 1. That bit behind the chocolate block connector will hold the fuse holder.
(http://s12.postimage.org/y4e750cih/Charybdis22.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/y4e750cih/)
Motor compartment 2. The ESC will go against the inside of the hull behind the motor.
(http://s8.postimage.org/9d3uje8wx/Charybdis23.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/9d3uje8wx/)
Next will be the soldering.
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HA! Events have conspired to prevent me from doing much modelling this last week but in the dying hours of the weekend I managed to get a bit of modelling in and did some soldering. I also connected everything up for a test - the servo works and the motor jumped into life and ran smoothly in both directions.
(http://s12.postimage.org/5kn3bwfcp/Charybdis24.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5kn3bwfcp/)
Servo pushrod, velcro for the ESC, something for the on/off switch and then I will be back to balsa work!
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Good to hear you have got the motor in.!
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Good to hear you have got the motor in.!
SernPost Sam; Thanks! Although I just succeeded in stripping the gears in my servo - it now makes a lot of noise without actually moving. Ugggh. The rudder is proving entertaining as the stern is narrow so the tiller arm is quite short, and having clumsy sausage fingers does not help either. Will have to get a new servo on Thursday when my local model shop is open late.
I have made some progress tonight though. I now know how to quote another post(!).
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It may be worth considering purchasing a servo with metal gears.
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Well, the internal fit has been completed. I went up to my local model shop today and got a new servo, and made the tiller arm on the rudder a bit longer (had to sand a little depression in the inside of the hull to accommodate it). But that all went fine and so the servo/rudder assembly is now working well. I also velcroed the ESC in place.
Which means after what seems like an age I can get back to the woodwork! :-)
I have cut out the decks and sanded them to shape.
(http://s7.postimage.org/61pupqavr/Charybdis25.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/61pupqavr/)
I have also started marking out the forward superstructure. I am working it out from a mixture of the Dido plan, Alan Raven's book about the Dido class, and some pictures I found for a review of a resin model of HMS Scylla. Better make sure I don't end up building HMS 'Scyllybdis...'
(http://s8.postimage.org/cs8160xgh/Charybdis26.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/cs8160xgh/)
Hatched areas are bits that will be cut out, shaded bits will be left in place but hidden by superstructure overhangs.
Need to move the boundaries in several mm to account for the thickness of the housing. I had to shuffle the bulkheads around a bit so that one would correspond to the gap between the two forward housings - should provide some support for the deck.
(http://s8.postimage.org/jm0ew4di9/Charybdis27.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/jm0ew4di9/)
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Have cut out the deck openings today. Well actually most of it has been spent peering at the side view in Ensign 2 with my ruler trying to work out what I am looking at, and comparing the measurements to the photo of the resin model. I drew them out and then left it out for while - I then came back later with a fresh eye to see that I was happy with it.
(http://s10.postimage.org/wostnqivp/Charybdis28.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wostnqivp/)
Cutting the opening took about 20 minutes. Haha. I have allowed for the superstructure thickness to be 3/32" (that line around the openings)
(http://s12.postimage.org/ia1jwjga1/Charybdis29.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ia1jwjga1/)
The forecastle has good access - I had moved the bulkheads when I was building the hull to coincide with the gap between the housings. Although my receiver will look a bit lost in there. Weight permitting I may put in a sound unit.
(http://s8.postimage.org/81yuj8z8x/Charybdis30.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/81yuj8z8x/)
The centre compartment is just for the battery. I might make some kind of cable run for the servo leads to make it easier to connect things up.
(http://s12.postimage.org/ekfp8v8kp/Charybdis31.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ekfp8v8kp/)
And the stern. The rearmost housings are rather large, so access to the motor, servo and wiring is better than I had hoped. I also cut a small hatch above the rudder - this will be varnished in place. If I have to get to the rudder once compete I will just have to ping it out.
(http://s9.postimage.org/kpbe453ln/Charybdis32.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/kpbe453ln/)
The coamings will be 3/32" balsa. I have quite a bit left over from making the hull, but I might need to get some more 1/4 square. But that is for another day...
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She's really looking good now the constrution is advancing again :-) .Are you going to use your M'plex RC gear in her?
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This may win an award for Least Impressive Post, but a busy week has given me a hankering to at least glue something tonight. So I have started gluing the 1/4" square strip to the underside of the deck. When these bits are dry I will have to make a few cuts in the bulkheads below to accept the deck.
(http://s9.postimage.org/ijgmqbgnf/Charybdis33.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ijgmqbgnf/)
Umm, that is it(!).
She's really looking good now the constrution is advancing again :-) .Are you going to use your M'plex RC gear in her?
Hi, yes, the Multiplex gear will be going in up front.
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That's starting to look the business Ninja. :-))
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That's starting to look the business Ninja. :-))
Thanks Dreadstar! Progress has been a bit slow but she is gradually taking shape.
I have added some more strips to the underside of the deck. I have also had to saw a little out of the bulkheads and the 1/4" square at the stern. My sawing is not as neat as it could be, so you won't get a picture of that :-)
Although as I am getting an error when trying to upload an image there may not be any pictures tonight. Will try the attachment thing.
(http://C:\Users\The Flat\Pictures\Ships\UK\Charybdis\Pictures\Charybdis34.jpg)
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That isn't quite what I thought would happen. It's a photo Jim, but not as we expected.
The reindeer thing by the saw is the bit that will go on the underside of the narrow strip between the deck houses.
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This working week has been a bit heavy and I think next week will be to, hence the last few short posts.
The last bits of balsa for the coamings are gluing, whilst I have added a support for the hatch above the rudder shaft. Which means tomorrow I will hopefully be able to glue the decks down. The forecastle deck is curved so I will glue that down and then add the square section balsa.
(http://s12.postimage.org/usfwbv5dl/Charybdis35.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/usfwbv5dl/)
Incidentally I am thinking of buying Norman Friedman's book about British cruisers. If anyone out there has it is there any material in it that would help me with this build?
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Get a Morskie Profile on Naiad Number 67 and Ensign 2 Dido class . google for suppliers , they are out there.
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I have Norman friedmans book - it is a great book about British cruisers and there are some photos of the class
but none of Charybdis herself though there is some text about her.
The book is well worth having as a reference book but may not be much use to you for your current build.
Geoff
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Get a Morskie Profile on Naiad Number 67 and Ensign 2 Dido class . google for suppliers , they are out there.
I have Norman friedmans book - it is a great book about British cruisers and there are some photos of the class
but none of Charybdis herself though there is some text about her.
The book is well worth having as a reference book but may not be much use to you for your current build.
Geoff
Gents, many thanks. I will hold off for the moment on Friedman's book and look around for the Morskie Profile publication.
The decks are drying and held in place by lots of rubber bands, so she suddenly looks rather stripy. I also drilled a few holes and used short lengths of dowel to pin the decks in place and stop them wandering.
(http://s7.postimage.org/3yqvayxs7/Charybdis36.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/3yqvayxs7/)
So they are on. No changing my mind now!
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Another quick post. I removed the rubber bands and rubbed the decks down a little. I also glued on the strips that will be the knuckle at the bow - I will try and blend them into the hull with a mix of my razor plane and sandpaper.
(http://s10.postimage.org/rfatt8x05/Charybdis37.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/rfatt8x05/)
That can dry overnight...
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I got out the razor plane and carefully shaped the wood I glued on last night.
(http://s8.postimage.org/n6lb60ewx/Charybdis38.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/n6lb60ewx/)
Then some filler - I might have to do several layers to produce a nice smooth grading between the knuckle and the rest of the hull.
(http://s12.postimage.org/6dxtbmibd/Charybdis39.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6dxtbmibd/)
Excuse the blurred image...
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One last update before Christmas Day. Added the last few bits to support the coamings on the forecastle. I have also been sanding the hull again in preparation for card plating I did cut out the armoured belt out of balsa to stick on, but I only had 3/32" wood which looked rather too thick. So I nipped to the model shop and got some 1/16" ply - not been able to recut them yet (tidying the flat).
(http://s11.postimage.org/fe2vf7ihr/Charybdis40.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/fe2vf7ihr/)
That is it for a few days.
Merry Christmas!
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Hello there - I thought it was about time I uploaded my first post to this site...
Merry Christmas, and congratulations on the rapid progress. Been looking through Dad's book collection and there's a reasonable scale schematic drawing of HMS Charybdis as well as a couple of photos showing the 4.5" turrets and mounting in Raven and Roberts "British Cruisers of World War II".
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Merry Christmas, and congratulations on the rapid progress. Been looking through Dad's book collection and there's a reasonable scale schematic drawing of HMS Charybdis as well as a couple of photos showing the 4.5" turrets and mounting in Raven and Roberts "British Cruisers of World War II".
Thanks - that would be a book I would like to get hold of, but it is a bit steep on Amazon/eBay/everywhere online that sells it! I will have a trip to the local library to see if they can get it on a loan.
I lied about not doing any work for a few days. Between eating yesterday's leftovers and watching penguins hijack aeroplanes I have also done some more to the hull. I have glued the armour belt on (1/16" ply - just visible in the image below). One side slipped down a mm or so, so I added a little strip (pins in the picture) to even it up.
(http://s14.postimage.org/ze3u6c1j1/Charybdis42.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ze3u6c1j1/)
I also added some milliput around where the propshaft leaves the hull. I will sand it smooth when it sets.
(http://s7.postimage.org/u624do5xj/Charybdis41.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/u624do5xj/)
That is a hopeless photo but thought I would add it all the same. So a bit of sanding and filling and I will be able to start plating
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Today I sanded down the armoured belt and also smoothed the milliput a little. This had taken hours to cure, maybe it is getting a touch old. I also started plating the hull. I have used watercolour painting paper and stuck it in place with woodglue. I have looked at some photos and diagrams but am more interested in trying to break up the appearance of the box hull so there is more than a little bit of artistic licence in the plate layout (the overlaps?), but in any case she is semi-scale. I also feels like the hull is a bit tougher when I tap it.
Otherwise I am pleased with the starboard side, so I will do the port tomorrow. Need to paint a chair tonight.
(http://s14.postimage.org/f1ow5p4nh/Charybdis43.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/f1ow5p4nh/)
(http://s18.postimage.org/b7lslorn9/Charybdis44.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/b7lslorn9/)
Then once both sides are done I will use varnish to seal the paper.
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Did you use PVA glue?
Bob
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Did you use PVA glue?
Bob
Hi Bob. Yes I used normal PVA, the paper seems absorb it well and sticks pretty quick.
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When I last did some plating in paper I also covered the outside of the plating with 2 coats of PVA.
This was purely belt and braces as some PVA will have soaked through the paper so covering it all in PVA gave a uniform base coat.
This was to ensure there wasn't any local reaction to the next coat and could be replicated off the model to try the next coat to ensure no reaction.
Bob
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When I last did some plating in paper I also covered the outside of the plating with 2 coats of PVA.
This was purely belt and braces as some PVA will have soaked through the paper so covering it all in PVA gave a uniform base coat.
This was to ensure there wasn't any local reaction to the next coat and could be replicated off the model to try the next coat to ensure no reaction.
Bob
Hi Bob. I had not thought of doing it that way. I am planning to use the same method as I tried on a previous model. With that I had used a water based varnish - the first coat got absorbed by the paper but after a few it was sealed with a glossy finish. Then I painted the enamel paint as normal onto that. So I guess it is not properly waterproof until the enamel goes on but gives a nice surface to work on.
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The way you have used before is usually favourite as you have tried it before and it works.
Bob
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I have been working on the port side plating today.
(http://s16.postimage.org/m1ranwa29/Charybdis45.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/m1ranwa29/)
(http://s8.postimage.org/9g6il90bl/Charybdis46.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/9g6il90bl/)
Will leave it a few hours before applying the varnish.
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Happy (belated) New Year!
The last week has been taken up with sealing and sanding the hull, not look terribly exciting to photograph. But today I have started adding the coamings at the stern - they are only about 8mm high, so I might also add a catch or magnet to help hold the deckhouses in place. So work is progressing again.
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It's starting to look a real solid job now! :-)
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Nice one ! Plating and coamings look good.
Bob
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It's starting to look a real solid job now! :-)
Thank you!
Nice one ! Plating and coamings look good.
Bob
Many thanks, I quite enjoy doing the plating.
I had high plans to do the coamings on the forecastle, but after 'a bit of a day' at work I can't quite face it tonight. So I have done the other set on the quarterdeck.
Can't help but notice I have uploaded a lot of photos where not much changes - if you scroll down the page really fast maybe the build proceeds a bit quicker. :-)
(http://s14.postimage.org/8oxujqxzx/Charybdis48.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/8oxujqxzx/)
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Neat job on the coamings!
Just a quick note from my Dad: apparently the 4.5" gun turrets on the Charybdis were of the same (Mk 3) type that were used on the wartime Ark Royal. Might be useful if you need to source more photos of the turrets...
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Neat job on the coamings!
Just a quick note from my Dad: apparently the 4.5" gun turrets on the Charybdis were of the same (Mk 3) type that were used on the wartime Ark Royal. Might be useful if you need to source more photos of the turrets...
Ian, cheers. I had not thought that far ahead(!). I have been busy finding pictures of Ark Royal for the photo archive - she seems more photographed than Charybdis.
I decided I would get the coamings fitted before any more posts. I fitted the forecastle ones and made them oversize before planing them back a bit for neatness. I found these ones a lot harder than on the quarterdeck as I have built in some deck sheer. Anyway, I will have to do a bit of filling and final sanding before I varnish them.
(http://s18.postimage.org/5wowbrhh1/Charybdis49.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5wowbrhh1/)
(http://s13.postimage.org/5yewza03n/Charybdis50.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5yewza03n/)
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Quick update as it has been a few days. Have been working today on central removeable deckhouse and also the fixed deckhouse forward of it - thought I would do the simpler shapes first.
(http://s17.postimage.org/yy04nt6kb/Charybdis51.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/yy04nt6kb/)
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Have started one of the rear deckhouses and also one on the forecastle. That way I can work on two at a time and hopefully not clumsily bash one. The cling film has prevented any removeable features becoming permanent (so far!).
(http://s13.postimage.org/fevzxtwf7/Charybdis52.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/fevzxtwf7/)
The forward one is a bit of a pain as the deck has sheer so had to allow for that.
(http://s18.postimage.org/on0mxmsut/Charybdis53.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/on0mxmsut/)
I have a four day weekend, so my aim is to get the basic deckhouses done before I go back to work. He says...
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Today's work. There are 5 removeable deckhouses in all (decided to name them D1 - D5 from the bow).
(http://s16.postimage.org/ofqs6ctqp/Charybdis54.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ofqs6ctqp/)
Magnets added to coaming for D3. D5 also taking shape...
(http://s12.postimage.org/61ywiu8uh/Charybdis55.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/61ywiu8uh/)
Double height deckhouses D1 and D2 at slightly different stages. The thing on the radiator is D4.
Let's see how it goes tomorrow.
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Think I will have to stop for tonight. D2 - D4 are complete, glued and sanded smooth. D5 needs some remedial work so I will have to leave that for the weekend.
(http://s13.postimage.org/zfxj50jgj/Charybdis56.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/zfxj50jgj/)
Have got the basic structure of the forward deckhouse D1 in place. I have put in place some balsa that will take a few more bits of plywood to give it the correct shape. Then I will sand it down before adding the deck to it.
(http://s8.postimage.org/rm3onxp5t/Charybdis57.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/rm3onxp5t/)
Not quite managed to get all I had hoped to do, but am pleased anyway. Starting to look like a boat now.
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Thought I would try and get finished what I started last weekend. Have been concentrating on the deckhouses 1 and 2. 1 now has its faceted front, while I have also added a little extra shape to the back of the second deckhouse. Anyway they are all glued, sanded, fillered and sanded smooth again. Also put filler onto numbers 3 and 4, but they look largely the same so have not bothered putting any pictures up. Need to get round to adding the top to the fixed deckhouse behind D2. Have done some preliminary sanding and filling to that as well (can just see the white unsanded filler in the pictures).
There seems to be a problem with postimage tonight so have attached pictures via the other method.
So of the five deckhouses it is now just troublesome number 5 to be finished... Also bought some 0.8mm plywood yesterday for the rest of the bridge and the funnels.
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Looks like your "Cherrie B", as she was affectionately known in the RN, is shaping up nicely :-))
Watching this thread with interest as I'm hoping to build something similar later this year ;D
Regards,
Ray.
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Looks like your "Cherrie B", as she was affectionately known in the RN, is shaping up nicely :-))
Watching this thread with interest as I'm hoping to build something similar later this year ;D
Regards,
Ray.
Hi Ray. Many thanks, glad to hear you are enjoying it. However as my commute has just jumped to an hour and a half each way she may take considerably longer to finish than I first thought!
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Hot on the heels of the last post I thought I would show the little bit I have done tonight. D5 was a mess and had not clamped together as I had hoped when I took it off to examine it. So I cut it up a bit and added a few bits that fit better.
(http://s18.postimage.org/iszh61nad/Charybdis60.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/iszh61nad/)
Some progress for the night, at least.
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Well, today I managed to get the sternmost deckhouse finished (finally!).
(http://s15.postimage.org/tlsp2g1tz/Charybdis61.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/tlsp2g1tz/)
So the basic superstructure blocks are now done. I also glued the deck onto the superstructure immediately aft of the bridge - tomorrow I will sand it down.
(http://s14.postimage.org/mn7kznozh/Charybdis62.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/mn7kznozh/)
So the next thought I have is what to start working on next... I might make a start on the bridge itself. Or get the anchors and capstan details at the bow done so I can give the boat a coat of paint ready for bath testing. Will decide tonight.
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I decided after thinking about it that I want to get the bulwark that sits amidships fitted. This blends into housings for searchlights and the 2 pounder pompoms, so today I have been working on these housings. Nothing fancy, just some blocks made from balsa with a veneer of 0.8mm ply on the outside.
(http://s9.postimage.org/wt5xq4fvv/Charybdis63.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wt5xq4fvv/)
They are not glued yet, but their approximate positions are as in the next photo. I will make the bulwark out of ply as well - once that is done I can give the hull a layer of primer and have a tank test.
(http://s17.postimage.org/5d1fjn6uj/Charybdis64.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5d1fjn6uj/)
That is if for tonight. I keep accidentally putting the modelling knife into my thumb so I have taken that as a sign to stop. :-)
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the build has certainly moved on since I last looked at your website. :-) The superstructure looks very sturdy.
Have you waterproofed the hull yet and advance enough to try a floatation test?
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the build has certainly moved on since I last looked at your website. :-) The superstructure looks very sturdy.
Have you waterproofed the hull yet and advance enough to try a floatation test?
Hi SernPost Sam, thank you. I have applied a water based varnish to seal the hull and plating but I don't trust it enough to put in the water as-is. I am hoping next weekend to give the hull coat of either Humbrol enamel or else go to Halfords and get a spray can. (Think I need to find out just how much displacement I have to play with, not least because as I have a tendency to over-engineer things).
Today I have done a little more amidships. The smaller platforms are in place, and one side has its bulwark glued. Might try and get the other side done tonight.
(http://s11.postimage.org/k3f2mezxr/Charybdis65.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/k3f2mezxr/)
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Those deckhouses look really strong, firm foundation for all the fittings that go on top of them. %)
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Hi SernPost Sam, fingers crossed, they should hold.
Been working late again this week, so not done much. However I have finished the bulwarks and have done some filling and sanding, also sealed them with that varnish I have been using. I am keen to have a flotation test so today have been undercoating the hull. Which has been like watching paint dry. Bahahaa.
Painting white card with white enamel does not make for a great photo, so photo below is of her underside. The bottom has had several coats, the sides just one (might be easier to do these in daylight as well).
(http://s13.postimage.org/u0cl78tg3/Charybdis66.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/u0cl78tg3/)
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It has been a while but I finally did some more work. I put some water in the bath and tested her displacement and she is about 2.4 kilos - actually that is still a bit light but I thought I would aim for this for a little bit of a safety margin.
I decided I would work on the bridge and have been looking at photos of the real thing, models and other diagrams. There are a series of openings below the bridge deck with what must have been some kind of walkway that only Charybdis and Scylla had. I could not initially decide if I should add them but they do seem quite prominent in pictures so I retained them. I have build a box around the inside of them - once the deck is on they will be sealed.
I also want to add the wind deflector (? is that what it is?) to the front of the bridge, so will model this separately and add later. Anyway, she now has a head.
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A little more work done after an otherwise busy Easter weekend - added the back of the bridge.
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I painted the insides of the walkways black (though looking at them now painting black rectangles would have had the same effect!!) before gluing the bridge deck on. A bit of filling too to smooth things. Next job the wind deflector.
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I went out today and bought some 0.5mm plywood (how much does a sheet cost?!?? - this is what happens when I read copies of 80's model aeroplane magazines...) to work on the wind deflector. I am quite enjoying using plywood, generally I have used plastic sheet before. Anyway, work so far...
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Looking nice :-)) I am interested in working with thin ply having normally worked mostly in ABS and styrene sheet.
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Looking nice :-)) I am interested in working with thin ply having normally worked mostly in ABS and styrene sheet.
Hi Bob, thanks! I like plastic and not needing much surface preparation, but PVA and plywood does not honk as much(!).
The rest the wind deflector is done. I have also been working on the searchlight wings towards the rear of the housing. Once dry I will add bulwarks round them so the 'step' won't be too obvious. I have also started putting together a deckhouse forward of the bridge for the 2 pounders.
As a bit of a change I started making the formers for the funnels (just visible in photo). I made them like wing ribs on a plane, with two ply templates and balsa bolted between and carved them to shape. Though I have other things to do today so I guess that will have to wait for next time.
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Boring chores can wait for a while, I am enjoying this. Added the bulwarks and the top of the housing forward of the bridge.
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Very nice job
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Very nice job
Thanks Mike, that is very kind.
Uggh, what weather. Today I have sanded down what I did last weekend. I then built the platforms for the 2 pounders/twin 20mm guns, and also built the cabin on the bridge. There is not too much more that I want to do on this bit for the time being. There are another two platforms for 20mm cannons, but I might have them fitted to the deck.
I think tomorrow then I will start on the forwardmost deck house - in particular the circular walls that were round the 4.5" guns. So I am scouring the place for something of the correct diameter to bend the ply round...
Anyone else getting 'Invalid format' when trying to upload pictures?
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Today's work. I decided to attack the blast shields rather than do the funnels.
The faceted one at the front of the deckhouse is 1mm ply. I partially assembled it separately then glued it on. For the circular shield I found that the lid of one of my wife's spice pots was just about perfect, so I borrowed it. I cut several strips of 0.5mm ply that were 11mm wide, and wrapped them round it and held it in place with clamps as the PVA dried.
(http://s8.postimage.org/mra6bmpc1/Charybdis76.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/mra6bmpc1/)
Then it sat on the radiator to dry quickly. I then sanded it smooth and glued it on. The next two are of how it looks in place.
(http://s17.postimage.org/uuijs21a3/Charybdis77.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/uuijs21a3/)
There are numerous buttresses on the inside. I can't find any info on their shape, so I think I will make them triangular-ish. There is also another deckhouse immediately behind the circular (splinter?) shield, currently the bits are drying prior to assembly.
(http://s17.postimage.org/4h3nt09vf/Charybdis78.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/4h3nt09vf/)
Better to let it all dry thoroughly for a few hours...
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One more before I stop. Started working on the splinter and blast shields for 'X' gun - I love this thin plywood.
(http://s10.postimage.org/snbda33v9/Charybdis79.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/snbda33v9/)
I chamfered the ends of the strip before I wound it round the lid, which helped keep the circle a bit neater. Learning as I go. :)
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Bit of a lazy day today. Got the shelter for the crew of 'B' gun glued on, and worked on the funnels before I end up losing the formers I made for them.
I let some 1/4" square into the formers so they were at the correct spacing and then glued 0.5mm ply round them. That is currently drying (rubber bands holding it in place). Tomorrow will have a first sanding to smooth, then will add another layer of 0.5mm.
(http://s17.postimage.org/vw19baldn/Charybdis80.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/vw19baldn/)
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Added another layer of 0.5mm ply to both the funnels and then sanded it back smooth - I love the contour effect that produces. I then added the caps from lite ply and shaped them. For the moment that is it for the funnels, as I have not decided on what I want to do for the baskets on top.
(http://s15.postimage.org/kfgk13u6f/Charybdis81.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/kfgk13u6f/)
Otherwise I have just been adding filler and sanding things down a bit. Have started making the splinter shield for 'Y' gun.
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Not done much today. Just added the housing for the after funnel to sit on, and finished the blast shield for 'X' gun.
(http://s18.postimage.org/uby81pkit/Charybdis82.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/uby81pkit/)
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Turning out very nice, and I will keep watching with interest for updates. Admired your build enough to decide to build my own but taking the easier option I have just bought the fleetscale 1/128th fg Dido class hull and will be building as Argonaut with the full five 5.25 turret set.
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Turning out very nice, and I will keep watching with interest for updates. Admired your build enough to decide to build my own but taking the easier option I have just bought the fleetscale 1/128th fg Dido class hull and will be building as Argonaut with the full five 5.25 turret set.
Hi Mike. Thank you, glad to hear you are enjoying this build. That hull must be quite a size at 1/128th? I rather like these anti aircraft cruisers - it would be good one day to build an earlier 5.25" fitted ship and also one of the Bellonas at the same scale. But at the rate I am going with this build ideas like that are a lonnnngggg way off. :)
It has been gloriously sunny this weekend which means by the law of averages I have been ill (!!!). Ugggh. Anyway I have done a little more to the ship. The shelter for the crew of 'X' gun is added and the filler is drying. I also added the splinter shield for 'Y' gun. It is the same size as the other but it looks a bit big on the quarterdeck. Looking at photos though I think that the real ship had a fuller stern, whereas pulling in the sides has made it a bit more slender on my model.
(http://s14.postimage.org/ejfewnz7h/Charybdis83.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ejfewnz7h/)
I also added a little extra shape to the deck house that will take the main mast, and have begun building the tub for 'A' gun. With the filler added it looks like a cake.
(http://s15.postimage.org/658gn82br/Charybdis84.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/658gn82br/)
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Its not too overly big - 48 inches length. Arrived yesterday and quite a nice hull it is too. Also ordered the main fittings of TTs, turrets, funnels and directors and a few other minor ones. Wont be starting for a couple of months yet as I have another build on the go but it does give me some time to do some planning of the build.
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Any progress?
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Still no progress on this build? <:(