Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Navy - Military - Battleships: => Topic started by: ballastanksian on January 26, 2017, 11:40:01 pm
-
When the Deans marine its of M33 and M15 came out I was quite excited because I was an avid reader of the Ian Buxton book and hoped that a few of the vessels would be produced in it form.
I bought the M15 kit as I like big guns, and the 'plonking' of a big turret on a small hull adds to the hastily designed look of the early monitor fleet. They were simple, expendable and designed for one purpose, namely, lobbing shells at enemy targets ashore.
Reading the book informed me that there were two marks of 9.2inch guns made available for the M15 class; the Mk VI and the Mk X. The latter gun is that provided in the kit and seen on other models published in magazines, so when I found the former weapon and its more interesting turret, I had to create a model of this type.
I chose M19. Why? I cannot say, but often our decisions are fortutious and hopefully this build log will show how.
I like making fiddly bits and parts, so I started on the superstructure and weapons.
The superstructure was made as per the instructions with kit water tight doors fitted and scratch built access doors to non water tight areas such as the galley. These doors need their hinges and handle added.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/921/0tPP22.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pl0tPP22j)
The wheelhouse and Bridge is smaller than on some Small Monitors, indeed being quite cramped! I asked you chaps for ideas on where the chart tabe would be situated on such a wee bridge and as expected, recieved much considered and good suggestions, for which I thanks you. As it turned out, moving a piece of paper used as a bookmark uncovered a caption for a photo showing several monitors moored abreast, and it turns out that it protruded out the side on braces! It had the little sloping roof as seen in other photos of Monitor bridges.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/gHk4Al.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pogHk4Alj)
Port holes were added by turning a porthole hub and adding a section of turned disk to create the rigol. I then moulded and cast a number in pewter. I got the idea from somewhere but for the life of me cannot remember where.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/S9NPqb.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poS9NPqbj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/8PX2cR.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pn8PX2cRj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/921/KTjEoB.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/plKTjEoBj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/921/sR3NdP.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/plsR3NdPj)
Weapons for self defence included a 12pounder and a 6pounder on an extemporised high angle mounting. I modified the low angle kit provided using a block of obeche clad with styrene. The existign model was fitted to the top and the whole lot was mounted onto the pintle.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/921/BvZGoR.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/plBvZGoRj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/NsPZe0.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmNsPZe0j)
The 12pounder was built as per the kit and just painted. Both are lovely kits though the location of some parts was by a little bit of guess work.
Initially the turret was going to be a problem to build because I had little but small photos to work from in the Buxton book, but by chance I was reading a book called 'Naval Guns' by IV. Hogg which has a few side views and cutaways of weapons platforms. Luckily, there is a side plan of the original turret mounting the 9.2inch Mk VI on Endymion class Armoured Cruisers.
From this I was able to scale dimentions making doubly sure of the formula this time so as not to repeat my M class debacle <:(
There are some vagaries with dimentions because the gun mount was modified to increase the range of the gun by raising the height of the trunnions. Also, the heavy armoured gun house was replaced with a sheet steel shield. Looking at the photos, the turret looks taller suggesting it was made so to accomodate the taller mounting which, by the way, was an old Vavasseur inclinded slide type.
First off the gun barrel was turned in Chemiwood. Then moulded and cast in resin.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/ecTTkk.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnecTTkkj)
The complex breech was designed in styrene plastic and cast in pewter from a silicone spin casting mould.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/FBrG7X.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnFBrG7Xj)
The gun house was built in a similar manner to that provided for the kit's MkX gun except that the mounting is radically different and so needed representing as such. The floor was cut out and the slides incorporating the brackets to hold the armour plate fitted.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/zsuIO9.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pozsuIO9j)
A structural frame was then made and fitted to the floor, and again this was to support the armour plate, but not so as to look out of place.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/w9Z172.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmw9Z172j)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/wxokXj.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnwxokXjj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/921/ICOa4r.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/plICOa4rj)
Finally this session, the recoil cylinders with the trunnions were made from styrene rod and sheet. The breech detail was fitted at this time.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/6jT8Ee.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pn6jT8Eej)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/MjjnZR.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmMjjnZRj)
More soon!
-
Ian......your rendition of the blast baggage is excellent :-))......will they be painted in grey/green flat colour?
Not sure what protection they/it really offered, were they not only canvas X quilted bags stuffed with Wool or in latter years Kapoc? O0....a 22 bullet or even a Slug Gun projectile would penetrate it %%
Looking forward to more images as you progress the build........Derek
-
Hi like the boat I thought it was Plastic armour, but then I thought this would be a WW2 invention. Anyone know?
Roy
-
Hullo Roy......this 'blast baggage' was used in WW1 on vessels, around the Bridge, conning towers and around small arms mounts .....originally intended as protection 'of sorts' from shrapnel/deck splintering, however never considered as protection from weapons fire
Interestingly, it is literally the forerunner of the Kevlar vests worn by our Troops and Law Enforcement Officers today
Derek
-
Thanks Derek, nice to know something new! I remember reading Neville Shute's autobiography as he was involved with the plastic armour used in WW2. That was right down to the quarry where they found the best size stones to deflect shells.
regards Roy
-
Hi Derek,
The plan is to find the dazzle scheme as used on M19 for a time. I remember the reference to Kew archives in Nick's (RAF Launches) topic on HMS Kent in the Warships research section.
Therefore, the blast bags will probably be at least the basic grey or in part of the dazzle scheme. The Perkins book on monitors and support craft may have this information as well.
The blast bags are sculpted from Milliput and can also be seen on the bridge of my M class HMS Ready project.
Like Derek says Roy, the bags were splinter protection. They were not thick enough to do more. I have a picture in a book on Battlecruisers showing the bridge of HMS Australia which is almost spiffing except one corner bag is missing and another has a flopp bit, so either they were being repaired, or sometime more important jobs were prioritised above fixing blast bags.
-
A small update.
I am adding enough detail to the areas that you can see from outside the gun house. I will paint the inteior a light grey to help light bounce out.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/s95BgW.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pos95BgWj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/vFKomf.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnvFKomfj)
The turret was handworked as originally designed, so it seems the builders only removed the armoured gun house and the shell handling equipment from within the platform while they were increasing the gun's range.
The breech (as seen on the right) was a triple action system and can be seen in its engineering glory here:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN1tOVzFrWY
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/921/ysrvzC.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/plysrvzCj)
More soon!
-
Nice work Ian :-))
I particularly like your breech mechanism on the 9.2" gun. O0
-
Do you want some guns?
-
I certainly wouldn't pass up on that offer. :-))
-
PM sent.
-
Latest bulletin. I worked on the turret this weekend concentrating on the gun house sides and roof.
Because the front of the roof slopes, I had to work out how to get the oval shape to match its circular floor so that the curved sides were straight.
In Photo 2 you can see that the roof section has lines drawn on it. I drew round the floor onto paper and then drew straight lines 2mm apart developing a plan. I drew a line above the drawing of the floor at the same angle as the roof would be to get the distance between lines on the roof section.
I then marked out an oblong onto .5mm plastic and marked the lines onto this before measuring the length of each line on the floor and transferring them to the roof section. Once done, I cut and filed the roof section to a half oval shape. I cut out the flat roof section and then glued both in place.
Then I marked and cut out the curved front and side panel measuring the gun apeture. I then glued this in place and once dried, I held it over a boiling kettle to destress the plastic before plunging it into cold water just in case the steam warped the plastic before it cooled.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/iVQ5wt.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmiVQ5wtj)
Next I trimmed the excess side material away givng the basic shape of the gun house. You can see the apeture marked out and the lines I drew.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/KEOgTA.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmKEOgTAj)
A quick shot of how the gunhouse looks from the inside at this stage.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/3R3k35.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/po3R3k35j)
Then I cut and filed the apeture.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/JJji2U.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnJJji2Uj)
Before popping the gun in to see that everything looks ship shape.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/6XGhD9.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/po6XGhD9j)
And from the rear. I think I will cut out the breech pit in the floor rather than cheat and paint it a darker grey.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/ceKTK2.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poceKTK2j)
The breech was painted in Vellejo Oily steel with all the brasswork in a mix of Vellejo Gold and Ochre. They may have painted the breech over in wartime, but a bit of colour never hurts does it.
More soon :-))
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/oH5931.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnoH5931j)
-
Ian....that look of the composite metals in the breech body then locking gear is superb :-))
[Vellejo Oily steel with all the brasswork in a mix of Vellejo Gold and Ochre]
Could you return the hand wheels to the same Vellejo Oily steel?
Derek
-
I reckon so. I didn't think of the handwheels being left steel, but it makes perfect sense. Thanks Derek :-))
-
>>:-(....just thinking...the wheels were grey, then Vellejo Oily steel, then grey again......
In reality they probably would have been bronze cast wheels....so how about Vellejo Gold and Ochre? to match the bronze in the breech body?
Derek
-
Afternoon all.
The gun house gig continues......
The lack of breech pit was playing on my mind whenever I looked at the work so far, and so decided to add it. Looking at the plan and images more closely showed it to be more extensive than just a simple box. It has a slope that ends at the rear of the working platform which explains why the crew seem to be standing to one side of the breech but not in the middle where the slope might cause men to slip towards the breech.
So, I cut the middle of the platform out.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/ucdhSe.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnucdhSej)
The sides and slope of the pit were made from .5mm plastic.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/tf74aH.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pntf74aHj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/BImHRq.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmBImHRqj)
The front of the gun house has three openings. The first we covered last week where the barrel pokes out. The second is for the gun sight and is on the left of the gun and the third is an opening for what I assume is part of the elevation gear to protrude.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/zxqaT6.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmzxqaT6j)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/8C2hjp.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/po8C2hjpj)
I painted the handwheels in Oily steel and then got lunch.
More soon!
-
Last progress report this weekend.
Having added some electrical(?) cables to the gunhouse sides the gun was finally installed and the sides of the working platform were added.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/921/mzOmHz.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/plmzOmHzj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/NDL7sC.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnNDL7sCj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/921/c4KZkP.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/plc4KZkPj)
The next job is to make the ammunition crane and do a few final details.
Images show that there was no blast bag on this gun so I will leave the apeture breezy.
More soon.
-
Nice work Ian- looks exactly what I think the 9.2" turret would look like :-))
-
A little update.
I turned the barbette from chemiwood and this is the result.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/BZTohF.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnBZTohFj)
I have made a start on the ammunition davit using one of four small davits provided in the kit. I cannot see where they fit in the kit so Hope that they are an unexpected bonus. I cut one down and added some detail. There is some more work to do to this piece.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/r0vQjW.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/por0vQjWj)
Here it is loosley placed on the platform.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/B2NSMZ.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnB2NSMZj)
I added the rear blast mats to the bridge as well as a frame to hold an awning, the ladder is an etch piece from the kit and will have handrails added from wire. Then there are just the doors to detail.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/zOSU3C.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnzOSU3Cj)
-
Hi Ian
Lovely work, I've never heard of chemiwood, it almost looks like plastic- is it easy to work with?
-
It is like cured car body filler to work with but has no grain. It can be carved and finished by hand and as you can see works well with machine tools.
As it has no grain, it is brittle when put under duress but we are not talking plaster here. There different grades and assume they are different densities. I have used the Pink stuff on and off for twenty years while I bought a block of the orange denser stuff about seven years ago.
The Orange 'Modlab' I bought from 4D Models in London but when I looked for it a few years ago I could not see it listed but know there are suppliers of the material. It is not cheap, but it is versatile.
-
Thanks Ian
Looking for different materials for future projects and chemiwood looks like a good alternative material.
-
Here are some suppkiers I have found looking for 'Chemiwood'
http://www.fighteraces.co.uk/product/chemiwood-modelling-board/
http://www.alchemie.com/?cat=22&page=3
4D does not seem to do it these days.
-
Hi,
Thanks so much to admin allowing me access to this site.
I have read this article and am amazed at how intricate this model is turning out to be - superb. I have been doing a bit of research on the M19 due to an incident at Salonika in 1916 and so was pleased to find someone making a model of her. I maybe help with further information etc if needed - Let me know if you need anything.
In the meantime I will sit back and watch her being built 😊
-
Hi Lvlol.
What a coincidence. Thanks for the offer. Apart from Dazzle camo details, I think I am ok for information so far, but you can never say never regarding references.
What incident are you referring to? I know we were involved in that area.
-
Hi,
Many thanks for your reply. I have a bomb cradle from a Zeppelin brought down at Salonika. It is mounted on a wooden plinth with a brass plate saying that it was presented to the crew of Monitor M19. I checked the National Archives and found that the M19 was indeed present and had fired at the Zeppelin. It was not responsible for bringing the Zeppelin down but was indeed involved in the action. This is why I have been trying to find out so much about her. I have not been able to find out much but think that I have a couple of pictures buried deep and some historical information that I could dig out for you. The book Big Gun Monitors has reference to this incident concerning Monitors of the same class but alas no mention as far as I can recall of the M19 in this specific action.
Best regards
-
Now you mention it I remember reading about this. The Buxton book is a brilliant tome.
-
Yes it is a superb book!.
I will PM anything I have shortly.
Best regards
-
How do?
I have been dabbling with M19 these past weeks along with the destroyer and have started on the hull.
I have used a mix of kit parts for speed and some scratch built mounts as it was easier to make them than adjust the kit parts and also I like to whittle some wood now and again, its theraputic :-)
The hull was prepared and parked for rudder and prop shafts and the holes cut.
Deans kindly sent me the two 6volt motors after purchasing the kit at last year's Wicksteed show and so I measured these and marked out the line of the prop shafts and the centres of the motor shafts onto half inch ply. The piece was cut into three with the relevant holes and slots cut before the pieces were epoxied together and Doped.
The bottom was sloped and rounded to sit in the hull at the right angle then epoxied in place.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/oGNSV3.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmoGNSV3j)
The kit stuffing tubes were first epoxied in place before masking and applying P38 on the inside and then finishing outside with Milliput. A frames will be added.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/3RArQY.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pm3RArQYj)
The rudder tube was inserted and superglued using the rudder to hold the tube upright and in place. Then I used the idea I saw a fellow member use and placed a piece of plastic tube around the rudder tube and filled it with epoxy and added putty around the outside for insurance.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/8fEDdH.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pm8fEDdHj)
The tiller and boss were made as per those I made for HMS Ready, and I finally got the right size of Allen key for an M2 grub screw :-)) .9mm is the size.
The servo mount was also made from ply, this time 6mm, and was doped and glued in place with P38.
Next up will be a first water test and ballasting and then deckwales.
More soon!
-
A soupson of progress today....
I turned a whole funnel, cap, ring and base piece in one on the lathe from Chemiwood.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/rWkT5j.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/porWkT5jj)
The Cage and eyes were made from brass wire and superglued into holes drilled in the funnel body.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/3WTp5q.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/po3WTp5qj)
The payout of the superstructure is different for the monitors armed with the Mk VI gun with the bridge further back squeeing the searchlight between it and the funnel.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/3WTp5q.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/po3WTp5qj)
A parcel of J R Haynes fittings arrived this week inclucing a few bits for M19 (photo soon) so she is zooming along.
-
Really nicely created work there. Nothing wrong with the basic tube / vac formings supplied, but for me too, I find the added personal detailing touches add so much to a finished model. People may not see the funnel cage from alongside the original, but on a model it is so much more visible. Well done :-))
-
Thanks Bob :-))
Today, after my attempts to cook with electronics :(( I went home to sulk and did some stuff I understand on M19.
So, looking at the images in the kit instructions, the plans in the Buxton book and the photos, I found that yet again, there are differences on vent layout and skylight layout to watch out for. Initially, I saw what looked like little cloches with their gable ends facing the sides of the ship but further study showed that on some diesel powered monitors the skylights were transverse and back to back like monopoly houses rather than little out houses with one sloping roof. Images suggest also that they did not have scuttles in the lids, so I decided that it would be as quick to make some from .5mm styrene as it would to sand the kit parts flat and modify them.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/u1EOX3.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnu1EOX3j)
The position of the Cowl vents and searchlight were marked and holes drillled to take them. The searchlight tracks and platform were added to the roof. I did wonder about making the searchlight movable, but it would probably have got lost so I will stick it on. These bits all have brass rods to secure the into the roof. The vents and searchlight are from J.R. Haynes and are lovely.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/wr32vk.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/powr32vkj)
I have no gripes with Deans on these issues because I am daily more aware of just how diverse this small class of vessels was. There were four types of engine; two diesel, one parrafin and one steam, numerous styles of bridge, vent layout and even funnel design! It probably reflects the usual practice of allowing ship yards to build to the general spirit of the design rather than sticking rigidly to it.
To make everything better I made a load of Dutch pancakes with apple in. I made five and will have the last two for breakfast as they are rather filling O0
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/5GFcdg.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/po5GFcdgj)
-
Lots of progress made lately.
Photos to come soon along with first and second float test reports.
-
I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures and hopefully seeing her for real at the Mayhem weekend :-))
-
Hi Ian, Very nice work on the main gun it's worthy of being a model in it's own right, if the rest of the build is in this class which I'm sure it will be she's going to be a cracker.
Joe :-))
-
I am not the biggest fan of fibre glass as it is both brittle and, if you are not careful, in levelling the edges up, you may keep removing stuff until the hull is more a canoe than a ship! I will pop some phtos up tonight.
Ta Joe :-))
-
With Wicksteed approaching, I am trying to mix research with getting M19 finished.
The motors shafts and props were installed. A piece of wood backed with foam tape was screwed across the motors copying the principle offered in the kit. Trying to keep weight down and low has spread gubbins right through the hull, but it is better than her capsizing <:(
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/jbWXsz.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnjbWXszj)
I looked at doing the deckwales using styrene strip but could not see how to keep the hull edge symetrical so cut out a one piece deckwale and stretcher from 3mm ply leaving large holes to access the innards. It was stuck in place with Epoxy, P38 and a bit of superglue.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/0DzMUI.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pm0DzMUIj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/87yNHh.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pm87yNHhj)
The same was done for the forecastle. After this was fitted, the bath test was done. She was powered up and I found to my delight that Deans had provided handed propellers explaining why I could not get her to sail the good sea Bathtime without trying to turn around. Ballasting was done with lead flashing.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/DJcNv0.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnDJcNv0j)
I duly worked out which prop was which, refitted them and then resoldered the wires on one motor the other way around.
Bath test 2 was a success with good speed and a good strong 'Bonk' when she hit the foot end of the bath :-))
Images shows the Battery in sheath to help pull it out of the bows withut tugging the leads about, Podium ESC, (which is really for a car but I am sure the ABS will not be a problem and may even help when sailing around corners), Planet RX on the other side powered through the ESC (Thankyou for your assistance teaching me this fact).
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/i5xuvL.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmi5xuvLj)
A couple photos of the Foc'sle deck marked for where the fittings will go.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/Z4Laqw.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poZ4Laqwj)
These include an array of vents (see below) as well as anchor handling equipment. The breakwater was fitted at this point. The curved base came straight from the kit while the actual breakwater was made a new using the kit part as a template (original was too short).
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/LPTD8a.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmLPTD8aj)
We have discussed recently on how ships of a certain class can differ in detail, and boy does M19 differ! I was cleaning up vents to fit to the foc'sle and then though to look at a good image of M19 in the 'Buxton Bible'. Here I found no fewer then three types, maybe four, of vent. She has a large cowl vent, two small ones and an interesting squared cowl vent. Assuming there was still a single mushroom vent fitted there, I made them.
The above vent was made from chemiwood and is as high as the small cowl vents.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/TWqZaK.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnTWqZaKj)
The two small cowl vents were made from pieces of plastic kit sprue by cutting the corner sections off, shaping and drilling the ends of the cowls.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/DDBX94.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnDDBX94j)
The large one is a spare one ordered from J R Haynes.
Altogether they make the bows look like an architectural salvage yard, which is quite pleasing :}
-
Bouyed up by my visit to Wicksteed a couple of weeks ago, I got back to working on M19 and HMS Ready (qv).
The funnel recvieved it's remaining detail in the form of vent tubes though I am not sure what function they perform on a Diesel powered boat? Also, a brass etched ladder was fittted.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/nTmuNl.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnnTmuNlj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/hteiHM.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmhteiHMj)
All done, she was primed in the old style Humbrol 64 which was much greener and is very pleasing to look at so I have been mixing my own versions f it from acrylic. The tin was from an ancient box load given me by an acquaintance and it shows why we look for large containers of paint, by boxes of tinlets or enjoy a bit of variation, which is not a bad thing if it can be done neatly.
The bandstand for the reserve conning position was built from a disc of styrene stood upon a web of strip styrene to form the supports. This was scribed on top to look like it was planked. I read here and there that at this time certain parts of a ship were built from brass when near to a Pelorus.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/qBnBOk.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnqBnBOkj)
The Pelorus is from the kit. I am generally pleased with the fittings from Deans marine. I do think they just need to keep an eye on the quality of some of their flatter ites such as doors and gun shoulder stocks etc.
More soon.
-
Further along, I have begun adding details to the superstructure and making the masts.
The funnel needs its stays anchored to both the upper deck and the rear of the bridge and so eyes were made from brass wire bent into a loop with a tail that goes into the deck or bridge.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/ahkjuJ.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poahkjuJj)
The Pelorus was fitted on its bandstand and what I presume is a rack of life preservers was also fitted.
The eyes on the bridge can be seen here on the bridge now fitted to the superstructure.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/aH0rST.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmaH0rSTj)
The searchlight has been added to its trolley, the rails having been painted 'Oily steel' (Vellejo).
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/xLzpsV.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmxLzpsVj)
Other details had been fitted before painting such as the etched ladders. One of the various lockers can be seen to the right part painted.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/kYXfam.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmkYXfamj)
And finally for now, I made the masts. As with so much else on this class of vessel, the masts all varied somewhat, so I built mine based on reference. I am quite proud of these using part of the kits supply of brass tube and brass rods and wire bought for stock. The loops were again shaped from .5mm brass wire and all the parts were soldered together using a mixture of solder paste and traditional solder. Apart fom one case of 'Dry joint' it all went together well.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/Whe2ve.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmWhe2vej)
More soon:O)
-
Good evening folks,
I have done a bit more to the monitor by way of detailing and assembling the boats provided in the kit.
There is a dinghy and an example of the ubiquitous 27foot whaler both of vac formed styrene. I added frames to the insides and plank effects to the exterior. The Whaler went a bit awry and may be scraped and re-planked.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/kYsdo5.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmkYsdo5j)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/27g8Te.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pn27g8Tej)
The semaphore mast, redundant for this project, will be fitted to the M class destroyer.
-
Evening folks.
My camera died so I can describe some progress I have made and you can imagine what I am wittering about.
You will recall M19's eclectic vent arrangement. It turns out that she suffered a gun explosion some time whilst in the Med, and this destroyed the gun, gunhouse and I presume the foredeck furnishings, and would explain why she had a variety of vents if she just got what fleet stores had to offer at the time of her repair.
Her stern mounted 12 pounder had a shield fitted, which I have made from .5mm styrene mounted to the pintle with a cradle of 1.5mm styrene pinned with brass rods.
-
Here are two shots of the shield fitted to the stern 12 pounder.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/6PRoCO.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/po6PRoCOj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/Lp8pEG.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poLp8pEGj)
-
I understand the shields were fitted...[in some circumstances].....however they certainly hide all of the detailed machinery of trade of the Gunners. <*<.....
{So see if our Northern Australian Gunner man picks up :o on this}
-
Nice work Ian
Looks like you’ve got your modelling mojo back. :-))
-
Hi Ian, Just noticed it's been a year since you started this log, I like the way you pace yourself and take time to get it looking as you want it, though I'm guessing you have more demands on your time than I do, I can pretty much work on a model anytime I want, so I try to discipline myself to take time away from modeling, have to say though M19 is looking good, I love detail that you have to look for, though windows or inside a gun shield etc.
ATB Joe.
-
I collect and paint wargames models as well and also,doing it as a job, I just get fed up with things and 'faff' for periods.
I am trying not to go to extremem lengths with detailing, but M19 has so much that is unique to her compared with M15 that it is a challenge and enjoyable. I wanted to get HMS Ready completed last year but electrics and being new to them did bash my courage at times.
More soon :O)
-
Electrics are most modellers nemesis. I've learnt both the hard way and the easy one and nothing smells worse than burning electrics!
We had an issue with our fifth model which was supposed to have dual motor control using a F-14 Navy Tx but both throttle sticks controlled the motors together. It really perplexed us until we discovered that the motor mount straps were touching via a screw and was creating a new circuit by itself! :o
-
Oops :((