The planking continues .......
The margin planks have been fitted around the starboard contours. Having checked to see that the bridge line is parallel to the shelter deck edge, I find that it isn't.
However, I can live with this.
Planks are laid in a five-plank repeat pattern, starting at the centreline and working outboard. I understand that this was the way it was done in the real world. The reason that I didn't just cut out a sheet of 3 ply and scribe the planks on it (as in the case of the maindeck) was because I couldn't fit the 3 ply access hole over the existing tripod mainmast, which steadfastly refused to budge.
The pursuit of the perfect scale caulking goes on, but I think I have located it.
One of the very best methods, which produced outstanding results is found here.:
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum...2288&start=220Post: Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:43 pm gives the details.
As you can see, the planks have actually been 'formed-in' to the margin planks, requiring a huge amount of detailing and effort. I think that the builder has spent far in excess of eighteen months on the planking alone, something I haven't got the time for.
I've attached a couple of images of RODNEY's planking so far. I'm relatively happy with the effect to date, bearing in mind that the caulking needs to be run-in and the planking sanded to a smooth finish. This will reduce (but not entirely eliminate) the uneven effect given at the moment.
The run-out on the starboard bridge wing is evident, demonstrating that the bridge superstructure is out of true with the line of the shelter deck edge. As I mentioned earlier, shall just have to live with that. But, oddly, it's not the case with the port bridge wing.................. or is it?
The 5 plank repeat pattern can also be seen from the images. It really is important to keep this pattern correct, as any mistake will be glaringly obvious!!
Thanks for looking in.