HMS Polyphemus (1881), Finished at last !Completed the last of the fine chain work, securing the ends of the two float-off life rafts and the handling chains for the two big gooseneck cranes.
Funnel Only the base of the mast and funnel are shown on the original plans so I am relying on scaling photographs. I am having to break a golden construction rule in not to have removable sub-assemblies other than access hatches etc, but the funnel ‘core’ is epoxied into the Mister compartment watertight cover. So a slide-off ‘outer’ became necessary to include the funnel top detail and vertical pipes. It does however make it easier for refilling the Mister water tank now that the funnel cap is fitted.
Surprisingly, having grown used to the ‘stub’ funnel for so long, now that she has the full length one the ship more looks its proper 1/60 scale size.
Mast & Rigging Mast sections in hardwood. The boom fitting was constructed in ABS and brass with thread ‘lashings’. I had to take an educated stab at the topmast stepping arrangement as photo definition is poor. This time I am even having a go at ratlines. Made a jig. Over a hundred tiny knots.
Much of the rigging is familiar and conventional, but due to fore deck removal some of the longer standing rigging is in black elastic thread so it can be unhooked for access.
Where rigging detail was hard to make out from photos I have had to reconstruct to period logic.
Gripes No not that kind. Fitting the lifeboat restraining straps was fiddly, but thanks to ‘Picketboat’ the flat section thread looks good for this. The beeswax helped.
Chutes Four disposal chutes from the flying decks were formed from 6 mm brass tube. Exactly what they were for is a mystery, neither coal ash nor empty ammunition casings where they were fitted. The hatch covers for them are wrong for outside Heads.
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Now I have now run out of bits to build.
O M G , is the ship actually finished at long last? Not quite. I still have the protective carry case and launching device to make.
Then to conclude
( at last ) will be final sea trials pictures.