This is my thiord and final build at the moment.
1/128 fleetscale hull that has been modified to represent the ship as she would have been modified to carry the Bismark Class 15 inch turrets that the ships were designed for when first built.
The hull has been "stretched" by about 3 inches and the bow modified in shape as per the ship yard drawing I have found. The decks have been planked with 2mm sq lime timber with black insulating tape used for the caulking. The decks will need rubbing down so they are evn accross the beam of the deck but I am pretty pleased with the way it has turned out.
Lots of work to do on her which I alternate between my type 23 when i get bored and fancy a change.
If like me you cannot read books unless they have pictures in them. Not that I am saying I am thick I just absorb data from text and pictures far easier that just text alone.
Here are some pictures to explain what the new bow of Gneisenau will look like
schematic of the whole ship in 1/644 scale showing the repositioned main mast and new hangar arrangements identical now to her sister Scharnhorst. It also confirms the 3 twin 15" turrents on the original barbetts that were built to take them in the first place.
Here are 3 pictures to explain what the new bow of Gneisenau will look like
First is a schematic of the whole ship in 1/644 scale showing the repositioned main mast and new hangar arrangements identical now to her sister Scharnhorst. It also confirms the 3 twin 15" turrents on the original barbetts that were built to take them in the first place.
Planking underway.
Will clean up when scraped and polished.The rear portion of the deck is planked mostly. Just the joggling of the margin plank to be done but I will leave this until the deck is fitted to the hull to save spoiling the planking when fixing the deck in. The deck needs sanding and scraping to levl off all of the planks to clean them up. I have to say it has turned out better that I thought with the caulking looking pretty subtle and scale like.
The difference in colout is solely due to the flash on the camera for one photo and not the other. The lighter picture is probably a better shot of the actual colour of the deck.
Running gear in and in need of a tidy up to finish off
The fibreglass on the bottom of the hull inside is the residue of a temporary bulkhead glassed in to space the porps and secure the some height. Plenty of room for the motors and mounts to be secured to an 8mm MDF base board.
Deck temporarily resting in the hull but gives a good idea of how the bow will be modified. The black tape shows the approximate location of the cut to be made in the hull for stretching. I have to say this is a daunting prospect cutting a perfectly good hull. Am I doing the right thing????
I know i know i should fit the margin planks first but the plans I have are so 'rubbish' !!!!
I might have to invest in some plans from loyalhannah dockyard but they are $65 plus postages