Thanks to a member of another forum, I have now also finally received the complete kit for the cross section (a feat the official german distributor was unable to succeed in for months. Four months.).

So without further ado, let's start up building the cross section.



With issue 121 we receive the first four ribs for the cross section. You really want to use the rib template as supplied to glue the ribs together, otherwise you'll never be able to get them in the correct shape. One thing that was a bit strange is that the connecting studs to the fret sit exactly on the parts you need to glue together, so you need to be extra careful sanding these extra flimsy parts. I have no idea why they would do this.

I have treated the outermost rib with Lord Nelsons base coat to protect it.

Hopefully starting up the Countach soon too. Waiting for my first delivery.

Luckily the cars and D51 really only take about an hour per month all things considered and the tank is mostly about figuring out which parts to snip off to get things to fit and a whole lot of waiting for paint to dry.

I will start up another ship, when the cross section is done and the big one is ready to get it's copper plating. I figure it'll take me about a year to get the tiling done and I'll need something else in between to not go crazy. The girlfriend has expressed interest in owning the Black Pearl, but I don't really see me building two sail boats at once, so it's likely going to be Bismarck or the Titanic.

Looking good, look forward to your next update.... .. As for parts 1 and 9, not sure if these are actually used further down the line but best just to set them aside for now in case needed later.... It has been known for some parts to be provided and not used, this is sometimes down to changes in the parts where manufacturers simply leave the old parts on frets rather than remove them, new parts being provided on another fret. If parts 1 and 9 are used later then hopefully someone who has build this will be able to clarify further.... ... Hope this helps.

Regards

Alan

Thanks Mr. T

Stage 3



Building up the "ribcage" was a lot of fun. No really. I'm serious this time.

It's amazing how well "in line" the ribs turned out to be, I was really worried I'd have some misangled ribs in there especially after having to tear apart the ribs to the stern once or twice during step 2. But they pretty much sit perfectly where they should.

Fixing the additional rib segments took quite some waiting time between steps (a day per row) but the result is certainly worth waiting for.

I have treated the outsides of the outermost ribs with anothe round of Lord Nelsons Base Coat after sanding flush the locking rods, which is why they're a bit shiny in the photo. This'll be gone after the coat dries.

Also I'm utterly amazed how well this balances itself. It doesn't even try to topple over. Yet.

Well done Greyhawk.

That looks like quite a complex framework, of which you appear to have made an excellent job.

Looking forward to what is yet to come, keep up the good work.

Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Looks great, very nicely put together..... .. Look forward to your next update....

Regards

Alan

Man, this took a while.

Phase 4 - Outer planking from keel to the gun deck


I know the picture is fuzzy in the back, but I quite like how it looks that way

So I took my sweet time on this. Wouldn't have thought i'd need a month to reach this stage, but on the other hand I WAS ill for part of it and I also chamfered each and every plank to make it look as good as possible. For my first actual planking (disregarding the little launch) I think it looks quite alright.

Who am I kidding? It's gorgeous.

The worst part was sanding down the planks edges to the level of the outer ribs really. The wood is so hard and dry it would not give way to whatever I attacked it with, shrugging off 40 grit sand paper like it was molten butter. Instead of doing the smart thing and buying a coarse file, I wanted this done NOW and so I spent the last three hours getting the edges baby bottom smoothly flush. Also I'm in a lot of pain now and probably need a doctor.



It still refuses to topple, btw. I sometimes look at it and go "Why won't you fall? Whyyyy?". Mostly when I'm tired.

One word: Permagrit. The best spent money ever. Not counting that one time when... well, I'll leave that story for some other time.

Anyway, great job, it does look sweet and silky-smooth.
Makes me want to go downstairs and plank something.

Lovely work on the planking Greyhawk very neat

Rgd Martyn

Looks like you've got a bit of a knack for ship building, it's looking very nice. He effort you put into chamfering the planks really shows