Hi Steve,

You are so right, they are paper decals.(Tacky)

I have been given a link (posted above) for brass etch updates.

That`s the good news.

Bad news, as there are so many in the build, COST!!!

Will be looking into making some form of replacement when I`ve worked out the total amount required.

Thanks for looking in and the input.

Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Hi All,

I have started the strip back to see what`s underneath

The answer, NOT GOOD.

Not a single laser cut edge cleaned before glueing.

Rear rib put in wrong way round.

Glue only touched where it was lucky.

Now the latter comment was to be of my advantage.


So where did I go with the recovery?

Firstly, removed panels and planking from port and starboard sides.
These had only been fixed to the central part of the hull.

I have managed to rescue nearly all of the removed parts due to the bad fixing used. (A Result)

Some parts had no glue at all applied, just pinned

Cleaned up the edges of the ribs and here`s the results.Pic 1+2


Having turned it back to this point, I took a look at the stern.

OMG OMG OMG

The stern deck did not touch either the last rib or centre keel section.

There were also 3 stern shaping sections to port and starboard.

These were not touching, centre keel or stern rib, just stuck to the deck above.

So, removed said parts and refitted the stern keel shaping pieces.Pic 3


So, where am I now?

I hate the stick on paper deck details.

Trying to source some affordable brass etch replacements.

Will hold off replacing the the stern deck until I`ve worked out the Etch issue.


I am going to have to put in some reinforcement, between ribs and decks due to the poor quality fixing. Then look at where best to balsa infill the rest of the hull.

Will update soon (hopefully) with what will happen next.

Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Hi Alan,

Yep, there`s a lot to do, but this is a long term project and not just "I`ve got all the parts, so lets bash it out" type thing.

I also have the un-envious task of trying to source affordable etch for deck ends, doors, portholes, etc etc etc

Have found some,same scale, for a different kit. Only trouble is don`t know if it will still fit exactly and it`s more than two thirds the cost of the original kit(£400).

Hey-Ho will keep looking as there`s no rush

Thanks for looking in.

Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Hi Derek
What scale is this anyway? Is this based on the mantua kit at 1/200 scale?
Steve

Derek

In a similar situation as you. Managed to get a bargain on a full unmade kit (it's based on the amati model by the way).

From my investigations it seems amati still supply card for the cabins. One of there etch sets will give you exactly the same bits as with the hachette model, the other is similar but does include the bulwark covers (not the correct term) along the deck sides of the ship. Hachette skit has these in wood.

Been thinking on a couple of options:

1. Go with the card overlays but cut out the windows ? Fiddly and probably not easy even with the sharpest of knives.

2. Try to find a rich widow and then buy the mini brass collection. Fat chance of that happening

3. Final thought is white plastic card. Windows and doors you may shout well mini brass do a windows set for 23 euros. No doors that I can see but looking at what they look like on the brass you could probable fabricate from plastic card again as they have no detail.

Just a few thoughts as I am potentially years away from starting this one.

I did come across the amati brass sets on a YouTube part 1 titanic build - if I can find it will post the link.

Happy building

Tony

Derek

This link reports most of the mini brass bulk heads as too tall and have to be sanded:

http://www.google.co.uk/...p;bvm=bv.54176721,d.d2k

This is the YouTube video showing the amati parts -you get to see the etch sets I mentioned in my earlier post



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4wQufQqI2I

Kind regards

Tony