Ok, here comes the promised update.
Despite my original idea to work from front to aft, I did the open p-way lest I forget about it.
First cut the openings, just a little wider than the usual scuttles. As I have no certain idea about the interior and since it is impossible to look inside - the twin 15 cm turrets will sit directly next, as you can see the barbettes - I decided for a simple straight ‘way through’ as it is easiest to do.
Testfitting
Cutting a piece of wooden deck, as the p-way probably will continue from the wooden upper deck
fitting it in the superstructure part, the ‘ears’ filling the material strength
some styrene underneath to bring it in level with the main upper deck
and in place. Once glued down it will be pretty much even with the deck. I decided not to overpaint the wood as it barely can be seen.
In the end you should be able to see the opening and that the p-way goes all the way through, and that there is wooden deck inside, but not much more once the 15 cm guns are installed. I’m quite happy with how that turned out, and one more detail to distinguish her from Scharnhorst. Good hint by Francesco!
But now back to the forward superstructure. The armored bridge in front not build yet, only the single main piece, the structure underneath the the typical turret put together but not detailed, mainly to gen an impression as to how my painted wood will do, and the shape ways 3D print. I’m happy to have that, along with some more parts, as it is very nice for dry fitting and trials. I’m even more happy to have the real good stuff from Steve aka Model Monkey, that I’m keeping back until I am at the point to really install it, so the occasional mishap doesn’t do any harm…
Inclined ladder business for the back of the forward superstructure. The Dragon ladders are not really as I wish them, as it is almost impossible to bend them at the indicated line. I destroyed one and the others don’t look too good, too. So I picked Eduard ones from the HMS Hood kit that I have in my spares part box.
The brass one is dragon, the grey one have been painted earlier on, Eduard. Much better. Same here for the four needed. Right hand side the four Eduard, left the four Dragon, one destroyed, well… The idea apparently is to bend them in the middle of the longitudinal brass stripes, there are clear markings, but the material is too sturdy to allow that. At least I didn’t manage…
The upper ones are two steps too long, but that can be helped. But I was running out of time Sunday evening, so Gneisenau for now rests with one ladder missing. Possibly I can find some time during the week to get the second one in place.
So that’s it for now - the middle platform, the one where the six 10,5 cm AA’s will be placed, is glued down, the funnel not and turret structure, armored bridge and deck in that area are not yet.
I didn’t feel like doing the cable reels…rather doing a little more visible stuff for motivation.
I hope to get one more good update next weekend before I have to dismantle my shipyard for moving.
Thank you all for looking in, and for your patience, but eventually ‘my glacier’ moved at least a little bit!
Cheers
Jan