DKM Gneisenau 1/350

[JJ1973]

And I managed to get a little more done.

A few smaller things, indication that the finish line is nearing…

So two more hose reels next to the funnel installed. They almost slipped me entirely.

The so far “loose ends” of the smaller cranes, there were hooks provided for the cables, but they were so light that they would not really hang down and the cables were awkwardly bending in any direction. I chose a simple fix, attaching the cables to the boat rigs below, so they are pointing nicely down and hooks easily could hide anywhere there…

But now far the main part, I built the catapult. It needs a proper coat of color, and the Arado needs her decals, and the prop (or both actually) need to be painted black - that will be done soon, maybe I even find a little time during the week.

This is the PE part from WEM, I quite like it.
The Arado test fitted:

This is the resin printed aircraft from Black Cat, pretty nice. Decals to follow.

The catapult test fitted on board

and the aircraft test fitted, nothing in place yet.

So that’s it for today. Finishing the catapult and aircraft (paint and decals) next, then next up are probably some railings on the higher level, then the main cranes.

She is taking shape I would say!

There will be another break as I am busy next weekend, but I hope to eventually fall back in to a more regular working pattern…

Thank you all for looking in and cheers

Jan

[Johnnych01]

Looks superb. I really like watching these big ships built up. You are really doing her proud Jan.

[RedDuster]

Looking really good Jan, The Black cat Arados, in my opinion, are a great improvement over the kit efforts. Nice to see the crane’s rigging secured in a seaman like fashion.

Cheers, Si

[JJ1973]

Thank you Gentlemen!

The Black Cat Arados indeed are a big improvement. And much easier done than e.g. the way inferior Trumpy kits from clear styrene (the one under the tarpaulin is one of those…)

So a little more progress, not really much and I am not overly happy with parts of ist - the decals on the fuselage came out somewhat crappy. But I’m going to live with it, on the ship with naked eye it’s hard to spot…

So the plane with its catapult eventually shipped on board:

The 15 cm turrets are still only placed for show.

So that’s where I stand -

Next would be starting the railings, I didn’t have the time required to get started with them. After a week underway and the weekend before as well, still enough to do over the weekend that modeling time is really limited. I hope next weekend could be better.

So, what’s left?

Railings, as mentioned. The main cranes aft. Aft anchor and rig. Several hatches on the main deck, and a few cable reels - those are all prepared, I just did not install them so far, can’t really remember why. The 10,5 cm AA’s, but they are all ready to go, as well, as are two more 2 cm that will go on the main deck. The 15 cm are all ready, as are the three main 28 cm turrets. And the remaining rigging aft. That should be about it…

So the 10,5 cm AA and the railing around them probably is the smart next step, than down from there, cranes, aft anchor, remaining artillery and hatches, and railing on the main deck, and finally rigging, seems like a reasonable order.

Thank you all for looking, as always, any comments welcome!

Cheers
Jan

[madtatt]

Looks fantastic, Jan. Your Arado is a little beauty.

I also think the order of steps you describe is best. Always build from the inside out is my motto.
I’m excited to see your finish.

[Russelle]

Looking good Jan…

Nearly there mate: keep pushing and before you know it you’ll be able to hold the commissioning ceremony

[RedDuster]

Nice to see an update Jan,

I agree the Black Aircraft are very nice indeed, really shows it off on the catapult, I don’t like the aircraft molded in clear plastic, too chunky, heavy panel lines. In the hanger or under a tarp is the only place for them.

Good luck with the progress.

Cheers, Si

[JJ1973]

Thank you gentlemen for watching, and thank you Jörg, Russ and Si for your kind comments! That’s really highly appreciated!

So the cold and rainy weekend helped Gneisenau. Railings around the funnel platform installed, as are the 10.5 cm AA and the 15 cm turrets. I think I can almost see the finish line, even if still rather far away…

Pre-bending a part or the railing. The WEM parts were used throughout, not those from the Dragon PE addition. I will build Scharnhorst some time in the future, so I try to spare those original Scharnhorst parts as good as I can.

I was not particularly looking forward to those complicated shaped parts on the funnel deck, but the concept of bending the railings only roughly into the desired shape, fix one end to the deck and bend them in place worked surprisingly well.

So here’s the port side

And starboard. Somehow the sequence of the pictures is a little confused as I see…

And the railings on the aft superstructure.

The 10.5 cm AA and 15 cm permanently installed. She’s getting some teeth…

Next up will be the aft anchor, some more small stuff and details, the main cranes, the 28 cm artillery, railing around main deck, and eventually rigging. That could actually be achievable within the next couple of weeks…

Aa always, thanks for looking in, thank you for all your patience with this build log, and all comments welcome!

Cheers

Jan

[Russelle]

Now there’s a sign the finish line is within reach: railings starting to appear….

Looking good mate: your persistence is paying off

[RedDuster]

Hi Jan,

Great to see some more progress, He really is coming together. The tarpaulin and lashed down Arado does look very effective. looking more complete with the 15cm and the 10.5cm mounts in position.

Good luck with the final run in.

Cheers, Si

[McRunty]

The dreaded rails!

Looking good though, you definitely mastered them

[madtatt]

Now it’s working again, great Jan.

[JJ1973]

Thank you all so much!

Your support on the way is just awesome!

I do have another update, but can’t post it today, I should be able to post it tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Cheers

Jan

[JJ1973]

As promised, here’s the next update. She is progressing nicely I think, and commissioning really comes in sight.

First, the stern anchor installed, together with the aft flagpole. I am not going to install the front one. Normally, underway, neither front nor aft flagpoles were upright, but there are pictures where the aft is visible even at sea.

There will be no flag displayed here, but a small one on the aft mast, when the time is there.

And now - the first of the 28 cm turrets finds its place:

The main cranes

And started rigging the main mast. The odd look seems due to the camera lens and the angle the picture is taken - no worries, it is not bent!

So here we are for now - next update should follow next Sunday or early on the week after - I hope…

Some small “wood patches” are still visible, here some Scharnhorst equipment was installed, the biggest one between crane and 15 cm single turret should be for the triple torpedo tubes both ships had later on. So those holes are not completely invisible, but I think the cover is sufficiently decent.

Open are the four holes for more 20 mm single AA, they will be installed soon. Complete rigging, forward main artillery, and railing around main deck - that should be it! Let’s see if I manage that before November…

Cheers and as always, thank you for looking in!

Jan

[McRunty]

Shes looking stunning! Cant wait for launch day for the full reveal

[RedDuster]

Looking excellent Jan,

Looking forward to the commissioning. It has been an interesting Journey too.

Cheers, Si

[JJ1973]

Rory and Si, and all,

thank you very much for stopping by and commenting!

Now it’s moving fast, commission is in sight, I hope for next week. Essentially it is the few last parts of rigging and the railings along the main deck, which should be fairly straight forward without any complicated bends.

So here’s some more progress, main artillery installed.

So I hope real life is gracious next week and I find some time, I really am eager to finish Gneisenau eventually…

Cheers

Jan

[RedDuster]

Hi Jan,

Looking very good with the main battery fitted, looking forward to the commissioning.

Cheers Si

[JJ1973]

All right then - it’s done!

Rigging completed, and the railings as well - even though not on those pictures yet. Ensign is flying.

And an empty shipyard is left…after about five years, I started this thread in 2020…

So, as mentioned before, re-organizing (or better, cleaning and organizing…) the shipyard will be next, getting ready for the next build. I have something in my mind already, but there will be some time before I start. Might be this year, but could as well be January before the next build log starts.

And no worries, I will post a bunch of pictures of my finished Gneisenau within the next days.

Thank you all for staying with me and my build here, without your support there’s a good likelihood that I would not have managed to finish here.

More in a few days for the final post, for now

Cheers

Jan

[TimReynaga]

Jan, congratulations on commissioning your Gneisenau - it has been quite a ride! I look forward to the completed pictures…