Okay, let’s move on to the masts and pause for a moment with the bridge houses.
I noticed the really tight space in which the masts have to be installed.
Once the ladders leading from the bridge house to the deck are installed, there’s hardly any room left to properly secure and align the masts.
There’s even less space toward the stern.
That’s why I decided to attach the lower part of the masts in front of the bridgehouses. It’s nice that the lower mast is then split in two, so it won’t be a problem in terms of height.
I also noticed the very limited surface area where the mast connects to the deck. I consider this a problem. Especially since I’d like to take this model to one or two exhibitions. A little more adhesive surface would be helpful.
So I decided to make it larger. This was done using an M4 washer. I drilled it out to the appropriate size and reduced its thickness. I then soldered it to the bottom of the mast.
Today, it was all about properly securing the masts to the deck. I’m always a little nervous before such important steps.
That’s why preparation is key to ensuring everything goes smoothly. That’s how I did this small plate that serves as a support for the stop angle.
By placing it on the bridge house, I can quickly check the angle of each side of the mast. This is important because the time window is very small. I use superglue with a long setting time, but it still has to be done quickly.
Thank you so much, guys.
Tim, are you kidding me?!
Now that the short masts are firmly anchored to the deck, I can return to the bridgehouses. First, I soldered additional attachment points for the rigging. It’s simply the best way to hold.
After that, I did a little more research. There aren’t many original images of the ship, but I did find something interesting.
In the following image, I noticed two dark squares. Look at the green arrows.
In my opinion, these can only be the gratings of the accommodation ladder. Since I will be showing my ship at full speed, as usual, they will also have to be stowed there on this model. But that will only happen after I have attached the bridgehouses to the deck.
What I am already doing is attaching the corresponding davits. I have identified them in the following pictures. Rear bridgehouse…
And there isn’t much space in front of the bridge houses up to the tower.
So I’ve already fitted the lower parts of the tower into their barbettes and made them move freely. They were practically impossible to move.
And I’ve also prepared the lower ladders that belong on the mast.
Not a big deal anyway, but I thought I’d offer the information for any future reader who might wish to use your excellent thread as a guide for their own build.
Just another small update that I had to do before moving further toward the bow.
I was still missing the bollards and other small items that would go directly in front of the bridge houses.
And so the bridgehouse was glued in front of the steam pinnaces towards the stern. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to install the companionways behind the pinnaces.
Of course, double-link chains had to be purchased again.
It’s disappointing that two very expensive aftermarket kits like KA and Pontos don’t consider it necessary to include proper chains.
Thanks, Russelle.
Let’s continue unspectacularly.
We’re still missing skylights, handwheels, and a winch on the main deck at the stern.
First, another small collection in my printed organizer.
And immediately, I have the next nerve-wracking construction phase ahead of me.
But I was particularly looking forward to this part. I’m starting to incorporate a miniature marvel of 3D printing technology into my model.
The 50-foot steam pinnace.
But first, I have to get it into the cradles and onto the struts.
I made a jig for that.
For example, the distance to the access to the higher deck is important, as the pinnace’s rudder extends quite far out. And toward the bow, I have to pay attention to the funnel rigging.
I have the same problem with the cradles as I did with the cutter amidships.
They don’t fit where they were originally printed. And besides, only three were planned. But the pinnace rests on four struts, so I need one more cradle. It’s nice that four boats will be hanging from the davits at the stern later, so I can repurpose the cradles.
Then I took out the profiles and adjusted them. It’s better.
And so the first pinnace could be placed in its cradles and placed on the deck for testing. You can see a faulty print in the hull. This has already been claimed, and I’m getting a new one.
In front of the boat, you can see a thin round rod. This is supposed to simulate the funnel rigging. You really have to think of everything. At least you should try to, so you don’t end up on your backside in the next step.
I didn’t do much last week, as it was my wedding anniversary and I was traveling with my wife.
But the pinnaces have come a little further.
First, we had to negotiate this small edge on the upper deck.
