DKM Scharnhorst 1943 - 1/350 Dragon Kit + extras

[Guest]

A small update; have primed all components of the model with three light coats of Tamiya primer identified previously.


It is not clear where the lower edge of the boot-topping is located so I have chosen the joint line of the two Hull halves as its location. Have therefore masked off the hull as shown at this location on the first photo and primed the underside. I then painted the underside with Lifecolor UA606 from the paint set, and sealed it with two light coats of Humbrol acrylic satin varnish 135 in order to protect it, see the second photo. The varnish changed the colour slightly by making it a bit more cherry red than the original brown/red.


Finally I removed the masks from the hull. Notice on the last photo I had previously added a 0.75mm dia. ‘Evergreen’ strip to the hull to represent the degaussing cable seen in the 1943 photos available on the internet. This cable was not provided in the kit nor the MK1 aftermarket.


Will now mask the lower hull half, and prime the upper hull and deck with the Tamiya primer.


Derek

[Guest]

Coming on now Derek it's such a big project but it will look so impressive when done


Roger

[Guest]

Thanks Roger, yes I don't think I will be doing another capital ship anytime soon.


Another small update.


Have now masked off the lower hull. Have decided to reinstate the aft flagpole, as mentioned previously, I read that it was not fitted in 1943, but as you can see there would be a large gap at the stern of the ship if omitted which would look peculiar.


The handrails have now been fitted, so will leave everything to cure overnight and then prime the upper half of the hull and deck.


Last photo shows the results of using the 'Window Glaze' to simulate the canvas fitted to some of the handrails as shown in photos of the Scharnhorst in 1943, came out quite well I think.


Derek

[Guest]

Still loving this build.


That canvass looks great to me.

[Guest]

Thanks for following Ralph, I appreciate your comments.


Been painting the hull camo this week based on Dragons interpretation of the ‘Operation Ostfront’ 1943 scheme, but using the Lifecolor set identified previously.


Masked off the lower hull, and airbrushed the upper hull with Lifecolor UA603 throughout. The deck was then airbrushed with Lifecolor UA755 (worn out hemp).


I then applied the first stage masking using Tamiya 6mm tape and also Tamiya’s 2mm and 3mm ‘tape for curves’. The camo was them hand brushed on. The masking was then modified at the bow for the near black patch.


Will paint the deck fittings and propellers before moving onto the superstructure.


Derek

[spanner570]

Excellent hull painting Derek.


I notice you mention spraying the main deck. Does this mean you've dispensed with the aftermarket wooden one? I can't find a reference to the fitting of it in your excellent build reports...


....or have I completely lost the plot, missed it, and it's been fitted earlier?

[Guest]

Excellent hull painting Derek.
I notice you mention spraying the main deck. Does this mean you've dispensed with the aftermarket wooden one? I can't find a reference to the fitting of it in your excellent build reports...


....or have I completely lost the plot, missed it, and it's been fitted earlier?

Hi Ron, Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated. I mentioned earlier in the build that I was abandoning the wooden deck, this is for a couple of reasons.


1). Unlike the KGV build which had all of the small deck fittings already molded on as part of the deck, the Scharnhorst had none molded on, so this would have meant fixing the fittings to the wood, which I didn't like the sound of.


2). The KGV only had a timber weather deck, whereas the Scharnhorst had many smaller wooden decks scattered all over the superstructure as well. Since there were many ladders etc. which landed on the decks, the decks would have had to be pre-fitted which would have given me nightmares with the subsequent painting of the superstructure; so for me anyway, I found going for a painted deck was the simpler route(I hope).


So you haven't lost the plot Ron. Best wishes Derek

[Guest]

I'm with Ron on this.Very nice work on the hull.


All that masking for very little spraying.

[Guest]

Thanks for viewing Ralph,


This week I have been painting the camo and decks of the FWD superstructure, also the Deck Fittings. Will add as much of the rigging as possible before fitting to the Deck, but before that I will paint the rear superstructure camo and deck. Derek

[Guest]

Nice work on the camo Derek.

[spanner570]

Very neat all round work Derek. Very impressive.


To my eye, the scale plastic planking on the superstructure decks looks spot on. The caulking ( In my opinion) is just right - barely visible. I'm sure the main deck will look just as good close up....


As for the cammo - magic!

[Guest]

Spot on Derek don't know how you do it after attaching all that delicate pe


Roger

[flyjoe180]

Fantastic work. That bridge is A1

[Guest]

Thanks to you all for your kind comments, it's very much appreciated.


Roger, first I airbrushed the two lighter shades of grey, and sharpened up the boundary where they met with a 3mm Revell flat brush, which I also used to paint the darkest grey and deck. One reason I stick to Lifecolor paint is that I find Tamiya and Mr Color paints end up different shades depending if you airbrush or hand brush, but I find there is no colour shift with Lifecolor. Derek

[Robert1968]

Just caught up with this and although I don't build ships ( I can see why now ) the detail is unbelievable really it is, I am in awe


I'll be staying tuned to watch the rest of this build develop


She is definatly a beauty


Kind regards


Robert