HMS Bluebell

[Ian M]

Cheers Derek. Do you know that phrase Jumping in at the deep end?

This little project was my first venture into the dark arts of PE, White metal and resin. Also it was my re-début to the plastic model world after a considerable break. If I remember correctly it was the first model kit I had purchased since moving to Denmark.

I always did like a challenge.

[Guest]

Looking good ian cant wit to see this complete

[Guest]

Fantastic work, just keeps getting better. Keep it up.

Andy

[Ian M]

Well just a quick update so you don't all go thinking I have put it aside:

First off sorry I cant find the cable for the camera, so no pictures for this update but never mind its all minor stuff, it just takes a long time, so:

All the cleats, bollards, and fairleads are now cleaned up and painted, as are all the remaining vents and funnels. Cleaned up was a bit harshly said as they really only needed the finest scrap from a knife to remove the hair-line mould seam. Really good castings which is good as I think white metal parts a not the easiest to clean up with out destroying detail or loosing the shape.

I also got the main deck gun painted and made the last of the guardrail stanchions and mounted them on the band stand. That will get a bit of primer in the next day or two. I had a play with the primer from Alclad the other day and apart from the rather pungent pong its rather good stuff and it is also a micro filler so even better! What else? Oh started to put a bit of paint on the hull as I tended to thin out way to much paint. Well it's a pity to waste it !

More later, and with a bit of luck I will have found the cable for my camera so I can upload the pictures to the PC. (Why my wife's PC don't have blue tooth I will never know).

Ian M

[Guest]

A stunning project going on here, wow, great constructing and detail here Ian....:xyxthumbs:

[Guest]

For your first time with PE and white metal you've certainly jumped in at the deep end. I'm sure it's going to be worth your while though as the finished model will have a stunning level of detail.

[Ian M]

Right I found the card reader cable, so I have taken a few photos of the last few days efforts.

[ATTACH]24263.vB[/ATTACH] The forcastle deck is down, a quick run around the edges with the deck colour is needed. The anchor windlass is also in place as are the bollards and fairleads. Loads of fiddly bits yet to come.

[ATTACH]24265.vB[/ATTACH]If you can see them these are the splinter pads that are going to be hung on the railings around the bridge. When I get them. I sort of forgot to order them but should be on the way!!

[ATTACH]24266.vB[/ATTACH]A whole rack of vents and funnels! Al in white metal. Great fun to clean and paint that lot. Also the last bits on the 16' dinghies are done, just need the rowlocks. They will go on at the last minuet as they are tiny and WILL get knocked off. The Main gun can also be seen.

[ATTACH]24268.vB[/ATTACH] The funnel house is only resting. Its final position needs to be measured up first. The Wheel house is fixed and is awaiting the new bridge. You can also see that there is a bit of colour on the hull. Long way from finished yet though!

[ATTACH]24269.vB[/ATTACH]The wood decks by the depth charge throwers are down. Just need to build the throwers....more white metal and brass.

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[ATTACH]24270.vB[/ATTACH]The main gun and platform. Just knocked on of the rail posts off!!!

[ATTACH]24264.vB[/ATTACH]Talking of posts.... All need cleaning and painting. And you guys thought separate tank tracks are a pain.

[ATTACH]24271.vB[/ATTACH] The last of the machine room vents are also waiting for a home.

Dinner time!

Ian M

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[Guest]

One word for you: Fantastic!

Another one: Stunning!

yet another: Amazing!

[Centurion3RTR]

One word for you: Fantastic! Another one: Stunning!

yet another: Amazing!

I can't say anything, my mouth is open but nothing is coming out only drool. Oh, i've thought of one. WOW!!!

Have fun, John

[Ian M]

I can think of several, unfortunately non of which are allowed to be written on these family friendly pages.

I was going to mount the 2lb'er the gun at the rear on top of the engine room. Well non of the legs for the "band stand" matched up with the holes and a couple of them where short!!! Constant giggling to get them in place soon got them off. spent a while cutting some new, longer ones and drilled the mounting positions right through the deck. Painted and drying as I write!!

Thanks for the kind words. Might give the depth charge wotsits a bash later.

Ian M

[Guest]

Hi Ian, You are excelling yourself here, can't wait to see the final Ship, it's going to be a beauty. Cheers Derek

[Guest]

Lovely job on the woodwork, which is always very difficult to get just right.

[Ian M]

Thanks Derek, Richard.

The woodwork; funny thing there. I did actually make real wood planked panels for the fo'c'sle and the DC launchers and they just looked wrong! So the Brass was painted with a light sandy colour then after a day or three of drying and hardening I attacked them with the oil paints and a hairy stick.

Been placing some of the fittings this evening and she is stating to look a bit like a ship. Now I must take a deep breath and slow down. I really need to stand back and work out what else needs to go on before I mount the bridge and the 4" gun platform.

Oh and paint the hull for real. Then the real headache can begin. Five miles of rigging and rails.....

Ian M

[Guest]

Blimey, this is a real pearl, what I can add but..............:terrific:

[Ian M]

Went to the DIY store Saturday and blew £70 on Plexiglas for a case for it. Dude its a big box. 100 x 50 x30 cm! Sticking that together was fun. I also got hold of five metres of brass angle to frame the edges with.

Spent most of the day doing some fiddly bits and made a start on all the Depth charges and holders. The thought of the Racks and chute scares me a bit. Think meccanno but 20mm x 3mm bits!

Ian M