Many thanks, Eberhard.
It was all actually very delicate, and I’m glad to have it behind me—thanks in part to your bit of help.
To get back into the swing of things after my vacation, I’m starting with a small detail that was still missing:
The “crown” for the funnels.
First, I cut out all the individual parts for the funnel grating.
Once again, a very delicate piece of work.
You have to be extremely careful when sanding down the connection points where the tabs held the part in the sheet.
Assembly is easier after that. I used four small strips to ensure the ring lay flat while I glued the struts in place.
And slap it right onto the funnel.
Here is another question for the maritime experts among you.
I had always assumed that those frameworks were for canvas covers designed to form a funnel shroud and protect the boiler from rain.
However, even in port, the boiler was rarely allowed to go out completely, as the ships had to constantly generate steam for the electrical generators (lighting, radio, pumps) and to maintain operational readiness. Consequently, a framework with a canvas cover would have burned up or been ruined by soot.
So, here is my question:
Are these perhaps splinter-protection grilles rather than supports for tarpaulins? Did they serve to prevent enemy shell fragments, debris, or masts collapsing during combat from falling into the boiler rooms?
Or were they makeshift frameworks that simply remained in place throughout the ship’s active service, ready to support the tarpaulins used during periods of complete decommissioning—such as a months-long stay in the shipyard or during cold winter lay-ups?
Many thanks, Eberhard.
It was all actually very delicate, and I’m glad to have it behind me—thanks in part to your bit of help.
To get back into the swing of things after my vacation, I’m starting with a small detail that was still missing:
The “crown” for the funnels.
First, I cut out all the individual parts for the funnel grating.
[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPl2A1TOP7XfmfjyN31BlDuFKs2UWMJOArvjeZ20_gapYs7XjJROckA3_3UyKSswWPjn_p4XRyQHCUnV1JOggKyzr-lpYDwkg_9eoYhxZ4TbjiXg0ND=w2400[/img]
Once again, a very delicate piece of work.
You have to be extremely careful when sanding down the connection points where the tabs held the part in the sheet.
Assembly is easier after that. I used four small strips to ensure the ring lay flat while I glued the struts in place.
[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNltA698tMVkgMkqm-nNjkM84vW7JdZmZijUrqdemgkNQcz73gamg1cFRWPFflF_uBC1IZipAFl43pTbgXDB2i0-hfarXsh_WLqe-2XCeL5wrRB_e7P=w2400[/img]
And slap it right onto the funnel.
[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMVV-6yV12LRMDspwJBpTtg0nQ9PZ4XlrB0A3I7Osfsz3KDbPpqEVvO-dgWLNPToHqzZRg1AHnSeAM5UwwyjOjwZzBAeGDRWhSIMimpiEMNjTPL9byF=w2400[/img]
Here is another question for the maritime experts among you.
I had always assumed that those frameworks were for canvas covers designed to form a funnel shroud and protect the boiler from rain.
However, even in port, the boiler was rarely allowed to go out completely, as the ships had to constantly generate steam for the electrical generators (lighting, radio, pumps) and to maintain operational readiness. Consequently, a framework with a canvas cover would have burned up or been ruined by soot.
[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOPSI58PmGkKPdges0BjRZ0gaQxm4NhQSW76WUS89Y0o6w_ZmwKV7RHCsYDUghnN64J-0A_Euo0d5vYdeLC-iWN362uhCU5fJzc7jQKIawB5mw16qMv=w2400[/img]
So, here is my question:
Are these perhaps splinter-protection grilles rather than supports for tarpaulins? Did they serve to prevent enemy shell fragments, debris, or masts collapsing during combat from falling into the boiler rooms?
Or were they makeshift frameworks that simply remained in place throughout the ship’s active service, ready to support the tarpaulins used during periods of complete decommissioning—such as a months-long stay in the shipyard or during cold winter lay-ups?