The Ship Model Forum

Slow work on the Southern Cross. The cantilevered decks and the supporting stanchions were quite tiresome but I think they look ok. The various upper decks are work in progress an nowhere near finished yet.

For those of you not familiar with this post war effort from Harland and Wolff, Belfast.

Present build status

Almost there. Love that sports deck!

Just spent a few days working on the davits 32 pairs needed. Next step the 16 lifeboats. This is the boring part.

Hey Patrick,

Again another beautiful (ahum) liner, superbly built!

I said 'ahum' as the prominent funnel aft makes it look almost like a tanker... wonder why they made this design...

Buit it doesn't take away anything from your craftwork!

_________________
"I've heard there's a wicked war a-blazing, and the taste of war I know so very well
Even now I see the foreign flag a-raising, their guns on fire as we sail into hell"
Roger Whittaker +9/13/2023

Hi Marten,

One issue with all liners - was the amount of soot coming out of the funnels. With the ship moving at 20 knots or so there was a permanent strong wind blowing aft depositing soot everywhere making the decks very unpleasant. This problem was very pronounced with the old coal burners.

Once they changed the fuel to oil the problem was less acute. The aft funnel on the Southern Cross would allow the exhaust gasses to blow right off the ship leaving the majority of the decks exhaust free for fun and games.

Once ships changed to more efficient fuels this became less of an issue. Nevertheless, designers keep trying to find ways of forcing the updraft up higher to ensure the gasses clear the ship. Think Michelangelo, United States, France etc.

Finally finished my Southern Cross.

Starboard view

Pat, another beautifully done model. Your shipyard has quite an extensive fleet of ships from my favorite vintage. I hope you continue.

I suppose the modern gigantic Cruise Ships use similar aft placed and somewhat aerodynamic stockage to cater to the passengers. In the day (Navy) stack gasses were part of the seagoing experience, especially when the Engineering department got permission to blow the tubes.

Very nice clean construction!

Cheers: Tom