cerebrusjf wrote
...>>>there was a lovely 1/600 a while ago but sadly oop now ...<<<
Ha!--it was not that lovely....
made by Ocean Liner Models( OLM) by Tim Nicolai
It was dimensionally pretty good--albeit the surface detailing was simplified--and my kits the casting quality was pretty tragic.
here is a link to a well built version of that kit- by Don Stoltenberg
http://russellwild.co.uk/settingsail/in ... &Itemid=39
I have plans.... Paper-as well as virtual.
The plot I hatched.... is to make ( actually I will have these made by a well known PE designer!!) photoetched relief etched brass window overlays (solving Pieters problem) and glue these onto the dimensionally prepared ( recessess the resin to take the brass panels) existing OLM model hull that I have ( 1/600) along with carious refinements-such as deck planking detail( absent totally in the kit) along with windows etc etc
The problem that immediately arises is the differential expansion/contraction of brass and resin-the window overlays would buckle and probably fall off....
ergo...
....the clever bit
I will use the suitably modified hull to make silicon moulds and cast the modified hull(s) in resin-thereby ensuring everything moves at the same rate!
Obviously there is a considerable cost as well as time element involved with this project.... which partially explains why I have done it yet!
I understand that Jaques Druel from L'Arsenal has seriously considered the possibility of producing a kit of her--being French -and with his track record of producing fine quality model kits as well as fine quality Photo-etch material he would be eminently well qualified to do so...
Perhaps a set of firm pre-orders-with a Paypal deposit--would accelerate the process somewhat.... once the scale hurdle has been overcome...
Normandie was a large ship over 1000 ft loa--In 1/350 a resin kit of that ship could be VERY expensive--
in 1/350 she would be 900mm loa--thats around 35.5 inches....!
There was a discussion going on over at Steel Navy--the problem being that no-one could agree as to what scale the proposed should be....
http://members.boardhost.com/Warship/ms ... 99535.html
I quote Bill Gruener from Pacific Front Hobbies...
>> We probably get more requests for Normandie than all other liners combined.
Bill Gruner<<
I personally would favour a smaller scale-- as 1/350 ready built models--to a pretty high standard are available at $ 2850.00--actually very good value for a model of that size and quality.-For UK buyers in sterling remarkably good value right now.... produced in batches...
see here:
http://www.maritimereplicas.com/normandie.htm
http://www.bertilewis.com/normandie.htm
A very fine scratchbuilt 1/600 Normanie diorama( on L'Arsenals site)
http://www.larsenal.com/GB/galeries/gal ... en_Watelet
If you like your models REALLY large
http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/di ... 93938.html
here is a building record of a very fine 1/192 model of Normandie--all in brass
http://www.hot.ee/revall11/
AVOID THIS at all costs....
http://www.handcraftedmodelships.com/No ... l-ship.php
and RUN like hell from this
http://www.rjmodelships.com/store/produ ... ctid=16144
Useful and interesting candid detail images here:( when we eventually get to building the model...!)
http://www.garemaritime.com/gallery.php?s=10
Right--lets settle on a scale then...!
Jim Baumann
_________________
....I buy them at three times the speed I build 'em.... will I live long enough to empty my stash...?
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.htmlIPMS UK SIG (special interest group)
www.finewaterline.com