WEM H.M.S. Barham 25.11.1941.

[hypno7]

That is extremely intricate PE work! The splinter shields look so good... I learn a lot with your build logs.

One question if you don't mind: How do you glue the PE portholes? They look extremely clean.

[marijn van gils]

Fantastic work as always George, and following this thread is dry educational!


Finished by Mosonmagyarovar?

Cheers,

Marijn

[zs180]

Thank you gents!

Eryck, I use Humbrol's Matt Cote to affix the PE portholes.

Marijn, ha ha, maybe next year at Mosonmagyar�v�r...

Btw will you be there?

[marijn van gils]

Yep, I'll be there!
Just got it arranged, and I'm already looking forward to it.
That reminds me I should send a message to Gabor�

Will you be visiting too?
I would love to see your work in progress in the flesh!

Cheers,

Marijn

[zs180]

I am pleased to know I will be able to meet you. We will hopefully have some time to discuss things because I will spend two days there.
I look forward to it with great anticipation! Originally I hadn't planned to take my Barham with me for I am afraid that construction will not be advanced enough to be shown, but now I have changed my mind and will show it to you (and everyone interested). Besides I am now spurred to speed up the build a little in the time remaining.

[marijn van gils]

Great!
I'm looking forward to meet again, and of course to have a (very close!) look at Barham!

Cheers,

Marijn

[zs180]

Agreed!

[zs180]

Update of a small but significant step forward.

I consider the compass platform more important than most other structures as it determines in some way the appearance of the model. I mean it�s a kind of �face� of the ship. Accordingly, a disproportionate amount of thought and work went into detailing this small part. First I carved out the compass platform housing with my Proxxon tool and installed as a token equipment a scratch built pelorus and three crew members inside.

I didn�t care much about details here � practically nothing is visible after the roof is fitted. As for the roof itself, I first carved the middle part then carefully removed solid resin between the window frames. I did so because I couldn�t find any suitable spaced PE ladders or windows in my stash.

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I opened up a door of this structure on the starboard side for additional detail. Next I cut opening for two ladders and laid the PE strips on the compass platform floor. I replaced the splinter shields with aluminium sheet � a method devised during this build and described previously. The outward flange is larger here than on the other tiers of the bridge. This, together with the rounded form lead me to the limits of this technique � the aluminium sheet cannot stretch more than this and I found some cracks in the flange after folding the shield to shape. I still think it turned out quite nice and am glad that I can use this method for creating nice thin splinter shields.

[zs180]

Some pics of the compass platform in place (here still without the voice pipes):

Here with all tripod legs and partially reworked air defence platform temporarily attached:

[zs180]

The underside of the platform provided a real challenge: there are quite a few braces and a myriad of voice pipes. In 1:700 it�s not the easiest thing to replicate and will hardly be visible on the completed model. So maybe it�s the last time to see this part in it�s full glory in these pictures.

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Some fellow modellers came to visit me and to show my progress to them I dry-assembled the major components that have been completed by then (the voice pipes are not yet fitted in these pics). I also added three of the main turrets (primed 3D prints from Micro Master). I know that these are incorrect for Barham and will use the ones without the altered front roof for increased elevation (more on my choice of main turrets later). For the first time during this long build the model begins to look shipshape!

[PetrolGator]

Magic, as usual!

[JIM BAUMANN]

==> that is a lot of work !!!!

and it looks wonderfully 'busy ' !

Bravo
JIM B

[SovereignHobbies]

Stupendous! Inspiring work there!

[MartinJQuinn]

First I carved out the compass platform housing with my Proxxon tool and installed as a token equipment a scratch built pelorus and three crew members inside.

That is taking attention to detail to an entirely new level. I'm not sure if you should be commended, or committed. Wow.

[Dan K]

It's an astounding level of great detail work.

[zs180]

Chris, Jim, James, Martin and Dan,

thank you all, my friends.

[Bangor lad]

As ever, truly outstanding craftmanship.

[pascalemod]

Looks so sweet!

[marijn van gils]

Fantastic work!

I would add 'as usual', but it seems even better than ever!



Can't wait to see it up close in the flesh.

Cheers,

Marijn

[PetrolGator]

I just review this thread in all its glory... again. I'm still in awe at the detail you pump into these ships. If you have some time, do you mind if I shoot you a PM? I'm embarking on a scratch fest myself and need some tips.

Thanks!