The build of 1/700 Carnot... that started over ....

[Bill Livingston]

Self-doubt always creeps in; when I think the whole model is not sharp enough-- a direct result of seeing the model for over 2 months thru an Optivisor--where every flaw is greatly magnified, leave alone when viewed on a large PC monitor !
Jim Baumann

Thats something I am discovering... Got the Optivisor... thanks Jim... great recommendation

That Carnot of yours is looking absolutely stunning Jim. I cant believe the amount of work you have put into it and I can only imagine the time you have spent pouring over photo's and working out what you see and interpreting a function and building something that looks like it would do the job in hand... Those anchors were just mindblowing when I saw them the other day. I hope this will go to Telford with you at the end of the year... It would be worth the trip just to see it in the flesh. Please give another run through when you get to paint the seascape... I have read your other articles, but it would be nice to see this whole model, including display and finishing described in this depth... Its a real masterclass on how to model in 700 to this standard... As I said before. Stunning!

[Rui Matos]

Self-doubt always creeps in; when I think the whole model is not sharp enough-- a direct result of seeing the model for over 2 months thru an Optivisor--where every flaw is greatly magnified, leave alone when viewed on a large PC monitor !
Jim Baumann

So, my advice is:
Take your Optivisor off, put the model on the workbench and enjoy... That's the best way to enjoy your models!
I know that we are our "worst Judges" , but there's a time when you have to know when to stop and enjoy... just enjoy!

Me, being a messy and clumsy ship modeler, with lot's of skills to improve in this darn 1/700 scale that I fell in love in the last five years, am still having fun with my models! I know you can too, Jim!!
The Carnot is another of your EXCELLENT WORKS, and you are near completion of this project! Have a beer or a glass of wine while looking at it on the workbench (NO OPTIVISOR, please)... you'll see you're doing a terrible GOOD JOB!

Just my �0.02
Cheers,
Rui

[Rui Matos]

Oh and I forgot to mention that:

Your works are a inspiration for all 1/700 scale enthusiasts, so...

[mabmanu]

Vouah vouah vouah ...

Beautiful .

[Olaf Held]

Have a beer (...)

There's always a Friday at the end of the tunnel...

Stunning model, Jim, don't be too harsh to yourself...

Happy modelling ~ Olaf!

[JIM BAUMANN]

Thank you for your words of encouragement gentlemen!


Yeah... removal of the Optivisor and viewing 1:1 scale... the models stands up ok...

However--after consultation with wiser French ship experts than I.... and re-re-re-re examination of the photos- I heeded their advice and removed my attractive (!) breakwater....

and replaced it with the more probable shape of a circular anchor track with a centrally pivoted anchor crane and narrower booms.

The track itself was made of lead wire formed into a spiral.

then cut and flattened twixt two Stanley blades in a mall vice

This flattened the wire evenly all round.

[mabmanu]

Hello .

Nice work .

[Frank Spahr]

I can but second what more able people than me have said before - this is an awesome example of your skills and determination, Jim, and furthermore an excellent how-to for those intentding to improve their modeling technqiues - and even the most perfect model will reveal some flaws if only viewed at sufficient magnification. I�m positive she�ll knock us down like so many of your previous works, when we see her in the flesh.

Best regards

Frank

[JIM BAUMANN]

I have busied myself with the creation of the 'scene'.

1905-- Fleet review at Spithead , Solent in England.

France--as a sign of the Entente Cordiale-- sent over the major units of the Northern Squadron.

The ships entered the Solent--flying a "Tri-colouer" on the fore- mast and the( very tall !) stern ensign staff, with a White Ensign hoisted to the very top of the WT top on the mainmast ( still to be added, --at the end of rigging.)

As a result we see Carnot powering close to the coast of England,

- for many of the sailors its the first time they have seen "Angleterre" and her mighty lines of battleships ....

...=> Carnot's crew are straining at the port-side rails to see the magnificent array of ships of all nations ....

The thickening, bending and painting of the figures occupied a considerable amount of time, as did the adding of a myriad of small details, gussets,range clock, brackets etc etc.

The distinctive funnel grilles were made of stretched sprue--the effect being so very much finer than any PE.

The sea is the usual muddy green of the Solent....

Just rigging, small touch ups-- and she will be done...

One of the hardest builds I have ever done....

JIm Baumann

[Bill Livingston]

Beautiful Jim... Cant wait to see the rigging and final finished product in the gallery with your customary atmospheric lighting and backdrop... Thats the difference with your models... most of us can just about manage a reasonable model... but very few create a moment in time which just happens to centre around a model ship. Considering the amount of work you put in to getting some level of accuracy in terms of the building itself, the confidence to let the model stand as a 'scene' is quite inspiring... Superb build Jim... MUST see this at the Nationals... although it will probably make most of us just tear our hair out in frustration at how you keep raising the bar in this scale. Wonderful...

[MartinJQuinn]

One of the hardest builds I have ever done....

The end result is quite worth the effort. Fantastic looking build. Love the "scene" you set - I can almost picture it in my minds eye.

[mabmanu]

[JIM BAUMANN]

Carnot is finished. Rigging her took a barking mad 12 hours....

decent photos soon..

Carnot carried her nameplate on the aft superstructure .


The drawings have been made--now I need to contrive to print it accurately 2.4 mm long...(!!!!)|( about 1/8 in)

My ink-jet printer has refused completely-- smeary mess.


I now need to dig out my alps printers and see if they can do any better....

here is the design

JB

[JIM BAUMANN]

have not as yet succeeded in printing the nameplate successfully....
But the model is essentially finished.

I hope to shoot some more pics in daylight shortly.....-for inclusion to the permanent gallery.

Meanwhile.... here are a few shots.

Cheers

Jim Baumann

[Bill Livingston]

Speechless...
It looks like a painting...
Beautiful...



Nothing more to say really...

[mabmanu]

Beautiful ...
Wonderful ...

[MichelB]

Jim, you have outdone yourself again. The details, the placement of the crew, everything is just... better then before. Love it.

If I'm allowed one criticism: you could make the coloured areas of the French flags more saturated, and perhaps a slightly deeper shade of blue?

[Guido]

Great work, Jim!
It seems a bit strange to use "outstanding" and "as usual" in one and the same sentence, but no less would be making sense!
I'll be looking forward to see her in Telford. (Let's hope they won't be frying food right next the competition area again as they did in back 2008!)
Guido

[Wrench]

Agree the pictures posted appear as a painting. Look forward to seeing pictures from another perspective just so I can marvel at the detail with perspective of scale.
Another fantastic model from a master.

[bobguy]

It's... Beautiful...


great work, jim