Planking the decks of a 1/350 Bismarck

[rtwpsom2]

Aren't you done yet?!?!?!

[MartinJQuinn]

I've still been working on this off and on at lunch. Some progress shots from today

[Elvis965]

Very nice, Martin!

Bob

[navydavesof]

Wonderful job. Please keep it up and keep us posted.

[MartinJQuinn]

Some updated photoes. Progress has been slow, but steady. Superstructure parts are dry fitted in place...

[Dirk]

Martin,

that deck looks phantastic!
I can imaging that this is a lot of effort but it is worthy!
Dirk

[MartinJQuinn]

It's been a little over a year since I've posted the last update. Since then, Bismarck came home from my office and sat idle while I switched jobs. I have done some simple building during lunch at work, but didn't feel ready to bring in something as obvious as the Bismarck until recently. Plus, I can't bring something this big into the office during the week, unless I came in really early - due to the size of the crowd, all the people, the security checkpoint, etc.

In early April of this year, I brought the model into my new office on a Saturday afternoon with my son, and recently got back to working on it.

I figured that today, of all days, would be a good day to post a progress photo. Forgive the quality, it was taken with a cell phone camera.

The main deck is completed from bow to stern on the port side, I'm now working my way forward on the starboard side toward Bruno barbette.

I've been able to fit in about 15-20 minutes of time, 2 to 3 times a week. Soooo - long way to go!

[navydavesof]

I figured that today, of all days, would be a good day to post a progress photo. Forgive the quality, it was taken with a cell phone camera.

bismarck_052711.jpg

Martin,

She is really looking good! I cannot wait to see mor progress. Your efforts really look like they're paying off from here! You inspire me to wood plank my USS Iowa instead of using one of the up-coming large piece wood decks.

Keep up the good work, and I really look forward to more updates!

[MartinJQuinn]

You inspire me to wood plank my USS Iowa instead of using one of the up-coming large piece wood decks.

Sure - blame me!

Here are a few more photos (from a slightly better cell phone) from today. I'm off tomorrow, so won't get back to this until sometime next week.

I'm closing in on finishing the main deck, save the extra planking for the anchors and anchor chains at the bow.

[MartinJQuinn]

Some progress pics...

[MartinJQuinn]

A little more progress....

[Sylvain Auger]

The planking looks amazing Martin! Well done It's labor intensive but it beats the aftermarket decks available

Cheers

Sylvain

[MartinJQuinn]

Thanks Sylvain, much appreciated.

Well, the main deck has been planked in it's entirety. Next step - besides some touch up - is to plank the "anchor washboards" (I don't know what the correct terminology is) section by the bow.

I can't believe the main deck is actually done. Whew! It's only been 50 months since I started this project! Though due to my changing jobs, on one occasion it sat for 12 months untouched.

[Timmy C]

Yay! Everyone was celebrating this milestone for you yesterday!

[MartinJQuinn]

Yay! Everyone was celebrating this milestone for you yesterday!

You're a funny guy, Timmy. A funny guy.

[Dan8400]

Looks absolutely outstanding Martin. I know it's been a long time coming, and my new Revell will be going through the same paces, so I am gonna need your help revamping that old article and making it better, like Martin 2.0 better.

[navydavesof]

Martin,

This is pretty cool work you're doing. For instance:

It is very inspiring!

I would like to ask how you keep the rows of planks straight on all sides of the ship. I have read about laying a reference line down the center of the deck and building out from there. Did you do something similar on the sides to maintain a reference point?

[MartinJQuinn]

I would like to ask how you keep the rows of planks straight on all sides of the ship. I have read about laying a reference line down the center of the deck and building out from there. Did you do something similar on the sides to maintain a reference point?

They don't look as straight in person

Yes, I started on the center line and worked out from there. I had read the German's laid the wood on the decks something like the drawing on this page.

That is what I tried to follow...but not nearly as nice as the Tony did. I found as I went along some parts of the ship were easier to keep in "symmetry" than others. It was especially hard to keep to the pattern going around the barbettes. The photo you highlighted above was probably the part of the that I was best able to stick to the pattern.

Thanks for all the kind words, fellas. I do appreciate the encouragement.

[Gordon Bjorklund]

Martin,

Well done on getting the planking done. Do you have to seal the planks now and what will you use to seal them if a sealer is needed?

[MartinJQuinn]

Do you have to seal the planks now and what will you use to seal them if a sealer is needed?

Thanks. That is a good question. I'm going to ask some others who've done this before what they used - I know some folks have put a stain on the decks, I want to be careful not to cover up the variations in the wood color.