Planking the decks of a 1/350 Bismarck

[roy allen]

Martin,
the first time I saw this I honestly thought it was some kind of wind-up, but your perseverance on this project has been something of a lesson in never give up.

Roy

[MartinJQuinn]

Thanks Roy....appreciate that.

Two photos taken with a "real" camera...not the cell phone

[jeroen zuiderduin]

Insanely good! I can imagine that this is once in a lifetime.

Cheers
Jeroen

[Elvis965]

She looks tremendous, Martin!

What kind of case is that? I've never come across one that large with the plastic bottom.

Bob

PS: I'm still sending you my Arizona for planking...

[sgtryan13]

Awesome insane amount of work martin! holy cow!

[MartinJQuinn]

Thanks guys. I really do appreciate the kind words and the encouragement.

She looks tremendous, Martin!

What kind of case is that? I've never come across one that large with the plastic bottom.

Bob

PS: I'm still sending you my Arizona for planking...

Bob,

It's from a place called Cases for Collectibles. I've used them several times. Good for waterline models and reasonably priced if you want a wood alternative.

And keep your bloody Arizona! I have enough to do!

[J.F.S.]

Martin,
Looks great!
Joe

[kidcurrie42]

Awesome work and yes Totally Insane

Happy Modeling(I think)

John

[MartinJQuinn]

Thanks guys. The comments certainly help motivate me to keep moving forward. Speaking of which, some progress at lunch today. Was on a webinar/conference call right after lunch, so I just kept working on Bismarck for awhile longer

Today I started laying down the outline of the anchor washboard planking. I used plans from the AJ Press book on the Bismarck and Tirpitz as a guide. It's supposedly 1/350 scale, but it didn't quite match the deck, so I cut it to fit.

Hopefully I'll get a chance at lunch tomorrow, and finish laying the outline down, then I can start filling it in. Depending on what model or plan you look at, it's shown as all raise or outlined. I am going to go with the "filled in" look.

Again, many thanks for the kind words and encouragement!

[Dan K]

[MartinJQuinn]

Started filling in the anchor washboards at lunch today with the second layer of planking.

Once the planks are dry, I'll trim them back to match the layer underneath. Right now it looks like a bit of a mess!

I'll also leave the more intricate edging work until I bring it home, where I have better lighting and my optivisor.

[Devin]

Looking good!

[MartinJQuinn]

I've done a little more work on the bow area.

Pictures taken with an iPhone, which accounts for the less than stellar quality.

As I may have mentioned, I've done just about all I can do with Bismarck during my lunch hour. I just have to wait until the next time I drive to the office (I'm pretty much a full time train commuter now) so I can walk the model out and bring it home.

Next non-planking steps: Start painting the superstructure levels, so I can then start to lay planks on those areas.

[Elvis965]

So Bismarck's anchor chain runs were made out of wood? Interesting concept.

Looking good, Martin. I have no idea how you find time to work on it at work!

Will this end up in the New Jersey museum next to Tirpitz & Sara?

Bob

[Dan K]

Yeah, I'm a little surprised at that as well.

I hope she doesn't go back on the shelf once you bring her home. Sounds like a weekend exchange - just as important, what will you bring in to replace Bismarck?

[sgtryan13]

For some reason I am picturing someone bursting into your office while you are fully geek-ed up wearing an optivisor, holding an exacto knife with yor teeth and have a tube of superglue stuck to your finger...they just look all embarassed and are like "oh, uhhh, excuse me, sorry, I'll uhh, come back later." As they slowly back out like they walked in on something inappropriate.

[Devin]

I think you've just described Martin's work AND home life.

[Elvis965]

For some reason I am picturing someone bursting into your office while you are fully geek-ed up wearing an optivisor, holding an exacto knife with yor teeth and have a tube of superglue stuck to your finger...they just look all embarassed and are like "oh, uhhh, excuse me, sorry, I'll uhh, come back later." As they slowly back out like they walked in on something inappropriate.

Bob

[MartinJQuinn]

Will this end up in the New Jersey museum next to Tirpitz & Sara?

Bob

Only if they cut me a check! Tirpitz is actually only on loan. Speaking of which...

[MartinJQuinn]

Ryan - that's why I lock the door! And no Optivisor...just prescription reading glasses.

Though I do occasionally have people knock on the door. Recently the purchasing manager wanted to speak to me, so he came in my office. He looks at the Bismarck and says, "Wow, that deck looks just like real wood!".

Dan - good question!

Devin - even I got a chuckle out of that!