1/700 s.s. Salween

[Jim Smith]

Here are pics of my scratch built s.s. Salween operated by the British and Burmese Steam Navigation Company (holding company P Henderson of Glasgow).

She was built at William Denny's yard on the Clyde in 1938 and was a troop ship during WWII. After the war it resumed the UK/Burma service until broken up in 1962.

My thanks to the 1/1200 plan in John Bowen's 'More Miniature Merchant Ships' which was scaled up to 1/700

Ship is essentially Plastic strip over a balsa core. Aftermarket parts include photo etch from GMM Merchant ships set and ventilators from 'Rainbow.

[g. shoda]

Very nice model. Congratulations.

[Pieter]

Nice to see someone use John Bowen's drawings in '700. And an interesting subject as well.

[Quincy]

Beautiful job Jim!



Bob Pink.

[K494]

Very nice.

Scott

[Jim Smith]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

[JIM BAUMANN]

Good to see you posting your beauties here as well!

Best wishes

Jim Baumann

[Shipbuilder]

Very nice little model of a medium-sized passenger liner. Pity we don't see more of this type of ship.
Bob

[Jim Smith]

Bob,
Totally agree. I'd love to see a few more kits of this type of ship.

I'm reasonably new to scratchbuilding and it's been a steep learning curve. But I've enjoyed it (so far) albeit a little frustrated at the lack of some fundamental merchant ship parts - like large size (for 1/700 at least) ventilators from the aftermarket guys which would help make (my) efforts a lot easier!

Seriously thinking of doing another scratch build using Mike Bowen's plans....maybe a 'great white ship' (possibly a trooper like the 'Devonshire'). Watch this space....

Jim S

[Shipbuilder]

Jim,
Lack of parts should not make any problem for you. The Salween shows that you have the necessary skills to make your own! If more kits of this type were produced, I am afraid it would ruin the hobby for me, by over-exposure to identical models. I like to feel that when I complete a model, there are not hundreds or even thousands of identical ones all over the world. I make miniatures because I have very little patience and have always found them easier than large scales. Here is Memphis, a cargo liner of 1947. Take a look at my website via my profile here, and you will find a lot more of interest in this field.
Bob

[Jim Smith]

Bob,
I understand where you're coming from.

As for me, as I'm relatively new to scratch-building, I was looking for a 'short cut' or two for my builds.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I'm trying to promote merchant ship modelling to prove it 'doesn't have to be grey to be great!!'. Also there are a lot more opportunities and a lot more interest out there than there was when I first started.

Jim S

[Shipbuilder]

Jim,
Making ventilators. Turn cowls from brass rod, hollow out on lathe, and solder to shafts with soft solder. If you don't have a lathe, round off brass rod in a drill. Cut off with fine jeweller's saw,and leave solid. Solder on shafts, and spray paint.
Image 2 shows the cowl about to be soldered to the shaft.
Bob
PS
I don't really like grey merchant ships - too drab Prefer green, black, blue, white in that order!

[Jim Smith]

Bob,
Many thanks for the tip on how to make ventilators. I had not thought of turning brass rod. Will give it a try and let you know how I got on.