1/350 Suffren (1899)

[Chris Meddings]

This is my latest, a 1/350 full scratch Suffren, as she was at the time of the Dardenelles campaign.

This is around 80% built. Still have the davits, boats and a lot of other stuff to make and add. A lot of this is also dry-fit, so its a little wonky on the bridges until they are finally set in place permanently

[JIM BAUMANN]

that looks great Chris!!

good looking ship!

[Chris Meddings]

Those are the drawings I�m working from, pls a lot of photos

The props I know about but haven�t got around to adjusting. What other differences?

[Chris Meddings]

Thecstacks, and a lot more besides: are not finished yet

[JIM BAUMANN]

Hi Chris

My inner pre-dreadnought French Battleship fan persona has re-awoken...

a small point and at this stage entirley corrigible when you draw the PE
but the stern-walk railing was vertical close sace railing not solid
( North star do the very item in 1/700 but I do not know if available in 1/350...)

see image of Suffren rear below

HTH-- and watching with great interest

Best wishes
JB

[Chris Meddings]

Hi Jim

The railing PE was drawn exactly as the real railings but sadly did not etch completely (particularly the rings at the top)

However it looks better in real life than it does here a wash during painting will bring the detail out better

[Chris Meddings]

This shows it better

[MartinJQuinn]

Very impressive work!

[Dan Banks]

Looks like your making a kit. If so I�ll buy one

[Chris Meddings]

Sorry I�m not. It would cost a lot of money to turn this into a kit, to cast it etc. And I don�t think it would make the money back, so this is just a one off

[Miguel]

This is stunning ,Chris thanks for share your work ,I love old battleships and those french pre dreadnoughts are awesome , this one is turning in a fantastic build

[marijn van gils]

Fantastic work Chris!
As another French pre-dred-fan I'm really hapy to see you scratchbuilding one of these monsters.
So I'll be following with great interest.

Ready for SMC?

[Chris Meddings]

I hope so, but then I have to fly with it to Amsterdam and a bus to Eindhoven :O

[marijn van gils]

You should have chosen 1/700 scale...

[Chris Meddings]

Size is not an issue. But the PE is quite delicate

[Joe Simon]

Very impressive!

[marijn van gils]

Size is not an issue. But the PE is quite delicate

A wooden transportation box made to size (and able to fit in overhead compartments on an aeroplane) is the perfect solution for this. It takes only a modest effort to make one (it doens't need to be fancy), and you will be able to use it for many models to come. I have several at home I made for transporting figures, and for every diorama I make a custom-fit box. It also makes transport by car much more hassle- and breakage-free.

Fix the model inside so the box can be turned upside down without problems. A good amount of Blue Tack is usually sufficient.
Also, make sure you can easily open the box, because the security staff at the airport always wants to know what is inside...

A transparent plastic box is a good alternative, and has the advantage that the security staff can readily see the contents (and you don't have to build it!). But of course, you have to find a suitable one: correct size, strudy, firmly closing lid, and easy to carry.

You see, I accept no excuses not to bring this one along!
Cheers!

Marijn

[Chris Meddings]

I had one exactly like that made after �the incident� with the scanner on the way to kmk
Last year :O

[marijn van gils]

And you know who had a similar incident this year at the Eurostar security: Spencer Pollard!
The staff tipped his box over, in which the models were only held in place with toothpicks on styrofoam. He spent part of the friday evening gluing back broken bits...

Rudi Meir had it happen too when flying to the USA many years ago.

Styrofoam and toothpicks are a very common way of fixing models in their carry-box, but IMHO is not safe when passing security-checks...

Cheers!

Marijn