I have fitted another set of ladders, this time with handrails, also a port hole, The deck has not been sanded to a finish yet. I'm showing a picture of this section of Iron Duke, I have fitted the rail close to the top of the casement, also the eyelid over the port hole. enjoy, ARH
1/96 HMS Iron Duke (1916)
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- ARH
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Hi Guys, Not a lot tonight, I am working on the back superstructure.
I have fitted another set of ladders, this time with handrails, also a port hole, The deck has not been sanded to a finish yet. I'm showing a picture of this section of Iron Duke, I have fitted the rail close to the top of the casement, also the eyelid over the port hole. enjoy, ARH

I have fitted another set of ladders, this time with handrails, also a port hole, The deck has not been sanded to a finish yet. I'm showing a picture of this section of Iron Duke, I have fitted the rail close to the top of the casement, also the eyelid over the port hole. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Today I have been working on different things,
I made the cross tree on top of the Samson post, I cut into the top and fitted a brass section, this has holes drilled in it at each end that will carry a block and tackle, the bracing are made of lime wood. Viewed from the stern, the p/e ladders and handrails have been painted. The porthole has been changed to a sunken one in to the casement, it now looks smaller. A small set of ladders fitted behind #2 turret. A small Samson post fitted at the side of the funnel, this is brass rod. The fighting top is only placed in position hence it leaning over. A stern shot of all the work. enjoy, ARH

I made the cross tree on top of the Samson post, I cut into the top and fitted a brass section, this has holes drilled in it at each end that will carry a block and tackle, the bracing are made of lime wood. Viewed from the stern, the p/e ladders and handrails have been painted. The porthole has been changed to a sunken one in to the casement, it now looks smaller. A small set of ladders fitted behind #2 turret. A small Samson post fitted at the side of the funnel, this is brass rod. The fighting top is only placed in position hence it leaning over. A stern shot of all the work. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, Gordon Brooks sent me some more P/E today, it's 2 rail hand rails in 1/96, this will be going on the different deck levels of the fighting bridge, there are 6 lengths each 17 inches long.

Last edited by ARH on Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, I started on the breakwater and continue with gordons p/e handrails.
Breakwater.
3 sections cut out of plastic card
Glued together, with all the braces glued in position, I have allowed for the camber of the deck. Forward view. Just placed in position and held down with tape. The first section of rail cut from the fret. Cut, bent and drilled, then glued in to position, lower section. High section fitted. Overall view, note rails fitted around funnel. enjoy, ARH

Breakwater.
3 sections cut out of plastic card
Glued together, with all the braces glued in position, I have allowed for the camber of the deck. Forward view. Just placed in position and held down with tape. The first section of rail cut from the fret. Cut, bent and drilled, then glued in to position, lower section. High section fitted. Overall view, note rails fitted around funnel. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, I am continuing with the handrails,
The handrails above the lookout post were fitted, these are to have canvas dodgers attached, on this level there are 2 double searchlights to be fitted. The handrails on the second deck down on the fighting top were drilled and fitted. Rear view. I started putting in the pipe work on the main bridge, this is aluminium tube. A close up with one extra pipe, this is copper tube smaller than the others. enjoy, ARH

The handrails above the lookout post were fitted, these are to have canvas dodgers attached, on this level there are 2 double searchlights to be fitted. The handrails on the second deck down on the fighting top were drilled and fitted. Rear view. I started putting in the pipe work on the main bridge, this is aluminium tube. A close up with one extra pipe, this is copper tube smaller than the others. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, still more handrails.
Here I have cut though the deck, fitted another ladder and fit the handrail around the opening This is a overall view, but you can see I have fit the barrels into the casement positions, the fighting top is a little lob sided but its only placed in position. Rear view A full view of the ship, the breakwater is placed in position after painting. A closer view of the handrails on the Starboard side, And also on the Port side. enjoy , ARH

Here I have cut though the deck, fitted another ladder and fit the handrail around the opening This is a overall view, but you can see I have fit the barrels into the casement positions, the fighting top is a little lob sided but its only placed in position. Rear view A full view of the ship, the breakwater is placed in position after painting. A closer view of the handrails on the Starboard side, And also on the Port side. enjoy , ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, I am going to show you how I fit my casement guns.
This is an overall shot of the ship, but you can see where the casement guns are to be fitted, 7 in all on this side, one at the stern, but that will be later. The barrels were made by Steve Nuttal and are fitted in to some round plastic piping. In the picture on the second gun, you can see a white piece of plastic, this is cut around the piping top and bottom, and glued in place, this allows the gun to move round and not be static.
The first gun casement has been fitted out, and covered in litho plate, In this picture you can see the section between the guns, its a block of balsa wood shaped and glued in position. Next it is covered with litho plate. Plastic fitted for the next one, the first one has its first coat of paint. This is an overall shot of the work so far. A bit of a close up looking from the stern, the 4th gun is fitted out with litho plate. 3 finished and painted, Looking from the stern. enjoy, ARH

This is an overall shot of the ship, but you can see where the casement guns are to be fitted, 7 in all on this side, one at the stern, but that will be later. The barrels were made by Steve Nuttal and are fitted in to some round plastic piping. In the picture on the second gun, you can see a white piece of plastic, this is cut around the piping top and bottom, and glued in place, this allows the gun to move round and not be static.
The first gun casement has been fitted out, and covered in litho plate, In this picture you can see the section between the guns, its a block of balsa wood shaped and glued in position. Next it is covered with litho plate. Plastic fitted for the next one, the first one has its first coat of paint. This is an overall shot of the work so far. A bit of a close up looking from the stern, the 4th gun is fitted out with litho plate. 3 finished and painted, Looking from the stern. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, Just a few pictures of the finish of the casement guns.
All guns fitted, 5 below and 1 on the next deck, just the blast bags to fit and the curtains. A close up of all the work, if you look at the very 1st picture on page 1, you can see what I mean by the curtains. From the opposite angle, the reddish glow on the model is from my fire, its very cold here at the moment. enjoy, ARH

All guns fitted, 5 below and 1 on the next deck, just the blast bags to fit and the curtains. A close up of all the work, if you look at the very 1st picture on page 1, you can see what I mean by the curtains. From the opposite angle, the reddish glow on the model is from my fire, its very cold here at the moment. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, just a small one tonight.
This is the timber store, it is located on top of the blacksmith shop, this was built of litho plate and strengthened with brass rod underneath, it is filled with lengths of timber, Viewed from a distance, also you can see the casement guns, they look better now the paint has dried.
The coaling davit is fitted, it was made from 20 year old spruce, well seasoned, it was square and I carved it to shape, then made the round fittings out of brass and litho plate. The small support is made out of litho and is super glued in place above the door. enjoy, ARH

This is the timber store, it is located on top of the blacksmith shop, this was built of litho plate and strengthened with brass rod underneath, it is filled with lengths of timber, Viewed from a distance, also you can see the casement guns, they look better now the paint has dried.
The coaling davit is fitted, it was made from 20 year old spruce, well seasoned, it was square and I carved it to shape, then made the round fittings out of brass and litho plate. The small support is made out of litho and is super glued in place above the door. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sat Oct 26, 2013 2:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, its davits to night on the stern superstructure.
The davits are made out of solid brass rod, filled to shape and bent. At the top end a slot was cut and a double ended ring was glued in. At the bottom 2 pieces of plastic rod was fitted and a foot in plastic fitted to each one. Drilled and placed in position. Cleats were drilled and fit either side. Also the timber brace and black landing protection, the metal treads when painted should look like a rope ladder. Just to give you some idea of the size, one of our 5 pence coins, something the size of your dimes, note the little wheels, we are getting small. A ladder fitted to go to the next level. Just to show what hangs there, I have borrowed a boat from another model, it's just a little large but serves the purpose. When rigged it will be higher. enjoy, ARH

The davits are made out of solid brass rod, filled to shape and bent. At the top end a slot was cut and a double ended ring was glued in. At the bottom 2 pieces of plastic rod was fitted and a foot in plastic fitted to each one. Drilled and placed in position. Cleats were drilled and fit either side. Also the timber brace and black landing protection, the metal treads when painted should look like a rope ladder. Just to give you some idea of the size, one of our 5 pence coins, something the size of your dimes, note the little wheels, we are getting small. A ladder fitted to go to the next level. Just to show what hangs there, I have borrowed a boat from another model, it's just a little large but serves the purpose. When rigged it will be higher. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sat Oct 26, 2013 2:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Just a few photo's tonight.
I have been looking at the decks, on some RN ships steel decks were scrubbed, polished and oiled, giving a black look, so 2 decks have had that treatment, I think it gives a better look to the ship. In this picture the superstructure now stands out from the deck, instead of all looking the same. I have just placed 3 ships boats in position, the lower 2 are whalers, the one on the main deck is only there to give you an idea of the size of the boat that will fit there, the Admirals Barge. On the drawings at the back you can see the layout of all the ships boats, there's a lot of them.
enjoy, ARH

I have been looking at the decks, on some RN ships steel decks were scrubbed, polished and oiled, giving a black look, so 2 decks have had that treatment, I think it gives a better look to the ship. In this picture the superstructure now stands out from the deck, instead of all looking the same. I have just placed 3 ships boats in position, the lower 2 are whalers, the one on the main deck is only there to give you an idea of the size of the boat that will fit there, the Admirals Barge. On the drawings at the back you can see the layout of all the ships boats, there's a lot of them.
Last edited by ARH on Sat Oct 26, 2013 2:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
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I continue with the heavy lift boom, pulley's and rigging.
The first 2 pictures are not to clear, but they're all I have. This one of the main boom and its small brass fittings at each end. These are the pulley wheels I have made out of Gordon's p/e, they are hand wheels but used in a different way. The boom in place, note a small fitting at the bottom of the Samson post, this again made out of brass and plastic. In place seen from the opposite side. The superstructure lifted off. The deck and sides finished with litho plate. Back in place and the eyelets fitted for the rigging for the Samson post. The rigging fitted to one side. From a different angle, note the walkway around the funnel has been painted black. The last 2 pictures are different views of all the work, she is beginning to look better now. I like the black decks, they break up all that blue, what do you think guys. enjoy, ARH

The first 2 pictures are not to clear, but they're all I have. This one of the main boom and its small brass fittings at each end. These are the pulley wheels I have made out of Gordon's p/e, they are hand wheels but used in a different way. The boom in place, note a small fitting at the bottom of the Samson post, this again made out of brass and plastic. In place seen from the opposite side. The superstructure lifted off. The deck and sides finished with litho plate. Back in place and the eyelets fitted for the rigging for the Samson post. The rigging fitted to one side. From a different angle, note the walkway around the funnel has been painted black. The last 2 pictures are different views of all the work, she is beginning to look better now. I like the black decks, they break up all that blue, what do you think guys. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sat Oct 26, 2013 2:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, A small one to night a continuation of the last post.
The rigging is finished on both sides, I used a cotton type cord, it was smeared in a wax like substance to protect it in the weather. The button at the top of the Samson post was made out of brass and plastic, then glued in place. I never let people suffer to long,
so for Tommy L the 2 barbettes are finished except for painting. Note my chain for the anchor's
This is a double pulley block with hook. This is the beginning of the rig for the main boom, it measures 3/4 of an inch, as you can tell made by me.
enjoy, ARH

The rigging is finished on both sides, I used a cotton type cord, it was smeared in a wax like substance to protect it in the weather. The button at the top of the Samson post was made out of brass and plastic, then glued in place. I never let people suffer to long,
Last edited by ARH on Sat Oct 26, 2013 2:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, After a long study of the drawings I've worked out how the battle bridge should look.
I cut the base, middle section and top out, the last two were made of Lime. I glued all sections together. The bottom section I've covered in litho plate. Placed in position, also a low look out position was cut on both sides. Next I made one of the wing sections, this included a small look out post. Placed in position. I then made the opposite side and placed in position, all the angles were different, one left one right. Glued together and painted, also a small ladder fitted. View from the rear. An overall shot of the work, still only placed in position, still some pieces to add. enjoy, ARH

I cut the base, middle section and top out, the last two were made of Lime. I glued all sections together. The bottom section I've covered in litho plate. Placed in position, also a low look out position was cut on both sides. Next I made one of the wing sections, this included a small look out post. Placed in position. I then made the opposite side and placed in position, all the angles were different, one left one right. Glued together and painted, also a small ladder fitted. View from the rear. An overall shot of the work, still only placed in position, still some pieces to add. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sun Oct 27, 2013 1:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, We continue with the dodgers around the handrails.
This is how I paint some of my fittings, this is the battle bridge on the end of my scalpel blade. A close up of the canvas dodgers, done in drafting tape, it has a look of cloth or canvas. A rear view, the tape has a sticky surface on one side, and is not to heavy. Looking from the bow. A similar photo as the last but the canvas has been painted. The tape has had a thin coat of paint, white and blue mixed. Overall view from the bow. enjoy, ARH

This is how I paint some of my fittings, this is the battle bridge on the end of my scalpel blade. A close up of the canvas dodgers, done in drafting tape, it has a look of cloth or canvas. A rear view, the tape has a sticky surface on one side, and is not to heavy. Looking from the bow. A similar photo as the last but the canvas has been painted. The tape has had a thin coat of paint, white and blue mixed. Overall view from the bow. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sun Oct 27, 2013 1:43 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Hi Guys, I am rigging the large boat boom tonight.
First I had to make more pulleys, this time only single ones. The Samson post had to have a fitting made to fit around the top pulley, this is the starting point of the rig. Seen from mid ships. Viewed from bow section. This gives a clearer view with the superstructure lifted off and turned around. As you can see there are 2 separate lines, one controls the lifting of the boom, the other the lifting of the working end, the hook.
The ropes on the deck will be attached to pulleys and capstans later, when made. enjoy, ARH

First I had to make more pulleys, this time only single ones. The Samson post had to have a fitting made to fit around the top pulley, this is the starting point of the rig. Seen from mid ships. Viewed from bow section. This gives a clearer view with the superstructure lifted off and turned around. As you can see there are 2 separate lines, one controls the lifting of the boom, the other the lifting of the working end, the hook.
The ropes on the deck will be attached to pulleys and capstans later, when made. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sun Oct 27, 2013 1:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, I have been doing the sights on the battle bridge, handrails and range finders.
The very bottom part is the bottom cut from a WEM tin of paint, with a rim of litho plate super glued to it. On top a brass tube drilled though and a piece of round plastic flattened slightly and pushed through. Next some Milliput mixed together and shaped into a dome, also the end of the sights filled in. Painted and fit in place. Handrails fitted on command bridge, this is were Admiral Jellicoe stood inside at the battle of Jutland. Three sections of plastic cut to shape and a piece of brass fitted though one section. Sights painted and fit in place. Two Overall shots of work completed. enjoy. ARH

The very bottom part is the bottom cut from a WEM tin of paint, with a rim of litho plate super glued to it. On top a brass tube drilled though and a piece of round plastic flattened slightly and pushed through. Next some Milliput mixed together and shaped into a dome, also the end of the sights filled in. Painted and fit in place. Handrails fitted on command bridge, this is were Admiral Jellicoe stood inside at the battle of Jutland. Three sections of plastic cut to shape and a piece of brass fitted though one section. Sights painted and fit in place. Two Overall shots of work completed. enjoy. ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sun Oct 27, 2013 1:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys, A little rigging and boat slinging.
The cross trees are made from brass rod, filed to shape. The mast is brass rod and is drilled in three places. My rigging is a thin braided cord slightly metallic in gold, painted matt black. I have rigged the boat to the davits, you can see the cord better in this picture. Everything tide down, the boat has only been coloured in on these photos, I painted them today. Blue outside, white and tan inside. Bow shot. Stern shot. enjoy, ARH

The cross trees are made from brass rod, filed to shape. The mast is brass rod and is drilled in three places. My rigging is a thin braided cord slightly metallic in gold, painted matt black. I have rigged the boat to the davits, you can see the cord better in this picture. Everything tide down, the boat has only been coloured in on these photos, I painted them today. Blue outside, white and tan inside. Bow shot. Stern shot. enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sun Oct 27, 2013 2:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi Guys,
Some more rigging on the fighting top. A section of guardrail made out of plasticard, a boom support made out of litho plate. A view of the work to date. Guardrail painted and capstan for boom fitted. Enjoy, ARH

Some more rigging on the fighting top. A section of guardrail made out of plasticard, a boom support made out of litho plate. A view of the work to date. Guardrail painted and capstan for boom fitted. Enjoy, ARH
Last edited by ARH on Sun Oct 27, 2013 2:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
Simple but effective.