The Ship Model Forum

I'm looking for a source for photo etched 1/96 catwalks, but the kind normally found on ships... Specifically those that look like this: Can anyone help with this???

In a severe pinch I can use the railroad catwalks, but man I'd sure prefer accurate ones!

Scratch build your own out of plasic strip.

Dave,

I have been experimenting with making my own 1:96 photoetch catwalks. So far the results have been less than perfect - frustrating!

Phil

Have a look at PE railing for architectural models 1/100.

have you a specific width...?

I think I know where I have seen similar

late now--will look tomorrow for a link/picture

JIM B

I have seen some pretty nice stock PE catwalks for HO scale locomotives and cars. They are straight but I need catwalks that circle the top of smoke pipes (funnels) .

Okay, I feel bad for not monitoring this thread more closely. Some answers: width should be somewhere near .25", call it 6 to 7mm.

I need lots and lots (and lots) of catwalks for this project - building from strip plastic is certainly possible, but not what I would choose, except if backed completely into a corner.

I've purchased a length of model RR catwalk intended for the top of a box car. The diagram at the top shows its design. I can and will use it if I have to, but I'd sooo much prefer accuracy.

Architectural model PE... hmm, that I'll have to look into.

Anyway, a belated thanks for the responses!

I've been researching this under the assumption no ready-made PE is available for marine catwalk. The architectural route could work if I wanted to spend time cutting up fencing.

Decision: make my own PE. Investigating solutions leads me to believe I can do this with only a moderate investment. Bonus prize is I can then tailor-make each catwalk to order instead of doing cut-and-paste.

Dave,

Home made PE was my solution. I still have some learning to do! Keep us posted on your progress. We all need to learn to do photoetch at home!

Phil

I toyed with this many years back, but could never make it work to my satisfaction. Reading up I think I can make it work this time! The first step is to order supplies...

While awaiting delivery of my PE "kit" from MicroMark I went ahead and assembled a test stencil. I made it usable with generic catwalk and inclined ladder so it will be instantly usable if it comes out well. Any comments or criticisms? If I'm on the wrong track I want to know now!

I just recently finished up helping do the presentation model of the U.S.S.WISCONSIN by BaD shipmodels for NAUTICUS .The catwalk problem was just as serious here as well .I took MODEL RR catwalk material and used ONLY the outside of the catwalk On the inside I used very thin brass strip .I did them in pie shaped units .You can use superglue to do this .Build them on waxed paper .That way you won,t stick them to the workbench . commodore4

That could work, or something similar. My project is HO (1/87) scale, so the trick is finding parallel-slated material large enough to play with. Thanks.