Newbie, 1/350 Minicraft Titanic, HELP!! Big Plans!!

All admirable goals.

But as a modeling and shipbuilding NOOB my advice is KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid.

Build a learner kit first,  something which will teach you the techniques.   Teach you PE practices.   You may find that Toms PE, while looking good on the fret, it is tough to handle because it is etched from softer brass.   harder brass, while potentially more expensive may be better for you.   You will learn that you can't lay down an entire side in one piece just because you have a length of railing that long.   You will also want to do it relatively inexpensively -- think a smaller shubject.   You will want to learn how to mask and effectively -- learn how to use that new airbrush.  You can learn how to paint deck planking to look like wood.

You want to build a project Titanic.   If I were you I think I'd start with the Tamiya Fletcehr and use either Flagship or Gold Medal PE to learn on.   I also think that I'd paint planking on the decks.   You will find that you don't need the engraved lines to pull it off.   I would also paint the destroyer in white over black with the White Star Buff funnels.    Accurate - heck no!  But it is your model and your purpose if to learn techniques which you can then carry forward into your project.

Remember KISS

Three cheers to Ed for having the nerve to say (in terms I haven't had the nerve to use) something that all newcomers ought to hear.  I've lost track of the number of times I've practically begged new modelers:  "Don't START with a big Constitution or Victory.  Break into sailing ship modeling with a relatively simple ship in a relatively large scale."  So far as I can tell, in the eight years I've been taking part in the Forum, nobody has ever taken my advice.  And so far as I know not oneof those Constitutions and Victories and Soleil Royals that inspired beginners have started has been finished.

KISS indeed.  

jtilley

Hey, does anybody know how to type italics in the new Forum format?

Roy, I'm in the UK too, all the advice you've had is bang on, don't learn on this one, it's too expensive to make mistakes with. For optics, I would glue them with PVA white wood glue, there is no solvent to attack the fibres Kristal Klear should be ok too but try a short piece of fibre against the kit sprues to see what holds best. With Fibre optics, you have to really plan ahead with routing them as they don't react well to tight bends or solvents which cause them to crack and reduce the light quality. You may wish to consider 'glow in the dark' vinyl, an A4 sheet is less than a fiver and cut into strips glued to the inside of the hull backlit by a few LEDs would certainly be keeping it simple.

Have a look at White Ensign Models website too! Aaaand there are also self adhesive wooden deck kits available for your Titanic for around 35 quid which also make it easier and neater to paint the deck fittings.

As for the etched brass, you will definately need a folding tool like 'etch mate' or etch partner' or 'fold and hold'. Look on e-bay for a good deal. KISS and take your time, all these guys on this forum have an amazing amount of talent and experience and all will help you every step of the way.

Good luck m8,

Jock.

P.S. There is also a guy in Canada that does a nice set of decals for both the 1/350 and 1/400 scale Titanic, I got the set for mine and they are nice, I'll post the details later for these.

Roy, I got my decals on ebay from 'scott3076' he has nothing listed at present but you should be able to message him and see if he has any for sale. For my Academy 1/400 Titanic they cost $7.00 canadian. Be aware that these are very small decals. Glow in the dark vinyl was from 'signmakingandsupplies' again on ebay. Hope this helps you. I think 'Haynes' manuals have also produced one for the Titanic and might be worth a look for reference pix.

Jock

Hello again Roy, Sorry about the wood deck mate, I could have sworn blind that I've seen them for the 1/350 scale version. I'll check the one on the 1/400 to see who makes it and let you know. Prime your brass early mate, it'll save you a lot of hassle later on, see my post on 1/350 Slava Class Varyag for ideas on that, but be very very careful if you use the sandpaper!! Go slowly in case the edge of the paper snags a railing. Pics will be added eventually when I learn how.

Jock.

Make notes on the instructions Roy, drill sizes, paint numbers etc. Will you keep the lighting kit aside to use on the minicraft kit or will you use it on this one? You could take the lighting kit to maplins and get a duplicate! Cheerz, Jock.

Actually it isn't uncanny.  As I understand it, Minicraft sued Academy for copying Minicraft's Titanic molds - and won.  Big Jake knows more about this than I do.

The Chinese are good at copying, they just have to make minor changes to avoid piracy! Lol

This is what the practice kit is for Roy, you can enlarge them later but if you go too big now, it would be an absolute nightmare trying to make them smaller later. .75mm scaled up would make them 262.5 mm in diameter on the real boat, 1mm would make them 350mm. I reckon 1mm would still be fine, if you google 'rms titanic portholes' and select images, you will see a man holding one up and looking through it. I would say that's probably about the 350mm mark!

Also, on these forums, search for 'MY TAMIYA 1:350 USS ENTERPRISE' by MrMaker. I asked him about his Titanic and he has posted a couple of pics. A little inspiration goes a long way mate!

As for your deck, I have used a very  light brown base colour and shaded planks using watercolour pencils to nice effect, I just sealed them afterwards with 'Johnstons Klear' floor polish. I think it's known as 'Future' polish in the States!

Hope you have better luck at posting pics than I've had mate, in the meantime, I'll continue the evening bending etched brass into stairs and handrails!

Whereabouts in blighty by the way? I"m in Kidderminster!

I know what you mean about the benches Roy, I think there's 30 of them, I,ll be doing the same on my 400 scale! I intend making one bench and then building up a former under it out of styrene strip so the the rest will look the same! Joy!!!