Hmph !
I am working on the Russian release of the " Shell Welder ". Poor model . It seems like it's been everyone's stepchild , shipwise , except the companies that could do it right !
Well , I am going whole hog on this one . This mold is showing it's age in spades . No ejector pin marks . The pins are still there ! The unit obviously was to hot so when it separated the pins didn't touch it .Just made little nubs everywhare !
This thing almost wound up on the Ship-Breaker's beach ! I figured , I can't drive for a while and I still am on the mend , so why not ? There's something to be said for really having to take your time .
Now I bought this kit used . The painted P.E. was gone , But all the brass was there . Point 1 in it's favor . I didn't even know they had a P.E. set for this !
Settled down to work and got as far as the deckhouse and such . They assemble like Revell's - Top To bottom . You know the seam along the porthole row . Got that fixed and noticed that from age or wear the molded upper and lower parts tapered viciously toward the center !
Filled the trench and worked the bottom and ceiling areas with files and sandpaper til I got the Bulkheads vertical .( took a half tube of filler putty too !). Got to looking at the kit supplied ladders while waiting for putty to dry .Aweful ! Thin versions of Mayan temple stairs .
The connection to the sprue was so thick I thought I was going to break the test set Plus the sprue connection between the bottom feet was as bad . Now I got to looking .If anyone here has built this model , You know she comes with a set of rails in a vinyl like material . Don't throw those away .You can use them elswhere !
Back to those stairs . It took the better part of an hour . Except for handrails , they look as goo as any , even resin parts ! You have to be patient , sharpeyed and careful .Use a brand new X-Acto or Excel blade and don't cut yourself . Good Luck . Tanker Builder P.S.save all the parts you don't use you can eventually save them too and use them elsewhere .