Hello !
I have been working on something this afternoon that I thought I would share. All of you, I am sure, are familiar with "H.O." scale(1/87). Well, there is a company( Walthers) that does Scenic and Machinery stuff for that scale and "N" Scale(1/160). So far they haven't done these in "N". They are the Tugboat (RailRoad Tug), Car Barge and Port Apron (Loading and, Unloading location).Well, I am working on the Tugs for my Great lakes Freighter Client. Thought I would share something that I Pure Dee forgot on the Charles De-gaulle A/C Carrier.!
When you put models together, including Planes, Armor, and Ships, there comes a time when you have to Double Down." Double Down?" Yup! You need to put doublers inside or behind seams. Why? Well, in a perfect world the Alignment Slots, Pins, and Ledges would have you think that's going to be enough! NOPE! In putting the hulls(4 Pieces) of these waterline puppies together I discovered that over the years they have gotten slack! And the Deckhouse/Wheelhouse area has really suffered.
The alignment pins no longer hold the parts together without sag! So, Here's what I have had to do. Number one. Glue the butt ends together using an old method.Thicker liquid glue on both edges, Let set for a minute, then put together. This allows some of the glue melted plastic to ooze out. That's okay in this scenario! The joints need to be seen a wee bit in the shadows. After all they represent sheets of steel welded together! So minimal sanding here. Oho! there is a BUT coming as well. This goes to Number two!
When you've done this to whatever kind of Butt joint then you SHOULD use Doublers behind the joint. This can be flattened Sprue or Evergreen Strips that will overlap enough to give these Butt Joint Seams strength! Otherwise, when you glue them in place on the deck in this instance, the new glue will weaken the joint and mess you up. With the doublers that ain't gonna Happen! I had this happen on a Vac-U-Form plane kit and boy, did that teach me a lesson! Now, I double Down on everything except maybe Cars! I recommend this on all models.They won't be seen but your model will be stronger for it and handling damage will be kept out of Structural failure Mode! Happy Modeling!! This is a P.S enabled by G. Morrison! You must be sure both sides are the same thickness for sure.Therein lies the trick. A thin piece of material to bring the thin side to the proper thickness, or two.Then the Doubler!