Revell 1/570 Titanic

Brian, since you are already using Photobucket, it is pretty easy to embed the photos in your message. Use the rich formatting option and select the icon that looks like a frame of photo film.  For more help, go to the help forum, the one on help using the finescale forums.

Yes, but...

When doing a photo-rich post like that, set small to medium images up. Otherwise some us old computer guys can't even open the posts.

Sorry, guys! I'm new to this forum. I made some changes that hopefully will help...

Excellent!

That is an excellent build.

An update on progress: Finally finished the funnel stays and completed the photo-etch railings. I began with Elmer's glue thinned with water for the railings, but a few broke loose, so I switched to thin CA. More recently, I've found that medium CA sets quicker. In working with the photo-etch, I'm starting to think I need one of those custom tools from The Small Shop, but it may just be my love of purchasing gadgets speaking rather than any real need. Pics follow...

Thanks! I'm detail oriented by nature, so I've got that working for me. On the downside, I see so many ways this build could have been better, and I'm feeling compelled to buy another kit and repeat this work again over the next 2 years...

...a little more work this week - added the lifeboats, the lifeboat gates, and the cranes. With the gates, it became apparent that I had misjudged the center two funnel stays for the #1 funnel, which made the gates for the 1 lifeboat on each side nearly impossible. On the cranes, the cables were actually slack when they were stowed, but I didn't like the look, so I made them taught...

...the funnel ladder platforms are too high, but I only realized this after 3 of them were on, so I went with it. Funny how much you can mess up and still be happy with the work. I'll eventually build another, so it will get corrected then...

The work continues on the foremast rigging. I'm using really thin fly-tying line which has been excellent for this scale. I had never done rigging before this model and am pretty happy with the results.

Looking great, Brian. I've been following this one over on the Titanic-Model website but I like this thread because it's so photo rich. Great job on your rigging. This is one thing I'm dreading with mine as I've never done rigging either. Keep posting your progress.

Matt

Thanks, Matt. I really am baffled at how good this came out given how rusty I was. Don't make my mistakes; drill the holes for all the rigging before the decks are in place, and test fit the life boats to be sure you've got clearance. The lines around the foremost boats were a big problem. Get the lines mounted to the decks while you can get at the undersides! And don't put the caps on the funnels until all the rigging is in place. (You probably already knew these things, but I decided to do everything the hard way...

I found that I had to plan the rigging points early in my build (I'm doing the Minicraft 1/350). I am installing small eyelets in all the decks so I can replace any rigging that breaks or sags. There was a guy who had posted on the other site that had broken funnel rigging and he was trying to figure out how to repair the line since it was glued to the underside of the decks. The eyelets were my way of addressing the problem before it happened to me. I live in a house full of finger-poker's.

I haven't reached the lifeboat stage yet and hopefully that will go smoothly albeit time consuming. I'm still struggling with whether or not I'll put eyelets on the funnels or terminate the rigging inside. I need to see which approach looks the best.

Matt

First, thanks for being bold enough to share your mistakes so that we can all learn from them, which from my perspective is in no way keeping you from creating a really fine piece of work. Second, I noticed that she seems to be sitting on what looks like part of a slip. Were you planning on mounting her that way?

Thanks, arnie - I seem to take myself less seriously as I get older, so the mistakes don't bother me so much. Yes - I cobbled together a sort of slip but haven't actually mounted the ship to it yet. Another mistake: should have mounted it before the decks were in; now I have to figure out how!

It looks great the way it sits now. I wouldn't change a thing.

Matt

I've been distracted lately by a cheap Alan 38(t) flakpanzer kit I picked up to try some weathering techniques on. Again, My painting efforts 'back in the day' we're pretty basic, and I'm jazzed by all the info I've found on filters, washes, chipping, etc. The Titanic is so close to being done, though, so I did a little more rigging this evening. The fist pic is of the first 3 lines on the aft mast, and the second tries to show how little of the broken off portions of the toothpicks remain on the deck.

HAH ! the 47th port hole on the aft starboard side is open and according to Rivet Counters Quarterly it should be closed. as the occupant of the cabin was  ill during the cruse.

Seriously;  very nice work to date, looks like the real deal.

Brian, this build is truly inspiring. As well as being bl**dy useful. Thank you so much for sharing your work, warts and all. Your results are beautiful. Very excited now that you're in the "home stretch."

Yesterday I was saying to someone that in my build log or comments, people only comment on the work and not my poor attempts at humor.

Turns out that PERHAPS I need to work on my material!

Great work and welcome back. Like you, I have just returned to building after decades.  Good to know I'm not the only.

TOO funny! I will definitely try to be more "historically" accurate in my own builds going forward!

Ken

Ken: Over at Titanic-Model.com, they take their historical accuracy to the nth degree, and I've been there so much during the build that my first reaction was to take Steve's comment seriously...

LOL!  

I get it and appreciate the attention to detail.

Makes me want to build a ship. Haven't done one since I was about 10!

You did a fantastic job Brian,and keep going.  I was considering the Revell kit for my birthday, and after looking at what you have done, i think i have vastly underestimated the amount of research and detail work necessary. Its a good thing im a glutton for punishment :). Once again, you did a formidable job; thankyou for sharing it with us. Shaun

Thanks, Shuan! A better starting point - though much more expensive - is the 1:400 Academy kit. The Revell has all the railings simulated in solid plastic and no windows; really a rather poor kit. Only $20, though, so at least it's cheap.

As far as continuing the work, the rat lines are now in, as are the Finlay vents. Pretty much just the decals left to go, and the Marconi arial - if I don't skip it. 

Brian, thanks for posting back. My dad got the kit for me on my birthday(big 38 ;). The Revell kit definitely needs alot of work, but one question i have is where should i look for Photo Etched detail parts, like rails and such. Guess i'll do a search on google. The Titanic modeling site is incredible to the point of being almost overwhelming; thanks for mentioning it. Anyway, keep going! You have inspired us all.

Hi Shaun,

For Titanic PE stuff I recommend going to either Gold Medal Models or Tom's Modelworks. Look each one of them over very carefully. Each company offers a slightly different set. Sure, they all have the basics but then one set might contain items not offered in the other. I just gave up and bought both. I'm doing the 1:350 version but the 1:570 PE sets should contain pretty much the same items as their larger counterparts.

I had to pause when I read Steve's comments about the open porthole, and then realized that I too have spent too much time over on the other site. The hardcore rivet counters over there have a way of sucking you in, until you realize you have been assimilated and are one of them. I don't mind though, I am a detail weenie at heart. I only wish I could have come up with something witty and funny and chime in.

Keep at it..... Matt

LOL! Thanks Matt. I checked out Tom's Model works, an they definitely have some sets there made for the Rev. 1/570. So as soon as I can save up for it, I'll check out both places and see whats available. I hadn't thought of Gold Medal. And as for being a rivet counter, I am a card carrying member and recovering 'Advanced Modeler Syndrome' patient. :)

If i can get this boat going, at least with the preliminary wash up and painting, i'll be thrilled. My sister's cure: just dive right in!  Thanks again, Matt.   Shaun

If you're looking to go full on "detail master" on yours, I highly recommend hanging out over at the other site and lurk around for a while. There's an advanced search feature on the site where you can search JUST the model section. There's TONS of model info there. It might take a while to go through the info but, if you have no life (like me) then you'll be in great shape.

Matt

Shaun - I used the river counter site for most of the things I did here. The intention was to get some of my skills back before having a go at the Minicraft 1:350 Titanic. When I started the build, there were no 1:570 PE sets, but Tom's came out with one a few months in - that's the one I used. No progress to report, though I've only got decals and the Marconi wires left to go. Will get back to it and post the final pics soon; I've been distracted be the Flakpanzer and a 1:350 Trumpeter Dreadnought over the last month. The Minicraft is on my list to Santa, though, so more Titanic modeling may be on the docket for 2014...