Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Admiral Benbow on March 28, 2010, 01:21:30 PM
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From Wikipedia:
"The MV Liemba, formerly the Graf von Götzen, is a passenger cargo ferry that runs along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. The ship was built in 1913 in Germany, and was one of three vessels operated by the Germans to control Lake Tanganyika during the early part of World War I. It was scuttled by its captain on 26 July 1916 off the mouth of the Malagarasi river, during the German retreat from the town of Kigoma. In 1924 the ship was salvaged by a British Royal Navy salvage team and recommissioned in 1927 as the Liemba. The vessel is now owned by the Tanzania Railways Corporation and runs between the ports of Bujumbura, Burundi, Kigoma, Tanzania and Mpulungu, Zambia with numerous stops to pick up and set down passengers in between."
Some weeks ago I talked about a commission to build a tramp steamer for a gaming scenario in East Africa. As I had just finished reading the fantastic book "A Matter of Time" by Alex Capus, I researched the "Graf Goetzen" a bit further and suggested to build her for my customer. He happily agreed, and we decided to build the ship with separate guns to use it either as militarised or civic version.
Here's a historic photo of the ship and the 10,5 cm SK gun salvaged from the sunken "Königsberg" and mounted on the Goetzen:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_28_55_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_28_55_1.jpg)
And this is how the ship looks like today, one of the oldest working ships around:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_28_55_2.jpg)
When building a wargames model from an existing ship, the most important decision is to select what to realize, what to simplify and what to leave out at all. The customer wanted a ship fitting his gaming table, no longer than around 45 cm, so I decided to only build the front cabin and leave the second one out. I looked for pics of existing models of the Graf Goetzen and found quite a couple of those, for example the original shipyard's model and a another one showing it nicely from the side:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_28_55_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_28_56_4.JPG)
From the side view I could measure the proportions of the different sections, scale them down and transfered them to 3 mm polystyrene sheet. This was the ships bottom foundation:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_21_17_3.jpg)
When building a ship from plasticard, you usually would cut a lot of bulk sections and add decks and walls to them. To save time but still get a sturdy and level construction, I used two layers of 1 cm and a top layer of 3 cm foamboard (Styrodur), glued with a special foamboard glue.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_15_03_10_6_28_22.jpg)
Another benefit when working with foamboard is that you could shape nice curves and don't need to go for the traditional vertical stern sections so typical for wargames ship models. The Goetzen had an elevated stern section which reproduced quite nicely in foamboard. Top decks were added from 2 mm sheet and the first sidewall from 1 mm plasticard was glued to the sides with both foamboard glue and polystyrol cement, then clamped.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_21_17_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_21_17_2.jpg)
Walls were added, the cargo holds cut out and clad in plasticsheet and some metal shipdoors added. The portholes were carefully measured on the sheet and drilled out before the walls were glued on; after painting the holes will be filled with rivets simulating ship portholes. After a while, the ship was completely clad in plastic sheet and looked like this:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_21_17_0.jpg)
In the background you can see the cargo hold covers and start of the cabin. More next time soon!
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:o Even at that early stage it already look like a nice ship... looking forward the final result 8)
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Oh yeah, the Admiral's back. :)
Looking much forward to seeing that one finished. I'm currently considering building a model of the "Ulanga" or some steam sloops and towed barges to ferry my new German colonials around, but that'll probably have to wait till the summer, if I actually get around to doing it.
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Finally, Admiral builds something again :) I really looking forward for more!
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very promising already indeed
amazing idea with the portholes
You mean grommets I guess?
Ringösen?
prefabricated portholes are indeed pretty expensive...
and how did You mold the plasticard around the stern?
please let us see it before You "ship" it to customer :)
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What a challenge, looking forward to future posts.
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Back again with the latest pics. Yes, I know, that was fast ... :D
former user, you're correct, grommets or "Ringösen" will be used for the portholes. And concerning the plasticard around the stern, please have a look here:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_19_40_4.jpg)
There is only a small plasticard ring meeting the upper deck, used as a clean and smooth line. Everything else is spackle compound and other putties sanded smooth after drying. Three rounds of puttying and sanding were needed to get this result. After that I painted on two layers of acrylic paint to fill in the last scratches and get a smooth surface before undercoating the completed ship later.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_17_25_4.jpg)
The cabin was cut from 3 mm plywood, all the windows were cut out with a fretsaw, a very tedious job I didn't like at all. But cutting it from plasticard wouldn't have been easier ...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_19_40_2.jpg)
Upper cabin deck with basic construction for the sun-blind from steel wire, and the next pic shows the smokestack with steampipe and some detail parts from the shipmodeller's shop. For the smokestack I bought a cheap plastic pipe for cable covering from the DIY which will last for at least 20 more ships:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_17_25_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_19_40_0.jpg)
Current situation at the shipyard here:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_19_40_1.jpg)
And a box with some more goodies arrived from the Schiffsmodellbau-Onlineshop:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_27_03_10_2_17_24_0.jpg)
I'm still waiting for my order from Reviresco with the guns and more detail parts, really hoping the stuff will be usable and in good shape. Now working on the masts from brush handles and some deck railing using model railroad fences.
Will be back for the next instalment after some more progress.
Thanks for your interest and all the nice comments!
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What a cracking build :-* :-*
Nice to see you back and doing what you do best Admiral :)
cheers
James
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phew, what a piece of work!!
I can only admire the tenacity....
and I will shamelessly steal the porthole Idea for my future cruiser, that is a 1:72 model with too small portholes ;)
that is be converted to 28mm
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Awesome...these lifeboats, what scale they are?
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Alex, please have a look here:
http://www.schiffsmodellbau-onlineshop.de/Schiffsmodellbauzubehoer-Beiboot-110-mm-Bestellnummer=94=15 (http://www.schiffsmodellbau-onlineshop.de/Schiffsmodellbauzubehoer-Beiboot-110-mm-Bestellnummer=94=15)
These boats are not scaled, but their overall length is noted; so you're able to guess what model would suit your needs best. I choose the 110 mm variant. 7 Euros for such a detailed boat is a snap, isn't it? And the boat davids are even better ...
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what a treasure trove! thanks for the link, Michael!
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WOW this is a great build so far. :-* :-* :-*
Looking forward to seeing the progress.
Useful links as well. Thanks
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Tremendous :-* :-* :-*
Always a delight to be able to follow such a professional detailed thread
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So far it looks just great! 8) 8)
Cheers
Christopher
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The man's a genius! :-*
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:o :o :o :o :o
Fantastic work. I really enjoy seeing works in progress. Helps mere mortals like myself to appreciate the creativitiy of the project that much more. Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Hitman
8)
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This looks to be a great playing piece, with so much beautiful detail.
Thanks for sharing.
The site looks great too - wish there was a translation! o_o
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Good job and good find Admiral!
I can't wait to see the finished model.
From my experience, in order to find the correct fittings you have to check several suppliers, and find the correct ones (i.e. more beautiful for your purpose)
The site looks great too - wish there was a translation! o_o
Not quite necessary, there is a lot of pictures and with patience you can find whatever you want!
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WOW! Great work so far.
Cant wait for the next installment
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Admiral, you have a level of workmanship that I can only describe as inspiring. Thanks for sharing what looks to be another incredible project.
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Stunning work! I can't wait to see it finished and with it's crew aboard.
I bet Plynkes would love to have this model ;)
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I am very inspired by your work, keep it up 8)
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That's good work.
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Wonderful work from the hands of a true master modeller! :-*
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Some more details this time: deck railing added from model railroad fences, sun blind finished, some stairs and the masts added. The deck railing is in fact too low for a 28 mm figure standing behind, but on the other hand the ship looks more "in scale" with lower railings.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_31_03_10_7_25_47_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_31_03_10_7_25_47_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_31_03_10_7_25_47_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/93_31_03_10_7_25_47_0.jpg)
The Reviresco stuff has arrived and I'm not really impressed. The castings are definitely showing their age, some look quite crude. :( And if I order such stuff, I just only want to get intact pieces, not broken ones ... Grumbl, grumble >:( ... Anyway, I just hope painting will conceal most of the defects.
Will be away from home next week (for a well earned trip to Mallorca with my wife and son ... ;D ), so don't expect the next part too early.
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I have started working on a boat aswell so it is fun to see other projects aswell. Great work!
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Just beautiful. No other words to describe it. :-* :-* :-*
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Wonderful, Michael :-*
She won't be sailing to Kiel any time soon will she? ;)
Enjoy Mallorca. I'm off to the Algarve for a week tomorrow :)
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Wow, this is a great project. Incredibly clean build; like others, I can often be of the "hack about, then disguise the errors with paint and weathering" school of building!
Can't wait to see this progressing when you get back from your trip.
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Aah... Admiral Benbow + plasticard boat building = pure LAF thread joy. :-*
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Very beautiful!!
nothing more to say
have nice holidays with family
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Loving the wip. Thanks for sharing. :)
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Just beautiful. No other words to describe it. :-* :-* :-*
Fine! I'm glad you like it ... 8)
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Wonderful, Michael :-*
She won't be sailing to Kiel any time soon will she? ;)
Enjoy Mallorca. I'm off to the Algarve for a week tomorrow :)
Unfortunately I won't make it to Kiel as things stand, so ...
We are really excited flying to Mallorca on Saturday, I'm sure you will enjoy the Algarve as much as we will the sunny island.
:)
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After more than two weeks not working on the ship I finished the Goetzen now and it's ready for undercoating and painting. As requested I included parts for both merchant and military versions. First the tramp steamer:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_20_04_10_6_45_54_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_20_04_10_6_45_53_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_20_04_10_6_45_53_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_20_04_10_6_44_46_4.jpg)
And now the wolf among sheeps ...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_20_04_10_6_44_46_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_20_04_10_6_44_46_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_20_04_10_6_44_46_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_20_04_10_6_44_46_0.jpg)
Last picture shows the parts on their temporary base ready for undercoating. If the weather will stay sunny, I'll do that tomorrow. Next time we'll see some more colour on the ship.
:)
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Damn, you're a modelling God :)
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:-* You could play an entire game of Chaos in Cairo or .45 adventures on that thing!
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You forgot the grommets for the portholes :)
or changed the plan....
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You forgot the grommets for the portholes :)
or changed the plan....
... and paint around each one or mask them all for painting? No way, they will be added after painting, of course.
;)
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Words cannot hope to describe the sheer splendour of it.
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ah, wise decision - metal finish!
cool
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Wonderful.
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:o
I am speechless. This is simply beautiful. Congratulations.
Luikki
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Splendid, just splendid :D
cheers
James
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Just lovely! :-*
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:o Really really superb.
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:o that is beautiful :-* :-*
Justin
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Stunning. Can't wait to see it painted. Nice and rusty, I hope :)
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All hail The Master! :-* All hail The Master! :-* All hail The Master! :-*
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Dang ! There isn't much I can say.
But know that there is a large puddle of drool on the front of my straight jacket.
Astonishingly fine.
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Damn, you're a modelling God :)
lol lol
We're not worthy!
(http://spinoza1111.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/were-not-worthy1.jpg)
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Oh! :-*
Sex used to be as good as this.
lol You are very much showing your age, mate.
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I know it's slightly crude but I love that line by American singer Willie Nelson on his 75th birthday:
"I have outlived my dick".
...or as grandpa Mac once said: "I't nice to look at young girls but I can't for the life of me remember why."
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Can't say much more - beautiful. :-*
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That's just BRILLIANT 8)
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That is amazing! :o
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After nearly a month of real life activities and not much work on the ship I finally got it finished yesterday evening. After spray undercoating the Goetzen was painted partly by airbrush, but mostly by hand with acrylics, some ink washes and a bit of pastel weathering. Some parts were left separated to game with the ship in three versions. First we have the (more or less) standard civil tramp steamer version:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_10_37_4.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_10_37_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_10_37_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_10_37_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_10_37_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_09_01_4.jpg)
Next is the fully equipped armoured steamer, the scourge of Lake Tanganyika (or where ever else ...)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_09_01_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_09_01_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_09_01_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_09_01_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_06_44_4.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_06_44_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_06_44_2.jpg)
And finally, if you need more room on the ship for your men, just leave the lifeboats away and you could easily place a regiment or two ...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_06_43_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/93_27_05_10_4_06_43_0.jpg)
Apart from the already mentioned not-fixed parts like guns, lifeboats etc. I also did not finish the rigging. There are some rings on the masts to do that, but usually most gamers leave that out for easy of handling. Now the ship needs to get savely to its (hopefully) proud owner, not an easy task. Then on to the next one. 8)
By the way, yes, you can have such a ship for your collection, or a similar one. Please keep in mind that it won't be cheap, as at this level of detail it's quite time consuming. So please send me a pm only if serious about an order and your budget.
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Absolutely superb ;D :-*
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:o Simply perfect :-*
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There is so much about this ship that is wonderful.
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That is stunning!
And I really like the modular aspect of it. Being able to do more with less is what I have been trying to do with my terrain as well.
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Stunning :-* :-* :-*
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if this isn't excellent then I don't know what
some technicalities that might interest others too:
how did You "fix" the exchangeables? magnets or not at all?
and I couldn't see where and how the.... things that hold the lifeboats are fixed.
Rusting all with pastel powder?
and what is next? :) :D
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WOW :o :o :o :o Beautiful work Admiral
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Simply fantastic!!;D :o :-*
Christopher
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It has already been said (by many) but in this case it needs to be repeated;
This model is just fantastic!
I have followed the build from the start and have enjoyed reading about the construction. Now that it is finished I am so very much in awe as the amount of detail and character. I particularly love how you have built the ship to be modular and interchangeable.
Very well done.
Tony
http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/
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"And how did you plan to sink the Königin Luise?"
"Why, with torpedoes, of course!"
:-*
Marvellous, from the cleanliness of execution down to the last tiny detail.
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She's a beauty!
Well done, Admiral!
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Excellent Work. Id' like to order two :-*
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She's far too good to play games with. I'd end up breaking it :(
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:o Superb! Just superb! :-*
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Just beautiful. And practical. :-*
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Great work AB. Hopefully the new owner will display his new piece on the gaming table.
Helen
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:-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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if this isn't excellent then I don't know what
some technicalities that might interest others too:
how did You "fix" the exchangeables? magnets or not at all?
and I couldn't see where and how the.... things that hold the lifeboats are fixed.
Rusting all with pastel powder?
and what is next? :) :D
The separate parts have a brass pin glued underneath to put them into pre-drilled holes on the decks - simple but effective.
The lifeboat davids have the boats glued on and stand on small bases.
Weathering and rusting has been done with pastels indeed.
And "next" is probably the next ship ... 8)
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Great work AB. Hopefully the new owner will display his new piece on the gaming table.
Helen
Thanks much, Helen and all the others here, and I'm pretty sure the new owner WILL indeed show the ship in action this summer ...
:D
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How many ships have you now made Admiral? I'm just wondering how much work it takes to reach this level of skill.
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Your model is just Goreous, Benbow.
It rivals Richard Houston's best work, and that is a massive compliment.
Whatever the price you asked, it was a bargain.
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Really inspiring stuff. This thread somehow slipped under my radar, but great to read from start to finish. Fantastic
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A real top job, Admiral!
Any chance it'll show up at Crisis 10?
Rudi
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:-* :-* :-* :-* A new masterpiece of "REEDEREI BENBOW GMBH & CO. KG" :D
Yes my friend, I love it! Up - go - for the next ... ;)
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Gobsmackingly good :D
www.gallopingmajorwargames.com
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Up - go - for the next ... ;)
how about an overhaul of the "Luisenbrink"? ;) ;)
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Good to see the finished tub - tidy job Admiral!
8)
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A real top job, Admiral!
Any chance it'll show up at Crisis 10?
Rudi
Hi Rudi, as I built the ship for a customer, I doubt it will make it's way to the show. I should really build another one for my own, maybe ...
8)
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Wonderful!!!!
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That's really a wonderful creation.
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Wow, thats an amazing ship!
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Absolutely fantastic - what a superb model.
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Such excellence renders me inarticulate. Amazing; truly amazing, is all I can blubber...
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:o
Michael, das ist wirklich wieder mal ein Meisterwerk!!!
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:-* :o :-* :o :-* ;D :o :-* :o :-* :-*
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OMG, Museum Quality at the least!
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Can i ask which figures have been used for your German Sailors they are excellant
steve
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Thanks all for the nice comments! That will stimulate me for the next project ...
;)
Can i ask which figures have been used for your German Sailors they are excellant
steve
Hhm. That should be british naval brigade ..., but anyway, the sailors are by Mr. Copplestone (with some of my own hats).
:)
Admiral, (it is understood you are the king so I shall waste no time on plaudits)I have but 2 questions
1) when is the next ship being launched?
2)what will it be?
1) early July. I think I have to hurry up ... 8)
2) a dirty rotten belgian congo steamer. ;D
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2) a dirty rotten belgian congo steamer. ;D
"Well, you know, they DO share a border with... the Dutch."
I cannot wait to see this one.
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2) a dirty rotten belgian congo steamer. ;D
"Dirty rotten belgian", hé?
I've just informed our Crisis 10 security guards to take care of people with such opinions at the entrance of the con... lol
Rudi
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"Dirty rotten belgian", hé?
I've just informed our Crisis 10 security guards to take care of people with such opinions at the entrance of the con... lol
Rudi
lol lol
Glad to see you are keeping an eye on things ;)
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Sorry, you Belgians, I should have been more specific with my terms. What I really wanted to say was:
"Dirty rotten flemish congo steamer"
It won't happen again.
:D
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:-* :o :-* :o
A wonderful model!!
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That's amazing. You're an inspiring man, Admiral.
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Sorry, you Belgians, I should have been more specific with my terms. What I really wanted to say was:
"Dirty rotten flemish congo steamer"
It won't happen again.
:D
Glad you corrected yourself...
BTW, did I mention that the C10 security guys do carry automatic weapons?... lol
Rudi