Building of the USS Blunderbuss - 28mm aeronef

[Ray Rivers]

Well, I started with some definite things I want to see on the model, but in general  I'm just going with the flow.  Don't know how devastating that will turn out though.   

[Ray Rivers]

Working on the superstructure...

After the appropriate measuring, I have cut out two pieces to start my superstructure.  The first piece is the most important, as it will face directly forward, behind the gun.

The first thing I do is cut out three holes.  I tried using my exacto knife on the first, and broke the tip.     I blame that on my wife who was talking to me at the time.     I then use a more traditional method of drilling holes first and then cutting them out with the knife.

Here is a WIP shot:



I then glue in the portholes and door that I bought from Reviresco.  I have a bunch of spare metal spears which I then started hacking into little pieces to make bolts and a hinge for the door.  Once everything was glued in place, I took out my industrial file and had a go at the bolts to level them out a bit.

This is what it looks like now:



Extraordinary wouldn't you say!   

This piece of superstructure will require seven sides and two upper deck pieces on top of it.  Will get back to you when I've got this all pretty much sorted out.

Till then...

[Malamute]

Love that door

[Ray Rivers]

Well...

Finished constructing one part of the superstructure (tall ladders from Reviresco):



Now to glue it into the ship.

As an aside, I have been seeking a way to "measure" my progress.  I have decided on the number of spears I hack up to make bolts.

So far I am working on my third spear... 

[artshiraz]

Greetings
I like the work you have done so far, Ray. Love the idea about cutting up a Spear too (now why didn't I think of that?).
Will your Aeronef be Steampowered? Or working with Tandem Helium-Balloons? A mix of both and others??

Oh yes, and if you ever run out of Spears: Foundry Weapons

[Ray Rivers]

Cheers, mate!

She'll be steam powered.  And yes, the spears are leftovers from foundry ancients.

Hopefully I'll get all this stuff glued in tonight.

[Ray Rivers]

So...

I somehow managed to put it all together and into the ship, but I must admit my building skills leave a lot to be desired.  THERE WILL BE NO CLOSEUPS.  At least not yet.

Here she is, note the stairs are only placed into position (deck needs to be done still):





Pistols are standard issue.   

Upper deck is next.

Tootals!

[Calimero]

Looking better everytime you post new pictures... 

[Ray Rivers]

Looking better everytime you post new pictures... 

That's because you don't see it from my side of the camera... 

[gamer Mac]

Really starting to look the part Ray. Really coming together.

[Sinewgrab]

Yours is coming right along Ray. It is unfortunate that you are over in Europe, where we can't go to war at each others sides...after all, I am going to be a US vessel too.

[Trencher]

I like your work and how it's coming together. The only thing I don't like are the blobby and indistinct rivets on the doors, I would have replaced them prior to glueing the doors into place. Let's blame Reviresco for that! .
Other than that, it looks excellent. Keep it up!

[Malamute]

It gets batter everytime you add a new piece.

[argsilverson]

Looking better everytime you post new pictures... 

It gets batter everytime you add a new piece.

My comment, too!

[Ray Rivers]

My kid says it looks like something out of Star Trek!