SS Olympic ** Finished **

[JohnRatzenberger]

Here's mine.







Splash built the Titantic version of this kit - mine has more lifeboats ... and guns ... and dazzle paint ... and no Leonardo

I have printed two copies, assembled my tools, glues, and stuff .... There is one section of parts that is to be cut out and glued to a backing card sheet before cutting the individual parts and I may do that so it will be good and dry by start day.

[SJPONeill]

Very nice, John, but my eyes cross just at the thought of all those tiny parts...

[JohnRatzenberger]

Well, I figure there will be lots of casualties in the lifeboats - the benny of paper is I just print another sheet and plow on, or space them slightly apart and no one will know some are missing

I did debate blowing it up 2x to 1/600 or even a bit more to 1/400 - either would make some PE aftermarket (railings) available .... but it's not something I can easily do at home, and the printed detail would become fuzzy .... I'm also concerned that I would have to add structural strength - in short moving from hobby to project ...

[splash]

Its a fun kit, unfortunately I only got as far as the top deck and stalled when it came to making the lifeboats, I built one then thought no there must be an easier way.

When you lay down the centre line, its a clever inverted "Y" design that only makes total sense when you start adding the bulkheads, when you suddenly realise that is insures all the Bulkheads are straight and vertical, so that the upper decks and ships sides all fit in place.

I found tacking the centreline down onto some thick card, using only half a dozen pin prick blobs of glue, will enable you to lift it off the temporary base once you have the decks and sides on and mount it on its final base at a later stage.

The only tricky bit I found apart from the lifeboats was the ships stern, but with care the card will bend into the complex curved shape and looks good.

Have fun and enjoy it.

Regards Splash

[Dirkpitt289]

I like it, but there sure are a lot of tiny lifeboats in that kit. Always makes my think of my 1/570 scale lit I'm building. Good luck Jon

[JohnRatzenberger]

I "cheated", as advertised earlier.

Today I laminated an extra layer onto the section of the part sheet with all the bulkheads. Now it will be ready for cutting on start day.

A "trick". For large laminations like this, the glue may cause the paper to roll and if the glue oozes out it'll stick to other things. I cut a sheet of wax paper twice the size, spread the glue thinly over the laminate, then stick on the part sheet. Then I fold the wax paper around and press it all under a few heavy books.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Got a meeting today - most of the day including travel .... actual start may be a bit slow ....

[Molly-new]

Good luck with all those tiny parts.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Bulkheads and center frame cut out. Working on next dozen or so pieces for when I start assembly.
Unfortunately I'm pretty much unavailable the next few days; I'm not going to try to take it along with me.

The guys in my club were really interested in the kit, so I have a cheering section over here.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Well, finally, some time at home and at the bench .... I said it would be a slow start ....



Here I am test fitting all the bulkheads, still have a bit of trimming to do, then I'll glue them in. I've got some quilters pins holding the frame down, straight, and spread - and I'll adjust if necessary as I glue each one.

I did download the Titanic sea base and will use it, but I'm not sure about the size - I may have to print a few percent smaller to get it right.

Anyway, some activity to show, now to catch up !

[SJPONeill]

Looks pretty square all the way around, John...

[Spearjig]

If you really want to go to town on the details you could try scratch building the lounge, plenty of references here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Swan ... c_fittings; and if you require any more info, I can always pop up to the place.

[JohnRatzenberger]

[splash]

It's looking good.

That inverted "Y" centre section makes it easy to align the bulkheads, it's a clever bit of design.

Regards Splash

[JohnRatzenberger]

Yes, I thought so also. I pinned down one long side, then tugged at the other one until the bow & stern pieces laid flat, then pinned it all in place - pretty straight, and I'll take any kinks out shortly when I go glue down the bulkheads.