Polish Pilot Boat

a superb little ship. she is looking great.


I really must get off my arse and do some to the ferry.
........... neil.

I've been working on the details so no posts for a day or two, but here is the latest update.
 

In addition to the superstructures, the hull bottom has had its first coat of paint. This was brushed as the weather is not conducive to spraying 



In addition, the mast has been shaped and stained and I also rubbed some stain into the deck.
Barrie

The bottom of the hull has had its second coat and the masking tape removed. There were a few places where this tape didn't stop the paint seeping, despite it being marketed as having a special paint stop coating  . 

A little judicious scraping with a scalpel blade has cleaned it up 

The hull has had one coat of Humbrol Satin Coat and will probably get another. The two superstructures have also been varnished. Some of the detail has been added, and a list of items still required produced. I do have some bollards which I bought earlier after measuring the drawing, but they look too big, so I will order some smaller ones, but this will have to wait as I go on holiday on Sunday.

Unseen, but I spent a long time connecting the servo to the rudder - not a lot of room for my big fingers   I also fitted a collet to the inboard end of the prop shaft as I'm using a flexible rubber coupling, and the motor is now ready for fixing. I think the major work remaining is concerned with the mast. It has a radio aerial extension, two lights to fit and the rigging still to be made. I also have to decide if I am going to fit an anchor which means drilling a hole in the bow blocks which are balsa and may not drill cleanly, so I haven't decided yet - I may just leave it on deck.
Of course. the other big job is to make and install the railings - there are quite a lot of them

Barrie

What a delightful model congratulations Barrie

Thanks Damien. I have added and painted some of the railings, made the light boxes and painted the lamps since the last photo. Off on hols now and will finish her when I return. 
I generally go for something a bit different, and am very pleased with how this one looks. I am toying with the stand-off TS Earnslaw from the Feb model boats, but would probably reduce it to 75%, to bring it nearer my 500 mm ideal. I figure that would make it 1/96 so still plenty of plastic figures available.

Barrie

I'm back - after a short holiday in Spain and the subsequent cold/cough picked up at the hotel   
As soon as I returned I ordered the final batch of parts required to finish this model, and they have sat in the workshop for a week until today. Most have been painted and quite a few fitted. The main jobs remaining are more railings and the mast. The mast is still giving me problems as it has quite a bit of rigging, but I really need to be able to remove the forward superstructure into which the mats mounts  .
At least I am back modelling

Barrie

Welcome back Barrie. 

Thanks Damien! I tackled the remaining railings today. There is still some work to do to tidy up the soldering, but they look reasonably even.



I have also been working on the rigging - and I remembered why I don't build galleons  This is what I've got so far. I think I can make it look respectable when its fitted to the boat - I hope so. I'm thinking of using hairspray to try to keep things in line.



Barrie

looking good Barrie

Almost there! I tidied up the railings and painted them. I also decided that I would never be satisfied with the rigging, so I have simplified it. I couldn't really see the point of the ratlines as there is no sail, and they wouldn't have allowed access to the mast lights and aerial. I need to cut some vinyl names and a couple more fittings to attach. I also have to make the fenders for bow and stern. These are made from rolled netting and supplied is white nylon netting which I don't think will be easy to change to brown or black, so I need to search out some alternative.
I need to get the test tank out so I can see how much ballast is required. I'm also a little worried I have got the water line wrong at the bows, so need to see how it floats.

Barrie

   Outstanding Barrie 

Thanks Damien. Final pictures now until she goes on the water. Lettering applied and bow and stern fenders made. The supplied mesh was white, but I found some brown in my spares box and used that. Its a little softer than that supplied, but I think it looks OK.
I still have to sort out the ballast and complete the electrical installation but its too cold today to set up the test tank outside. I might have known it would be cold today - its the Club's "Venetian Night", and its always miserable, but the clocks alter soon, so this is the last chance.

Barrie

  

looks really well in all white, wasn't sure at first but it is very nice  with brass port holes. .

david

Thanks David. I just followed the example on the box lid, but thought it looked quite smart.

Barrie