SD14 Cargo ship 1:70 - Marcle Models

[Marco]

Well, working overseas in Nigeria has landed me in an apartment where I have the space to build and display this big, big model. I have already gotten as far as finishing the midsection (2 out of 3 sections), but I'll do a fairly detailed story-so-far first.

And even big ships have to start small!

[Marco]

Constructing the bottom plates, in a similar way as the steel plates of the original would be arranged.

[Marco]

Fitting the double bottom longitudinals and forward double bottom floors:

[Marco]

Fitting the double bottom floors. Had to do a little bit of cosmetic surgery, because I closed the keel gap between the forward floors...

[Marco]

More of the double bottom floors. Note the lightening holes in floor 133 and 134. These would be in all the floor in the original ship.

[Marco]

I have now installed the rest of the double bottom floors, and the tank top longitudinals:

[Marco]

Making and fitting the double bottom:

[Marco]

Making the bow section:

[Marco]

Making the watertight bulkhead and box girders:

[B-Manic]

That's pretty remarkable. Just like a real ship is built.

[eibwarrior]

This is an incredible kit. Wow, it's going to be really big.

The design is very similar to real ship's design. Quite intriguing.

I've never seen anything from this designer before, so I'll watch with great interest. You're doing a great job on her thus far Marco.

[elliott]

This is a build thread I've wanted to see for some time. You've put a great deal of work into this already. What kind of glue are you using Marco?

[Marco]

The tween deck and frames:

[Marco]

Continuing on the tween deck and the frames:

[Marco]

This is a build thread I've wanted to see for some time. You've put a great deal of work into this already. What kind of glue are you using Marco?

Hi Elliott,

I'm using a very standard acetone-based glue, and for some of the finer frames I occasionally use cyanoacrylate. The manila cardstock, despite being quite heavy, is very straightforward to work with.

Cheers,
Marco

[Marco]

This is an incredible kit. Wow, it's going to be really big.

The design is very similar to real ship's design. Quite intriguing.

I've never seen anything from this designer before, so I'll watch with great interest. You're doing a great job on her thus far Marco.

I've looked around for similar kits, but as far as I know this is really a one-of-a-kind kit. It's quite fascinating to build it, because of the very authentic design.

[Marco]

More frames, and construction of the tween deck:

[Marco]

Tween deck cargo hatches and the bow structure:

[Marco]

Starting on the upper deck:

[Marco]

"Welding" the frames to the upper deck beams, and placing the forward frames:

[Marco]

The upper deck:

[Marco]

The forecastle:

[lehcyfer]

Very interesting build.

You really are a shipbuilder :)

[Marco]

Start of the hull plating:

[Don Boose]

I had heard of this model and seen some photos on the Internet. I am glad to actually see one being built step by step. Very impressive!

Don

[Marco]

Hull plating. I wanted to make the seams between the hull plates less obvious, and started covering them before I paint the hull.

[Marco]

More of the hull plates. Here I was working out the nicest configuration to open the hull on one side.

[Marco]

And the last of the hull plates:

[Marco]

An overview of the bow section sofar:

[Marco]

I started painting the hull:

[Marco]

The anchor winch:

[Marco]

Further painting and details of the forecastle:

[Marco]

Finishing the forecastle, and starting on the mast house:

[Marco]

The deck of the forward mast house with vents and winches, and the mast itself:

[Marco]

The rest of the forward mast house, the mast, and the railings from the Zeist Bouwplaten Laserteile set. The bow section is almost finished....

[2Kamser]

just out of curiosity
how many hours have you put into the ship up to this point in the postings?

[Marco]

And the bow section is finished! The middle section will follow soon. And just a photo with myself for scale with this big model.

[Marco]

just out of curiosity
how many hours have you put into the ship up to this point in the postings?

Just a guess... I'd say the bow section would have taken at least 200 hours, but I haven't really kept track.

[2Kamser]

understandably :)
i would also give that up at around say 175 hours :P
i'm very impressed at your work, what kind of paper is this built off?

[Marco]

understandably :)
i would also give that up at around say 175 hours :P
i'm very impressed at your work, what kind of paper is this built off?

It's a fairly heavy manila cardstock, I think it's 220 grams. But it's not particularly difficult material to work with.

[2Kamser]

I think i'll stick to the simpler ones :)
just began modeling i january so i'm very much a beginner still

[Michael Mash]

This looks like an awfully big card model. Very interesting with that brown frame. This may be the first one on this site comming out of Nigeria. Nice work.
Mike

[Papercut]

Hello Marco, have followed your build on the German Papermodel Forum. You have came along way since I returned to see what progress you have made. If you do not mind I will give a little history about what you are building, so the guys here will know just what a great subject and massive model you are building. As all already know, this is a Cargo Ship of a design from the early 70's. This thing is massive and maybe Marco will give the size later, I did know but have forgotten. I believe 63" long and 12" wide, if incorrect please advise Marco. The reason for this ship model, it was a tool that Fireman would use to be familiar with the layout of the ship to fight fires on-board. To do this the quickest way, have them build the ship. Ergo, one massive paper ship model for them! The kit is available from Germany, but be prepared to shell out a wad, kit is $500.00 + ship:eek: the last time I checked. The first time I saw this beast, I wanted one, but alas I just can not exchange that much paper for paper.:rolleyes: Again, glad to have you here and look forward to more postings from you Marco. Cheers, Rick

[Marco]

Hello Marco, have followed your build on the German Papermodel Forum. You have came along way since I returned to see what progress you have made. If you do not mind I will give a little history about what you are building, so the guys here will know just what a great subject and massive model you are building. As all already know, this is a Cargo Ship of a design from the early 70's. This thing is massive and maybe Marco will give the size later, I did know but have forgotten. I believe 63" long and 12" wide, if incorrect please advise Marco. The reason for this ship model, it was a tool that Fireman would use to be familiar with the layout of the ship to fight fires on-board. To do this the quickest way, have them build the ship. Ergo, one massive paper ship model for them! The kit is available from Germany, but be prepared to shell out a wad, kit is $500.00 + ship:eek: the last time I checked. The first time I saw this beast, I wanted one, but alas I just can not exchange that much paper for paper.:rolleyes: Again, glad to have you here and look forward to more postings from you Marco. Cheers, Rick

Hi Rick, good to hear from you. The finished model will be about 7 feet (210 cm) long, but I will provide more accurate measurements later. Indeed the model consisted originally designed by Capt. George Robinson as just the bow section, which was used as a training tool for firefighters, but the model met with such an enthusiastic reception that it was later followed by the rest of the ship.
It is indeed quite an expensive model (comes in six A3 boxes, 3 books of instructions and a toolkit), but I have not regretted for a single moment spending the money. Also, I was lucky enough to order the model directly through it's publisher (http://www.marcle.co.uk/sd14.htm) at a time when the Pound to Euro exchange rate was in my favour :D.

[elliott]

Hi Marco,

Most impressive work! I'm just wondering what on earth you plan to do with the ship after you complete it. Will you donate it or do you perhaps plan to sail home in it? ;)

[Marco]

Hi Elliott,

I'm not quite sure about that one.... I'd rather not expose it to piracy in the Nigerian seas ;)! This is going to be a difficult one to bring back to the Netherlands eventually, though a wooden crate for it could probably be made. Otherwise I will indeed donate it to one of the international schools in Lagos. I still have over 3 years to sort the problem out!

[Marco]

...and catching up with the middle section. Starting with the bottom plates. And this section will be big again...

[Marco]

Preparing all the parts for the double bottom floor. There are a lot of them! The method of cutting the slits with a double blade works very well.

[Marco]

I have now started on building the double bottom:

[Marco]

Cutting all the double bottom floors is quite a bit of work... I'm first installing every fifth floor beam to get the structure straight, before filling in the rest. I'm also preparing part of the double bottom that I will leave open.

[Marco]

More of the double bottom floors:

[Marco]

And the tank top longitudinals:

[Marco]

Fitting the lower deck plates:

[B-Manic]

WOW - that thing is a monster!!!

[Marco]

Going 3D on the middle section: the watertight bulkheads.

[smyfe]

Marco, what an absolutely superb build, you are doing a great job. One thing i notice is, i think you are going to need a bigger building table:D
best wishes
Mick

[Marco]

The start of the interior painting, and joining the middle double bottom with the forward section:

[Marco]

Marco, what an absolutely superb build, you are doing a great job. One thing i notice is, i think you are going to need a bigger building table:D
best wishes
Mick

Probably! The ship will probably just fit on the table once the aft section is joined, but I'm running out of space for tools!

[Marco]

The longitudinal and transverse box girders:

[Marco]

Web frames and tween deck transverse beams:

[Marco]

The rest of the tween deck transverse beams:

[Marco]

Frames. Lots of frames:

[Marco]

Plating the tween deck:

[Marco]

Tween deck cargo hatches:

[Marco]

The upper deck box girders:

[Marco]

Upper deck longitudinals and transverse beams:

[Marco]

The remainder of the upper deck transverse beams:

[Marco]

The upper deck plates:

[Marco]

Shell plating and bilge keel, starboard side:

[Marco]

Shell plating and bilge keel, port side:

[2Kamser]

looking at the size of this one
i just can't help wondering:
just how big an aircraft carrier - like the Nimitz would be in this 1:70 scale, and together with a bunch of same scale aicrafts :eek:
just wondering (and skipping ahead) how far have you got with it sofar, have you started the aft section allready?
/Håkan

[Marco]

I started painting the section, and working on the cargo hatch coamings at the same time:

[Marco]

The rest of the hull paint and the cargo hatch coamings:

[Marco]

looking at the size of this one
i just can't help wondering:
just how big an aircraft carrier - like the Nimitz would be in this 1:70 scale, and together with a bunch of same scale aicrafts :eek:
just wondering (and skipping ahead) how far have you got with it sofar, have you started the aft section allready?
/Håkan

Not only huge, but it would require a very large room, and I suppose at some stage a very understanding partner!
I'm nearly up to my current building state, just a few more photos.

[Marco]

The after mast house:

[eibwarrior]

Wow this cargo ship is huge! It looks really good Marco. The realism of construction is amazing.

As for the carrier, I've seen a 1/72 Enterprise that a gentleman spent 19 years building. It was over 16' long and 5' wide. See here at this link: USS Enterprise CVN-65 by Gabriel Suranyi (http://www.carrierbuilders.net/gallery/20070318_USS_Enterprise_1-72/20070318_USS_Enterprise_1-72.htm)

Just recently donated to a naval aviation museum as the guy is moving into a retirement community and can no longer keep it. I would like to have taken it off his hands, but I doubt that even in sections I could have gotten it up the stairs to my bonus room. It was a thought though.

http://www.carrierbuilders.net/gallery/20070318_USS_Enterprise_1-72/2%20-starboard%20complete.jpg

[Marco]

The cargo hatches:

[Marco]

And this concludes the middle section, and this is as far as I got with posting it (before the Germans blew up their own site...). Fresh material will come in from now, and at a slower pace ;)

[Marco]

Wow this cargo ship is huge! It looks really good Marco. The realism of construction is amazing.

As for the carrier, I've seen a 1/72 Enterprise that a gentleman spent 19 years building. It was over 16' long and 5' wide. See here at this link: USS Enterprise CVN-65 by Gabriel Suranyi (http://www.carrierbuilders.net/gallery/20070318_USS_Enterprise_1-72/20070318_USS_Enterprise_1-72.htm)

Just recently donated to a naval aviation museum as the guy is moving into a retirement community and can no longer keep it. I would like to have taken it off his hands, but I doubt that even in sections I could have gotten it up the stairs to my bonus room. It was a thought though.

http://www.carrierbuilders.net/gallery/20070318_USS_Enterprise_1-72/2%20-starboard%20complete.jpg

I am sure that the museum that received this was very, VERY grateful. The realism and detail is unbelievable - what effort and dedication has gone in this ship!

[Michael Mash]

This cargo ship is a monster. I really like the construction detail.
Mike

[redhorse]

Thanks much for getting us up to date on this! I've been wanting to see a build on this for a long time, and you're doing a great job.

[Marco]

Mike, Jim, thanks a lot! Building photos of the aft section will start coming in soon.

[Marco]

The start of the aft section. I've painted and varnished the bottom plates before building, so I don't have to turn the model upside down later. And next are the double bottom longitudinals and floors:

[Golden Bear]

Man, that is one big ship, Marco. Thanks for the updates.


Carl

[Marco]

Tank top longitudinals, shaft bearings and double bottom plates. The most forward plates are put in place after the aft section bottom is joined to the rest of the ship.

[redhorse]

That is a very neat looking prop and prop-shaft. Is there an engine room on this model? I need to buy it if there is :D

[Papercut]

Like the prop, is this the one that mounts with the ship. Looks like made from brass as all props should be! Build is outstanding.:DRick

[Marco]

That is a very neat looking prop and prop-shaft. Is there an engine room on this model? I need to buy it if there is :D

It doesn't come with any engine or other interior details, still looking if I can find some details for it myself. Suggestions are very welcome!

Like the prop, is this the one that mounts with the ship. Looks like made from brass as all props should be! Build is outstanding.:DRick

The model itself doesn't come with a prop, so I got a good brass one myself. It's 70 mm, so pretty close to scale to the original prop of 485 cm.

[Marco]

Is anybody aware of any models (freebies or commercial) that contain a ship engine? At the moment I have nothing planned for the interior of the engine room, but it would be very nice to have an engine in there. Pumps and other fittings I can find and upscale from other models, but I've not been able to find any suitable engine.

Thanks!
Marco

[birder]

Incredible!!

[Papercut]

Incredible!!Ditto.:DRick

[Marco]

The number 6 watertight bulkhead, and the engine room floors:

[Thanh Thuy]

Always giant!

Thanh Thuy.

[eibwarrior]

Detail and size are just overwhelming Marco.

Magnificent! Just curious... How many tubes of glue have you gone through to this point? This thing is a materials eating monster.

[Michael Mash]

The scope of this project is imressive. And your images are nice and clear. Good camera work.
Mike

[silveroxide]

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire! Will you be able to lift it when you get done?

[Marco]

Thanks! I haven't really kept track, but I think I must have used about 400 ml of glue by now. Lifting it is indeed becoming more difficult, but I can still get a pretty stable grip on the interior box girders.
Cheers,
Marco

[Marco]

The number 5 cargo hold frames and floor. Next is the stern, which is built as a pre-fab piece, and later fitted to the ship.

[Gil]

Marco,

I only see one problem Marco, after building the SD-14 building any other scale with any less detail will be kind of, "oh well". . . ,

+Gil

[Marco]

Marco,

I only see one problem Marco, after building the SD-14 building any other scale with any less detail will be kind of, "oh well". . . ,

+Gil


Hmm, I've already got a few beautiful unbuilt 1/250 ships from HMV on my shelf, and they have never disappointed me before! I also have the GPM Leopold Railway Gun and Fly Models' Regulus trawler, which look like excellent challenges. But first, I may upscale some of the details, such as hut interiors and lifeboat fittings, from the Regulus kit onto the SD-14 to take the detail a step further from the original kit.

[Michael Mash]

You have an abundance of good clear images there Marco. It really shows your work well. What is interesting to me about this build is the extensive use of formers and crossmembers in each unit. It really gives the hull an authentic appearance. And of course, the size of project lends itself to this type of construction. Nice work.
Mike

[Marco]

You have an abundance of good clear images there Marco. It really shows your work well. What is interesting to me about this build is the extensive use of formers and crossmembers in each unit. It really gives the hull an authentic appearance. And of course, the size of project lends itself to this type of construction. Nice work.
Mike

Yes, all the structural detail is very elaborate. All in all I'd say that building this ship has become quite a nice way to study 20th century shipbuilding technique.

[Marco]

Further attachment and build-up of the stern section, and installing the box girders and their supporting frames:

[Marco]

And the upper deck longitudinals and transverse beams. Initially there was a little too much slack in the longitudinals, but after building up all the beams this was sorted out.
I'll be on vacation from tomorrow onwards, so no new photos for a little while!

[Michael Mash]

If this project was not sitting on a table, one would almost think he was looking at the skeleton of a full size cargo ship. Looks like all the modules fit together nicely.
Mike

[Marco]

Back from a few weeks leave!
Here are the frames of the aft section. After I fit the deck plates and part of the hull plates I will open up two sections again.

[eibwarrior]

Wow Marco. Well worth the wait for those pictures.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed in this beast? I'm sure you do at times.

This is an incredible kit, and you're doing a magnificent job.

[Papercut]

The more you build, the more I want one, just do not know where I would put after building. But boy, that has got to be the neatest card model I have ever seen, heck, the best ship model I have seen. I agree, after building, you will have a keen understanding of Cargo Ship construction. Great job.:DRick

[Stev0]

What an incredible piece. A great display item too!

[Marco]

Eibwarrior: I'm currently working on the plating on the side of the hull, and now that I have to turn the model on its side frequently, I'm very much reminded of her size! Still, it's on of the most enjoyable builds I've ever done.

Rick: though the cost of this model is quite prohibitive, I'd say that by the number of hours of fun I'm having with it, it's actually not even that expensive anymore.

Stev0: I've already got a place on top of the wardrobe in the entrance lobby of my apartment in mind, that should get her noticed!

[jagolden01]

Marco, I've been following this thread. Your build is fantastic!
I really don't know what else to say.
Intriguing and fascinating do come to mind.

[Marco]

The upper deck plates, the bilge plates and the start of shaping the propeller post. I wasn't happy with the spacing and strength of the frames of cargo hold #5, and installed a few support strips.

[eibwarrior]

I'm just simply awe-struck at not only the size of this model, but the layers of detail and assembly.

If I sound like a broken record I apologize. This is just an incredible project!

[Marco]

The sheer strakes, and plating the hull. Except for the overlapping bilge plates all plates are butt joined, and the white paper strips are used to get a smoother finish, the same as I've done for the bow section. I've also opened up the two sections on the starboard side.

[Marco]

And one of the more tricky bits: shapping the stern section. Softening and fitting the cardstock with white glue worked well. The aft section is now ready for priming, some plastering and trimming where necessary, and painting.

[Michael Mash]

The stern is comming together nicely. And that propeller is impressive.
Mike

[Marco]

The start of the paint job, the rudder and the bulwarks.

[Marco]

The rest of the hull painting, the #5 cargo hatch, and some of the deck fittings.

[Michael Mash]

I didn't realize, at this scale, what a huge amount of painting is required. Those green decks really stand out against that red hull. Nice work.
Mike

[Marco]

Hi Mike, thanks! I've already used an entire 750ml can of grey primer on the ship, especially the cargo holds, and a fair bit of other paint too. I picked the colour scheme from John Lingwood's book and some of the photos I saw on the internet. I initially tried the white waterline band as was used by the Australind shipping company, but later decided against it for a more generic colour scheme. I've also briefly thought of the option of mixing the green deck paint with fine sand to replicate the non-slip surface texture, but this turned out to be completely impractical.

[2Kamser]

the word that springs to mind is - IMPRESSIVE - beautiful, just beautiful - real museum quality right there
/Håkan

[smyfe]

Marco, this masterpiece needs to be in a museum when it is finished, it's a work of art :eek:. Your patience and skill certainly show through with this build.
Best wishes
Mick

[Marco]

The bulwarks, the aft deck fittings and the after deck house. I'm more or less ready to get started on building up the crew accommodations and bridge.

[Barry]

That is a breath taking build

[Papercut]

My hat off to you sir, the ship is just breath taking.:DRick

[Marco]

Thanks for the compliments, people!
I've started on the crew accommodations. I haven't yet figured out yet how to open up and paint the accommodations, but I'll try and get some basic furniture in there, and get the corrugated effect on the outside, which is typical for the SD-14.

[doctormax]

wow marco this model is some major work of art no doubt about that.

[doctormax]

your the ship builder I know so have a question. I am going a trireme that is 740mm long at its widest it is over 240mm wide so heres the thing what thickness should i do formers to in a design. i have this feeling if i do them to thin the model will warp or worse. so is there a rule for thickness of formers to width and length?

[eibwarrior]

Wow, just when I think this kit has topped out on detail, another layer comes through. This is amazing Marco. Wonderful job putting all together by the way.

It's really amazing how incredible this build is becoming.

Museum quality doesn't even touch it.

[Michael Mash]

Great work Marco. Furniture in the crew's quarters should keep you busy for a while. At this scale, you may even want to set the table for dinner.
Mike

[mesti]

Hello.
Nice model, and very nice work. Where do you purchase the model?

[Marco]

Mesti: I bought it directly through Marcle Models (www.marcle.co.uk (http://www.marcle.co.uk)), and Moduni (www.moduni.com (http://www.moduni.com)) also sells this ship.

[Marco]

Great work Marco. Furniture in the crew's quarters should keep you busy for a while. At this scale, you may even want to set the table for dinner.
Mike

I'm going to give it a try! I have scanned and enlarged some interior parts of Fly Model's Regulus trawler, and just drew a few simple beds, doors and washing machines in CorelDraw, so I'll go and try a few rooms this weekend.

[Marco]

your the ship builder I know so have a question. I am going a trireme that is 740mm long at its widest it is over 240mm wide so heres the thing what thickness should i do formers to in a design. i have this feeling if i do them to thin the model will warp or worse. so is there a rule for thickness of formers to width and length?

I have a bit of an intuitive approach to it, but I tend not to overdo it. If the model has a fairly "solid" interior frame, such as JSC's triangular keelpiece and/or bulkheads that are connected by longitudinal parts along the length of the ship I tend to stick with the normal cardstock. But with GPM models for instance, which require glueing the formers from templates, I have found it useful to make the formers slightly thinner than their recommended 1 or 2 mm. Note that two pieces of regular cardstock glued together properly have quite some strength to them.

[mesti]

Thanks Marco for the advice.

[Marco]

Here's a bit more of the crew accommodation, and the first inside furnishings I've tried. The first rooms I've tried were double bunk bedrooms, small storage rooms and the laundry. On the bridge deck level it will be the officer mess room and the chief officer bedroom.

[redhorse]

The interior looks great!

[Greg S.]

This kit is incredibly detailed! Excellent work!

[Clashster]

Great work! How about some little paper clothes for the washer/dryer? Love the little details. Look forward to your progress!

[Marco]

My best find at the IPMS Euro Scale Modelling day in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands: a re-issue of an old model of a Stork ship engine! I'll re-scale this, and fit it in the engine room soon. Still in The Hague at the moment and going on a business trip to South Africa soon, but I'll be building again soon!

[Marco]

I'm creating a small building report for the ship engine: http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/other-builds/6071-stork-diesel-ship-engine.html

Meanwhile, a little bit more of the interior.

[Michael Mash]

This project is setting some fine standards for interior detail.
(You have some room to work with in there)
Mike

[Marco]

The engine is in, back to building the ship. Here are also some of the first figures, using a 1:72 plastic tank crew with my own paint scheme.

[Barry]

A very remarkable build the engine adds to it even more.

[Marco]

Building up the boat deck, and trying to get the corrugated plating effect on the sides. Although not exactly pretty, it's one of the typical features of the SD-14.
Also, I don't much like the lifeboats provided with the kit, so I've enlarged the lifeboats of Fly Model's Regulus 1:100 fishing trawlers, and I think they well go well with this ship.

[birder]

That is some build you have going! I hope some museum or similar to display this one:). Is remarkable in scale and cross section details Marco

[Don Boose]

It is a remarkable build. Your clear photos and narrative are most instructive to anyone interested in how ships are built.

Don

[Marco]

The rest of the boat deck, and the ship's bridge, with interior:

[Clashster]

Incredible! Wow is about all I can say!!!

[Marco]

The lifeboats and davits were scanned from the 1:100 "Regulus" fishing trawler model and enlarged - the SD-14 model comes with much simpler lifeboats and no davits.

[eibwarrior]

I'm just awe-struck by the details of this model. It's almost infinite in detail. You're doing a masterful job Marco, just masterful.

It gives me a whole new appreciation for cargo vessels.

[Michael Mash]

Hello Marco:
Nice work on those lifeboats.
They stand out with that "orange" high visibility paint.
Mike

[Papercut]

Hello Marco, I have followed you thru this build from the other site to your posting here. I am impressed to say the least at your ability to stay at it and build this truly monster ship that is a true beauty. As if that were not enough, you added all the extras from engine to life boats from other kits. Where ever this piece of art is put, it will turn heads. My only question is now, whats next after this! Your friend Rick

[Marco]

Hi Rick and everyone else, thanks for your kind remarks! Depending on how much work will go into the cargo cranes, the show may be over in another few weeks. I've got a sizeable stack of unbuilt models with me here, so I'm spoiled for choice. It may be the Shipyard's Santa Maria with the lasercut parts and wooden and metal parts, or I may build something small until Christmas, because the DVD with the Saturn V + launch tower + crawler transporter is currently underway from Japan to the Netherlands. Alternatively, I'll go into wood for a little while and make Amati's Dutch windmill, which I've also taken to Nigeria.

[Marco]

The roof of the bridge, the funnel, and the lifeboats in their final location:

[Marco]

So, here are the last of the paper parts - the derrick posts, cargo winches, mast and ladders. That makes a total of 184 A3 sheets in this model. I still have to make the cargo cranes, so the ship is not finished yet. Also, I got the lasercut railings on the accommodation block.

[Marco]

The cargo cranes are the last parts...she is finished! Show's over, thank you for watching! I'll post some pictures of the finished ship in a few moments.

[rnyss]

this is like a real ship being built. I'd love to see what the end result is.

[Marco]

And here are the photos of the finished ship. She's 214 cm long, 31 cm wide and 55 cm high, and weighs in just under 5 kg. Small problem: the ship is too big for the intended place in the entrance lobby of my place, so she's now in the living room.

[Clashster]

Incredible work, Marco! Yeah, seems to be a monster for display!

[Barry]

It is a superb job and great to watch the build.

[B-Manic]

Fantastic Marco. A great build, well documented. I really enjoyed following along. Thanks for sharing.

[Thomas Meek]

Marco,

That ship has to be some kind of ultimate challenge for a ship modeller, and you have accomplished it with such aplomb that it gives me a lump in my throat every time I think of it.

It has been fascinating to watch it take shape under your gifted hands. Your own additions to the already detailled kit, like furniture and the engine have made it totally outstanding.

Congratulations, and Thank You for sharing the build with us. It is a superb model and you have done an absolutely superb job of building it.

[Marco]

It's been my pleasure to post my efforts here, and thank you all for your encouragement and advice!

[Michael Mash]

Congratulations on completing your ship Marco. It has been a pleasure to watch you put this together. Considering the size of the project, you made quick time of it.
Mike

[ineke van hattum]

Fantastisch wat je gebouwd hebt. Die ene foto waarmee je zelf met het schip in je handen staat, laat goed zien hoe groot dit schip is.
Begin volgend jaar kom ik zelf bij je kijken hoe het schip er in "levende lijve" uitziet. Grandioos!

[Hubert BOILLOT]

A frequent visitor but rare poster, I have been following this build with great interest. Fantastic work Marco ! Congratulations on a truly inspirational major achievement.

Hubert.

[DavidESP]

I have followed the build since it started and this has been a lecture in model ship building from the beginning. I hope my builds are half as good as this one. Good day.

[Papercut]

:DMY HAT IS OFF TO YOU. What an impressive build and end result. The photo of you standing/holding the ship conveys the true size of this piece of work, well done, and I for one hope to see anything you build posted here, your family now and do not want to lose touch with our friend on the other side of the world.:DRick

[redhorse]

What a great job! Thanks for posting the build, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

[2Kamser]

AWSOME STUFF :D
like the others i have really enjoyed this thread
you could almost do a "book" of this build with all the exellent pics and narrative text :cool:
must be sort of hard to let go now that it's finished, like the moon walkers i would ask myself - "what next"
so we are probably asking you - "what next" what can top this one
any part of this thread is POTW stuff
i for myself wish i have the stamina and skill to one day do something like this
all hats are off for you
(by the way, did i spot some IKEA furniture?, being swedish they kinda look familliar :D:D )
best regards Håkan

[eibwarrior]

Simply incredible Marco. I'm speechless.

One of the Top 3 builds of 2009 in the ships forum. Definite future POTW. Got my vote and I'm sure several others.

[Marco]

POTW would of course be very, very cool! At the moment I'm doing a wooden windmill as an inbetween model, still contemplating the next paper model. Still can't decide between:
- Shipyard's lasercut Santa Maria
- Apollonia's 1:87 LUT, Saturn V and crawler transporter - the DVDs are waiting for me in the Netherlands, will print them out during my Christmas break. It will however be very hard to deliver something as good-looking as George_b's LUT build.
- Betexa's Prague Castle. Same as the SD-14: I finally have the space to build this now.
- Scaldis' MS Willem Ruys - part of their excellent series of historic Dutch ships
- In fact I have a huge pile of paper models with me in Nigeria...

...and yes, there is definitely a fair bit of Ikea furniture in my apartment! Ikea Delft was even kind enough to deliver directly to the shipping company that brought my stuff to Nigeria.

[2Kamser]

haha, i knew it, have some of them myself - then you can fill them with papermodel CD's

[Marco]

Searching through John Lingwood's book, I found that my SD14 mostly resembles ship #881, launched in 1972 by the Austin & Pickersgill Ltd. Southwick Shipyard in Sunderland as "Sacha" for Northern Star Navigation Corporation, Monrovia, Liberia. There are a few differences, and whoever can spot most can come collect a crate of beer in Lagos, Nigeria ;)!

[Zathros]

What a fantastic work. Do you have children? It would be very educational for kid tosee how a ship is built and what perseverance can make one achieve. Make a glass case for it. It deserves the protection for the generations of yours and other family members and people that will enjoy it.

[Yu Gyokubun]

Skipping work I have gone through your thread. Very fantastic work and the frame work is what I have been seeking for.
Looking forward to seeing your next build

[Marco]

In the coming months I'll see if making a crate to ship this monster is a viable option. Storing it at home may be a bit of a problem, although there may be an interested museum out there somewhere. If not, I'll eventually donate it to one of the international schools here when I have to move locations again.

[goros]

Hello Marco, this is my first post in this forum, maybe a little late; excuse my english, I´m spanish an not used to speak english; but I have this SD14 model since 2003, I built the forward part 5 years ago, then stopped for a long time, and now I´ve finished midpart by last 3 months. I´ve learnt much from your pics and messages, but I think my model will not be so complet and detailed. I would like to ask you about the lasercut complements, I cannot find wich forum page did you talk about it; di you know about any other people making this model now? thanks for your help and congratulations for the "launch"
Juan Gorostidi

[Marco]

Hi Juan,
First of all: welcome to the forum! Good to know you're also working on the Big One.
About the lasercut railings: they are available from Zeist Bouwplaten (- Zeist Bouwplaten - Import, verkoop, ontwerp en productie van papieren schaalmodellen, maquettes en bouwplaten (cardmodels), Modelbouw, Rietveld cutoutmodels (http://www.zeistbouwplaten.nl/)). Check under shipping/merchant shipping, or just contact them directly about it.
Recently another SD-14 was in fact completed as well. A gentleman in Austria had been working on it and stopped for some time, but he has recently also completed a very beautiful ship. His photos can be found with our German neighbours at: Kartonmodell-Forum | Schiffahrt | Frachtschiff SD 14 Weiterbau (http://www.kartonmodell-forum.net/forum/thread.php?threadid=6030)
All the best!
Marco

[Gil]

Thank you for the wonderful build Marco. It really is a remarkable model well executed.

Though I'm wondering where the small scale bottle of champagne is that was used to launch it?

+Gil

[goros]

Thanks Marco, and good luck with your new model

[doctormax]

Searching through John Lingwood's book, I found that my SD14 mostly resembles ship #881, launched in 1972 by the Austin & Pickersgill Ltd. Southwick Shipyard in Sunderland as "Sacha" for Northern Star Navigation Corporation, Monrovia, Liberia. There are a few differences, and whoever can spot most can come collect a crate of beer in Lagos, Nigeria ;)!


Tempting for a few creates of Star Lager :) Well done Marco looks good

[Marco]

I've improvised a box for the SD-14, so it seems I'll be able to get her out of Nigeria:

[kevin 547n]

Did she ever get to her destination

[Marco]

Did she ever get to her destination

Yep, she's now in the Netherlands. I will have to do some minor repairs, but generally in good shape.

[papersurprise50]

Marco ;
I had started following a build of this ship over a year ago I believe or maybe two .Was that you ? If not ,it doesn't matter .If I could afford her I would get rid of all my plastic stuff - Really ! You have done an awesome job .Now , I am looking for the Willem Ruys .(" Achille Lauro " ) Again darned fine job .That picture sure shows what will be and is an awesomly Huge and gorgeous model .. I laud your talents . Papersurprise 50

[Didier]

What a tremendous job you did. You deserve a lot of awadrs for it and your tenacity. Congratulations !

Didier

[Marco]

Thank you! The model will be on display at the Euro Scale Modelling in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands on October 25th. ESM (http://www.ipms.nl/euroscalemodelling.html)

[gert]

Hello,

I am very pleased that Marco will have his SD 14 on our show.
For all who doesn't know:

The International Plastic Modelliers Society - Nederland ( IPMS) organises
Euro Scale Modelling on October 25.
Mostly plastic models. But: also a lot of carboard modelling .Plus a lot of Dutch editors of cardboard models.
Location: NBC, Blokhoeve 1, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Open: 10.00 hrs till 17.00 hrs.
Entrance: € 6,== per person. Children uptill 12 year free. Parking: Free
Restaurant available in the exhibition center.
More info: see Home (http://www.ipms.nl) and go to the ESM button.
Also in English,German and French info available.

Gert Vlaanderen
President IPMS Nederland

[K193 buttercup]

Hi Marco.
A really impressive build!
I'm new to the forum and joined primarily to access you and Romanmodel's build threads of this kit. Inspiring! So much so I've managed to get my hands on a kit and I'm going to give it a go. Hopefully I'll be able to get close to the standard you have set.

[kevin 547n]

so nice to see this build again

[BigGiraffe]

This is an amazing model! GREAT job!
Kurt

[kevin 547n]

my private messaging is not working
can i please ask, what is the paper tape you use on the butt joints of the hull plates

[Tapcho]

About the tape: paper tape with dry glue on it (to be moistened when attaached). Acid free archival quality. That's what I've used. Take a look at this selection (https://www.google.com/search?q=archival+paper+tape&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjDh4bV-YT4AhUVvYsKHQi-DYgQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=archival+paper+tape&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIECAAQGDoGCAAQHhAHOggIABAeEAcQBTo ICAAQHhAIEAdQzApYph1gliRoAHAAeACAAX2IAbEGkgEDNy4ym AEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=QoeTYsPeCpX6rgSI_LbACA&rlz=1C1VDKB_fiFI973FI973).

Tappi

PS The build is profressing fine. Very enjoyable to follow.

[kevin 547n]

About the tape: paper tape with dry glue on it (to be moistened when attaached). Acid free archival quality. That's what I've used. Take a look at this selection (https://www.google.com/search?q=archival+paper+tape&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjDh4bV-YT4AhUVvYsKHQi-DYgQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=archival+paper+tape&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIECAAQGDoGCAAQHhAHOggIABAeEAcQBTo ICAAQHhAIEAdQzApYph1gliRoAHAAeACAAX2IAbEGkgEDNy4ym AEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=QoeTYsPeCpX6rgSI_LbACA&rlz=1C1VDKB_fiFI973FI973).

Tappi

PS The build is profressing fine. Very enjoyable to follow.

Thank you
very much appreciated

[Marco]

By lack of any sophisticated materials when building in Nigeria, I used standard 80 grams office, cut in strips, and thinly applied transparant glue.

[PAPER FAN]

Excellent build. I like the crate. I moved 750 miles 11 yes ago. Made coffins for each model, about 20 back then. I didn't trust movers though rented a covered trailer and hauled the load myself. Good luck.