GPM Prince of Wales, 1/200 waterline model

[Longbow]

I think I found a way to create the PPD's a little bit more to my liking.
The designer of GPM (he has done a terrific job !) has designed the radar part of the PPD as a triangular cone.

To re-create these from thread I first had to look in my box with cables (I never throw cables and connectors away - my wife says I can start a shop with them ) I found connector cables for an old model of telephone (1970's), the inner wires were not very straight, but I thought I could use them anyway.

I took the size of the radar parts and drew them like I drew the barrels of the Pompoms (see earlier pictures). I then cut out a length of wire, bent it and cut to size. Two of them create the antenna protectors when you glue the tips together and glue to the base.
The antenna itself was a real challenge: normally I use reading glasses, but for the 'work' on the antennas I had to wear TWO reading glasses -one before the other- to see the little parts and glue them

The picture of the actual PPD's shows a curved back for the antenna's, so I decided to recreate them as well.

Cleaned them from little glue-threads (see picture ) I painted the antennas gun metal. Don't know if this is the correct colour though..
After placing them on their places on model I was not dissatisfied. I think I can use this method for the other gundirectors as well.

It took some time, thank you for your patience !

[Longbow]

It's 6 months now since I started the build of PoW model.
Looks like there's still work to be done for another 6 months.

I've started with the aft superstructure (the boatdeck).
Created the aft smokestack, aft rangefinder and the aft gun emplacements for the (secundary) 5.25" guns.

Next step: filling the boat deck with the boats...

[Michael Mash]

Really good looking work Klaas.
Mike

[Longbow]

Thanks Mike, you are allways so positive :-)

[Longbow]

On my last post I suggested that I would get on with the boats of the Prince.
But, before I started with them I got an idea (yes, me ) that when I stuck to this plan I could get problems with setting the aft mast correctly because the booms of the mast are set between the boats.
So, I decided to set up the aft mast first, at least the main part, and after that create the boats.

So I focussed on the aft mast. Created it from copper wire like I did for the front mast (sorry to the guys that create models from paper purely...)

After I did that I just shifted my focus again to tha aft deck and filled her will the rafts, airvest, a.s.o. Why ? I don't know, just felt ok...

Then I completed the front deck with the missing booms. I noticed on pictures of the Prince that there was a handlingline from the top of the superstructure boom, so added this as well. I took some sewing thread, 'greased' it with glue to get it straight after drying. Works reasonably well.

And added the first two boats: one on the frontdeck and the smallest of them all on the boatdeck.

As I got 4-5 hours per week to work on the model, progress is a bit slow...

The last picture shows my working environment.

Greetings !
Klaas

[Longbow]

Finally, Finally,
Got back to the model again..

The build is not dead, far from it.

But you know, family comes first !
My youngest daughter is pregnant again, and in her last weeks. In the pregnancy before this she lost her unborn child in the 34st week, so we keep close.
We pray that this pregnancy will be blessed this time.

And, in between I had to go to India to speak with our contractors. An adventure, to put it mildly.

Back to the model :
I started the 5.25" guns on the port side.
Now, I'm afraid I really could not get the gunbarrels as I wanted them to be.
They just ended up twisted the wrong way. Tried it with other, lighter paper, but this did not work out either.
I do not know what the correct English word is for the Dutch word 'balen' but let me say that I was not amused.

I confess that I took the easy way out: I ordered the gunbarrels from GPM. I know that some of you will have thoughts about that, and maybe you are right. Sorry...

Back to the gunbarrels: it is best to glue the inner wings to the inside of the gunturret before glueing the turret to the carton strenghtenings. Found that out after glueing two of them...
I took the precaution of strenthening the disks to which the barrels are glued with parts of a toothpick (2nd picture). I hope to avoid that the barrels will droop. Seems this works

Before placing the after 5.25" guns, it is best to create the boats and railings around the boat deck first. Otherwise it is hard to get to them later.

So: boats first, railings, then the guns.
Some pictures of the process :

[legion]

I do not know what the correct English word is for the Dutch word 'balen' but let me say that I was not amused.

Not amused IS a correct translation. Or just 'it sucks' gets the message across too. I hate rolling barrels too.

[marco1971]

Hello Klaas, fine work!

Marco

[gerard1938]

Dag Klaas,
Ik volg je foto's bij iedere mail van PapierModelleurs en heb respect voor je vlijmscherpe manipulaties met de schaar.
Een mes, zoals het mijne - een verwisselbaar hobbymesje, - heb ik nl. nergens zien liggen.
Maar nu m'n vraag: wordt dit levenswerk nog in de verf gezet ? Ik zag ineens dazzle painting alleen langs de hull namelijk.
Ga zo voort mijn waarde; het houdt u van de straat...
Groeten,
Gerard - een bouwplaatpraatje | Bouwplaat.jouwweb.nl - home | Draftsight.jouwweb.nl - www.gahm.deds.nl

[Michael Mash]

Hello Klaas,
The overview images of your project are excellent.
It is good to see this project underway again.
Groeten,
Mike