SS Normandie - 1:400 - JSC

[Positive_Rate]

Originally Posted by Marco

Thanks! It is a kit with a few issues though - it is impossible to make the stern hull plates fit as-is, and a bit of paint- and putty-work is necessary.

I'm very very glad you mentioned that Marco - in my experience thus far, fitting the larger side shell pieces to the frame is where I have most difficulty.

Excellent work, I'm always inspired by your builds. Have you seen HMV's Sloman Alstertor? It's just a beautiful looking vessel. Also Cap San Diego by Don Bumagi. If you haven't already, I would love to see you build these.

Alan

[Marco]

Thanks! In this case the two upper slabs were much too short, but a workaround wasn't a big issue.
The Cap San Diego is on the to-do pile, it is a beautiful kit. I don't have the Sloman Alstertor, but knowing it's from HMV it is bound to be good.
Continuing with the superstructure. As far as I can tell this version of the ship is after a 1936 refurbishment, when the aft lounge on the boat deck was built to beat Queen Mary's tonnage, and the "Normandie" lettering between the funnels was gone by then too.

[shipbuild]

great work, looks perfect !

[wireandpaper]

Very clean build, thank you for sharing

[Marco]

Thank you! The bases for the funnels:

[Marco]

And the funnels themselves:

[Positive_Rate]

What a beauty she really and truly was!

I love the footage of her dashing through the water - you'll notice there's no huge spray being forced up the rake of the bow on Normandie - compare that with the Queens or United States.

Her Russian designer Vladimir Yourkevitch made revolutionary use of the boulbous bow. Ironically he even tried to persuade the British to use it on the Queen Mary but they refused. Even when it came to the Normandie which he'd been commissioned to build, the French were sceptical until after testing 25 models, mainly built by French designers, his came out the fastest. The French swallowed their pride and adopted the beautiful form.

I was astonished to learn he was in New York when the fire broke out, presented himself to the New York City Fire Brigade and advised them but they refused to listen. I find it staggering that confronted with such a calamity advice from such an individual was ignored.

After the fire apparently, he was adamant she could still be rebuilt even after the superstructure had been removed.

Her scrapping was heartbreaking for him and I think we can all understand that - imagine the years of calculations, hand drawings, slide rule use, all by hand and the gray matter!

[Positive_Rate]

Originally Posted by Marco

And the funnels themselves:

Beautiful work, Marco! Again, I'm impressed with the speed at which you complete a project! I think you'll be finished before Tuesday which makes it 2 weeks, or less!

My 1:250 version is waiting for me in Paris, can't wait to get started when I get there in a few weeks.

Marco, just a suggestion, I'd be fascinated if you would post pics of your collection, I know I'll be in awe!

Alan

[Marco]

Originally Posted by Positive_Rate

Marco, just a suggestion, I'd be fascinated if you would post pics of your collection, I know I'll be in awe!

Alan

They're spread out throughout the house, and some remained at the office in Ghana, but here are a few:

[Marco]

Originally Posted by Positive_Rate

I was astonished to learn he was in New York when the fire broke out, presented himself to the New York City Fire Brigade and advised them but they refused to listen. I find it staggering that confronted with such a calamity advice from such an individual was ignored.

I think he wanted her to be sunk on an even keel in the relatively shallow berth, to avoid the capsizing which eventually happened. It would have been better, and there would have been a better chance of salvaging the ship.

I don't really like the base of the davits as presented in the kit, so I made lasercut ones myself to keep them more consistent: