1:72 Scale German WW2 Heavy Battle Cruiser K.M.S. Scharnhorst 1943

To add to what Aldo was explaining, cardboard is very versatile and easy to work with. No special tools are required for the cutting out of the pieces, just a stanley knife, surgical blade and a good scissors. The most important thing is to learn as how to support and strengthen the material itself. as i advised in my last post, I am posting photos of every step of the progress. in this manner the modeller can appreciate more the techniques involved to produce the finish required.
One of my major wishes is a 1:35th scale model of the German battleship the KMS Bismarck, which will measure over seven metres. I tried an experiment some time ago, and constructed one of the main 15" gun turrets, and can say that the finished product is a wonder. I will post some photos tomorrow morning.
My basic point is, that size does not matter. If the structure is reinforced well and the stiffeners placed where they should be; than there is no problem. It is very important - DO NOT USE PVA (WHITE GLUE) WITH CARD BOARD - the best adhesive available to be used is UHU adhesive - the best in town. White glue is water based and tends to distort the cardboard, while UHU, adheres well and creating s very sound joint when dry without any side effects. it can even be sanded down.

Anyway fasten your seatbelts, as more is to come these coming days.

Hi all, as advised i am posting some photos of the 1:35th scale model of one of the Bismarck's main turrets. I constructed this model some ten years ago, as a sample to try to imagine the sheer size of the whole ship in 1:35th scale. Of course the turret is pending finish, but will have to do that after the launching of the Scharnhorst.

The turret was made entirely from 3 and 4 ply x 1mm thick cardboard. Once the structure was ready, a mixed media of wood, brass, pvc and copper was used to create the details.

Main view of the Turret.

Front view of the turret

Details of the locking belt, which actuallt locked the turret in place.

Detail of some of the round bolts and rivets. One must know that the Bismarck's turrets armour plateing was loced in place by means of circular headed bolts, which had triangular inserts to allow locking (just like the principle of a common allen screw).

Detail of the side mantlet - right hand side.

Detail of the side mantlet - left hand side.

General view of the range finder - left hand side.

Detail of the armoured view ports.

Another view of the armoured view ports, showing the actual opening.

Top rear view of the turret.

general rear view of the turret.

Turret with the sample gun in place

Another view of the gun in place.

Comparison between the 1:72 scale main turret of the Scharnhorst and the main turret of the Bismarck in 1:35th scale.

Another view of both turrets.


NOW JUST IMAGINE THE BISMARCK IN 1:35th SCALE - THE SHEER SIZE, WHEN CONSIDERING THAT THE MODEL WILL EXCEED 700cm in length.

More photos of the scharnhorst's work in progress will be posted next Monday 8th of January.

And do not tell me your next project gonna be 1/35? Mate it's 2012 ... the end of the world, when u gonna finish that

Hats of for teh detail, that is one hell of a turret, just nit picking next time use german literature, you offended von Bismark with that english text you nailed on

Lovely work...will be following this....

Dottore

Just when you thought it can't get more incredible, it does.

I am overwhelmed by the volume of work which I see. Paul, do you sleep at all because I haven't gone to my modelling studio for a couple of days at least. Where do you find the time?

Aldo, the Bismarck turret was constructed ten years ago. But to answer your question, I wake up early in the morning to start the day with a good hour of scale modelling, and do so as well in the evening. This way I do a bit of progress everyday, while the construction remains constant. In the weekends, I spend some four hours in the afternoon on saturdays and another six to eight hours on Sunday.

As I said earlier, more photos to come on Monday.

Thanks Ray, your comments are encouraging. I know that you always speak your mind. As a matter of fact, yesterday I was thinking about having a set of ships in 1:72 scale. As you may well appreciate the fact that transporting these kind of models require special handling and adequate transport. Building the Bismarck in 1:35th scale was always my greatest of wishes and dreams, and now that I have all the information (gathered during these past 15 years) I really have no problem in building this ship. my only worry is my wife, as I have to do some modifications in the basement to accomodate the space required which is of nearly 800cm x 110cm.
Squeezing a daily modelling schedule is hard as well. Sometimes I wake up at 4.30 in the morning and believe me keeping my eyes open and trying to concentrate on what I'am doing is a challange. As a matter of fcat i start off with a pint of cold milk to shake up a bit the system.
I made a promise for the 2013 exhibition, and intend to keep it.

So thumbs up and let's get the slipway ready.

welldone Paul...just seen the pics....awesome project...can't wait to see this ready....a real masterpiece !!!!!
In nannu

Keep it up Paul

Hi Guys,
Some 3-D pictures of the tower bridge on which I shall be working on this weekend.

Starboard side elevation of the tower.

Portside elevation of the tower.

Rear view of the tower.

front view of the tower.

Top view of the tower.

3-D elavation from the front.

3-D elevation from the rear.

3-D elevation looing upwards.


Of course, only the basic structure will be ready, as all details shall be fitted in after the whole of the superstructure is ready, primed, sanded, and finished.

Will post the photos of the progress next Monday.

Brilliant work Paul and I must say I admire your dedication and rigorous schedule! Truly inspirational, especially for us newbies!

Keep at it at will Paul & Good Luck

Very enticing indeed, looking forward to seeing it done.

Some pictures of the works carried out during the weekend.

Scale side plan of the tower bridge.

Some of the pieces, ready for assembly.

First part of the cardboard support assembly. This is required to strengthen the tower, and ease the fixing of the overall wall.

Another view of the support structure.

Second Part in place. Overall height of the tower assembly shall be of 188mm, excluding the top part and the radar.

Front view of the four secondary turrets.

Rear view of the turrets.

Closeup of the detail.

Another view of the turret.


Will post more photos of the tower next Wednesday.

Paul, amazing work, i don;t think i had seen the work you had done on the master turrets and they are truly awesome, wow, what else can i say, you are the man. Beautiful work, this is modeling at its very best.

Sorry guys, had some problems with the camera, shall post the photos tomorrow.

Thumbs up.

More photos as promosed



The first layer in place. Note the amount of masking tape to help keep the layer in place.

Another view of first layer.

The tower and the preformed cardboard which shall form the second layer.

The second layer in place, using the same technik.

Closer view showing clearly the two layers, and the neat seating of the layers.

Another general view.

Couldn't have done any better in Poly or Pvc. Are you still using regular UHU tube cement for the curved components or something with a quicker cure time? You're giving me ideas for projects which are impractical in the standard materials but probably can be done in card!

Aldo,

UHU cement is the best adhesive that you can use. it cures quickly but gives you enough time to place the piece correctly in place, while it's chemical constituent also penetrates into the cardboard; thus creating a sound bond. If you have some time this coming Sunday Afternoon, you can come over to my house. I shall be in the basement woring on the loser part of the tower bridge.

Will be in touch about Sunday - will email you details. Thanks.

Some more photos of the progress so far.

The base of the top armoured observation room.

Placing the stiffeners.

Another view of the stiffeners.

Top and bottom layers in place, awaiting the side layer.

Another view of the assembly.

The armoured observation room, placed teperarily on the tower.

The base of the top tower platform.

The side layer fixed in place.

Top view of the assembly.

Another view.

A view of the armoured observation room, togather with the platform base; placed on top of the tower.

Front view of the assembly.

Base of the forecastle.

Placing of stiffener strips along the side and across the base. this technik is used to strengthen the whole assembly.

The front of the forecastle with the top layer in place.

A view of a 1:72 scale figure adjacent to the structure.


Will post some more photos next Friday.

Fantastic work, Paul,

Not used to using card my self, amazed at the result when you start putting together.

Looking forward to more photos of so great a project.

Prosit,

Cyril.

Thanks Cyril for your positive comments.