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

Simply amazing work you are doing!

Good morning all,  

Thanks a lot SSM Brothers, your kind works add a lot of encouragement and will to continue with this mega project.

Some more updates, here goes:

Starting off with the skin.


The first side ready for the filler. Not bad for the first time and using styrene strips instead of timber strips.


The best filler in town for use with styrene.


Applying the first coat of filler.


Applying the second coat of filler on the first side and the first coat of filler on the other.


A view of the other side.


Applying the first thick coat of primer.


A longitudinal view of the work boat.


I have to wait for the finishing process to take it's required time, so I started off with the second work boat.


I am planning to have the three work boats ready by the end of the month. That is the basic model of the boats with the timber covering. The detailing will enter the stage at a later date.


More updates next week.

Great work Paul. Were the hulls of those boats finished smooth? They looked great with the individual strips of plastic showing, just like real boats made of planking but i don;t know how the actual hulls were finished.

Hello Brian,  

Thanks for looking in.

The hulls were smoothly finished, as these were motor boats.

The real challenge is when the day will come upon which I will have to do the cutters. These were 8mtrs long and in 1:72nd scale the length shall be of 115mm. The method used was of the over planking type, so I will have to do a false frame assembly, build the boat with 2mm x 0.5mm wooden strips, finish it and build the internal ribs one by one. I estimate a months work on each one, and the ship was equipped with four of them.

Paul you have guts....... 

I am sure it will be no problem for you Paul. You have done much more difficult stuff so that will not hinder your progress. It will be slow but the path of detail is the one you have chosen like me with large scale aircraft, you just cannot stop!

You da man!

Great work, Paul! In fact it's amazing!

Love to follow your posts.

Good morning all,  

Hello Marco and Noel - thanks for looking in and for the kind words.

Great job Paul...

Dottore

Again hats off my friend but may I suggest something ... I know it sounds strange but I am concerned of one thing in this mammoth project of yours. These past years you have been concentrating with scratchbuilding, sometimes so intricate details that one can't believe that you manage but as you are working sections would it not be better those that are finished you start painting ... why I tell you this. You know I do dioramas and involves doing detailing and little scratchbuilt but if I do balance painting in between especially if it is a lengthy project; one major factor not to rush the final finishing job, second to keep my paint brush skills wet and continue experiment as when I leave it for a long time I have to start all over again and above all not to get bored of the project! Doing basecoats is not enough start painting ...

I suggest to take the idea and start painting and weathering certain elements at least you will rest a bit.

Remember today painting and weathering are very important ... useless doing such a massive project to end it painted as a boring museum paint job ...

X'tahseb ...

Ivan

iCocker wrote:Again hats off my friend but may I suggest something ... I know it sounds strange but I am concerned of one thing in this mammoth project of yours. These past years you have been concentrating with scratchbuilding, sometimes so intricate details that one can't believe that you manage but as you are working sections would it not be better those that are finished you start painting ... why I tell you this. You know I do dioramas and involves doing detailing and little scratchbuilt but if I do balance painting in between especially if it is a lengthy project; one major factor not to rush the final finishing job, second to keep my paint brush skills wet and continue experiment as when I leave it for a long time I have to start all over again and above all not to get bored of the project! Doing basecoats is not enough start painting ...

I suggest to take the idea and start painting and weathering certain elements at least you will rest a bit.

Remember today painting and weathering are very important ... useless doing such a massive project to end it painted as a boring museum paint job ...

X'tahseb ...

Ivan

I agree Paul with Ivan 100%... 

Good morning SSM Brothers,  

Hello Ray, Dottore, Ivan and Marco, - Thanks for looking in. 

Ivan, I agree  in principle with what you suggested. As a matter of fact, I am experimenting with washes on the electrical panels, which form part of the admirals bridge. Also, I am working to wrap off the first three motor work boats together with the finishes and washes.

I can do it on all small objects. But the ship and the superstructure, must be finished with the finish coating which shall incorporate the camouflage she wore in March/April 1943, all at one go. The reason being, is that the finishing colour may vary if applied in stages.  And that may be a big dismay.

All in all - this shall be a museum piece, but with a slight of washes added together with highlights and dry-brushing. Of course at that stage, I shall need all the help I can get from you experts.

No Paul don't use washes and drybrushing on this! It is huge the only items that might cry for this techniques are the interior parts that have to be seen from tiny windows, the idea is to esagerate the technique like a box dio so that you can see them from the tiny aperature. Such a boat has to be painted and weathered with all the techniques avaialable ... we are here to help! Yes I agree certain parts have to be taken according that is why I told you in stages ... but you can start getting the interiors and accessories ready for example ... I know it is a mammoth project but you will ruine it if you finish it as a dull base coat wash and drybrush model! Gone are those days mate!

Ivan

Hello Ivan,

I have to tackle one piece at a time. Now I am working on the motor work boats. As soon as I apply the base coats, I shall start the experiments on the finishing.

Good morning all,  

Some more pictures related to the progress made so far on the first work boat.

Not much I'm afraid, as I had to do some maintenance works in the house.

Here goes:


Nearing the finish line.


Starting off with the deck surfaces.


The internal of the workboat shall be covered with timber strips, while the sides shall be finished in grey/white colour.

See you next week.

Beautiful deck surface! Will the finish be wood and varnished in clear gloss?

Thanks Brothers,  

The finish of both the bow deck and the working decks shall be finished in satin clear finish, but shall try to apply some stains first. Not to much as the work boats, were always kept in pristine condition.

Wow man, that is some really awesome work, i love those boats, looking fantastic, the wooden decking is great and looks totally real. Always looking forward to learn more from you Paul! Each posting is a lesson in accuracy, neatness and detail. Well done and keep it up through the long way ahead.

Hello all,

Long time no hear -   - was very busy carrying our some house maintenance and of course this is what I have been up to:

I always wanted to create my little private world, and so here it is. I literally scraped all the existing wall coatings and redecorated the room from scratch. Added skirting all around the perimeter of the walls. Also added a door way, so had to reinforce by introducing two concrete beams. Civil works and electric works nearly ready now. By the end of the week, I shall be working on the display units.

I think you all remember this room - far more neater and organised.


The resting place of the Scharnhorst. I threw away the big table, to make way for the display unit. Notice at the side the electrical connections for the unit lighting.


A view of the entrance leading to the room.


The other corner where all my militaria shall be professionally displayed.



I just cannot wait to restart on the Scharnhorst again. the wood works shall employ a couple of months, during which I shall try to do some hobby works as well.

Awesome workmanship Paul...amazing ...well done habib
in nannu  

Hello Paul,

I've been lurking on this site for over 12 months now, I would like to take this opportunity to say that the quality of building shown by yourself and other members is outstanding. I am currently preparing for a build of Scharnhorst at 1;128 scale, it was an old Fleetscale model which suffered catastrophic destruction of the deck and superstructure ( the previous owner took it for a sail one very frosty and icy morning put the boat on the bank side then slipped over landing on the top of the boat....(He weighs over 120Kgs....).

I am know the proud owner of a cracked hull and 4 sheets of paper, your series of articles have provided me with the motivation to give it a go.

I am currenlty building a German (Ex French flower class Corvette) PF2 at 1:72 scale using a revell Hull.

I have a question which I am struggling with,

was the deck planking on kreigsmarine Capital ships always the same? and do you know what size the planks were? and finally is there details of the planking that was on scharnhorst.

In case you are wondering why I have joined even though I live in the UK (actually 13 miles from Portsmouth) my brother in law lives on Gozo, and I just love the quality of the work being produced by the members.

and finally a great place to take the model for a sail!!!!

Kindest regard to all from your newest member

Steve Bennett