Bill- everything in the midsection / long slot / is visible right through. That means the bow loading hatch, ammo hatch, 88mm mount, conning tower base. The rest of the stuff like anchor chains and KDB stem are also visible- but only as shapes. The weathering is not visible that much, but it gave me lot of practise, and i sleep better knowing it is there. The stern section is bit crowded with pipes- means less light.
Replacing the deck hatches for brass / bigger slots / allows more light through the deck, but not enough to appreciate the detailing. Would i do it again building another boat? Hell yes! :up:

That is good Siara!. I think we build the models mainly for ourselves. :lol:

Yes, I know exactly what you mean... I have a couple of 'men of war' sailing ship models who's guns are fully rigged, even those on the lower decks that can't be seen!

OBTW, you'll be happy to hear that I've started on my 1/144 VIIC... I have all of four free-floods opened up so far (!), and I'm thinking hard about scratchbuilding a pressure hull shape just to have something other than empty space behind the open holes.

Pics to follow...

Glad to hear it Bill. Im sure its going to be nice model, since it is basicly the miniaturised copy of the bigger brother.
Go with the p.hull, it will improve the model much. :up:
Ive heard some people are using the plumbing pipes for that purpose.
Savvy used the styrene sheet, and final result was realy good.
Good luck pal. :yep:

Deck joint.
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5...g003lu2.th.jpghttp://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8...g002wl8.th.jpghttp://img523.imageshack.us/img523/5...g005hv1.th.jpghttp://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6...g007cj5.th.jpghttp://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8...g009zf4.th.jpg
After smoothing the filler, i will apply the Mr Surfacer 1200 to finish it.
The PE of steel section of stern was glued in while i was waiting for filler to cure.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7...g017jx6.th.jpg

Water deflectors prepared for smoothing out.
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7...g018dg9.th.jpg

TBC...

Deck joint smoothing complete.
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/1...g001qt0.th.jpghttp://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1...g002hl8.th.jpg

TBC...

Im working on the edge of the deck where it meets the sides- not terribly exciting work, but im getting there slowly. Masking the edge with the tape and filling the gaps / there isnt many, but what you cant see the camere will pick it up with ease /.
Im using the green putty by Squadron. After sanding ill coat it again with Mr Surfacer 1200, and sand it smooth.
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3...g001vm5.th.jpghttp://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9...g002vu9.th.jpg

TBC...

Excellent Siara, details are the difference!
Keep working!

:up:

Thanks Sabalo.:up:

SG- sonder-Gerat.
I used the PE part from White Ensign Models, but slightly modified.
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7...atuspb5.th.jpghttp://img521.imageshack.us/img521/923/sg006uq3.th.jpghttp://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5082/sg007aa7.th.jpghttp://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2444/sg43nz1.th.jpghttp://img509.imageshack.us/img509/5803/sg008kj2.th.jpghttp://img521.imageshack.us/img521/629/sg010lo9.th.jpg

TBC...

SG in place, but looking at the right angle i discovered that it is glued in to high.
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/214/sgwu9.th.jpg

I cut it out again, and lovered it slightly.
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6...2006cv0.th.jpg
http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/4...2008mu1.th.jpg

I think it is at the right hight now.
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/8...parisonvo0.jpg

TBC...

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6...l005ee4.th.jpghttp://img241.imageshack.us/img241/5...l002ng6.th.jpghttp://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4...l007jr6.th.jpghttp://img241.imageshack.us/img241/3...l008pp2.th.jpg

Tamiya Fine Primer sprayed all over to pick up all the areas in need of sanding, or filling.

TBC...

First fitting of the CT.
While im still ploding along with hull sanding, i thought it`ll be a good idea to try the CT for fit.
First the base of the CT was cut from the original Revell deck.
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2...0081qe4.th.jpghttp://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9642/ct009vo1.th.jpg

The fit is superb, without any gaps or bumbs.
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8941/ct003po8.th.jpghttp://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4773/ct001bd4.th.jpghttp://img169.imageshack.us/img169/1398/ct002zi9.th.jpg

The deck for the CT.
From left to right- Modelbrass, Nautilus, Revell.
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/8263/ct010vz2.th.jpg

TBC...

Insides of the CT.
First the inner pressure chamber was scratchbuilt from styrene.
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9...2001rx5.th.jpghttp://img395.imageshack.us/img395/7...2006ur0.th.jpg

Inside the walls were covered in pipes, dials, and so on.
http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/1...2019tk9.th.jpghttp://img98.imageshack.us/img98/38/ct12020xm7.th.jpghttp://img240.imageshack.us/img240/8...2014hi4.th.jpg

The ladder was created from wire, superglued with CA glue. I was unable to solder it, but i think the CA is solid enough.
http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/8...2007pj6.th.jpghttp://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4...2011ep7.th.jpghttp://img395.imageshack.us/img395/9...2012cb0.th.jpg


TBC...

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2...0041ko7.th.jpghttp://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8...0061ry8.th.jpghttp://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3...3008ov8.th.jpghttp://img259.imageshack.us/img259/2...3011pl8.th.jpghttp://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8...3012dv3.th.jpghttp://img259.imageshack.us/img259/2...3013ez2.th.jpg

TBC...

You never cease to amaze me!

BTW working on my 1/144 boat, I'm slowly opening up all of the hull holes but have come up with an issue at the stern. As you know, the kit is quite inaccurate there, and I don't have the advantage of photoetch to work with, like you:


http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/1...3008am4.th.jpg

Any suggestions on how to skin this cat?

Thanks, and keep up the good work!