First up the good:
Anchor chains are on and looking good. I am pleased with them. I also am pretty happy with the various bits and bots that go around the anchor capstans.
Plimsoll lines and ship number are on. These were dry transfers and the first time I have managed to use dry transfers and get them right. Turns out that patients, time and many youtube tutorials were the answer.
Rear conning tower came out looking pretty good. I am happy with it. Just need to fix the paint a bit.
The OK:
In my infinite wisdom I decided that drilling the portholes would make the ship look much better. All well and good you say except for the fact I had already painted the superstructure etc. Queue up a couple of hours spent with a very careful handled dremel with a long drill bit and we have port holes. I am pretty happy with how it came out.
I have also decided (again, after the fact) to put in the support poles for the balcony bits as indicated by the arrow. These are not in the exact correct spot but that's the price you pay for not thinking ahead. I will be adding more on the other balconies when I get some more plastic rod.
Lastly the ugly:
The rear housing which holds the rear conning tower broke away after painting. This tore off the putty and paint and left a nasty mess. Unfortunately because of where it is and the fact I had already put on the conning tower with its fragile PE as well as the wooden deck I am having a hell of a time getting in there to sand and smooth. I have already damaged the adjacent PE ladders which I am going to have to replace.I think I have come up with a solution which, if it works, I will document later.
And lastly, I mentioned this in a previous post but the paint I am using is horrible. Its AK interactive Haze Grey and is simply the worst paint I have ever used. I am forced to use it for now since I have not been able to match it to another paint but after this build or if I find something even remotely comparably its into the trash with it.
