Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum

Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: MSea on November 15, 2018, 08:32:33 AM

Title: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 15, 2018, 08:32:33 AM
This was found at Telford and will be a speed build ( or as its called in the modelling world "A Dave Smith" ) for next months competition.
The original Graf Zeppelin was built, but not used by the Germans during WW2. Left to rot during the last years of the war she was then sunk to avoid capture by the Russians at the end of the war. The Russians raised her but decided she was in such a bad condition she was expended as a target in 1947.
This is a "what if" model -- if she was in a good state when the Russians raised her and she was then overhauled to bring her back into a full fighting ship. She will have her 8 x 15cm guns in casements removed from the hull -- fully enclosed bow with extended flight deck -- new planes for the deck -- and anything else I think about during the build.
Started yesterday afternoon - photos show the casements on the ships side for the 15cm guns before  removal.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 15, 2018, 08:56:20 AM
Casements removed and filled in.
Decided the portholes look oversize so have started to fill them all in, will re-drill them later smaller size.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: Haddock on November 15, 2018, 09:37:26 AM
Glutton for punishment!
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 15, 2018, 11:58:11 AM
Glutton for punishment!

True very very true.
Bow built up to the level of the flight deck -- the flight deck has been cut so a 30mm section can be added ,to extend the deck to the front of the bow. Funnel and accommodation/bridge area started on.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 15, 2018, 01:14:43 PM
Bow extra cut down to size and a thin skin added to the outside of the bow on both sides. When dry will fill and smooth down to shape.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: zak on November 15, 2018, 05:35:05 PM
Very fast!
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 15, 2018, 09:19:39 PM
Zoom zoom zoom - another cleanup on the hull and primed to check for bad marks  and then on with drilling portholes
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: Bigkev on November 15, 2018, 10:20:34 PM
Hi Msea,
Are you on 'All Bran', you seem to be moving at a tremendous pace on this one.
What will your imagination bring to us all...…
Cheers,
Bigkev
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 16, 2018, 01:16:09 PM
Thank you Kevin - just singing the all bran song "throughput tr la la la la".
Portholes drilled out and deck added to the hull with the extra section fitted to extend the deck to the full bow.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 18, 2018, 10:12:07 AM
No work done yesterday working on the garden fence, some work done this morning - now going out for a meal with friends ( yes Zak friends !!!!)
Extra section of deck feathered into the original and the holes under the funnel deck filled in ( only Haddock would notice if I did not do this, but we need a happy Haddock so its done ) I am converting the original wood deck into steel, so will just give it a different shade of grey, but will keep the wood deck on the other decks, so out with the brown next -- yes Haddock it will be a grey/brown colour.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: zak on November 18, 2018, 10:43:58 AM
Wow, you do set yourself some challenges.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 18, 2018, 05:01:25 PM
Wow, you do set yourself some challenges.

No just FUN !!!!!!

Converting the planes into a navalised version of the Russian Ilyushin IL2. Wings removed to make into folded type, with metal rod to help strengthen it when reassembled.  Will also convert the small one into converted Mig
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 19, 2018, 01:42:17 PM
Wings added to the plane -- new gun barrels added to the anti-aircraft guns.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: Roger on November 19, 2018, 05:05:44 PM
Excellent work on the aeroplanes MSea.  See you can do them!
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 19, 2018, 05:34:59 PM
Thank you Roger but wait till you see the mess after I have slapped some paint on it !!!!!
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 20, 2018, 04:31:57 PM
From the first photo you can see I have been adding 1/700 superfine rails - they have been driving me mad -- much to fine and bendy for a ham handed modeler like myself.  So have been hacking off the bottom of the ship for a break.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 24, 2018, 07:36:27 PM
Back to the rails on the bridge deck - yes they are still driving me mad.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: Bigkev on November 24, 2018, 08:01:18 PM
Hi Msea,
Well you were a bit mad before this project.
The brass will only keep you in this state.
Looking good as the build continues, can't wait to see this 'what if'.
Cheers,
Bigkev (equally mad)
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: Roger on November 26, 2018, 03:21:04 PM
Perhaps you should have done a "what if it had no railings?"

Roger
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 26, 2018, 03:56:36 PM
I like that idea Roger - but what would Haddock say ??????????????
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 27, 2018, 10:03:05 AM
First set of transfers/decals added to the deck  ---- these are to show the pilots which end of the ship is the front ---- hohohoho ---- that should get a few comments !!!!!
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: Bigkev on November 28, 2018, 07:49:48 AM
Hi Msea,
Looking good so far. The deck markings don't tell the pilots where the 'front' of the ship is, they show where the 'bow' of the ship is....
For clarity, could we have 'Vor' at the front and 'Zuruck' at the end of the ship so the german pilots know which is front ('Vor') and back ('Zuruck') please....
Cheers,
Bigkev
 
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: zak on November 28, 2018, 07:59:21 AM
But, he doing it as a Russian one, so why would it have German pilots?
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: Bigkev on November 28, 2018, 08:13:24 AM
Hi Zak,
Well spotted...… Doooh!!!

What about 'Перед' for front, and 'Назад' for back instead comrade?

I had not factored in the Russians would have repainted the possible wording on the flight deck after rebuild...Well that is my excuse!


Bigkev
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 28, 2018, 11:04:05 AM
Russian or German -- pilots would still have problems ????!!!!!!!
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on November 28, 2018, 09:36:00 PM
Wing tips and tail plane tips rounded to make them look more like Ilyushin Shturmovik's and plastic props made as well. Colour scheme is light blue/grey underneath with French mirage blue and Russian WW2 uniform in a patern on top.   Also added the bridge deck to the hull
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 03, 2018, 11:47:25 AM
Funnel sides thinned down and extra sections added. When solid will paint inside of funnel black.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 04, 2018, 10:28:43 AM
More rails added to funnel deck and funnel in place.  Ships boats and AA guns added to the stbd side of the ship.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: zak on December 04, 2018, 11:00:55 AM
Keep a steady hand!
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 05, 2018, 01:27:17 PM
The three mast are now soldered together - next job a clean up and some radar parts to add.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: Bigkev on December 05, 2018, 08:45:15 PM
Looking Good Msea,

I reckon this model will now receive all the good reports of its build with the three masts and associated radar equipment.
Sorry couldn't resist.
Another great 'What If' from the Msea Dockyard or is it modelling room??
Cheers,
Bigkev
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 06, 2018, 11:11:50 AM
Thank you Kevin - got your message on the radar.
All bits now fitted to the mast and the 3 mast added to the ship.  Before somebody asks the radar mats are made from garden mesh thinned down a little bit.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 06, 2018, 05:08:00 PM
Ship fastened to base and second photo shows the first layer of gel for the sea added.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 07, 2018, 11:45:04 AM
First layer of paint added to the sea and also the fighter planes on deck.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: Haddock on December 07, 2018, 12:44:42 PM
Looking rather splendid!!
Haddock.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 07, 2018, 01:35:31 PM
Thank you Haddock but it looks better in the photo than in real - that's my view. 
Its a rush conversion for the comp on Wed night, but as you know its a ship, so has NO chance of winning, but heyho its only for FUN.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 07, 2018, 02:34:11 PM
Start made on the ships flags - first photo is the naval ensign, next 2 are for the 3 letter flags.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 08, 2018, 01:52:02 PM
Some colour on the flags.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 08, 2018, 02:38:21 PM
Flags fitted to ship.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: zak on December 10, 2018, 08:00:40 AM
Looking forward to seeing it!
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 10, 2018, 09:03:04 AM
Looking forward to seeing it!

only 2 more sleeps till you do.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: zak on December 10, 2018, 10:52:00 AM
I may be late, but hope to get there eventually.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on December 11, 2018, 08:44:48 PM
I may be late, but hope to get there eventually.

If you are late WHO will I give my insults too.     
Some rigging added to the masts.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: MSea on October 05, 2019, 09:40:16 AM
Just sorting out my model room ( it has to be done every 15 years even if it doesn't needs it - hohoho) and recycling some models such as the Zulu figures  to go into another model and others for storage and remembered I never posted pictures of the finished model of the "Iron Felix" so this is it and now she is off to the scrapyard.
Title: Re: The Iron Felix / orginal Graf Zeppelin
Post by: Bigkev on October 05, 2019, 06:20:29 PM
Just sorting out my model room ( it has to be done every 15 years even if it doesn't needs it - hohoho) and recycling some models such as the Zulu figures  to go into another model and others for storage and remembered I never posted pictures of the finished model of the "Iron Felix" so this is it and now she is off to the scrapyard.

Oh No,
I know that feeling all too well.
Mine though are the non-finished ones.
Hopefully the ghost of the Iron Felix/Graf Zeppelin might re-appear sometime in the future, in happier times.
Cheers,
Bigkev