After sorting out the rules for the comp with Kevin - have decided to try and finish the model of the "Chen Yuen." This was put on hold after Haddock showed me how to make an improved mast system for the ship. Just think how happy I used to be  bashing bits of plastic and brass then  fastening rigging to any old bits and bobs - before Haddock showed me the error of my ways.
So if the other project don't progress as quickly as they should (I don't work as fast as Zak) please excuse the slight delay.

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The first  photo shows the original  home made brass mast with solid brass bar for the yards and everything soldered together. The second shows the improved Haddock method with brass tube for the yards and 2 sections of chain link for the pulley blocks.
The hardest part of both types it drilling the main part of the mast to tke the gaff at an angle of about 45degrees, I could just solder but as you know I am a "ham fisted sort of modeler" and I am sure they would be knocked off during construction - so drill and solder for strength.

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Interesting looking ship.
Haddock.

Hi Haddock according to my research she was built at the Vulcan shipyard in Germany and completed in 1885. Carried 4x 305mm BL guns and displaced 7430t.
Model will be as built, not as she was during Sino-Japanese war 1894-95  (lots more yards and ships boats and bits and bobs to detail her with.)
Captured by the Japanese and renames "Chin Yen" re-armed with 4x12inch guns and served during the Russo-Japanes war 1904-05. Removed from effective list in 1910 and served as a training ship for pilots untill scrapped 1914.

Well on with the shrouds and ratlines ( the shrouds are part of the standing rigging and hold up the mast - ratlines are the bits that go across and you use them like rungs on a ladder - as you can see from the photo 3 the shrouds are thicker than the ratlines ) have tried thin electrical wire to get the droop in the ratlines but it didn't work very well and they looked wrong - so back to thread. The jig was very simple to make, but gets the same size each time.

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More railings added to the structure, and painting the main and secondard gun covers white at the moment. Then on with the ships steam pinnacles - again  brass rails to bend and add.

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Spray painting the mast, funnel and gun covers. OK at the moment with my new all metal very very very very cheap airbrush from SMW. For the amount of air brush work I do this will do me well - still getting used to it but is good for the money. Thanks Zak for the info about the spray booth.

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More bits and bobs added.

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Looking good Bob and bits as well.

Msea,
How I love your bits and Bobs..................................
Bigkev

Has this Bob bloke paid his subs??

If BOB is a new member would he not just look us over for a couple of months before deciding to join our group -- so NO SUBS yet Haddock (are you in training to be the new treasurer, has Zak got you thinking about BRASS - thats money not the stuff you put onto the ship models )

Anchor and chains fitted - covers to go on the 2 hawserhole  when dry.

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eh up, thats lookin`smashin is that!

Why do they make etch-brass so so so small ?
Work on the boats progressing slowly.

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