Heller 1:200 Titanic Searcher "Le Suroit"

[zak]

Supplied as a gift/challenge from Tony B, will give it a go and try to keep you posted as the build progresses or doesn't.
The first two photos are of the box art and kit contents.
Reviews say it should conatin injection moulded railings- I cannot find any.

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[Matthew]

Looks a nice kit Zak

If you carnt find the railings dose this mean some more etch brass and bending and been all fiddle lol

Regards matt

[zak]

I hope not, may have to scratch build from plastic. Not sure yet.

[zak]

Following the instructions at present.
Small cabin at rear is made from clear parts, then masked for painting.
Here is the mast, and the small crane for the rear.

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[zak]

looked on line for some generic brass railings by Gold medal - around £55, so I had a go a producing my own.
These are from plastic rods and thin invisible mending thread,

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[zak]

A little more progress made.
The hull was a little problematical, it was rather warped and had to be subjected to some persuasion to go together.
Some additional plastic was added for strength.
Here it is in the process of being painted.
I did find that most views on the internet showed the ship post its refit and the model seems to depict it before and so I am attempting to follow the kit colours, this is difficult as the colour scheme is not that well printed.

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[zak]

I knew that it was going too well.
On removing the masking tape, it pulled tha white paint off, then while trying to rectify this, I masked the black and guess what, the tape pulled the paint off again.
Yes, I stick the tape to my cutting mat and then use it, and it was Tamiya.
My conclusion is that I used Vallejo primer and this does not bond to the plastic as well as car primer.
I did not wash the plastic before painting either, wonderful thing hindsight.
Here it is in a poly bag covered in Mr Muscle for a complete paint strip.
Oh the joys of model making.
Tip of the month - use a better primer and clean the model prior to the build.

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[bridlufc]

Hi Zak, wouldn't it have been easier to remove all the paint with the masking tape first , if the paint lift that easily? At least you wouldn't have the inconveinience of stripping it first.

Regards Bridlufc

[zak]

Yes, thanks Tony. your hindsight is nearly as good as mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bigkev]

Zak, I take my hat off to you sir.

Its a good job you are posting on the forum, it looks a great build, well done.

I'm gonna have to take the bull by the horns and get back to the modelling desk and produce something and post it here for everyone to share. I'm ashamed of my lack of participation on the website at the moment.

Bigkev

[zak]

I know the feeling.
See you on Sunday Kevin. Looking forward to a good day.
The pitfalls of modelling are just wonderful.

[zak]

Here is the repainted hull.
Some work done on the rear winches, added some detail and cables.
Now looking at the cranes and searching for photos to see what details could be added.

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[zak]

If you look at the timings of these posts, it appears that I work at incredible speed, this is untrue. I built some yesterday but could not get the pictures to upload.
Here are the cranes and progress on the decks.

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[zak]

First set of railings installed, plastic rod (20 thou) and stretched sprue, may remove them and try again, not sure yet?


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[zak]

Railings, rear crane and extra steps added to lower decks.
Tony B actually admitted that the kit did have railings but he dumped them as they were far too out of scale.
Mine have now evolved into 20 thou plastic rod and invisible mending thread. Not as good as Tony's would be but the eyesight is failing rapidly.

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