Paper Ship: Bismarck, HMV, 1:250

[dr_gn]

I never intended to build this one, but in the end I couldn’t resist the challenge:



Couldn’t really build it without the laser-cut set (which cost as much as the kit):



It’s a big one - over a metre long and 7545 parts:





Also got this awesome book as a reference:





Two years minimum for this one I think.

[dr_gn]

Fast and Spurious said:

Seven thousand, five hundred and forty five!

When it says 'parts' what it actually means is bits of paper you have to cut out and make into parts...

I just looked, and the largest paper ship I built so far was the Mellum,

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

and that was 1179 parts, and it took me about a year. So it might be more than a 2 year build.

[dr_gn]

El stovey said:

dr_gn said:

When it says 'parts' what it actually means is bits of paper you have to cut out and make into parts...

I just looked, and the largest paper ship I built so far was the Mellum,

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

and that was 1179 parts, and it took me about a year. So it might be more than a 2 year build.

Can you stop posting and get on with it. We’re keen to see some progress.

That other thread about the Mellon is great, I’m just getting stuck into that now enjoying a coffee sitting in the sun.

ETA just seen THAT thread links to another ship build.

Edited by El stovey on Friday 23 August 10:04

I’ve built four so far: Wuppertal, Mellum, Battleford and Emden. They’re all on this forum somewhere.

I’m planning to make a start on the Bismarck this weekend, I need a very large flat surface to build the waterline hull, so I’ll use the granite worktop in the kitchen. Rest of the family are away, so it wont get damaged.

[dr_gn]

El stovey said:

dr_gn said:

I’ve built four so far: Wuppertal, Mellum, Battleford and Emden. They’re all on this forum somewhere.

I’m planning to make a start on the Bismarck this weekend, I need a very large flat surface to build the waterline hull, so I’ll use the granite worktop in the kitchen. Rest of the family are away, so it wont get damaged.

Will it stay there for 2 years?

Only while the glue sets! Ill get some MDF to build the rest of it on, then transfer it to a decent base. I priced up a case for it - same design as with the other four, and that alone is £250.

[dr_gn]

robemcdonald said:

That’s a long term investment. Kudos to you.

ETA. Have you ever considered one of those CNC cutters they sell at hobbycraft?

Yes I’m wondering if it’s one project too far.

I’ve heard of the cutters, but not sure how they’d help with this model?

[dr_gn]

Hits a vopper!

[dr_gn]

Heartworm said:

Daft question, what are the laser cut parts you mention if it still requires you to cut the pieces?

You substitute the laser-cut parts for paper ones (indicated by a circled “L” on the sheets). Small details like brackets and railings or other items that are very difficult to cut out from paper. The alternative is to leave the paper railings with a grey background, but it doesn’t look great.



ETA: The laser-cut parts are held on their sheets by a few small nibs that you just cut with a scalpel. You don’t need to cut them out.

Edited by dr_gn on Monday 26th August 01:09

[dr_gn]

robemcdonald said:

dr_gn said:

Yes I’m wondering if it’s one project too far.

I’ve heard of the cutters, but not sure how they’d help with this model?

As I understand it you scan the page of parts and it cuts them out for you.

You can preview and adjust the cuts before “pulling the trigger” to use the common vernacular.

Sounds risky!

[dr_gn]

wolfracesonic said:

El stovey said:

wolfracesonic said:

Is it done yet?

This.

That Cadillac Escalade will turn up first at this rate;)

You’ve lost me

[dr_gn]

shortar53 said:

dr_gn said:

Hits a vopper!

Yikes. That's enormous. Keeping it true whilst attaching the ribs and Hull sides will be a challenge.

How long actually is it? The Von Der Tann was circa70cm, and that was unwieldy as hell to work on

1004 mm according to the book.

[dr_gn]

Made a start on the substructure parts this evening.

[dr_gn]

Finally got all the upper hull substructure parts cut out. There’s a lot. Here’s a Jaguar Class torpedo boat hull of the same scale for a size comparison:





A lot of the parts need scoring on the opposite side of the printed paper. I usually mark the ends of these lines with a pin hole:



Then score the lines between the holes:

[dr_gn]

robemcdonald said:

Impressive stuff as usual.

Do you have a method for storing the parts so;

1. They remain flat until needed
2. You can easily find the part you need?

It seems a bit of a logistical nightmare.

Thanks, I usually cut and assemble the parts as and when needed, or keep them in a Hobbycraft A4 storage box. Sub-assemblies I keep in a small plastic storage case.

Luckily all the parts so far have numbers printed on them, so there's no issue with losing track.

This one will indeed be a bit of a nightmare. The MDF building base will be quite large and heavy. I'll probably store it at the back of my work bench during the build.

[dr_gn]

El stovey said:

That hull shape looks distinctive and beautiful.

Great work as usual, I can’t wait to see more but it’s obviously a slow process.

Thanks, I often go in phases of enthusiasm for a particular kit. I've just completed a Kittyhawk Mk1a for a magazine review, and have just started a Curtiss Helldiver for the same publication. It's only fair to concentrate on the kits I've committed to for that.

[dr_gn]

Still thinking about a basebord for building the hull. I need something light, but stiff, 1000 mm x 190 mm.

I'm thinking of using a cardboard honeycomb between two thin bits of laminate (like the cheap IKEA furninture), maybe about 30 mm overall depth, or a piece of carbon fibre.

Any other ideas welcome.

[dr_gn]

wolfracesonic said:

Is the base board just for building the model on, what about a piece of multiwall polycarbonate if so? If your looking for ideas for a final display base,how about a piece of Corten steel set into a piece of hardwood?

It's just for building. I'll transfer it when it's complete. Polycarbonate might be a good call, I'll see how heavy it is. Thanks.

[dr_gn]

Got all the upper hull parts cut and scored, so I fixed the four base pieces together with their joiners:



Still not got a flat base, but it doesn’t matter for these bits.

Edited by dr_gn on Thursday 26th September 21:41

[dr_gn]

RDMcG said:

I am wondering whether the build will be longer of shorter than the time to build the real ship

4 years? Quite possibly.

[dr_gn]

shalmaneser said:

If you;re after something light and strong and very flat honeycomb core composite board would do nicely.

Yes, that’s what I meant by Ikea furniture type stuff. I don’t know where to get a 1000 x 190 piece though.

[dr_gn]

Toma500 said:

Expanding foam might be of use to keep things together and taught ?

I think it might get a bit messy. The model isn’t too heavy, and will have some inherent stiffness, so thick card or thin laminate over some kind of honeycomb would be ok. It’s just where to get it from.