Return to the BUILD
In this issue, we begin assembling the Officers’ Quarters deck structure and add vent details.
Contents
Parts
Materials: The Decking is a wood veneer, but the other parts are plastic in this issue.
Magazine
- A Date with Destiny – An Italian Maid Travelling First Class
- Edwardian Era – CQD and SOS?
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Build
Officers’ Quarters and Decking
I wanted the four ‘fidley’ grates on top of the Officers’ Quarters to look more accurate, therefore I masked them off and airbrushed them with Vallejo Model Air 71.057 Black acrylic paint:
Once this paint dried, I wanted to address the opacity of these Officers’ Quarters as they are one of many deck structures that will be lit from the inside with LEDs. I tested putting a light inside this part and noticed that it glowed through the walls. Therefore, I decided to ‘light block’ the entire interior of this part by airbrushing a few coats of Vallejo Model Air 71.057 Black acrylic paint. Once I receive the model’s actual lighting and see how it looks through the windows, I may go over this interior again with some white paint:
Even though I was careful, there was a decent amount of overspray to deal with:
To remove this overspray, I went over the exterior of the Officers’ Quarters with Isopropyl Alcohol and Cotton Swabs. Ironically enough, this was like adding a black wash to the sides of the walls which brought out some of the details and keeps them from looking like basic plastic. Nice!
Next, as I’ve done before, I hand-painted the exposed opening of the Cowled Vent in this issue with Vallejo Model Air 71.270 Off-White acrylic paint. This is to give the effect of the interior of the vent being in shadow:
Finally, I used Vallejo Game Wash 73.201 Black to fill in the tiny holes of the Swan-Neck Vent A and bring the detail out:
Step 1
Check the fitment of the Decking to the Officers’ Quarters, then carefully remove the backing paper from the Decking and secure it to the Officers’ Quarters, aligning all of the holes and lifeboat supports.
Again, I sprayed the underside of the Decking with a light coat of 3M General Purpose 45 Spray Adhesive, then gently aligned the Decking in place and pressed it down flat, as shown:
Step 2
Press the two pins of the Cowled Vent (14D) into the matching holes at this location on the Officers’ Quarters.
These two holes are different sizes, so this will only fit one way. As before, I am not gluing any of these detail parts into place as I may replace them later. For example, I am pretty sure that the cowl of this vent would have faced the rear of the ship, not to the side:
Step 3
Press the two pins of Vent D (14E) into the matching holes at this location on the Officers’ Quarters.
Again, these two holes are different sizes, so this will only fit one way:
Step 4
Press the two pins of Swan-Neck Vent A (14A) into the matching holes at this location on the Officers’ Quarters.
One side of this Vent has a square ‘lip’ that fits down into the matching recess of the grey area of the roof, as shown:
Step 5
Press the two pins of Vent C (14C) into the matching holes at this location on the Officers’ Quarters.
Likewise, one side of this Vent also has a square ‘lip’ that fits down into the matching recess of the grey area of the roof, as shown:
Step 6
Press the pin of the Air Intake (14F) into this hole on the Officers’ Quarters.
Thoughts
We will be adding many more details (and Lifeboats) to the top of this structure in future issues. For now, keep the unused Vent B (14B) stored safely until then.
Next Up
Issue 15 – Ventilation Duct, Lifeboats A and B, Third Hull Section (Port Side)