Return to the BUILD
In this issue, we will assemble the third funnel of our Titanic and attach it to the base.
Contents
Parts
Materials: The Funnel Plating is metal and all of the remaining non-electrical parts are plastic.
Magazine
- 20th Century – Documenting the Tragedy of Titanic
- Life on Board – The Decorative Style of Titanic (4)
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Build
The Third Funnel
In preparation to match the Funnel colors I have already used, I needed to complete Step 1 early. I also masked off the black sections of the Water Pipes, Whistle, and Ladder and then airbrushed everything that was ‘yellow’ with my Mission Models British Sand Yellow acrylic paint. I also grabbed the Water Pipe for Third Funnel from the previous issue and painted it as well:
Once this paint dried and to add some additional detail, I hand-painted the actual Whistles themselves with Vallejo Model Air 71.067 Bright Brass Metallic paint and sealed them with a coat of clear gloss for a nice shine:
Step 1
Slide the Funnel Plating over the Funnel Interior and align the slots and screw holes. Secure the edges of the Funnel Plating to the Funnel with six (6) DP screws, as shown. It may be helpful to wrap the Plating with some low-tack tape to hold in place during this process.
These steps required both hands, so I could not easily take ‘in-progress’ photos. This is the original color before I painted it the new color:
As with the first two funnels, once the Funnel Plating was secured, I masked off the bottom black lip and then airbrushed it with a few coats of the Mission Models British Sand Yellow acrylic paint. This is the color I am using to better recreate the ‘light mast’ White Star Buff color. I painted it after assembly so it would hide the chrome of the screws:
Additionally, I marked the bottom of this funnel with a ‘3’ so I could keep track of which funnel was which:
Step 2
Slide the Stay Collar over the end of the Top of Third Funnel, aligning the two different-sized tabs to the matching slots. The smooth side of the Stay Collar should be facing up. Do not use any glue here.
That smooth side butts up against the larger part of the Top of Third Funnel, as shown:
Step 3
Press the rounded tab of a Platform (54E) into the matching slot at the top front of the Funnel assembly.
This Platform can be accidentally installed upside down, so make sure this is oriented as shown. Use glue as needed:
While holding the Stay Collar in place, slide the Top of Third Funnel down inside the Third Funnel assembly. Make sure these three holes in the side of the Top of Third Funnel (circled below) are on the same side of the Funnel with the screws, as shown.
This step is slightly out of order from the magazine instructions as I wanted to wait until after the glue from installing the Platform was dry:
Step 4
Press the three pins of a Forward Water Pipe (54G – the longer of the two sets of Pipes) into the matching holes along the front of the Funnel assembly, as shown.
This Forward Water Pipe will help keep the Platform in place. Again, make sure these pipes are parallel with the side of the Funnel and use glue if needed. On the real Titanic, these ‘Water Pipes’ were actually steam escape pipes. As you go through these steps, make sure the details are placed parallel with the surface of the Funnels. This may require using tiny drops of super glue to keep everything aligned correctly:
Press the three pins of the Whistle with Steam Supply Pipe (54H) into the matching holes along the Forward Water Pipe, as shown.
I used super glue here to make sure this was parallel to the previous pipe:
Step 5
Fit the eight legs of the Ladder along and over both of these pipes and into the matching holes of the Funnel, as shown.
It is very helpful to use a pair of tweezers here to nudge the legs of the Ladder into each hole as you go. Use glue as needed:
Finally, press the three pins of the Aft Water Pipe (54H – the shorter of the two sets of Pipes) into the matching holes along the rear of this Funnel assembly, as shown.
Yep, I used super glue here as well to ensure a nice parallel alignment:
Step 6
Feed the larger plug of the Extension Cable (labelled ‘K3’) up through the square bottom hole of the Funnel and out the top, as shown:
Retrieve your Base for Third Funnel from the previous issue. Feed the smaller plug of the Extension Cable down through the roof, as shown:
Fit the Third Funnel assembly to the top of the Base for Third Funnel, aligning the posts and holes as shown.
If you installed the Water Pipe for Third Funnel in the previous stage, take care not to damage it during this step:
Secure the Third Funnel into place from below with two (2) AP screws:
With the Third Funnel now mounted, I used a tiny drop of glue to secure the Water Pipe for Third Funnel straight and vertical to the Funnel Plating:
Thoughts
In just two issues, we have completed the Third Funnel area of our Titanic and it looks brilliant! Keep track of the remaining AP screws as we will need them in a later issue.
Next Up
Issue 55 – Funnel Interior, Smoke Generator/Holder, Tank, Spring, Grille, Filter