Thread started by Chrisswe
Chrissweadded a new photoalbum.
58 16 December 2024, 18:05
Chrisswe AuthorHope I can make it interesting to follow.
The kit doesn't seem very complicated and the Eduard photo etch is mild level. Just the open doors are a new thing for me. They might cause problems when painting and building modules together.
1 20 December 2024, 11:12
Chrisswe AuthorI think this project will pick up pace now when I have finished Schleswig-holstein. This is the first ship I build with waterline option and it was very hard to fix the hull seam. I did several cycles of filling, sanding and priming and still it is very visible.
23 February, 09:06
Chrisswe AuthorThanks Villiers! My daughter asked me today if I had only built two ships and one small plane after working such a long time. She looked incredulous when I told her that was actually the case🙂
2 23 February, 20:57
CaptGPFThe notorious "pocket battleship" Graf Spee! Taking a seat for this one!
1 27 February, 20:14
Villiers de VosVery nice clean lines on the hull. My respect working with the small and delicate photo etch assemblies.
4 April, 19:00
Chrisswe AuthorThanks Villiers! The PE isn't very complicated on this kit but I do feel I have made improvements since my last ship.
1 4 April, 19:52
Chrisswe AuthorThanks Agnius. I'm trying to stay focused on this project and progress has been good lately.
Unfortunately I had an accident today, I dropped the turmmast on the floor and two PE pieces were knocked off. I think it is repairable and could have been much worse.
10 April, 20:16
Chrisswe AuthorThanks J35J, Ricardo and Jörg! I'm happy with the painting, trying to find the right balance between the contrast effects and realism. I know ww2 ships and planes shouldn't look like space marines but I like when shading and highlights make models pop a little.
1 11 April, 12:57
Chrisswe AuthorWorking on the boats and the result is ok for my Graf Spee. But comparing them with the boats Jörg are doing is like comparing a kids crayon painting with the Mona Lisa😥
1 30 April, 18:35
Jörg SchäferCome on, your boats look very good. And I build on a larger scale, which is easier. 😉
30 April, 18:57
Chrisswe AuthorThanks Villiers!
I'm kidding a little Jörg but your boats are the best i have seen. I should compare with myself instead of with you and then I see I'm making improvements.
My boats are a little boring and it has a lot to do with the very limited PE upgrades. I soon want to try to play in the big boys league with much more detailed PE, brass and resin parts🙂
1 1 May, 04:04
Chrisswe AuthorThanks Jörg. I'm building one more ship on easy mode and then I will take the leap and try to build a ship with a super detail set from Flyhawk.
1 1 May, 09:45
Ingmar StöhrHi Chris, how did I miss out on this project? Very nice work with all the open doors and hatches! And overall a clean build. You managed to do a very clean paintjob and I like tha camo paint! I also enjoy the weathering on the superstructure. Great work!!! And also the overall look is very nice!
I would have two recomendations that you might want to consider for your next project - if you feel these are valid points:
1) Open up the tubes in the smokestack. That is easy to do and in my opinion is a huge improvement.
2) The weathering on the hull be a bit finer. I'm not saying it is to much or overdone. To my eye it just looks a bit rough and not as precise as I would like to see it in this scale.
So much from a model maker whose Graf Spee has been waiting for completion since 2016 😉
Keep up the nice work!
9 May, 09:40
Chrisswe AuthorHi Ingmar! Thanks for your support and constructive criticism. I had much help from you on Schleswig-Holstein and this time I was more confident
throughout the project.
I completely agree on the smokestack. There was little improvement from the PE and I forgot I can do somethings myself anyway.
I did a heavier weathering on the hull than before and while I'm not dissatisfied with the result in itself there is a disconnect with the much lighter weathering on the superstructure.
1 9 May, 10:27
Ingmar StöhrMy point was not about too much weathering, but more that on the hull it could be more precise / concise in its execution. I try to precisely paint the streaking or weathering where I want it to be.
For example if you look at this album (picture No1): Kriegsfischkutter KFK | Album by stugiii (1:350) you can find multiple distinct streaks at each opening in the hull.
Or here PHM-1 Pegasus | Album by stugiii (1:350) you can see multiple small fine distinct lines of streaking in multiple colors.
I'm not saying, that my weathering is perfect or that it is the only 'correct' way of doing it. To the contrary, I always feel like I still have a long way to go myself. I really only wanted to provide some thoughts on what could be done different to maybe improve further with the next project.
1 9 May, 12:11
Chrisswe AuthorThanks Villiers!
I need to gather courage for the rigging and finally get the ship done.
1 20 May, 16:51
DuperScaleThe details are really beautiful, and I especially like the paintwork. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished result with the crew on board — it will give the whole scene a completely different atmosphere.
31 May, 07:49
Chrisswe AuthorThanks a lot DuperScale🙂
I'm trying to figure out how to place the crew in a realistic way. Most of the pictures of Graf Spee that I can find show review like situations with large crowds of sailors gathered on the deck. The miniatures I use are not suitable for that with many figures crouching, sitting, climbing etc.
31 May, 08:19
Chrisswe AuthorAll 72 crew models are finished. I could probably use double the amount if I really wanted to populate the ship but painting them was a slog.
4 31 May, 19:43
gorbyExcellent figure painting. I struggle to get my 1/72 figures looking that good. 😄
2 1 June, 06:30
Chrisswe AuthorThanks Villiers! I still feel I'm a beginner so I'm very happy if I can inspire someone.
1 1 June, 14:43
Chrisswe AuthorThanks a lot Dave, Mike, and both Rui!
Only thing that remains for this ship is to make some better pictures.
I will take a shipbuilding break over the summer and then it is time for this year's third and final ship, the Prinz Eugen!
So for those who still want to follow my kriegsmarine project, stay tuned😉
2 June, 06:08