Argentina gets her boot topping!...and begins to look like the beautiful vessel we remember with such fondness.

Looking at the models today, there appears to have been a lot of progress. However, this is merely due to the great amount of preparation done to get to this point! And speaking of preparation, here's a look at one of the most tedious chores, which must be done repeatedly - masking! Since I'm using an airbrush, every time the ships require paint, they must be encased in paper and tape, to insure that the paint goes only where I want it. The image below shows hulls #2, #3, and #5 masked in preparation for their blue band of boot topping. This is the main reason why small pieces such as stabilizers and propellers will not be attached until the very end - not only are they difficult to mask around, but they could easily be pulled off or broken during un-masking. Note that the line of demarcation for the band of boot topping may look uneven in the photo - this is because the actual masked line is done with transparent tape. This is far superior to masking tape for making a very sharp and straight line.

The boot topping on s/s Queen of Bermuda and the two models of s/s Universe Explorer was applied on Tuesday (4/20). On Wednesday, the inner face of the guard walls (upper edge of the hull, inside at the bow and stern) was painted white, along with Argentina's bollards and winches, and the angled guard wall that protects the forward hatch. Bollards and winches for the other three models were painted dark blue. White paint was also applied to the curved bulkhead on Argentina, forward, and the aft-most bulkheads (lower deck) on all four ships. Since this bulkhead must be raised in height on s/s Queen of Bermuda and s/s Universe Explorer, it will require extensive putty and sanding to seamlessly match the existing structure, so will be painted later.

On Thursday (4/22) the paint had dried sufficiently to allow me to install the bollards, winches, and guard wall. Prior to doing this, however, I had to paint (with a small brush) the bits, hawses, and other details that are cast onto, or were added to the aft-most and forward-most decks. The Brasil/Argentina kits specify black paint for this, but all my photos indicate these parts were either white or the same color grey as the decking on the original s/s Argentina and s/s Brasil. I chose white for all small details on s/s Argentina, and dark blue for the other three ships. To Revell's credit, black does make parts look smaller, which may be why this was indicated. The over-all effect I am going for with s/s Argentina dictates lighter colors, for reasons I won't go into. Those of you with modeling experience will be quite familiar with the "scale effect" when it comes to paint color. Basically, when you shrink a ship from 617' to 18" the colors should get lighter. Were I to match the actual colors on the ship, they would be too dark, and we would end up, once again, with the "plastic model" look.

Above are hulls #3 & #4 (s/s Universe Explorer & s/s Argentina) showing forecastles installed, as well as the forward portion of the main superstructure (kit part #11) attached. Note that this piece fits rather poorly. The bridge rail should be one smooth, continuous curve, so the seams at the point this piece meets the hull will require some extensive work. Because of this, be sure you get a good, strong join - in fact, I chose to reinforce the lower part of the seam on the inside (hidden) with an extra piece of styrene. Near the upper edge on the reverse of this piece are four ejection pin marks, as well as the part number cast into the surface - my advice to save yourself any headaches later is to go ahead and fill these with putty, and sand off the number. You might note, as well, that I have cut off the mullions for the bridge windows, which are cast along the top edge of this part. Due to the limitations of injection molding, these were much too big - in fact, the dividers between the windows were larger than the windows themselves! A look at any photo of the ship's bridge will tell you why these have to be removed and fabricated from scratch.

We are now ready for some fun - extending the outer hull plating aft on E Deck (Upper Deck)! s/s Argentina has been set temporarily aside, as she needs no further alterations at this level of construction. In the image below, I have added two strips of styrene to the inside of the hull, aft. These will support the extension of the outer shell plating. The strips are wide enough for maximum contact, but do not interfere with the portholes below, and will not be in the way when new portholes are drilled into the new plating, above. This is another point on the model that is going to require putty and firm sanding, so I want a strong, secure join. I am going to let these pieces cement overnight before adding the outer plating. The plating is going to extend over a portion of the green decking, so I will draw this, as well as the outline of the aft, curved bulkhead, with pencil. The paint will have to be scraped away at this point, in order to cement the new bulkheads to the deck. Even though I won't be attaching them today, I will probably cut and pre-fit the pieces.

1/10/2005

News of the cancellation of our New Year's cruise resulted in suspension of work on the models.  However, recent news of Brasil's beaching at Alang on 7 December, 2004 has brought a number of inquiries, and work has since resumed.  Promenade decks have been installed on all models, and photos of the progress will be added soon.  Thank you to all for your encouragement!

It seems hard to believe that more than an entire year has passed since this project was begun, but I am pleased to say that it does continue. Actually, considering there are four models under construction at once, I'm only a bit behind schedule! Recent news may alter the timetable once again, but at least I can bring you up to date as of this morning:

The following image illustrates the fact that the promenade deck has been installed on all four models. Argentina is at top, and one of the UE models is at bottom. It is clear to see in this side-by-side comparison that the ship's second class pool was retained when she was refit and was merely raised one deck level and rotated 90°. Though not clear in the image (sorry for the poor lighting) a scribed panel has been inserted in her upper deck bulkhead aft to simulate the large ventilator exhaust (UE/QB). Guard walls will be added on either side of this vent, as you will see below.

Below is a forward view, showing one of the UE models in the foreground with her library, nee casino, installed. When modeling this area note that the width of the addition does not match the existing superstructure at the point where the two meet. There is a slight "taper" at this point. Also, you may note that (easily seen in photos of the ship) that the casino floor overhang is not as pronounced above the shell plating of the hull as it is further aft.

Aft promenade deck, UE. I have added a raised border around the deck using a strip of styrene. This does not really exist on the ship, but it was added to match the deck "rim" on the original model. In this view you will see a line of putty applied to mask the join line between the deck and the styrene strip - since the decking is scribed to simulate her teak planking, the strip and putty serves to mask the cut ends of the grooves. Two small "notches" or spaces in the border have been left where ladders (stairways) will be added later on. The vertical pencil lines visible on the exterior hull plating mark the positions of the small triangular braces beneath the deck overhang. These must be added both aft and forward, beneath the port & starboard overhang of the casino/library.

Much progress! As you can now see, all promenade deck bulkheads have been raised. This is probably one of the most challenging, tedious, and important chores that will insure a good finished model. Good deck plans are necessary, as well as a bit of skill - especially on the UE/Queen of Bermuda where a semi-spiral staircase must be fabricated to wrap the base of her port engine exhaust uptake (funnel) casing. You will see in the image that the swimming pools have been modeled to their full scale depth. The pools are not attached to the models at this point, merely set in place in cut-outs in the decking. They will be removed to be painted, and then re-inserted after the deck receives its paint. A note on the uptake casings - these have literally been "raised" (lifted to upper decks) on two occasions during subsequent refits. The original castings from the model kit will need to be used on the open deck (albeit shortened significantly). I have chosen to fabricate the lower portions of the casings in sections, deck by deck, as opposed to merely lengthening the original casings and then trying to insert them through several decks - this would require absolutely perfectly aligned holes and incredible forethought - something even I do not wish to attempt!  In fact, it might be possible to omit entirely the section of the casing that passes through the disco/classroom depending upon how much light is admitted and how visible this area of the ship's interior is, ultimately.

It will be up to the individual modeler to what extent he or she chooses to complete the interior of the ship - once enclosed by the upper decks it will be nearly impossible to see very much of the interior configuration. I learned this after spending a great deal of time and effort modeling to extreme detail the interior of the s/s Bermuda Star, right down to painting the deck with the colors of her carpeting in various areas. I do think it is a good idea to include some interior bulkheads - especially "fore and aft" running bulkheads that prevent one from looking "through" the model. This really gives the finished product a "solid" not to mention accurate look.

You might also notice that all of the vertical members have been added to the exterior promenade deck openings where once there was merely rail but now floor-to-ceiling windows exist. This is a very tedious job, accomplished with accurately cut styrene strip of various widths. I do have detailed drawings for this job, but I recommend that you refer to photos of the ship(s) for best results. There is a significant difference between port and starboard on the models in this regard!

I have included the shot below to illustrate a single detail on s/s Argentina - I have modeled the two sets of seven "up-and-down" sliding windows forward on her promenade deck, below the bridge wing. These are cast solid on the Revell model. I left them this way on the s/s Bermuda Star, which worked out fine because these windows (in her casino at the time) were usually curtained and appeared white from a distance. However, modeling them on s/s Argentina adds a great bit of detail - well worth the effort! Close examination of actual photos will illustrate the proper proportions for these.

Two chores remain before I can give the new structure a base coat of paint. Portholes must be drilled in the "new" aft hull plating, port & starboard, on the UE and Queen of Bermuda models. Most importantly, the height of all the new bulkheads/structure on the promenade deck must be carefully sanded or gently scraped down to the proper dimension in order to insure that the boat deck has the proper camber. Though every attempt was made to cut these to the proper height, I generally tend to "over" measure, as it is much easier to trim these a bit than to find you need to build them up after installation. In addition, some putty and sanding will be necessary to insure that the forward facing casino/library bulkhead perfectly matches the existing structure below. After that, a general once-over to check for any minor flaws that might require putty and/or sanding, then paint will be applied.

Well, I'm off to sea to join NCL's brand new "Pride of America."  I should be joining the vessel at her builders' berth in Bremerhaven after a bit of a refresher at the Merchant Mariners' training facility in Piney Point, and will be with the crew as we bring her across the Atlantic prior to a Panama Canal transit, and then out to our permanent assignment in Hawaii.  I will be departing on 2 April, and so must suspend work on the models until my return, tentatively scheduled for September, 2005. Below, some final images of our models in their current state of completion.

Above, an overhead view of the aft end of s/s Argentina. I have cut out the piece of .03 (thickness) styrene sheet for her boat deck. It has been set in place for this photo, but will not be permanently attached until all painting of the promenade deck and bulkheads below has been completed. Note the "V" shaped notch in her deck - the open area farthest forward (to the left) would have been directly above her buffet area. Compare with the image below, that of the s/s Queen of Bermuda or s/s Universe Explorer.

Here is the s/s Queen of Bermuda with her boat deck set in place. Note that all the hard work of modeling her uptakes, grill/restaurant, bar and spiral staircase is (sadly) mostly obscured. It will, however, be possible to see this area if one views the model from directly astern with the promenade deck at eye level. It is also an area that very much sets her apart from her sister (previously modeled) so I felt it necessary to complete it to the same level of detail. Not visible in the image is the opening yet to be cut in the boat deck at the location where the spiral staircase reaches the disco (UE classroom). One could certainly get away without doing this, but I am far too much of a perfectionist to allow myself to leave this undone! You might notice that there is a small "jog" port and starboard near the aft end of the boat deck that makes it appear as if the deck gets "wider" at that point. This is not the case, it is merely the point where the existing rail above the promenade deck windows meets the new structure - it will not "match" perfectly until all is cemented in place and sanded smooth. As always, it is best to leave a little "extra" material and then sand/trim to fit.

Lastly, a port side view of the s/s Queen of Bermuda. She and the two models of the s/s Universe Explorer have reached this level of construction. Note that the graceful camber of her boat deck has been carefully maintained. An optical illusion resulting from the forward addition of the casino and the extended glass panels port and starboard of the swimming pool area make the vessel look longer than her sister, the s/s Bermuda Star. From this point on, the superstructures of all four models will be entirely scratch built, and the only totally "unaltered" parts to be attached will be life boats and (possibly) some of Argentina's kingposts and cargo booms. Argentina will receive her engine uptakes "as is" as well, but these will have to be shortened for QB/UE. As previously illustrated, the dummy funnels for all four models have each undergone alterations.

I do wish all of you a great Spring and Summer, and happy modeling - Aloha, and see you in September!

Ered Matthew

To be continued.....