T040a Lifeboat The Final Push……….

Time to get my butt into gear and take advantage of this unseasonably cool weather, to get into the loft and get the Scalescenes T040a Lifeboat finished. As with the previous session I had, this is all about everything above deck. 

First job this time is to cut it and cover the Anchor Guard base layers. Make sure to cut one edge of the base layer at an angle. Once done, set aside for now. 

Next is to cut out and run a coloured marker along the raw edge of the rails, then glue into place the Deck Toe Rail. Take note of the Bow end, and use the white lines on the deck to get these into the correct position. Once these are in place, glue the Anchor Guards into place. 

Cut out and glue the Bow Fender into place next.

Next, cut out both of the Anchors and the Rudder. Fold and glue them in half and set aside for now.

Right, now for a fiddly bit. Using the Lifeline jig supplied, bend some thin wire into shape. I used 24 gauge white florists wire. In hindsight, I wished I’d used some finer wire. But this is all I had at hand, so it had to do.

Using the same wire, cut out the Cabin Handrail jig and use it to shape the Handrail. Then glue into place. 

Next is even finer for me. I always struggle with detail this fine. My eyes don’t see it too well, and my fingers are far too big. But I’m going to give it a go anyway. 

Again using the supplied jig, cut strips of Styrene and lay them over the jig and tape into place. I’m using the recommended Evergreen Styrene #121 0.75mm for the Stanchions and Evergreen Styrene #100 0.5mm for the hand rails. Once the Stanchions are taped into place, using a suitable liquid poly, I use the Revell Fine tip applicator, lay the handrails into place. Let the rails bond fully before taking off the jig. I waited until the end to add the Handrails, because I didn’t want to knock them off. 

Cut out the Mast cutting jig next. Cut a paper stemmed cotton bud to size, and unwrap a section at the end to make it thinner. Then using a black marker, colour the thin end. 

Wrap and glue the mast base into place. Tightly roll and glue the Masthead lights. Once the glue is dried, cut the three lights out (one is a spare). Glue the two lights onto the Mast. I used a couple of scraps of styrene to fashion an aerial. I used some Evergreen Rod #221 for the Aft mast. Set these aside until the end. 

Starting mid ship, use a suitable glue to glue the Handrails into place. I used a medium thickness CA. Let the glue dry before moving onto the Bow and Stern sections. 

Next, cut out and glue into place the Mast Hinges. After deciding the position of the Mast, glue it into place. Glue the Aft Mast into place.

Glue the Anchors and the Rudder into place.

And that’s it. I’m calling this one done! 

It’s been an extended build due to the heat in the loft, but in the main, I’ve enjoyed this kit. It’s a been bit out of my comfort zone, what with all of the fine detail, but it’s good to challenge yourself now and again. I can’t wait for the accompanying Lifeboat Station. Due to be released shortly. 

 

Until Next Time………….