T040b Lifeboat Station………….

Here we go again. It’s time to get started on the much anticipated T040b Lifeboat station from Scalescenes. This kit is the second part of the duo of the T040a 52ft Barnett Class Lifeboat and a period Lifeboat house. I’ve been waiting for this kit for what seems like forever. Having built the Lifeboat a couple of months ago, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of this kit, to accommodate my lifeboat. 

Anyhow enough rambling, let’s crack on. 

This kit is a big one!!! (32 pages big) But after building the lifeboat, I’m pleased to get my teeth into something a lot bigger. 

Glue all of the sheets to their relevant sheets of card. Or in my case, I use the self-adhesive labels method.

Next, cut out all of the window openings and run a marker pen around the raw edges. Then stick the window sheet to some clear acetate. Set these aside for now.

The substantial foundation is next. Cut out the two Foundation A parts and glue them together. A tip I have at this stage, is to get yourself a couple of pieces of 2mm card, and glue them together, back to back. I use this as a spacer to check that the slots that are cut into the foundation pieces are wide enough. All will become apparent shortly. Repeat with Foundation pieces B C D and E.

Next, cut out and glue together back to back print sides out, the two Foundation 1 pieces. 

Cut out and glue together, the two Foundation 2a pieces, and glue them over the top of their corresponding Foundation 2b pieces. Don’t worry that there looks to be mistake here. It’s supposed to look like this. Set these put these under a couple of heavy books or weights to ensure that they glue securely. 

Next, start to assembly. On a level surface, with the light blue guidelines facing the back, glue Foundation 1 squarely into Foundation A. This is where using that piece of 4mm card in the slot earlier, makes sure that the pieces fit together. Use a square to make sure everything is perpendicular. 

Repeat the process for Foundations B C D and E. Making sure to follow the instructions on which way the light blue guidelines should be. 

Next, with the printed sides facing inside, test fit and glue the Foundation 2b pieces. As before, make sure everything is square and perpendicular. 

Cut out and lightly score on the red line, the Well Floor. Introduce a slight angle. Dry fit this for now and cut out both the upper and lower well walls. Test fit these. Then glue all three components into place.

Next, cut out the two Foundation 3 sections. With the printed side facing inwards, glue these two parts into place into Foundations A B C D and E. make sure everything is square. 

Cut out and glue in place, the foundation top 1 next. Make sure the this piece is central. 

Next, cut out and glue into place the Ramp Well Floor into place. 

Cut out the Ramp B left and right sections. Making sure the edges line up with the outside edge, glue into place. 

Now, I was left with an unsightly gap at this stage (I’m sure it was of my own doing) but I just printed off another page with Ramp Well Floor on, cut a section out, and glued it over the gap!

Next, cut out the and lightly score on the red lines, the Back Wall. Test fit and glue into place. This is where that what looked like a mistake, when gluing the two Foundation 2 a/b pieces together becomes obvious. It helps to form the curve of the back wall. 

Cut out the Back Wall cover layer and glue over the top of the base layer. Smooth into place. Once in place cut out the Ladder and glue into place. 

Next, cut out both Ramp A Left and Right and glue them into place. Making sure to line the up with the outside edge. 

Cut out and glue into place, the two Cradle Well edges.

The last task for this session is to cut out the Ramp Platform A and B sections. Glue the smaller section B to the back of section A and then glue onto the ramp.

That’s it for now. The next part is to fashion the winch. Which is quite a mean feat with my sausage fingers. 

 

Until Next Time………….

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………….