1/144 HMCS Bonaventure Started 1 April 2008

[lastvautour]

Finally been able to produce decent girders approx 1/16 inch thick. With sanding they look pretty good for the mast.

I used a home made jig on my bandsaw and used a metal cutting blade. The wood is a basswood paint stirring stick from my local Canadian Tire store. The grain is straight and the wood density is great.

One other thing is the radar dome on the rear of the upper deck. I made a dowel centering tool and it worked quite well.

[Oceaneer99]

Lou,

All very impressive (construction, jigs, etc.).

Although it is expensive, the model railroaders use basswood strip stock, though it looks like you're doing a wonderful job with your jig and bandsaw.  Ray had recommended the basswood strips for some of the details on my PT boat.

Garet

[lastvautour]

The most amasing thing is the quality of the paint stir sticks at Canadian Tire. And they are free.

lou

[lastvautour]

Both masts have been assembled and now need details added in the form of antenae and radar arrays.

As she stands, the main mast has 126 pieces and the smaller radar tower has 56 wooden pieces and a ladder made from window screen materiel.

Lou

[Oceaneer99]

Amazing work, Lou!

[lastvautour]

Thank you Garet. The work is slow but satisfying. Paint has been applied and details still need to be applied. I also need a few touch ups and some sanding.

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-3798
The gun emplacements are coming along. I have three of four rough carved and one temp placed in its intended location.
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-3793

[lastvautour]

The majority of the hatchways have been marked out. I have received some highly details photos from a friend and the creative juices are flowing at the shipyard.

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-3812
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-3811

[Oceaneer99]

Nice progress on the Bonnie, Lou!  I showed someone your photos and they didn't believe how big she was until I showed them the photo of you holding the deck piece.

Garet

[lastvautour]

Thanks Garet. She weighs in at approx 15 pounds. I should take my scales downstairs and weigh her.

Lou

[animek]

Lou, If I may ask, where did you acquire the Bonaventure drawings or plans?

Thanks

Ben

[lastvautour]

A friend provided me with some good drawings. They are of the post-refit version but do quite well with some photos found on line and research shared by my friends.

Lou

[animek]

A friend provided me with some good drawings. They are of the post-refit version but do quite well with some photos found on line and research shared by my friends.

Lou

Ha!

Any chance some scan version could be available in the solid model memory plans section soon?

Thanks

Ben

[lastvautour]

I will ask my friend and if doesn't mind I will scan and post. It is a pretty big drawing and will not fit on one sheet. I can overlap but cannot guarantee that the images will scan to the same scale. I have had problems with this before.

lou

[animek]

If you are ok to go ahead, do the basic stuff only, I will be able to manage the reassembly myself, even if it is cut in 8 parts

My intention is only to do a 1:1250 scale version of it.

Thanks

Ben

[lastvautour]

At that size, there are some drawings from my stash I will hunt up for you.

Lou