ShipbuilderMN

Thanks for funnel grid explanation - makes sense. Most of the funnels I sailed with had a deck inside the top of them that you could walk on, and the exhaust gases came out of individual pipes. That was in the motor ships. But I never looked in the top of the funnels of the seven steamers I sailed in. I have asked ex RN men about them in the past, and this is the first time anyone has known what they were for. But it also suggests that they didn't know because the canvas covers were seldom used on the ships that they sailed in. Yes, in the MN, we did tend to spend most of our lives at sea and on the move, but cargo ships were often in port for a week at a time, and I was on one general cargo/log carrier that spent about five weeks in Abidjan first discharging general cargo, and then loading a full cargo of logs every voyage. In the Union-Castle liners, we spent about ten days in Southampton each voyage, but the funnels were certainly never covered up during that time. Anyway, my knowledge has increased - Thanks again for the explanation of the use of the grids in RN ships.

Here is a drawing that makes the whole thing a lot clearer - https://www.shipsnostalgia.com/threads/titanic-lifeboat-question.78170/page-6#lg=thread-78170&slide=1

The lines from the end of the davits were used to stay the davits and stop them moving when in position. The actual lowerimg lines were separate and went through the blocks down to the hooks, but were in practically the same location. Here are some lifeboat pictures that show the set-up a lot clearer - https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/lifeboats-in-atlantic-convoys-during-wwii/58760

Very nice model. The lines from the deck to the davits are for lowering the boat. They go through a block at the top of the davit and down to a hook that is hooked into the boat. The span between the davits has vertical ropes with knots ever few feet that hang down into the boat. When the boat is down, anyone left aboard, such as those who lowered the boat, can slide down the knotted rope into the boat. The knots make it a lot easier to get down and stop one sliding down at top speed and burning hands. As for the funnel grill, I doubt very much if the Knight Templar had one. It seemed to be a fitting confined to warships, and I have no idea what its purpose was. It would certainly not stop a bomb or a shell going down! I sailed in 19 merchant ships and none of them had funnel grills, and I have never seen any on detailed plans of merchant ships.

You are welcome. I was amazed at the response and active participation when I first set up the group, and I don't dominate it in any way. The main rule is merchant ships only, but fleet auxliliaries and fishing boats etc still come under the "commercial" banner, so are welcome as well. Some members advertise their models for sale, and that is OK, although I don't myself. The fact that it is confined to merchant ships, means I am not "stepping on the toes" of other maritime model forums who mainly prefer ships of war!! Bob

Hello Andreas, Thanks. I don't have any problems with parts because I make all my own. I rarely come on model ship forums these days, mainly due to lack of interst in models of merchant ships, My main activities are now on Facebook with my "Merchant Ships in Miniature" group that now has over 3,500 members and is thriving. As I get older, (now 76) I find that it easier to move onto a slightly larger scale such as 25 feet to 1 inch (1/300) or even larger for smaller ships. Currently building a 900-ton barque at 20 feet to one inch, hull length about 7 inches. This one, the barque Gulf Stream, shown on UTube, was badly damaged on its way to Belgium last year, and although I have repaired it, it has limited my activities greatly, because I am no longer prepared to send them out by courier, following a number of breakages. https://youtu.be/RkzuzNRI2Qw Consequently they are starting to pile up, so when we run out of space, that will be the end of it all, but that is a while off yet. Bob

How can it be hacked if it is still working? 😕

Just saw the comment on Facebook that Britmodeller has been hacked. Can only say that for me, it is still working! 2nd August 1406 BST

Hi Steve, Thanks, You had used several methods that I had not seen before, and I liked the bit about fishooks etc!😀 Best wishes Bob

Very nice buld, with some handy tips in it. Not many merchant ships ever get modelled for reasons that escape me, so it is especially pleasing when they do appear - Bob

Thank you Rob - Just saw the download notification. Bob

If it isn't fun, maybe best to just go back to what you do like building!

I quite like scale of 32 feet to 1 inch (1:384). They are small enough for normal sized houses or flats, and don't require any high degree of patience to build. This on, the steamer Politician, is shown in a Utube presentation from block of wood to completion. It took a total of 58 hours to build, spread over a few weeks. All timed on a stopwatch. Building costs, virtually nothing. But being scratchbuilt, it would not be a popular choice for a model, but I was never much good with kits! https://youtu.be/dbKlh_aa9r4

Stuart, Several of them give the methods, but it is against the rules to advertise! Bob

From block of wood to completed model - 32 feet to 1 inch - 1:384 - Bob https://youtu.be/LEuoD6klIY4