Tips and tricks for 1/400 Titanic

[RobertcLawrence]

I am about to start building the academy 1/400 model of Titanic, any tricks or guidance I should have please.

[Adm Lord De Univers]

Either keep it safely away from icebergs or ensure there are (accessible) binoculars in the crowd nest!

 

Really depends on your skill level, but I always have a good look on these forums (fora?) for others' builds first to give me an idea of what to expect before commencing a build.

 

I mainly use revell contacta glue (applied with a toothpick if needed), but also superglue (a variety of types), pva (anything cheap), and some special glue that doesn't fog up clear parts. Full set of tools, best not to try to make do, but also no need to spend a fortune. Read through the instructions first, take it slow. I probably spend more time on sanding than anything else (apart from research), start from a rougher texture to smooth obv. Filler is almost always likely to be needed, the type depends on how shoddily I put something together and how big the gap is, or if I can easily get to the filler to sand it back.

 

Think about how you want to display it, it might make more sense to paint the hull and secure that to a base to minimise handling of the model later (fingerprints, oil from fingers or - in my case - clumsy rearranging of deck parts). Also think about how you'll paint those tiny parts once all installed, I often paint on the sprue or attach to blue tack/tape to paint, or make subasemblies for installation later.

 

Sorry if teaching to suck eggs, and for not having experience with this particular model, but have a look on scalemates for add-ons if desired. If this is your first model and you want an absolute showstopper, then prob best to have a go at something cheaper and build up to it. Equally, have fun and give it a go, you'll soon improve as you go along.

 

David

 

In my research for the Titanic I have in the stash, I came across convincing evidence that the red hull colour is much pinker in hue than usually depicted, so add research to the recommendations above.

[psdavidson]

Everything @Adm Lord De Univers mentioned above plus

If in doubt, ask; someone will know.

Under no circumstances should it be put on the floor, even temporarily. @Bertie Psmith can tell you what happens

 

/P 

[Bertie McBoatface]

2 minutes ago, psdavidson said:

Everything @Adm Lord De Univers mentioned above plus

If in doubt, ask; someone will know.

Under no circumstances should it be put on the floor, even temporarily. @Bertie Psmith can tell you what happens

 

/P 

 

You'll never let me forget that will you! 🤬

[Faraway]

Planning ahead and knowing when to take a rest, is the best advice I can offer, I leant that the hard way.

And if you can get one, add a wooden deck to it. They really do make a difference.

 

[Bertie McBoatface]

20 minutes ago, Faraway said:

They really do make a difference.

 

I think they look good too. If realism is the goal however consider that Titanic's deck planks were 5 inches wide (except for the well deck planks at 6 inches). 

 

5 inches = 125mm

 

125/400 gives you a scale plank width of 0.3125mm. I don't think that's reproduced on the wooden decks. Another problem is that the grain of the veneer, however fine is also very overscale.

 

Wildly inaccurate and very good looking. (Those decks are just like me. 🤣)

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

There's a specialist site with tons of information on the Academy/Minicraft kits which you will find useful.

 

"Welcome to the Titanic Research & Modeling Association. Here you’ll find the most accurate and comprehensive Titanic information anywhere. We have information about the ship, comprehensive reference guides, links to plans of the ship and resources to help you build a model of her – all researched and written by our members. Our roots are in modeling, but we have become known for much more these days. Some of the foremost Titanic experts in the world contribute to make this site the premier online resource for technical information about Titanic and the Olympic-class liners."

 

http://www.gorchfock.net/

 

 

[RobertcLawrence]

23 minutes ago, Faraway said:

Planning ahead and knowing when to take a rest, is the best advice I can offer, I leant that the hard way.

And if you can get one, add a wooden deck to it. They really do make a difference.

 

I have the brass photo etched fittings plus the Chinese stick on wooden decks

[Faraway]

32 minutes ago, RobertcLawrence said:

I have the brass photo etched fittings plus the Chinese stick on wooden decks

Then this should turn out to be an excellent model.
Are you going to create a seascape or mount her on a stand ?

Jon

[RobertcLawrence]

I will have on a stand in a display case

 

[Pappy]

5 hours ago, RobertcLawrence said:

I have the brass photo etched fittings plus the Chinese stick on wooden decks

 

Have you used PE and other multimedia accessories before?

 

If not, my advice would be to build a few cheaper, smaller kits and practice using PE, rigging and wooden decks on these before making the Titanic your first attempt, unless you intend this to be  warm up kit for something bigger

 

cheers,

 

Pappy

[Faraway]

4 minutes ago, Pappy said:

 

Have you used PE and other multimedia accessories before?

 

If not, my advice would be to build a few cheaper, smaller kits and practice using PE, rigging and wooden decks on these before making the Titanic your first attempt, unless you intend this to be  warm up kit for something bigger

 

cheers,

 

Pappy

Wise words, especially if you have spend a lot on the PE set.

Jon