This page is dedicated to the construction and buildup of my Custom Replicas display model. It measures 66.5" in length and is done in 1/32 scale.
It features operational lighting in three modes, operational propeller, and partial salon interior.
A special effects module will also be built to replicate rippling water on the surface.
August 28th, 2007: Work has now begun in earnest on this project! I have cleaned the hull pieces and begun test fitting pieces. I have elected to begin construction on the wheelhouse first, as it is one of the most detailed and exciting parts of the kit (in my opinion, anyway!). I took some liberty with the layout of the wheelhouse controls and gauges, however they are for the most part accurate. There is quite a bit of discrepancy between the actual set, the blueprints, and the various models. I layed them out how I thought would be most logical and would look best on display.
The wheelhouse features a terrific laser cut deck set from Brian Bevis. It looks absolutely awesome when installed, as you can see. I also have laser cut stairs for the famous spiral staircase leading down into the chart room. They will be installed later in the build as they are quite fragile.
Note the rivet details on the hull of the model.
August 30th, 2007: I've continued my work on the wheelhouse. The entire inside was primed in Krylon Bronze paint, and then the detail parts were painted in Copper and Gold. I also added some brass rod to simulate piping leading to some of the more prominent gauges. As of right now, the plan is to add some glow in the dark powder to the gauge faces to more accurately represent the gauges seen in the movie, which were lit with green light. LED lights will now be added on two separate circuits, one for Attack Mode (bright green), and one for normal operations (white).
I also mounted the base plate for the salon floor. One of the iris portals will be open and the other closed.
Sept 10th, 2007: I've gotten more detail work done on the wheelhouse, adding Brian Bevis' great detail kit to the rear desk as well as the glow-in-the-dark powder to the gauge faces. The desk turned out really well if I do say so myself.
I've also begun building up the salon interior. I've got the flooring set up, and I've begun mocking up the big ballast tubes as well. So far, I'm really happy with how its all turning out.
Sept 24th, 2007: I've worked on engineering the slow-rotating propellor. I'm using a 5rpm gearhead motor with a 2 to one gear ratio for a final drive of somewhere around 10 rpm... a nice and dignified turn. Ladder rungs have been added to the wheelhouse, carpets and artwork have been printed, the masters for the salon couches and loungers have been finished and molded. I've opened up the various scoops to make them more realistic looking as well.
November 20th, 2007: I've worked a lot more on the Salon and wheelhouse and I'm very satisfied with the results so far. A few more small touchups, and the salon will be done!
February 20th, 2008: Done! This model has been completed. The only thing left for me to do is work on an overhead lighting system that will replicate the rippling water effect over top. I should have that completed by this weekend (hopefully).
I am particularly pleased with how the weathering on the hull turned out. It was a long and involved process, however it was worth it in the long run. I daresay that this is the most realistic finish that I've been able to acheive thus far.
The model has four circuits: Interior Lights, Exterior Flood Lights, Green Attack Lights, and the propulsion motor. Power comes from a 12V wall adapter that plugs into the base of the unit.
March 3rd, 2008: I got the business part of my water effects module done! This shows the result. From here, I am going to add several remote blue LEDs to better wash the entire top portion of the hull, but this is the ripple effects portion:
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