Posted by Mark Darrah on May 29, 1999 at 00:24:48 in 12.75.172.155:
In Reply to: R Hahn's plans and Question for Mark Darrah posted by Dave Cain on May 28, 1999 at 21:47:13:
Dave,
Yes, I saw your reply, but to be honest I put off answering for fear of getting myself into something I didn't know if I could finish! Sorry.
I've been contemplating this for a long time. In fact I mentioned this project privately to a few of the regulars quite a while back. I tend to have big dreams, but have a
hard time realizing them.
Anyway, you've given me a lot of good ideas. I like the concept of the windows being inserts in etched openings, and having the walls/bulkheads made in sections
that are spliced into the kit walls. Spare windows would be a neccessity to allow for disagreements on placement. If need be, alternate wall sections could also be
made.
Unless Loren is prepared to tackle this himself (with our input), I would like this to be a collaborative effort. Between a few of us, we have most of the plans that
would be needed, but I haven't spent enough time to go through all of them and identify what applies specifically to Titanic (all the plans represent Olympic more or
less). Before we go any further, we need a comprehensive "wish list" of parts. Obviously, the windows (and doors) are the big one.
What else?
Center anchor grating
Fiddly grating (grating fore and aft of the funnels)
Handwheels for the capstan controls (they'd be TINY)
Triangular "booms" along the exterior of B deck
Another of my biggies would be new sides for the hull along the sheer line, including separate pieces for the octagonal plates with relief etched hydraulic rivets. This
brings me to my next point, and that is: When does this model stop becoming a plastic kit and begin to be a scratch project? If we're going to all this trouble, we
haven't even addressed the problems with the bulk of the hull itself. The shell plating is WAY oversized. I went so far as to sand it all smooth with the intention of
applying thin copper plates to it. God, what a nightmare! If I'm going to go to all this trouble, why not just build one from scratch in a REAL scale (I do intend to
eventually)? Talk about guilding the lilly!
I'd really appreciate more input from everyone here as to what you want to see. Also, are we/I going overboard? Pun intended. Mostly I want to hear what Loren
has to say.
If there is enough positive response, I would be willing to give it a shot. We would then need to collaborate on exact part sizes, locations, etc. I can't do this by
myself. Loren is the god of PE, so if he's up to the task I would rather provide him with the info and let him do the artwork. If not, I would think it proper to give him
the finished artwork and let him decide whether to market it publicly or just here in limited runs. I assume he can get it done at a much lower price anyway. I'm not in
this for the money and have no desire to be a parts supplier. BTW, there would be no duplication with GMM parts.
SO, how about it everyone? Are we up to it, or is it a waste of time? Maybe the wrong words, but you know what I mean.