Progress as of October 14, 2008

Here is my progress thus far. . .

I've since removed the incascent lights and replaced them with twelve white LEDs. I also replaced the thread provided with the kit for rigging with four lbs test fishing line which is close to scale. I paint it gray once I'm ready to finish the rigging as I did with the number 1 and number two funnels.

I have nearly completed the bridge, officers' quarters, and gymnasium. I used brass aftermarket windows that are glued onto the kit. I had to use a lot of contour putty to reduce light leakage. The Morse lamp stations would not assemble correctly at all, so I reconstructed them out of contour putty.

I added two vents on the boat deck. One is above the Marconi room and the other above the officers' lavatory. They are the dark brown fixtures on the roof above the gymnasium. I still have to add collapsable life boats A and B to the roof, then it will be done except for railings.

The compass station mounted on the roof of the first class lounge is also etched brass and was very difficult to bend and mount. The brass is very soft and delicate. The benches that are visible are also etched brass and, up close, individual slats in the benches are available.

I still have a lot of cleanup to do on the front of the ship before it is done. The parts were painted before I mounted them, and the contour putty has covered up some of this. I still need to do the fine sanding of the contour putty and repaint the Morse stations and the bridge.

Still have a long way to go. . .