The thin false decks ensure there are no offset edges between the 0.5mm thick planks that may result because of any unevenness of the support structure, and offer a lot of strength to the deck. This prevents punctures if you drop a tool on it.
, extra strenght is the reason.
Yeah, right! /s
And only clumsy people do drop tools, we modelbuilders aren't clumsy.
Because I have a borescope. And if I want to go on a personal adventure, I can stick the borescope through and unoccupied gun port and wander around inside. Besides, it was a personal challenge to make some of the inside look as good as the outside will be. When they invent micro-cameras which can fit onto the back of a bug, I'm all set!
Imagine years from now, long after I'm gone, after some person has bought this old ship at some auction, what they would say if they take the time to peer into a gun portal...
Kurt, I get it! The only reason I didn't ask, is you didn't use a false deck on the lower deck. The borescope will show the plywood on top of the carlings and ledges...but, this is your model and fun you are taking while building her.I'm surprised you waited this long to ask that question. All the other members asked it two decks ago.
Didn't use a false deck on the lower gun deck? Yes I did, just skip back page 38 in the build log. The false deck material for the middle gun deck is the same material as the overhead for the upper gun deck. The original kit plywood false deck was used for the lower gun deck. You see Jim, the deck support structure is not perfectly even from beam to beam. There is some slight unevenness, so using planks over the structure will reveal every flaw, no matter how small, if the planks were to be glued to each and every support. The false deck acts as an equalizer. It makes the planking smooth overall on top. I don't think anyone can place that many sticks together without getting some of them uneven, and my beams and supports were created all by eye.
Oh I could tell you legendary stories of the crap I've dropping in to the hull of this model, never to be seen again. Some of it has been recovered weeks later by taking the model and shaking it upside down (without dropping it, of course).
And only clumsy people do drop tools, we modelbuilders aren't clumsy.
No, they are carbon steel I found cheap at a Discount Steel in Minneapolis. They were rough and gray so I sanded them shiny. I have to watch so they don't make rust stains on the wood, should they contact wet glue.
Only the main hatch will be open all the way down to the lower gun deck. I'm not a fan of cutaway models, so in order to see all the details inside, another method like a borescope has to be used. A borescope does not adjustable depth of focus, so I'm looking for alternatives.
Why not install small spy camera's in it on fixed places which you can connect via wifi.
Now that's an idea! That would be great; you could give your visitors an on screen tour through your model.
I like your idea of using false decks to give you a solid foundation for the deck planks and simultaneously leveling all the wires.
