Posted by Matty
on August 24, 2008, 21:45:49, in reply to "Re: Matty's Models' 1/200 FBM BOW UPGRADE"
4.235.201.8
--Originally Posted 9/2/07--
As always, THANKS for the compliments, Mike - and I certainly do hope you will enjoy these.
Your idea of lighting the controls of a cutaway build sounds great - let me also suggest using spare bits of clear aircraft control panels (practically made for the purpose).
Which brings us to why I'm not designing any interior details: these kits need so much work - everything, including the dimensions of the spaces themselves, is so inaccurate - that there would be no logical end; I'd have to re-do the entire interior - which would not be affordable, either for me or the buyers.
Regarding the sonar specifically, there is the additional problem that I've never seen an actual photo - nor even a good drawing - of one anywhere; some diagrams, with various apparent degrees of authority, all show a large circle or sphere in the nose but that's all they show. So any detailing of it would be pure speculation - unless you can (or anybody) can steer me to some good pics, Mikey.
Meanwhile, neither these kits nor my bow parts were designed for a split nose cone in the first place.
Which brings us to why I didn't design my bow correction for the cutaway build. The hollow casting still has to be much thicker than the kit hull, so it can't be flush on the inside; it is also too fragile to support pre-scoring over such a large extent - to split it along the deck for opening, which there's no straightforward way to do without destroying surface detail. If the user is very, very skilled, he might could scribe it open along the safety-track line, but I can't trust to design this into successful production pieces before the fact.
All that said, the interior of these kits is indeed an opportunity, and exciting challenge - don't (anybody) forget to consult Donny's Casimir Pulaski website for the most comprehensive look at interior details (of a Lafayette-class boat) available anywhere. I have been motivated for some time now to take these pics and warp/mosaic them together (exactly as you'll note I did for the above hull pics) to show the layouts of the interior spaces. If I do, I will certainly let you guys know!
Meantime, Mikey, show us what you've done with those 5" guns you bought from me. 
Seriously, thanks again for the encouragement and for your interest, buddy!
Cheers,
-Matty
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