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JIM BAUMANN'S BUILD OF WEM K 717 1/700 HMS WARSPITE
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Following on from Chris Drage's beautiful "Two Old Ladies" diorama build of Warspite, I finally settled down to a photo session of Jim Baumann's build of the White Ensign Models kit.
This model took a Gold at the UK IPMS Nationals in October 1999. For those of you who don't know of J.B.'s work, he uses a variety of techniques to achieve extra realism.. for example, pencil lead is used extensively, to outline features such as doors, and his rigging is all stretched plastic sprue. The only addition besides rigging are the numerous Gold Medal Models 1/700 Naval Figures. Jim paints all these up in appropriate uniforms (please bear in mind that these figures are only 3mm high!). Notice that, like Chris, he has used the (supplied) photoetched brass version, rather than the resin castings for the 8-Barrelled Pom-Poms. Pretty effective, hey! In fact, Jim used just about every detail off the MAIN PHOTOETCHED BRASS DETAIL SET See if you can spot which part is used where!
These pics were taken indoors with my Canon EOS 500, with a 28-80 mm Canon lens, using a fixed 1/15s speed on a variable aperture (tripod mounted). Pics were then colour-balanced after scanning (not a dog's hope of getting an outside session under natural light this time of year without the wind demolishing the rigging!). The above effect was the result of a (fun!) 15 minute dabble in Corel 9.
Anyhows, with no further delays, please click on picture links below. Just bear in mind, when you look at the detail work, that the model is just under 12 inches long!
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Below: Check out the large amount of photoetched brass detail here, from the starfish through to the mast arrays!
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Below: A large detailed photograph of her starboard bridge-thru-catapult arrangement
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Below: A nice "3-D" view of the bridge structure
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Below: loads of detail was built into the original master pattern by Brian Fawcett, such as cable reels and bollards.. and can be clearly seen in this photo. The anchor cable is photoetched brass, as are the loading davits and rails, and are off the MAIN PHOTOETCHED BRASS DETAIL SET (which was designed by Peter Hall), as are the various hatches.
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The kit costs 54.00 British Pounds. This is approximately $74.60 at today's exchange rate, and the kit is shipped post free worldwide.
WEM's next two capital ship releases in 1/700 are Renown 1944 and Queen Elizabeth 1918. Reservations being taken right now! Just E-Mail me, CAROLINE, with your details. Free price lists mailed or E-Mailed on request (you need MS Excel and MS Word).
If you want a few hints and tips from Jim as to how he achieves his stunning results, take a look at http://www.modelwarships.com/features/how-to/baumann_weathering.htm
Thanks for stopping by!
Caroline Carter
Business Manager and web-mistress
