R-34 scale model project... Ring sealer strips applied.

The next step was to give the hull the texture that is kind of unique to this particular airship. The raised lines, or strips that were doped onto the surface of the actual dirigible that covered the edges of the cotton panels that were laced onto the ship's framework. These strips covered those joints where the panels butted up against each other.

On my model. I simulated this by cutting up a sheet of acid free printer paper into 1/16" wide strips, and glued them to the doped tissue paper over each ring on the hull. Where they butted up the gas shaft hoods, I would cut that part out, and have the end of the strip butted up against the hood cover. Same thing for the fins.

After I had them all in place, and they were dry, I applied two more coats of clear model aircraft dope to seal these in on the surface of the hull to make for a more uniform surface for painting purposes.

In these subsequent pictures you can see the gas shaft hoods on the top of the ship, as well as the overall aesthetic effect applying these little strips has on giving this model a much more realistic looking texture.

Strips were made from printer paper, cut with a straight edge on a wooden cutting board, into about 1/16" wide strips, and wrapped around the hull over every ring.

Close-up showing the texture of the model. It's really starting to look like the R-34, now!

Isolated detail shot of the completed but not painted hull assembly.

Jim.