On the starboard side of the mast between the top of the ratline and just above the top of the mast light was an access ladder.

Method 1

Use the ladder provided in Tom's Modelworks misc set.

Method 2

Make this by cutting a 23mm section off of the top of the unused Lusitania GMM ratlines, paint this dark gray. and then glue on to the mast with CA glue.

The stairs flanking either side of #2 hatch were removable for cargo loading. The crew still required access to the forecastle so there were two small ladders fastened to the wall underneath the regular stairways.

Construct these from tiny sections of Lusitania GMM ratlines, paint and glue them to the well deck bulkhead. This should be done after the bulkheads have been painted their split white/rust red colors.

The ladders molded on the kit's cranes are accurate. After you have painted the crane bases the paint the ladders gray.

We opted to use the GMM ladders. Paint and cut to length, then glue them over the top of the molded ladders to give the ladder a more 3rd dimensional effect. Worth the effort, but if you are short on GMM ladders we recommend that you do ALL the deckhouse ladders first, and if you have enough left over THEN do the crane bases.

This ladder is in the correct location. Paint them as they are,or overlay the GMM ladders.

The ladder molded onto the starboard forward wall of the of the officer's deckhouse is incorrect. The ladder sits inboard of the window on the model where it should sit outboard of the window towards the corner. Refer to Ken Marschall painting on page 44 of Robert Ballard's `Exploring the Titanic'.

To rectify this sand off the molded ladder and paint the deckhouse wall white. Next measure a spare GMM ladder on the merchant photoetch brass kit, paint, cut and glue the new ladder into its new location. You can also use one of the suggestions in the MAKING LADDERS section at the beginning of this segment.

The ladder on the port wall under #2 Funnel is incorrect. The ladder ends on the top of the raised roof of the Reading/Writing room and not on the Boat Deck planking as shown in the kit.

You will either need to sand off the existing ladder and manufactured a new one 2mm farther aft or extend the raised roof forward by 2mm. We opted for extending the roof using sheet plastic and plastic strips. What is *important* is to have this ladder terminate on the raised roof.

On the forward port and starboard sides of the #4 funnel deckhouse are small alcove-like bulkheads located at the front end of the raised Smoke Room. There should be a small ladder that runs up the face of these small walls, one on either side.

Two options for this ladder:

Option 1:

This ladder is in the correct location. Paint it as it is or overlay the GMM ladders.

Option 2:

Roy Mengot suggests that this ladder needs to be moved to starboard to allow for the deck bench. Modeler's choice. Remove ladder and install a new one using your preferred method. Modeler's choice.

The port and starboard doors leading into the 2nd class entrance from the boat deck are protected by two partitioned bulwarks. One on either side of the door. Add ladders to both of the forward facing bulwarks, rising from the deck planking up to to the roof canopy over the door.

Along the aft end of A-deck by the Palm Court you will see that the Boat Deck overhangs the bulkhead walls. This is held up by supporting poles and framework joists. There are four posts along this length from the A-deck planking to the underside of the Boat Deck overhang.

Use two GMM ladders and place one on each side of the overhang. These ladders sit just INBOARD of each outer post and appear to be painted black.

A ladder needs to be added up the face of the aft mast from the A-deck planking to just past the P & S facing docking lamps.

Method 1

Use the mast ladder provided in Tom's misc set.

Method 2

Cut a 48mm long piece of GMM or Tom's Modelworks brass ladder.

Using either method paint the ladder dark gray. Glue it on to the bow facing side of the mast. You may need to cut the lower section of this ladder to fit under the conduit from the A-deck/Boat deck bulwark (if you have elected to add this piece to your model). Apply CA glue sparingly to the rungs of the ladder, sit it up against the mast and allow to set. This ladder sits so its top is 1/2mm above the docking lamps.

At the stern ends of the #4 hatches you will see two ladders molded along the aft facing of the bar/lavatory cubicles. These ladders are in the correct location.

Once the deckhouse has been painted paint them as they are,or overlay the GMM ladders.