1/700 Hammerhead crane stairway

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Hi everyone, I am back in case anyone noticed my absence.

I am building Alliance Modelworks’ 1/700 photo etch USN 350 ton cantilever crane (Norfolk Navy Yard’s hammerhead crane). I’ve never built a model that is totally photo etched before but have used photo etch detail parts.

My problem is this: There is a two level one piece stairway that hugs the back of the machinery house. It goes up a flight, there is a little platform, then goes up one more flight to the roof. It isn’t a ladder, there are built in handrails and tiny tabs to help hold it in place along the wall. The instructions do not show how the thing is to be folded, just a vague drawing of what it looks like when finished. I’ve have pulled my remaining few hairs out of my head trying to solve this 3D puzzle to no avail.

Can someone please direct me to a source where I can decipher this? Or, maybe, enlighten me to the technique?

Thanks guys, you’re my only hope.

2

I’ve done a similar trial by photocopying the part and cutting it out then futz around with it.

3

Subfixer ;

I would bend the item to the line the slots in the wall indicate . You can always " Flip " the stair treads later .Then you can raise the handrails into place when it’s on the wall .These things are a pain . Even in Model Rail-Road scales .

You can take some tracing paper and create the line of the slots then you have a black and white line to follow .When doing that if you get to the first platform then you are on the right path .

When there , then follow the next line for the upper stairs . Insert in the slots and turn each tab in a different direction .Then Super glue them . Finish Flipping the treads then the handrails and you should be good to go .