Much like the other fittings, the clerestory-style companion top that goes on the aft deck didn’t much look like the ones I’d seen from other builds and swan class research. It seemed pretty easy (relatively) to construct one, so I put it together with boxwood. Created the grates first, used the far aft opening to measure out the top, then drilled the windows and filed them square. A leftover laser-cut bit from a previous build gave me a good template.
One thing I wanted to do a little differently from other builds: the window panes. I typically use some sort of acrylic sheet or plastic lining to create the windows, but then I remembered reading in a model train forum that “nothing looks like glass like glass looks like glass…”
So I ordered these little guys – .013-.017mm covers for microscope slides. While they’re very cool – they’re a MAJOR pain in the keister to work with because they shatter almost instantly. After completely unsuccessfully trying a handful of methods to ‘cut’ them (even trying a glass cutter), I ended up using forceps with the ends tape to brake them close to the right size, then gently sanding down the jagged edges with 400 grit sand paper. Probably took more time than reasonable given that the end result is unlikely to be noticed by most people. But – although it’s very hard to tell the difference in photos – I notice the difference, and that’s cool.
The grate/companionway gets set aside with all the other little furniture pieces until it gets mounted on the deck later.
The Lehman Shipyard 