Ships of the American Flag GB 2019 -2021

Here is the completed mast for my 1:144 fletcher class Destroyer. Note the scratch use of fine lead wire to represent the cables going to the radar units.

Awesome Tony. I have a resin kit of the USS Texas. I'll certantly be watching.

I've got going on my 1/700 USS San Diego. The kit is by S-MARS, which I think is a re-release of the original Pitroad kit from the '80s, which has subsequently been released by a whole stack of companies including Revell (USS Flint) and Dragon. There's a bit of work to build and tidy up the join lines on the hull, which is now done. My next step will be to cut it off at the waterline, so it can be displayed on a base.

Cheers

Tony

GMorrison

 

 

John 3:16 KJV

How do I color this thing?

 

 

 

If you are modeling The Sullivans and using the kit decals, the shaded numbers are post war. That would make her Haze Gray (postwar version) with Deck Gray horizontals.

But sometime between 1945 and 1950 she was fitted with a tripod mast, which the kit doesn't have. 

Otherwise, in war time she had small 24" unshaded numbers and was either Navy Blue System (Measure 21), or Graded System (M22).

https://www.shipcamouflage.com/fletcher_class.htm

Of course there are lots of Fletchers, no two exactly alike. FWIW your kit, like the Trumpeter kit; is the later "square bridge", whereas the Tamiya kit is the earlier "round bridge" version.

 

That's awesome! Thank you! 
I may go for 1943. Might as well, as I'm missing the kit's decals. 

Yeah, what he said 

Loos great Rob. Love the flag locker.

John 3:16 KJV

How do I color this thing?

If you are modeling The Sullivans and using the kit decals, the shaded numbers are post war. That would make her Haze Gray (postwar version) with Deck Gray horizontals.

But sometime between 1945 and 1950 she was fitted with a tripod mast, which the kit doesn't have. 

Otherwise, in war time she had small 24" unshaded numbers and was either Navy Blue System (Measure 21), or Graded System (M22).

https://www.shipcamouflage.com/fletcher_class.htm

Of course there are lots of Fletchers, no two exactly alike. FWIW your kit, like the Trumpeter kit; is the later "square bridge", whereas the Tamiya kit is the earlier "round bridge" version.

Here is my USS The Sullivans currently:

How do I color this thing? Tips welcome. Revell seems to think it is mostly dark grey all over with a black stripe of course before red bottom of the hull. Trumpeter thinks deck blue deck, navy blue side before the black stripe/cocoa brown bottom hull. And what about pre-shading? Help!

More work on my 1:144 fletcher. The signaling flag lockers and the anchors and chains.

you are so right, if the primers are so different they will never match! Looking good so far'

Mongoose,

Where am I going to put it?  The bathtub? 

As for the movie, sounds like a plan!  Though perhaps "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" might be more along the line.

It seems I won't finish the sub before the end of the year as I had hoped.  I managed to get some black paint on it today before the rain set in.  Oh, well!  I have till the end of eternity anyway. 

Some changes to the sub I've made include supports for the forward mast and the "T" mast for the radio wires.

Support for aerials on the side of the conning tower.  They're hard to spot but if you look just below the forward cover for the periscope along the side you might spot their shadow.

And lastly, I added a rear mast for the flag.  I always remember the sailors attempting to raise the flag on the rear of that submarine in the film "Tora, Tora, Tora".  Plus, the propeller guards. 

That's where she stands right now.  I have to give the conning tower a coat of black before I paint vertical surfaces "ocean gray".  Otherwise, they won't match!  Not much longer.

Gary

Looking pretty cool. sitting it on the chair gives a great perspective on the size. Where are you going to put it?

ha! Can you imagine a 'B movie' where we learn Moby *** was a sub and captain Ahab was taken out by a torpedo lol 

"Thar she blows!   The great, white wha... wait, it's a submarine!" 

The propeller guards took a little while.  I had to remove them and rebuild, but they're finished.  Today I gave it a primer coat of Tamiya white primer.  There are some gaps on the deck I'll have to take care of, but she's coming along.  Dive planes, the conning tower, and the propellers are still not attached.

Hope to be finished by the end of the year. 

Gary

TheMongoose

 

 

John 3:16 KJV

 

 

modelcrazy

I'll get you down KJV. I've found decals and hull numbers in the web before. I dono about 1/301 scale though.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, modelcrazy. It would be hard to find decals for the scale. The old Revell kits don't have much scale standardization, which leaves me to possibly face the prospect of trying to paint it on? Who knows how to do that, though! :)

 

 

 

 

if you need stencils cut later on let me know. I can pop some out on the cameo in any scale. 

 

That sounds great; thanks for the offer! I sure wish I knew how to do stuff like that.  

John 3:16 KJV

 

 

modelcrazy

I'll get you down KJV. I've found decals and hull numbers in the web before. I dono about 1/301 scale though.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, modelcrazy. It would be hard to find decals for the scale. The old Revell kits don't have much scale standardization, which leaves me to possibly face the prospect of trying to paint it on? Who knows how to do that, though! :)

 

if you need stencils cut later on let me know. I can pop some out on the cameo in any scale. 

Don't feel bad, it gives me ulcers and acid reflux too.  I gave up on it for my Gato being done as Wahoo.  Got the stuff for the big Revell, and it's just a bigger nightmare.

Those guards look great

Goldhammer88,

I'll pass on the PE.  It doesn't agree with me. 

Meanwhile, the propeller guards are about done (got to do the supports on the opposite side, but letting things dry now)

. 

They'll need some cleaning up after completion, but I'm satisfied.

Gary

I got you down mate. Not many American light cruisers out there. Looking forward to it.

Thanks Steve, that's very kind. I've got a few but I think the S-Mars 1/700 USS San Diego (Atlanta class cruiser) with Pit Road P/E set would be a nice way to get under way.

Cheers

Tony

No big deal Tony, it's only been a few months after the end date. Whatcha got?

The finished builds for this GB look fantastic. Keep up the good work everyone. I'm regretting that I missed the entry window for it.

Cheers

Tony

Gary, if you want something more than styrene, IIRC there is a PE set in that scale has the guards.

modelcrazy

I'll get you down KJV. I've found decals and hull numbers in the web before. I dono about 1/301 scale though.

 

Thanks, modelcrazy. It would be hard to find decals for the scale. The old Revell kits don't have much scale standardization, which leaves me to possibly face the prospect of trying to paint it on? Who knows how to do that, though! :)

Bit of a delay.  I have to construct two propeller guards for the sub.  Now where did I put those plastic rods?

Gary

I'll get you down KJV. I've found decals and hull numbers in the web before. I dono about 1/301 scale though.

Wow going to be one stunning build! Your pe work looks great. those 5" guns are super detailed. Man what a model this will be.

I'm gonna enter my 1/301 (I think) Revell U.S.S. The Sullivans. I plan on doing it for the Christmas Challenge build this year. One problem...I don't see the kit's decals!  

Looks good Gary. Not much of a color choice is it?

Finished up a couple of things, so work on the Trumpeter USS Gato (1941) is resumed.

I've finished the work except for a few minor things that were not included in the kit (such as bracing for the forward mast) and she's now ready for paint.  Scheme 9 doesn't leave a lot of room to play with...  black or black with a bit of dark gray.  Oh, well!

The conning tower is only placed on right now as I will have to rig the thing after painting, and I've left the propellers and dive planes off for later.

Also, some tips on rigging might be appreciated.

Gary

Thiose look outstanding Rob

Continuing with my !:144 Fletcher, construction, PE and priming of the 5" guns