1/350 USS Indianapolis CA-35 (Academy) COMPLETE

TB,

I was showing my wife last night, that what is just a little blow up square in the assembly drawings to show the bridge mast and range radar, I believe, takes 1 1/2 pages on the PE instructions. I think all that's left of the original kit is the mast and yard arm. Everything else is PE. The PE instructions (Eduard) show everything in red to be removed. Half of the mast is in red!

I think I'll go back to the guns for sanity.

Just kidding, I'm going to soldier on and do my absolute best. I want to be proud of this build.

By the way. I saw in my internet searching, that they are working on the Indianapolis story produced by Robert Downy Jr 

 Indianapolis movie

The write up is kinda confusing as it said the Indy was commanded by Spruance, then later in the article it says Capt. McVay. Spruance never commanded the Indy, but he may have been McVay's commander. Oh well, I guess it dose't matter. I would be interested to see that movie though.

It's pretty clear that the PR person who wrote that press release knew nothing about the story. Unfortunately quite a few PR people are like that.

Let's reserve judgment until the movie moves beyond a gleam in Mr. Downey's eye.

Quite a few years ago there was a TV movie about the subject. Stacy Keach played Captain McVay, and Richard Thomas was in it. As I remember, it didn't cover the captain's suicide. Much of it was shot on board the battleship Alabama, I believe. And I think I remember the "survivors" being picked up by a Grumman Albatross.

Later: a little googling turned up a little info on that TV movie. It was called "Mission of the Shark," and first aired in 1991. It's been released on video - though I wouldn't particularly recommend it.

Here's tonight's progress,

The stacks are done, and it may not look like much but this equates to 2 nights work. The second set of pictures show the PE instructions along with the kits instructions. The 2 small boxes in the upper left are the kits instructions on the left for the mast and gunnery radar, and the 1 1/2  pages on the right are the PE instructions for the same steps.

jtilley

Let's reserve judgment until the movie moves beyond a gleam in Mr. Downey's eye.

I agree. Hollywood absolutely does not impress me with their "Based on a true story" garbage. However, I keep hoping in vain that someone will recount a factual story. I guess the truth is just not as exciting. 

Ya'll ready for this? The forward mast, radars, and various radio antennas. A tidy nights work if I say so myself.

By the way, It's lying on tissue paper.

You've got to put the sub assy's in a LOCKED glass case to keep them out of harms way til needed.  

Fabulous work.  Thought the air was a little blue east of me the past few days

In addition to your really fine model work, your photography is darned nice. This is a great thread!

I looked into this movie, as it seems like maybe one too many about the subject at first blush.

It's actually an interesting premise.

Please forgive a recitation of information already on line, but it was a new story to me.

In 1997 a young man by the name of Hunter Scott became interested in the story after seeing Jaws.

He probably saw the TV movie as well at that point.

For a National History Day (imagine that) project he researched the incident, and interviewed 150 survivors. No doubt in some part because of his broad contact with them, and his unbiased viewpoint he became convinced that the Captain was innocent of the charges he was convicted of, namely putting the ship at risk through his own actions, and testified with them before Congress advocating McVay's exoneration. As a result, a Congressional Resolution was passed, signed by President Clinton in 2000, clearing the Captain.

A book was written about it, Left for Dead: A Young Man's Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis by Pete Nelson. Scott wrote the forward.

That book is the basis of the movie. I plan to see it.

Separately it's always been my understanding that, Quints statement to the contrary, most all of the fatalities after the sinking were a result of exposure and injuries from the attack, after 100 hours in the water.

GMorrison

Separately it's always been my understanding that, Quints statement to the contrary, most all of the fatalities after the sinking were a result of exposure and injuries from the attack, after 100 hours in the water.

Yes, that was my understanding as well. Most of the survivors of the sinking perished of hypothermia, hypernatraemia, and the original injuries sustained by the attack, not as many shark attacks as we are led to believe. Although that undoubtedly was a factor.

GMorrison

In addition to your really fine model work, your photography is darned nice. This is a great thread!

Thank you sir, the praise is very much appreciated. I only hope I can continue to work to that level. Encouragement like yours certainly makes me want to continue to do better.

I had a slight mishap last night. I was working on the Indy's superstructure with all the associated PE on my usual TV tray workbench and my dog got tangled in the lamps extension cord. Well he started to panic and the TV tray, with everything on it, goes flying halfway across the room. My wife and I got down with a a flashlight and started looking for all the pieces. I was convinced that all the rails and radars I had so painstakingly built last night and the night before were destroyed. After locating all but one small piece of railing (which can be replaced from my generic USN railing PE set), I was able to repair the one piece that broke off. Who says CA is too brittle to hold?

Well needless to say, after repairing the broken assembly, I put the whole thing away for the night.

Steve

I'm sorry to hear about the mishap.  I've found a vacuum hose with junk pantyhose rubber banded over the end a great way to find missing pieces (when I remember to try that method!).  

Your mast looks incredible, would have easily take me 2 weeks!

Groot

I didn't think of that. Oh well, the 1 missing part can be replaced from the generic PE sheet, so this isn't a total disaster, just a setback.

Well , Now ain't that a bilge chiller !

   We'el Matey , Yer gotta keep the ships mascot under control or ya gotta keel- haul him .Argh , Once be enough matey . Don't let any of your friends see the panty hose you cut up in your parts drawer  , Ya , an don't be stealing the wifey's either !

Well, sorry it's been a little while since my last post, but I have been very busy with Spring yard work and other chores.

Anyway, here is an update. I completed the forward superstructure, and will be moving on to the aft.

I will be drilling out the portholes at some point.

Steve

This is really 10 10 10 work sir.

Insane p e work . Can't wait to see it painted up

Thanks guys.

As far as painting, I am a little intimidated by the prospect. I think I'm going to have to paint in stages. Each subassembly as I complete it.

Very nice.  Hope you own stock in your favorite CA factory.  You are not going to want to see another piece of PE for 6 months after this.

Well you have "mad PE skills" no doubt about it. 

goldhammer

You are not going to want to see another piece of PE for 6 months after this.

Boy that's the truth. I'm trying to get up the gumption to paint what I have done and start on the aft superstructure and mast...which is similar to the fore mast. Yikes!

Well, well, well, long time no post. Life has kept me very busy as of late.

Here is the forward superstructure, almost done. I still need to install 2 more single AA guns and the signal lanyards to the yardarm. After I get that I'll work on the aft structure,mast hangers and cats.

I'm getting there.

Steve

Gee Wizz that looks fantastic!     

  but ya know, it seems to be a bit shorter than I thinking the ship would be

Thanks Steve! This is the fast attack version.

Steve

I know I posted a lot ;

Can you say Yikes ! I am doing this same ship as we watch you .

Thank you Tanker-builder, I really appreciate it.

Although, I hope your not waiting on me.

Here's tonight's work, I got the signal lanyards, missing AA guns and the bridge windows darkened, at least I think it's the bridge. Since the bridge windows were rectangular I just painted them rather than drill like I did for the portholes. Now to put the assembly in a safe place until I need it later.
On to the aft structures.

Steve

That looks fantastic!

Groot

Here's a tip of the 'ol white hat for your work in general, and a big "bravo zulu" for those halyards!  Incredible work!!

Thank you SM2!

So here's this weekends nightmare PE work. The aft superstructure, mast and radar. I feel like a jeweler.
I still have quite a bit more to add. More AA guns, treterary guns, gun director hanger doors etc.

Steve

Very nice work, you must have the steadiest hands in the world.

Steve,

Nicely done.  

Thank you Marcus and Mike. I hope to get some more up here soon. I'm really looking forward to sculpting the water scene.

Steve