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USS BB-55 North Carolina 1:350

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Thailand
USS BB-55 North Carolina 1:350
Posted by Model Maniac on Friday, July 3, 2009 6:26 AM
Trumpeter's USS BB-55 North Carolina 1:350 - by Toom:































If 15 film frames are not enough, there are 30 more digital pictures available in my latest page:

http://www.falconbbs.com/model48d.htm

Comments and suggestions are welcome!

Impressive Songs:

All 10 Playlists that I created on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ModelManiacThailand/playlists

Pan Flute Music (300 songs) (Most Popular, over 100K views):

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZO7alagEPsEMzgBkWt4-vKV

El Condor Pasa (Top 50) (World's most famous and my most favorite song):

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZOLKHbju350mLle4HkMhsb8

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Portsmouth, RI
Posted by searat12 on Friday, July 3, 2009 9:10 AM
Very nice work!  I especially like the paint jobs for the floatplanes, though it might have been a good idea to mask off the canopies?....
  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Friday, July 3, 2009 9:15 AM

Excellent build! Although the weathering seems heavy, it serves to bring out details.  I much prefer ships not to be camouflaged; camouflage hides the lines and the details. I like what you have done!

Bill Morrison

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by ddp59 on Friday, July 3, 2009 12:25 PM
you have your 2 aft gun directors(mk34 & mk37) pointed forward instead of toward the stern. the 2 side gun directors(mk37) above the 5" gun turrets should be pointed out not forward.
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Friday, July 3, 2009 2:14 PM
Overall this is well done. My main beef is the immacculate condition of the hull below the waterline; it just does not jibe with the heavy weathering of the rest of the model. But we've discussed this before. Also, as pretty as the decks are, they should be painted.

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Michigan
Posted by ps1scw on Friday, July 3, 2009 3:16 PM

Either remove the Union Jack and jackstaff or move the National Colors to the fantail.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Friday, July 3, 2009 5:22 PM
Very nice build overall. I specially like the color variation on the deck. Too bad the crane and aircraft catapults are not PE, it would have enhanced the details even more.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Inland Northwest
Posted by Summit on Friday, July 3, 2009 8:11 PM
I think it looks Fantastic Approve [^] Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup] for an Out of The Box Build. Do you have any idea on how much time "Toom" has invested in building this kit for you ? Thanks for adding the link to the other pictures. Smile [:)]
Sean "I've reached nearly fifty years of age with my system." Weekend GB 2008
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Friday, July 3, 2009 11:27 PM
 ps1scw wrote:

Either remove the Union Jack and jackstaff or move the National Colors to the fantail.

 (Ditto)

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Sarasota, FL
Posted by RedCorvette on Saturday, July 4, 2009 12:32 AM

Nicely built, but the weathering is way too heavy in my opinion.

Mark

FSM Charter Subscriber

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Saturday, July 4, 2009 7:28 AM

Ditto to the comment about the Union Jack and national flag.

Bill Morrison

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Virginia
Posted by Mike F6F on Saturday, July 4, 2009 8:57 AM
Nice OOB build.

I echo the flag comments and you need to remove the insignia from the starboard wings of the two float planes.

I'm not sure what year you've chosen for the model, but US aircraft markings of the type you show were only on the top of the port wing. If the markings were to be just the stars in the circles, they could be on both wings. The markings you've chosen were not used until mid to late 1943.

A small nit to pick, but one you can change.

Thanks for sharing.

Mike

Mike

 

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Sunday, July 5, 2009 5:46 PM

She needs a specific time frame to be painted "to." 

For one, all USN horizontal surfaces are a different color than verticals.  During much of WWII, that was a dark blue color, and wooden decks were stained a version of that color.  Even Measure 21, overall blue had darker decks than sides.

If this to be a post-war paint job, then she should have 96" tall shaded hull numbers, not the 36" unshaded war-time numerals.  She ought to have draft markings, as well.  But, this could be modified to Measure 22, which would be a good end-of-war paint scheme (and one for which reference materials abound, see:  http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/i05000/i05560.jpg

To keep the wooden decks wooden, the choice would be as she is now, a museum ship, but, she'd have significantly different weathering, too.  (Not like the weathering that occurs with 1800 hands on board, with what was probably a six-division Deck Department to keep the ship in paint and the like).  Or, render her as on her maiden voyage, see the photo linked below.

The paravanes stowed just behind the breakwater ought to be a flat red, or a half-red, half-grey, with the other paravane half green-half grey.  The capstans have bronze bodies, too.  This is a missed oppertunity for color on otherwise bland vessels.  Ought to be non-skid to protect the decks from the anchor chain, too.  See:  http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/k13000/k13971.jpg

She needs either a flagstaff aft, or the jackstaff folded and secured--not half-and half.  The Colors flown from the aft flagstaff will want to be larger than what is flying at the mast, too.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Sunday, July 5, 2009 6:42 PM

I'm not too sure about the weathering -- I think it is done in the "Verlinden Style",   heavy black with drybrushing to bring the details.  Some people like it.

Far more egregious than the weathering, flags, or aircraft markings are the wavy railings and gaps between the bottom rail and the deck.  

MM, I hope you didn't spend a whole lot of money to have this model built for you.   Your builders are once again paying poor attention to detail. 

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Monday, July 6, 2009 5:23 PM

Good catch on the railings--I'm thinking this is a real minimal set of PR from the box, which could explain the missing flagstaff (which is nearly as tall as the aircraft crane in photos).

However, go back and look at the boat booms.  They are weathered correctly, only at the ends, and not along the barrels of the booms, as is too often the case.  Mind you, that may atract too much attention to where the accommodation ladders are/are not, but, that's life.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Thailand
Posted by Model Maniac on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 4:16 AM

Many thanks for all kind comments, compliments and suggestions! I really appreciate them!

A few people said that this is a OOB build which is incorrect. If you follow the instructions and build OOB, you'll end up with no riggings and no railings because the kit did not provide any materials or instructions for riggings and railings. This is an all-plastic kit with no PE of any kind provided. And though flag decals were provided, there were no instructions on where to apply them.

ps1scw suggested about moving the Union Jack, the jackstaff, National Colors and fantail., Those are technical terms to me and I don't know what they are. Can you show in a picture about where they are now and where they're supposed to be?

plasticjunkie would like PE catapults but that's not available for me here. All I could find locally for this ship is PE railings. Anyway, I have two ships with full options under construction by two modelers. They're IJN Battleship Matsu 1:350 w/ three detail-up sets (most expensive kit ever bought) and Oliver Hazard Perry 1:350 w/ detail-up parts from MK1, plus some more ships in stock.

Summit asked how much time "Toom" spent on this ship. I don't know for sure but I guess it took him not less than 100 hours.

EdGrune pointed out the wavy railings and gap between PE railings and the deck. There's a reason for that shortcoming. "Toom" has no car and he had to deliver the ship to me by a motorbike. He had to secure it in its box, bound with nylon threads, packed the box in his backpack with part of the box protruding from his back over his head and rode a long way to my home. I guess it's something not possible for you to do. You said he's not paying attention to details.  Well, apart from building the riggings lines by burning & stretching CottonBud sprues, detailing-up the catapults, scratch-building the white life-rings around the ship, he also sought metal chains from a flea market for the ship. And do you know how many rounds of maskings and paintings were needed before he could turn plastic deck into wooden one?

Same as warshipguy, I prefer this ship not to be camouflaged. "Toom" didn't paint it camo saying that he's not keen at painting camo colors. I think camo colors only hide details. For me, heavy weathering like this is OK. It sure looks better than a brandnew ship. ;-)

Impressive Songs:

All 10 Playlists that I created on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ModelManiacThailand/playlists

Pan Flute Music (300 songs) (Most Popular, over 100K views):

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZO7alagEPsEMzgBkWt4-vKV

El Condor Pasa (Top 50) (World's most famous and my most favorite song):

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZOLKHbju350mLle4HkMhsb8

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 10:33 AM

Well, MM, as far as heavy weathering goes; the part of the ship that is underwater, the hull, should be just as heavily weathered as the rest of the ship, if not even more. As far as technical terms go; you've got a computer, just do a web search for these terms and you'll find all of the answers.

Here is (by no means complete) a glossary of nautical terms:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_nautical_terms

I am sure that Toom probably has no way of knowing what the bottom of a ship looks like as few people have the opportunity to see them in person, but you can find plenty of reference pictures on the web.

  

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 10:59 AM
 Model Maniac wrote:

"Toom" has no car and he had to deliver the ship to me by a motorbike. He had to secure it in its box, bound with nylon threads, packed the box in his backpack with part of the box protruding from his back over his head and rode a long way to my home.

 

Wow!! My hat's off for Toom and his transportation method. He did one hell of a job at minimizing damage. It must have been one heck of a ride! Again, a very nice build.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: EG48
Posted by Tracy White on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 1:11 PM

 Model Maniac wrote:
For me, heavy weathering like this is OK. It sure looks better than a brandnew ship.

This is what we call "personal preference."  Big Smile [:D]

It is why there is really no "wrong" way to build a model. 

Tracy White Researcher@Large

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Thailand
Posted by Model Maniac on Thursday, July 9, 2009 10:56 AM
subfixer, thanks for your link and pictures. Very informative but makes life harder for modeler. I'll let Toom know your suggestions.

plastickjunkie, yes I was amazed to see his transportation method. A picture is worth a thousand words. Here's Toom's package:
 

Tracy, you may say that again!

BTW, since the above pictures don't show clearly the riggings, I'd like to show some more digital pics which got better lighting:





Impressive Songs:

All 10 Playlists that I created on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ModelManiacThailand/playlists

Pan Flute Music (300 songs) (Most Popular, over 100K views):

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZO7alagEPsEMzgBkWt4-vKV

El Condor Pasa (Top 50) (World's most famous and my most favorite song):

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZOLKHbju350mLle4HkMhsb8

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Thursday, July 9, 2009 3:39 PM

"Life harder for modeler"?? Then why bother weathering at all? Sometimes, MM, I don't know why I bother responding to your posts at all. I'm kind of sorry that I went through all the trouble to help you in the first place. You really don't seem to get it at all. Well, go ahead and let Toom know about our suggestions and why we made them. Maybe he will understand.

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Thursday, July 9, 2009 5:16 PM
 subfixer wrote:

"Life harder for modeler"?? Then why bother weathering at all? Sometimes, MM, I don't know why I bother responding to your posts at all. I'm kind of sorry that I went to through all the trouble to help you in the first place. You really don't seem to get it at all. Well, go ahead and let Toom know about our suggestions and why we made them. Maybe he will understand.

Amen

Just thinking about if a person were to have a JagdPanther built and it were in overall Radome Tan, no Zimmerit, Weathered topside, but with pristine, gunmetal tacks and running gear, crewed guys in berets . . .

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Windy city, US
Posted by keilau on Friday, July 17, 2009 6:50 AM

 Model Maniac wrote:

If 15 film frames are not enough, there are 30 more digital pictures available in my latest page:

http://www.falconbbs.com/model48d.htm

Comments and suggestions are welcome!

Your "Green on Blue with small fonts" menu is impossible to read.Dead [xx(] The pictures are wonderful though.Wink [;)]

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Portsmouth, RI
Posted by searat12 on Friday, July 17, 2009 1:06 PM
 CapnMac82 wrote:
 subfixer wrote:

"Life harder for modeler"?? Then why bother weathering at all? Sometimes, MM, I don't know why I bother responding to your posts at all. I'm kind of sorry that I went to through all the trouble to help you in the first place. You really don't seem to get it at all. Well, go ahead and let Toom know about our suggestions and why we made them. Maybe he will understand.

Amen

Just thinking about if a person were to have a JagdPanther built and it were in overall Radome Tan, no Zimmerit, Weathered topside, but with pristine, gunmetal tacks and running gear, crewed guys in berets . . .

...Then you would have a Jadgpanther from Aberdeen Proving Grounds!
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Thailand
Posted by Model Maniac on Sunday, July 19, 2009 8:18 AM

Well, in fact my page is Blue on Light Green, and it's been like that 10 years on! Small fonts? I some time copied text from my page and posted here and it appeared this big (for example):

138 - 152 : Trumpeter's USS BB-55 North Carolina Battleship 1:350 w/ local made PE railings - by "Toom"

It's bigger than normal fonts here. And if it doesn't appear this big on my page you can just press "Ctrl +" to get larger font size. Thanks so much for your kind comments on the pictures.

Impressive Songs:

All 10 Playlists that I created on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ModelManiacThailand/playlists

Pan Flute Music (300 songs) (Most Popular, over 100K views):

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZO7alagEPsEMzgBkWt4-vKV

El Condor Pasa (Top 50) (World's most famous and my most favorite song):

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZOLKHbju350mLle4HkMhsb8

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: NJ
Posted by JMart on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 10:04 AM
 subfixer wrote:

"Life harder for modeler"?? Then why bother weathering at all? Sometimes, MM, I don't know why I bother responding to your posts at all. I'm kind of sorry that I went through all the trouble to help you in the first place. You really don't seem to get it at all. Well, go ahead and let Toom know about our suggestions and why we made them. Maybe he will understand.

This gets asked in the armor section a lot, where MM posts many builds made by his builders. I always have the same answer:

Imperfect/incorrect builds (and WIPs) serve as perfect critique/learning threads. I for one learn a lot from the critiques and comments MM receives in both forums. The comment (and pics) of hull weathering/state was particularly informative to me, as a modelling newbie/hobby returnee and Navy landlubber ;)

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 11:10 PM
 JMart wrote:
 subfixer wrote:

"Life harder for modeler"?? Then why bother weathering at all? Sometimes, MM, I don't know why I bother responding to your posts at all. I'm kind of sorry that I went through all the trouble to help you in the first place. You really don't seem to get it at all. Well, go ahead and let Toom know about our suggestions and why we made them. Maybe he will understand.

This gets asked in the armor section a lot, where MM posts many builds made by his builders. I always have the same answer:

Imperfect/incorrect builds (and WIPs) serve as perfect critique/learning threads. I for one learn a lot from the critiques and comments MM receives in both forums. The comment (and pics) of hull weathering/state was particularly informative to me, as a modelling newbie/hobby returnee and Navy landlubber ;)

 

 

I never thought of it in that way, by criticizing MM's builds (which criticism he ignores anyway) others may benefit from those critiques. Maybe it's not all in vain after all. Thanks JMart!

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Thailand
Posted by Model Maniac on Thursday, July 23, 2009 7:34 AM
The possible benefit is one side of the coin. The other side is possible damage. You'll never ever know how many people have been scared off by those critiques, thinking that even work this good got so much critiques so they'd better not show their works here.

Impressive Songs:

All 10 Playlists that I created on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ModelManiacThailand/playlists

Pan Flute Music (300 songs) (Most Popular, over 100K views):

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZO7alagEPsEMzgBkWt4-vKV

El Condor Pasa (Top 50) (World's most famous and my most favorite song):

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZOLKHbju350mLle4HkMhsb8

  • Member since
    January 2006
Posted by EPinniger on Thursday, July 23, 2009 12:32 PM
Regarding the weathering on this model - I'm personally a great fan of weathering ship models, however I generally agree with other posters on this one. The problem seems to be mainly that the weathering is too "one-dimensional". The builder has used the same weathering technique - patches of dark grey or black drybrushing - all over the model, regardless of how or how much that particular area of the actual ship would weather. There are dark weathered patches in places you'd be unlikely to see them on a real ship, such as on the radars - whilst, on the other hand, areas like the top of the funnels/stacks and the hull near the bow and waterline (not to mention the lower hull!) are no more weathered than anywhere else.

A better approach (based on my own experience - but everyone has their own techniques and approaches) might have been to use a light overall wash (rather than heavy, uneven drybrushing) to bring out the surface details, then use light drybrushing to represent salt streaking on the hull and scuffing on the deck, along with a touch of rust around the anchors and chains and soot around the funnel/stack tops.

To the builder's credit, he did do a very neat job of assembling the model (other than a few wobbly PE railings - and I know these can be diabolically difficult to put on neatly even in 1/350 scale!) and the planked wood effect on the decks is very nicely done, even if the real ship would have had them painted Deck Blue.
  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: NJ
Posted by JMart on Monday, July 27, 2009 9:33 AM

 Model Maniac wrote:
The possible benefit is one side of the coin. The other side is possible damage. You'll never ever know how many people have been scared off by those critiques, thinking that even work this good got so much critiques so they'd better not show their works here.

There is a difference between a critique (feedback) and criticism. My comment to Subfixer regarded the former (feedback) and not the later (criticism). I returned to the hobby a couple of years ago, still learning many of the basics. I find it useful when "imperfect" models get critiqued (NOT criticism), and specific solutions/fixes, such as the ones suggested by CapnMac82 and SubFixer.

I mean no disrespect to you or your builders; I was just stating that I happen to learn a lot from the feedback "imperfect" builds receive, regardless of who posts them! I also believe that most of the critiques started with "good/nice build, good job, etc", the proceeded to point out some issues. I have posted some of my own builds, which are very imperfect to say the least.. and received some good feedback. One of the main reasons this forum exists is to receive feedback and learn new techniques and facts. Being a forum (and therefore, public), feedback to one builder becomes feedback to the whole "class". As I consider myself a basic 'student" of plastic modelling, I 'eat up" these types of reviews/feedback. Finally, I want to reiterate I mean no disrespect to yourself or your builders (which are better than me in any case!).

Cheers!

 

 

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