First try at building a ship...

Hi Fly-n,

That kit has been around a long time, it fits together OK, but it does show its age as far as being accurate to an Essex-class ship. Those ships went through lots of rapid changes during the war. Every time they were in port, new antennas were added, more AA guns were stuck on here and there, etc. You'll need lots of reference photos if you want to try to represent the Tico at any given time. A good on line source is http://www.navsource.org/

Have you used photo-etch before? The radar, etc. is so much better than molded plastic and really make a difference.

Its your model, but I'd strongly suggest you skip trying to do the modeled water base. I've seen many good models hurt by an not-so-good attempt at water. If you'd like to a search in this forum back to the first of the year. I posted photos of a 1/720 nuke Enterprise I'd finished on a plain black base. The posts carried on a decent discussion on the merits, or lack thereof, when using modeled water bases. Its your model, if you want to give that kind of base a shot, let 'er rip.

The dazzle camo paint scheme will be a good challenge too.

Have fun and welcome to Ships.

Mike

Mike F6F is right - skip the water base if this is your first ship, especially in 1/700 - although an aircraft carrier is a good choice in that scale because it at least seems a bit bigger. The auxiliaries I usually build are only about 8-inches long!

Other than that, I would adopt the KISS principle - try for a decent fitting of all parts, minimizing seams, etc. If you want to give photoetch a try, go for the comparatively bigger pieces like the radar antennas and skip things like railings and 20mm cannon shields. If you want to tackle a dazzle camouflage scheme, go ahead, but don't sweat getting it exact. This first build is going to be a learning experience, you can worry about "exact" with the next one, if you desire. Oh! And have tons of fun with those itty-bitty airplanes!

Learning to build ships in 1/700 is an incremental process, as illustrated by my efforts to date. The first is my first model in over 30 years, a 1/700 resin Victory ship kit:

The second is my most recent finished creation, a plastic Japanese seaplane tender:

I keep the first one around to remind me that it took awhile to get the look that I was after. The important thing is to build the model. Everything else will follow in due course.

I have a different view. It's your first ship, you may skip the PE. In my early years I built dozens of ships without PE, without even an airbrush. And since you have the water material in hand, go for it. Later on when you have some experiences, move up to 1:350 scale ships with PE upgrade sets. They have more details and don't strain your eyes. Just my $0.02 ;-)

Thanks for the replies.

I have to apologize, though, because I didn't make it clear that the purpose of the kit was to put it in water.  I figured that a $20 waterline kit would be a good and relatively cheap practice subject.  I got this kit just to get my feet "wet."  I'm not going for superdetailing or anything like that, although I may try some PE...maybe.

I guess I should ask specific questions.  For example, would it be better to build and finish the hull and then attach the flight deck?  Should I finish the hull without the guns, paint it, and attach the guns seperately?  Should I paint and finish the "island" and attach it after the deck is done?  Do you guys have any tips on this kind of stuff?

Do you know where there are good reference pics of the different phases of operation?  Where would the planes be on the deck if taking off?  Landing?  In cruise?  I know that they aren't just scattered on the deck but I'm not sure if there is a specific parking arrangement.

Thanks again.

Mike Ashey's classic "how to" publications are available for free by the author on his web site. Check out both ship building tomes!

http://mikeashey.com/

Thanks, I'll take a look.

I've actually finished this kit, though.  I didn't detail it or add any PE...and I know one of the hull colors is incorrect, but I'm happy with the way she turned out.  In fact, I didn't do any research at all.  Next time I will.  Here's some pics:

As I am writing this I am waiting for the acryllic gel to dry on the water base that I am making for it.

What drove you crazier?  All the little decals on those airplanes or getting that camouflage pattern  painted sharply?

 It looks like a tremendous first product!

Rick

Ha!  I guess I'd have to say the planes. 

The cammo pattern on the ship really wasn't too hard.  I painted the hull before I attached the deck and I painted the island before I attached all the little decks, antenneas, and greeblies.  Once the hull and the island were done I attached the deck, painted it, and then I attched the island on top of that.  Then I just touched it up.

The planes where a project by themselves.  The fighters all have the one tone paint scheme but the bombers have the 3 tone scheme.  Cutting off the wings and re-attaching them was a bit of a hassle, too.  One thing I did was to cut out 4 decals at a time so that I would spend less time waiting for that process.  I'm still debating whether or not I should paint the canopies.

BTW, thanks for the compliment.

P.S. The water base should be done later today.

Looks great man!  And the paint scheme came out nice!  DOn't worry about EXACT paint colors.  If being into details like that is your thing then cool, but if you are happy with it as is then that is all that matters!

Brian

If this is your first ship ever, then i must really say i am very impressed indeed. Well done!

About the water base... Have you by any chance found this little tutorial yet?:

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2002/11/stuff_eng_tech_sea_water.htm

Good luuck and keep up the good work!

Richard