MORE ON THE 1/200 ARIZONA

Hi , well the bottom got painted yesterday and boy that,s a lot of area to paint . I wanted to mention here something that I probably should,ve done earlier .When you get to putting W/T doors on the model (if you do) and hatches , DO REMEMBER all hinges should be on the bow side of any opening ! I saw an AZ. On display in AUSTIN and the hatches and doors were every which way . This ,to a former SAILOR , MARINE and MERCHANT CAPTAIN is like waving something in front of a BULL .You don,t wanna go there . Now , there is another suggestion I would like to make .If you are a builder with some experience with scratchbuilding and modification experience , I would , firmly recommend replacing the mast legs on both the fore and after masts with brass tubing .You don,t have to , but , you will have a stronger structure . I discovered something else too .I was so excited with the start-up on this I forgot to mention that you can get satisfactory results from the supplied and extra TRUMPETER detail P.E. You just have to slow down AND do ALL your folds under a magnifier ! There is very little margin for error here , but if you make your flods on the stairs where you can SEE %90  of the thin connector on each step to the side it will work fine .The be gentle and remember , with this P.E. you only get one shot ! The prop shafts they supply are in two sizes , why I don,t know . You can only use the long ones . You may also want to blend the shaft struts into the hull better .Be careful here as they have thick mounting points and surprisingly, like the P.E. They are VERY unforgiving . The model is working up to a beautiful creation and I am sure you will NOT be dissappointed .        tankerbuilder