My Trumpeter 1/200 Arizona DONE! Free At Last...Free At Last!!!

I was soooo close to using that hammer on that kit...And I'm not a violent man.http://

WOW!!!  That's AWESOME!!!

http:i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/leyhaw/bleft_zps3ea4dacf.jpg

Sorry. I'm having a hard time posting photos. more soon.

Very impressive build

Great build! By the way, Trumpeter is coming out with a 200 Missouri!

As I said in my earlier post, I came very close to taking my hammer and smashing this POS to death. Never in my life has I've been challenged to my limits. But this is the only kit I've built that I really wanted to beat into a small pile of plastic splinters. I've heard for years that Trumpeter aircraft kits had major issues, and now I know their ships do to. I'm done with Trumpeter. From now on, I'm building only kits like Tamiya makes.

I promised that I'd do a review of this kit here. Let me just tell you, If you want to know what needs to be corrected, just pick up any part of this kit. Don't get me wrong, on the surface this is a fantastic large scale Arizona. But the reality is, the paper USS Arizona is actually a better bargain and more accurate. Tough comments but absolutely true. As I said before...This is an R/C ship that Trumpeter wanted to pass off as a scale model. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Trumpeter made this kit but at $200 plus, they should have spent more time to get ALL the details right.

 Over the last two and a half years I've noticed that many modelers started this Arizona, many WIP postings and very, very few are finished, I totally understand. Check it out. There was a beautiful Arizona being built by a guy named Park. Everything was beautiful. He bought every aftermarket wood and PE available. He's last post showed he installed the horizontal antennas upside down. Just enough to make you reach for the hammer. But that was a builder error. The unforgivable part about this kit is what Trumpeter could have easily gotten right and chose to ignore. This kit could have been perfect IF Trumpeter spent more time to get the details right. All of us would have gladly paid a $100 more to have An Arizona that was correct and didn't need hours and hours of scratch building corrections. Thanks Trumpeter, you saved me a ton of money. I was gonna buy your Bismarck and Hornet...but now...I don't think so.http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/leyhaw/scope_zps30f6ee5a.jpghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/leyhaw/leftb_zpsc93069f0.jpg

I think she looks great.

That is a beautiful build !

I am sorry to hear of the grief you went through to correct the kit design faults.

I will most likely buy the old Revell kit ( first built it in 1965 ) and whatever aftermarket may still be available for it.

I really admire what you have accomplished with this sow's ear, a veritable silk purse. I also like your treatment of the bottom paint, very realistic.

Well, if it is any consolation, I think you did a "smashing" job with it.  Sorry, had to do that.  Seriously, you did an outstanding job with what you had to work with!  Great job and thanks for the pics!

Eagle90

Thanks to all. You guys make the pain I've suffered almost worth it:)

She's still a beautiful looking build. I have one in the stash that I will start after I complete a couple of group builds I'm in. Thinking about doing it as a waterline dio so I can skip the misshapen lower hull issues. Unless of course some aftermarket company comes out with a corrected hull before I start but fat chance of that happening.

You have done her justice. Really beautifully done.....Cheers mark

Ok  I have to admit it I are an wingnut, but I can appreciate a great job. The colors you used look super as does the weathering. Well Done.

As to your pain in construction, ask airplane guys about the  1/48 scale Modelcraft  F-8; same deal, a pos but the only game in town for that scale.

I love modeling I love modeling I love modeling I love modeling  

The road to a great looking models is not always lined with roses.

Most excellent!  Very impressive! 

The hammer and the trash can; don't do it!

BTW: Be careful, six Japanese carriers have been spotted west of the Hawaiian Islands!

Oh MY ! !

Puleeze Don't use the tool in the picture nor the background device ! You have done this kit a great justice .the weathering , especially the bottom is thrilling . I have got one for a client at over 90% finished in the blue  color .You did a really great job .Sir , My hat is off to you ! !        Tanker - Builder

Thanks to all again. I posted a short review at Modelwarships.com.

Lefty, I was looking for information on this ship before I purchased it. It sounds as though it is a tough one.

Flaver...Check out the FSM online review of the Bismark. There does seem to be an issue with the kit plastic when it comes time to painting it

I meant to post this a while back and got sidetracked.

My grandfather was a crew member of the Arizona 1925-?. I inherited his "Log" book, which contained a lot of pics, mostly anecdotal, so not that many of the ship herself, but there are a few good ones.

The one here is of her in dry dock (undocumented location) and, as you can see, is a photo of a photo. [having problems w/ my scanner] as well as the actual log books. When I get a chance, I will go to Kinkos and scan the relevant ones and make them available to you all via photobucket.

PS He talked w/ deep fondness of his tour on her.

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

That dry dock could be Dry Dock 4 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

I have no way to know for sure. Most of his log is west coast, the canal, Hawaii. Although he does have a few pics of them going by the statue of liberty in New York. I am still working on getting the rest scanned and posted. I don't know as they will be much help for builds, but I thought they might be interesting if nothing else. Should have them up in the next day or two.