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

Bluewave. Yep, you're right. But I just couldn't go with the shiney brass props. Makes the model look like a kid's toy. I was hoping to find a color photo of a WWII battleship in dry dock that shows what the props would look like. Never did. Anyone have one? Easy to correct when I do.

I'm not trying to be a critic, but grey props? Did I miss something? Did Arizona have steel props? Regardless, what a beautiful build. I just received my PE kits for my 1/350 models and after looking over the pieces, I'm starting to question a lot of decisions in my life.

Thanks. I was thinking a 1/200 scale BB would look nice under glass in the company guest waiting room. Either that or a 35gallon aquarium. I have a fish tank at home, mini-money pit. At least the model is done when it is done.

Felix, the kit comes with PE railing. I decided to use wire and thread for the decks perimeter. That left me more than enough railing for the rest of the ship. Some have complained the kit doesn't provide enough railing.

  You can build the kit without the upgrade kit but you'd have to use the kit's plastic Aztec steps.

The deck look like it is real wood. The rails look PE which is why I asked which one.

So this kit is ok to build OOB without PE?

Congrats my Friend. You have done a beautiful job on her.....Cheers mark

Thanks Felix. When I started my build over two years ago, most PE aftermarket kits weren't available yet. And when they came out their price was beyond what I was willing to pay. But in hindsight I wish I bought the KA PE set. Most of the Trumpeter "upgrade" PE set's ladders/stairs are too short, so I ended up using about four sets to get the right length. Live and learn.

  I also couldn't justify buying a wooden deck that would sit on top of the original deck. Looks great from the top, but silly from the side. Now if you could lower the deck...um, never mind :)

Lovely work.

What PE set?

wood deck?

Thanks Leftie.  I appreciate your encouragement.  It looks like I'm going to need it.  LOL  If my ship turns out half as nice as yours.........I'll be happy.  My uncle was a Gunners Mate aboard the Arizona on Dec. 7th, 1941.  And is one of the many crewmembers who lost their lives.  So I have a sincere interest in this particular model.   I haven't done any serious model building in decades, however, the thought of building this particular model has peaked my interest once again.  Thanks again.

Thanks for the compliment. Like I said, it's not a terrible kit. It just gets under my skin when a manufacturer  does sloppy work, like they don't care, I.e the port holes on the taxi boats. And I see their newer releases still don't have this corrected. Rest assured no one will live long enough to correct ALL the errors on this kit.  I recommend you just accept the crap you can't easily fix and be happy with the little things you can fix. And when you're done, you'll have a big bad battleship that looks impressive.

OMG!  What have I gotten myself into???  Your ship looks great!  I just received mine and will start building shortly.  I hope I live long enough to complete it.  Thanks for all the pictures.

Leftie

You have done one heck of a FANTASTIC job on the Arizona! That is one impressive build. I share your pain about Trumpeter. I recently built their Sea Fury airplane and some of the details were horrible to say the least, and just plain lack of details. I will never buy another Trumpeter kit if I can help it. For the price tag they place on their kits, you expect better. Again, sensational job on the Arizona.

Thanks Groot. Yes, a serious sense of accomplishment and relief its over.

That is a beautiful ship.  Your deck looks fantastic!  Hopefully you have a serious sense of accomplishment at least.

Groot

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.

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

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

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.

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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  

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

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.

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