Hello everybody,
This project was a challenge. I started it in September, so it's only been about 3 and a half months. Ships are tough. Trumpeter makes a nicely detailed kit. The fit is pretty good, but not quite perfect.
IMG_2335 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
I had challenges with a large step between the upper and lower hull. There was some filling and sanding. The base was cut from poplar, and the supporting columns are lamp finial extensions. Bolts go up from the bottom of the base, the finial extensions run from the base to the ship, and nuts in the hull mate with the finials. The nuts are held in the hull with milliput.
IMG_2386 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2387 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2385 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2384 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
The main deck fit well,
IMG_2388 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
but there were minor gaps at the aft end of the main deck.
IMG_2390 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
Regardless of their complexity, the superstructures went together well. I used some slower setting cement to give me time to install and align all of the sides of the structure.
IMG_2453 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
It's starting to look like a boat!
IMG_2456 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
Honestly, basic construction was the easy part. Painting was challenging, so was touch-up painting. Applying PE was challenging, and so was re-applying PE. I'm not good with gluing PE "just once." I gave everything a black base.
IMG_2462 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2463 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
Blackhawk Seahawk (SH-60B from Trumpeter).
IMG_2497 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
The hull is painted with about a 50:50 mix of Tamiya Red (XF-7) and Hull Red (XF-9). Horizontal surfaces were painted with German Grey (XF-63).
IMG_2496 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
There was a whole lot of masking.
IMG_2502 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
The vertical surfaces got Sky Grey (XF-19).
IMG_2504 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2505 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2506 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2507 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
The deck marking were masked and airbrushed with white and red.
IMG_2585 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
Some convincing was needed to make the forward superstructure sit flush on the main deck.
IMG_2608 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
There were still seams to be filled, sanded, and repainted.
IMG_2609 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
I did the multitude of little detail parts in batches. There was the forward deck details, aft deck details, forward superstructure details, and aft superstructure details.
IMG_2625 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
The mast was a fun little assembly, and it benefited greatly from the Gold Medal Models PE.
IMG_2632 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
After painting, EZ Line rigging was installed. I assured I left plenty of extra line. Holes were drilled in the plastic "Flag Bags" to be an anchor point for the rigging. The mast was glued to the superstructure. I ran the forward lines over their appropriate horns with a minimum of tension in the line. An alligator clip tool held the line in place while the CA glue dried.
IMG_2680 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
The aft lines were run through the holes in the "Flag bags." Again, they were held with a minimum of tension while the glue dried.
IMG_2688 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2690 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
The flight deck netting was glued to a brass rod. The rod depicts the hinged tube to which the netting mounts.
IMG_2692 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
The flight deck netting took some creative supports to facilitate gluing.
IMG_2696 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2697 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
My buddy Sherman was happy to review the ship's construction and painting.
IMG_2693 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
She's getting close.
IMG_2699 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2701 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
I applied some Pledge Floor Care (Future) and moved on to the decals.
PFC (Future) was applied to seal the decals. I used a little AK Interactive Streaking Grime for Light Grey Ships (AK 305) for weathering. It was diluted with AK's thinner (049). I let it rest in deck and bulkhead details, and it was streaked down bilge outlets on the hull. I didn't want to go too heavy on the weathering. I was going for a new but active ship.
IMG_2709 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
I used Model Master Lusterless (Flat) Laquer Overcoat from a rattle can to apply the final dull coats. This is my old stand-by. I've experimented with other dull-coats, but MM is still my favorite. I very carefully installed the lamp finials to the ship, then I applied the ship to the base.
IMG_2712 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
I guess I'm done. There's a name plate coming from Crown Awards. It should show up tomorrow. She really looks good to my eye, but constructive criticism is welcome.
IMG_2713 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2715 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2716 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2717 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2718 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2719 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2720 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2721 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2722 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2723 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2724 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2725 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2726 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2727 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2728 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2729 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2730 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2731 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2732 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2734 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2735 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
DD-670 and DDG-67, USS Dortch and USS Cole, look great together.
IMG_2739 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
IMG_2740 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
The flag commemorates my Great Uncle. He served the US Navy from 1940 to 1970. He spent the Second World War on the Dortch. He passed before the USS Cole was commissioned, but I think he'd approve.
IMG_2741 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr
I think I'll switch gears for the next build. It may be an Fw 190, Tiger 1, or CH-46. I'm thinking my next ship may be a Dreadnought, but I'll take some time to think about it.
Thank you for looking,
Chris