BB NJ Questions

Thanks a ton. I especially like model expo.

For pin vises and bits, try either or both of the following: <www.micromark.com> or <www.modelexpo-online.com>. Be warned: the number of tools available is pretty staggering. If you don't set a budget for yourself those sites may send you into the poorhouse.

Good luck.

websites aplenty, though might i suggest trying the hardware store first, they might have what you are looking for

Are there any good websites that carry the vises? My shop has a lot of tabletop gaming stuff, and a decent selection of airplane models, but almost no figures, ships, paints, or tools. My local Hobbytown USA (the only other store within a half hour's drive) is even worse.

do the windows with either a small brush or if thats too big use a toothpick. try looking for smaller brushes though. as for the pin vise, hit the hobby shop

Thank you som much for your help.

Just one or two follow up questions though,

For the bridge windows, I meant what do you apply the paint with?

Where do you buy a very small drill / pin vise?

Other than that, thanks a ton for your help.

Oook, alot of ground to cover here...

Does the New Jersey (WWII version) have wood or steel decks? I can't tell.

Her decks were teak, stained with 20-B Deck Blue stain. It's a commonly available color in Acryl, Polly-Scale, and WEM Colorcoats.

What FS color should the top of the turrets be?

Turret tops, and all horizontal surfaces, should be painted 20-B. An FS match for 20-B is tough, but it's approximately 35042.

Should the small arms (AA mounts) be colored differently from the rest of the superstructure?

20mm guns were not painted, they were gunmetal. Shields and bases were whatever the background color, or closest predominant color, was. 40mm guns paint the breeches and barrels 5-N Navy Blue, and paint the recoil springs black.

What type of seaplanes is the New Jersey carrying? Kingfishers?

I can't remember which aircraft the kit has, but NJ traded in her Kingfishers for Curtiss SC-1 Seahawks after her '45 refit. If they have a long greenhouse canopy and rounded wingtips, they're Kingfishers. If they have a bubble canopy and squared off tips, they're Seahawks. For Kingfishers, paint them in a 3 tone scheme, Dark Sea Blue upper, Intermediate Sea Blue on the sides, and Dirty White underneath. For Seahawks, paint them overall Specular Sea Blue (15042), you can also use 20-B Deck Blue, it has the same value.

How do you drill out these small portholes? With a very small drill, and a pin vise.

What do you use to paint the bridge windows? Typically, in 1/700 scale, I just paint them semi-gloss black.

Is scratchbuilding blast bags for the bigs guns necessary/recommended?
It helps, in 700 scale, a touch of white glue, applied with a pin, at the base of the barrel, usually does the trick. Wait for it to dry, then paint it, in this case, 5-N.

How on earth are you supposed to start the photoetched railings? (By the way, thanks to jamnett for the supplies.) One section at a time, from the centerline of the ship outwards to the main deck (which should be last). I typically cut a length, make sure it fits the location I'm setting to, and then touch one end into a puddle CA. Set it in place, then touch CA to the inside of the rail where it meets the deck. Once you have it tacked into place, I use a very fine glue tip to lay a bead of CA along the length of the rail.

I'm kind of overwhelmed by the photoetched parts, any tips or advice? Take it slow...pretend you're doing surgery. Measure twice, cut once. If you screw it up, tear it off and start over.

Hope that helps...it's 2am here, so I think I'm heading for bed...have to be up in 3 hours...

Jeff