USCG 1/700 378' (Hamilton)

gborlase wrote:

CG Bob, Have you used any of the hulls from Coast Guard Models (who I believe sells through Loyallhana Dockyard?)  I used to serve on the USCGC Sweetgum (WLB 309), and want to get the 1:48 hull and build it up with full r/c everything, including booms and now thruster.  Were you an ex-DC in the Coast Guard?  If so, you may know my dad (same name as me). Either way, Semper Paratus! George Borlase

George,

I purchased the 210' hull direct from CG Models.  The 36' MLB is a CG Models hull I bought from Don at Loyalhanna.  Yes, I was a DC.  I went to DC 'A' school on Governors Island in 1979.  Your dad was DCC and the School Chief then; the branch chief was CWO Tom Sarchipone.  I later ran into your dad and Tom in the early 1990's when the CWOA had their annual meeting at the GI O Club. I was a CWO then, and past President of the GI Chapter of the CWOA.. 

The Coast Guard Historian's Office website contains (or did the last time I looked at it) a nice section for modelers, including copies of several official documents about color schemes from various periods.  There's a ton of valuable stuff on that website.  Go to www.uscg.mil , then click on "History."

The current CG Historian, Dr. Bob Browning, is a first-rate gent and quite sympathetic to the needs of model builders.  He's also constantly swamped, and his office is understaffed, so he deserves your patience.  But a query sent to him, by means of the e-mail address on the website, will almost certainly get a helpful answer.

HB,

Nice job!  I am building a 378' and 270' moored next to each other at the pier, the JAG kits are great kits, fun to build and not too much work.

CG Bob,

Have you used any of the hulls from Coast Guard Models (who I believe sells through Loyallhana Dockyard?)  I used to serve on the USCGC Sweetgum (WLB 309), and want to get the 1:48 hull and build it up with full r/c everything, including booms and now thruster. 

Were you an ex-DC in the Coast Guard?  If so, you may know my dad (same name as me).

Either way, Semper Paratus!

George Borlase

Todd,

That would be great.  Unfortunately the 87's and Safe Boats are a little too modern for my fleet.  Currently my operating radio control USCG fleet consists of: CGC TAMAROA (WMEC 166) and CGC ILLINI (WYTM 64), both in 1:48 scale; CGC POINT KNOLL in 1:32 scale; CGC CHEROKEE (WMEC 165) and CGC DUTCH HARBOR (WTGB 114) in 1:96 scale.  On the ways are: Midwest 47' MLB; a 327' & 378' WHEC in 1:96 scale: a 36' MLB in 1:16 scale: CGC VIGOROUS (WMEC 627) in 1:48 scale with the Trumpeter Dolphin on the flight deck; and in 1:32 scale a 95' WPB, 47' MLB, 44' MLB, 41' UTB & 40' UTB. 

I have also found the Testor's Wood doesn't make a bad spar either. It's very close scalewise to what's on the ships.

Oh the Games Workshop white (one of the best acrylic whites I have ever used) is called Skull White (not bone white). It's very close to Testor's Insignia white, but of course washes off with water.

Bob, I think there was a new edition to the Coatings and Color manual put out in the last 2 months, I will check on it and see if I can get you a digital copy if you would like. I think it covers the new 87's and the Safe Boats.

-Todd

Here are the FS colors for USCG boats and cutters.

White FS17875 (Model Master Insignia White)

White FS17925 (Color change in the 2000 USCG Paint Manual)

Black FS17038 - boot top, watch cap on stack

Spar (Buff) FS10371 - best match is Badger Model Flex Marine Colors Deck Tan

The real cutters use commercial Interlux Gloss White. Some of the newer cutters are actually having a rubberized finish put on in lieu of paint. Unfortunately the 378's are being phased out as they will be replaced by the new Deepwater cutters. There are some horrifying habitability issues ongoing with these ships as they near 36 years old.

But I digress....the paint was acrylic paint from Games Workshop called Bone White. I then put on a VERY thin layer of Future floor polish to the white sections. Not bad. Any CG ship will put a nice color contrast to a Navy diorama or 1/700 fleet.

Thanks for looking!

-HB