Liberty Ship Hull Plating

I'd have to disagree about them not being too obvious, although as with anything it's easy to grossly overdo it when attempting to recreate it on a scale model. Remember, Liberty ships were built under wartime conditions, where speed was everything and the aestethics of butting together the sheets of steel to get nice smooth finished surfaces wasn't even considered. If you look at these pictures of the O'Brien in drydock, the lines are fairly prominent even when painted gray:

http://smmlonline.com/reference/walkabouts/liberty/obrien13.jpg

http://smmlonline.com/reference/walkabouts/liberty/obrien03.jpg

http://smmlonline.com/reference/walkabouts/liberty/obrien41.jpg

Just my 2 cents worth. Personally, since I build 1/700 ships, I haven't found it within my meager abilities to try and replicate the effect, but I would be tempted to give it a go in 1/350.

But as Andrew points out, because of the welded construction, the plating strakes aren't too obvious. Looking at pictures, soot stainss and scuff marks along the waterline where barges and lighters might have come alongside are more obvious than the plating.

OK, at that scale, I would think the tape method would give you enough of an effect. Basically you will want to do long parallel lines of tape following the curve of the hull from bow to stern (eyeball the width of each by studying reference pictures, and remember to curve up near the bow), and then remove every other one. Spray the hull your base color, the remove the remaining tape, and spray a second coat. That should give you a subtle line between the twice-painted areas, and you can go from there.

Liberty ships were welded, so there's not much to see, but here are some pictures of the Jermiah O'Brien in drydock:

http://smmlonline.com/reference/walkabouts/liberty/obrien_drydock.html

Hope this helps!

Andrew

 

 

Model is the 1/350 Trumpeter kit.

Another consideration is what scale - in 1/700 about all you can do is present the general suggestion of plating.

Maryland Silver

http://marylandsilver.com/books.htm

Contact Duane Borchers and ask about item BK050. It lists the shell plating in the contents.

Note that the book addresses the Liberties built at Bethlehem Steel Baltimore, MD and JA Jones Brunswick, GA.   Other yards WILL vary