Robert Hayes, Clarksville, Tennessee
Inspired by an October 2005 FSM article in which Trumpeter’s 1/350 scale USS Arizona was converted to the USS Pennsylvania, Robert built HobbyBoss’ Arizona into the 1943 USS Nevada. He says, “The ships had similar hulls; I only had to change Arizona’s four propeller shafts to Nevada’s two. Everything from the main deck up is scratchbuilt from sheet styrene.” Robert made an RTV mold of a main turret to cast turrets No. 2 and No. 3 in resin. “The main turret barbettes and smokestack are the only other parts from Arizona,” he says. “The secondary and antiaircraft guns are from L’Arsenal. Radars are from Tom’s Modelworks; doors, ladders, and railings are from Gold Medal Models. Nevada wears North Atlantic camouflage prior to her transfer to the Pacific.” After such an extensive project, Robert seems no worse for wear. “My next project is to do the same thing to build the USS Oklahoma,” he says.