Bish, watch out, ship models can be their own "dark side", not quick and easy, but certainly seductive. And not overly different from armor. After all, armor was originally "landships". Similar building and weathering, no mud- more rust ;-)

Bob, very nice improvements on your LCVP. I need to finish up the one that I have sidelined one day. It is a bit further along than yours. yes I am very bad about sideined builds... Are you going to be leaving the molded on rope bumper on teh hull?

Nice bob, looking good.

Got around to some more work on the LCVP.  Hopefully later this evening I can get the whole thing assembled and get it primed sometime this week.  I've ordered two of the Academy machine gun sets to replace the kit guns as they are nothing short of horrible, as well as the Trumpeter LCM crew so that I can have some better looking figures when I get around to making the diorama part of it (still have to wait on ordering more infantry).  I started today by finishing up the engine deck and the rear deck (minus guns)

I had a heck of a time getting the thread tied up for the ramp.  It's been a long time since I was a Boy Scout and I remember using rope back then instead of sewing thread, but I eventually got it.  I'm leaving the thread up through the deck until I get it situated the way I want it for the diorama.  I'm sure I can find a way to hide it until then.

After that I finished with something easy: the skeg, prop, and rudder.

Thanks Stik. O, I don't think I will be doing Belfast for this GB, or any other for that matter. Just not enough time. I was just thinking about doing it bit by bit during other builds, just to get my eye into ships a bit. Would be nice to have more ships though.

Thats kitty is looking mighty purty so far there Bish! Lots of bling ;-) But I definitely think she will look better in primer and warpaint. And yes, HMS Belfast is calling your name... listen to the wind... After all there were only what, 4000 to 5000 ships involved in the invasion? The greatest ampibious invasion ever. And we have how many ships on this GB?

Thanks duke. There's a lot of PE that's un used, but that's only because of the nice detail in the kit.

That's some gorgeous p e work

I was eyeing up my old Airfix 1/600 HMS Belfast kit today, I think you guys are rubbing off on me.

But as I am not very good on the water, I thought I better get back to dry land, here the next update on the Panther. Its not ready for the primer, hoping to do that tonight. I need to paint the fans before I put it together, so I am going to prime it like this and then do the fans after.

Heres the completed upper hull.

And all three sections ready to go.

Yes I have the Academy 1/350 Warspite- BEAUTIFUL kit!!! I'm like you and prefer my ship kits to have some historical significance/battle record that is more that bad luck. I can understand some kit subject choices, from the standpoint of that ship still exists today, usually as a floating museum. But why not make the sister ships that did fight and win? USS Washington anyone? Heck, the Iowa even engaged surface vessels at Truk... I could go on and on...  I agree 110% about CV-6 USS Enterprise!!! I could go on... Ah well... I will have my d-day destroyers built one day. BTW, Dragon has had the 1/350 1944 Pensy listed as "coming soon" for quite some time now... Lets see if it ever happens.

DML had a 1/700 1944 USS Pennsylvania a while back - early Dragon and considered a very difficult kit. I'd very much like to do a WWII BB, but I want it to have done something. (I'm avoiding Warspite because I have hopes that Trumpie will do a 1/350 WWI version - they already have a 1/700.) There's a lovely poetic justice when considering that "veterans" of Pearl Harbor were the last US BBs to sink an enemy BB. The "class of 44" USN capital ships were also worked to death and would invite very heavy weather. The pre-rebuild versions of US BBs served as targets and the fast BBs were flak wagons. (Except, of course, for Washington - another ship not available in 1/350.) I've never understood why companies chose the models they do - unless they're Japanese and then they offer everything. The lack of an Enterprise (CV-6 version natch) is the most amazing case of historical neglect in the history of styrene modelling. Rumors are around that Trumpie is coming out with a 1/200 "E" - a 1/350 would be quite enough thankee. As my father would have said, "can't win for losing."

I'll be able to chime in better in a few months but a DML USN or German DD might make a good first kit. If you subtract the duplicate parts that always bloat DML boxes, the count isn't that high and supposedly the build quality is top notch. The German ships were bigger and the kits a bit more complex. They also come with basic PE and I think a mortal could get buy with generic railings - that would save time, money and still leave you with a decent kit.

Eric

Well I could not resist- The Heller 1/400 Elbing Class Torpedo Boat was only $8.99 at Sprue Brothers, and I needed some thing to fill out the order for some Quick Boost gun barrels for my Marauder. Like Priller's 190, this is a kit I think I need to build, and 1/400 is not far off from 1/350 as most of my ship kits are so....

In 1/350, Hobbyboss does make a new USS Virginia sub kit. And considering that US subs rarely wear their names/hull numbers while out at sea, all you really need is a nameplate for the display stand. And now back to our D-Day build.

Yesterday, I did some touch up work with white paint on the hull on my schnellboot. Then a lot of work on my other half's car. Finally after dinner, I pulled out my Marauder and did some more scratchwork on the interior. I added the seat back cushions for the rear gunners seats and started work on the final bulkhead that I am making, for in between the tail gunners and wait gunners areas.

stikpusher

Nuclear subs are perfect for beginners. Just a big cigar with a few projecting items here and there. But anything else begins to get elaborate and trigger those "What was I thinking?" moments.

I was thinking the same thing.  That (and state pride) is why I'd like to build a USS North Dakota as my first boat/ship. (The brand new Virginia Class sub, not the WWI Dreadnought)  But submarine kits don't seem to be made too often?  I already posted my question in the Ships forum, but if anyone here has any info about any upcoming USS North Dakota releases, I'd love to hear about it!

OK...sorry to hijack.  Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

Well Dragon has a 1944 USS Pennsylvania in 1/350 on their list. I will believe it when I see it. I personally would love USS Nevada in both 1941 and 1944 fittings. And while the 1941old BBs are nice to look at, they look most imposing in their 1945/45 guises I think.

You're certainly right that naval power was central at Normandy. Many Germans officers considered it more dangerous that allied aircraft as long as the battle was within 6" gun range, and the DDs at Omaha were just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately ship companies think we want 1944 "old" USN BBs in their 1941 configuration - and we don't. Texas, or one of Oldendorf's BB's dressed for the dance in 1944 would be very neat. The Brits were going through their bozo the clown camo phase at that time at least for capital ships. Personally, I don't want a capital ship done up in pastels. US DDs at Normandy were in measure 31 or 32 - challenging painting but black and grays  - like a proper warship. (I've heard 22 was used too - one of those rivets we'll have to count.)

Eric

.

And it appears that Heller does a 1/400 kit of the Elbing Class ship. It is 255mm long when built.... Not in time for the GB here with my Marauder and other commitments.

Ok, gonna be making a course correction on my Schnellboot. In my research I jumped the gun. Thinking that Cdr Hoffmans sortie was in Schnellboots, I kept doing web and image searches for the boats in question involved. Well it turns out they were torpedo boats, and not schnellboots.  Arenth they the same thing , like a british MTB or US PT you ask? No, the German Navy had another type of surface combatant boat aside from the Schnellboot that was tasked with surface attacks using torpedoes.These boats were bigger, being over 90M long. Hoffman commanded T-28 an Elbing Class T-Boot, and the other two were Jaguar, a Type 24 or Raubtier (Predator) Class, and Mowe a Type 23 or Raubvogel (Bird of Prey) Class. Mowe and Jaguar were subsequently sunk on June 14 by an RAF raid on LaHavre harbor, but T-28 survived the war to be turned over to the RN. Not to worry though, the Schnellboote were active against the Invasion armada after dark on the nights following the landings.  So I guess I can use the "hello kitty" markings (just kidding, it's a black panther and looks way cooler) of the 4th Schnellboot Flotilla after all. ;-)

Nuclear subs are perfect for beginners. Just a big cigar with a few projecting items here and there. But anything else begins to get elaborate and trigger those "What was I thinking?" moments. I actually have about 2 dozen or more ships in my stash now. And that is slowly growing as new kits are released.

Bish, I easily have that bug for a new build planted. I read a book, see a movie, talk to somebody, or come across an internet article and there I go, thinking it up.

EB, that is a gorgeous Oregon! And yes, we have a few of those ship master modelers here in the local IPMS chapter. Their work is stunning and their subject knowledge even more so. And this GB is so perfect for ship subjects. Everything from famous battleships and cruisers, to destroers, minesweepers, transports, anonymous numbered assault craft and midget submarines.

Odd about ships. Almost all plane fans build some armor and vice versa. But lots of people don't touch ships. The rigging maybe. But the drummer ship fanatics march to is somehow really different. (For one thing, there's no rivet counter like a ship rivet counter - some take the quest of detail to incredible lengths.) When I look at the best work on Model Warship it's intimidating. For one thing the ship gurus are often remarkably skilled at elaborate dioramas. A visit to their extensive gallery is something like a pilgrimage.

My brother is a serious duffer and from the way he describes it, building ships is a little like playing golf. There are times when when you question your own sanity for freely spending time and money on ulcer making activity. And other times there's unusual reward. About a year back I spent five months rebuilding an ancient 1/255 scale USS Oregon (star of the show at the Battle of Santiago in 1898). I'm not a heroic modeler and scratch building is usually something like replacing a lost aerial. When doing Oregon I rebuilt the entire superstructure as well as making a very large hulled vessel into a waterline. There were times when I wanted to chuck the thing out the window. In the end, I think it was probably the best model I ever made.

So I keep coming back for more despite knowing that I'll never be more than an average ship modeller. Of course that's also a good reason for building planes and AFVs in between bouts of madness.

stikpusher

Not at the same time Bish... LOL! Yes, the S-100 is a good sized boat indeed. But now EB has planted a bug and has me looking at RN Destroyers for something to build at a later date.

We nearly had someone do it, jus managed to stop them in time. Though I guess we should have let them carry on and then let them try and move it. Its amazing how someone else can give you a bug for modelling certain subjects. I have a few ships in the stash but am still to build one. I think I might try my hand at one of my Airfix ships soon.

Not at the same time Bish... LOL! Yes, the S-100 is a good sized boat indeed. But now EB has planted a bug and has me looking at RN Destroyers for something to build at a later date.

I was looking at my S-100 today, and I was surprised at just how big it is.

LOL, that's a good one. Have you ever seen someone tack both tracks off an AFV?

EBergerud

Stik,

If that Eboat is half the size of a 1/350 U-boat my DD won't be able to see it much less hit it. I built AFV Club's Type IX in 1/350 and was startled concerning its miniature size. But it's looking good.

Eric

Eric, it is at best 2/3 the size of a Type VIIC U-Boat. Here is my Revell one posed with it for a size comparison the other day

BTW, your Cromwell is looking very sharp so far... but that photo Bish made with your Cromwell in the crosshairs.... YIKES!

68, Schmidty, Gamera, thank you. This is a fun little kit. With the Trumpeter kit of the same subject (less PE to deal with), and a bit more planning & foresight, this could be a fun & easy weekend project. Even so, 1 week in and I am almost done with it. Then I can return focus to the Marauder. If the boat bug bites, get a simple kit like this and run with it. That is exactly what happened to me here.

Hey Bish, what do you call a Panther with no tracks and  no wheels? Nothing, he can't come anyways 

Don't I know it. But will be keeping that for much later, after the paint is on.

MMM, now there's a thought, but I don't think they had Panther-Stellung in Normandy, would save some time though.

SP: That is some nice and quick work- looks like you're almost done there.

Bish: Looks good, getting to the good part though- the five zillion road wheels to clean up!

Eric: Great work there, I love the colour modulation.

Going to be an interesting fight between the Cromwell and the Panther since neither of them have wheels I guess they'll just have to shoot from a stationary position!

Eric, your armor is coming along very nicely.  And yes, judging by Bish's last post I'd say you better do a very good job on camo!

Stik, great job on that boat.  I haven't had the "boat-bug" bite me yet.  But watching your build may change that.  It's a cool looking little kit.

That's some great looking work on that boat Stik.

Good idea indeed Eric, the Panther is coming

 That's looking really nice.

And great work there Stik, can't wait to add that to the front page.

Stik,

If that Eboat is half the size of a 1/350 U-boat my DD won't be able to see it much less hit it. I built AFV Club's Type IX in 1/350 and was startled concerning its miniature size. But it's looking good.

I'm trying to draw some inspiration for the Cromwell from Mike Rinaldi's Vol II of Tank Art (Allies). Rinaldi is a brilliant modeller and makes kits that to my eyes look about as real as a model can be made to do so. He hung around with Mig Jimenez, Adam Wilder and others in the Spanish school, but his latest work is pretty distinct. Heaven knows he's innovative. The bad news is that his techniques are evolving (good) but the techniques illustrated in one chapter can be dramatically different than those in the next (not so good if going down the wrong road could wreck your model). I think his stuff would be better appreciated by top modellers and he doesn't do as good a job as Mig does at assuming the readers know very little - a very important starting point for instructional material. And some of his stuff is very time consuming, so I'll be taking bits and pieces. But this promises to be an interesting build.

I poked around the net trying to track down a good version of British OD (SCC 15) and decided to blend Tamiya Olive Green about 50:50 with Tamiya Olive Drab. (Over a base of NATO Black, which is over Vallejo Primer. All the paints are so good that very little detail is obscured..) Used Mr Levelling Thinner and it goes on remarkably well. But to follow Rinaldi's bouncing ball, a water based acrylic has to be used to lighten things - so I'm back in familiar Vallejo Model Color territory. Here's what we have so far:

As noted earlier this will all be covered with netting and foliage - good idea if there Bish is building a Panther.