1944 Group Build

What can I say CMK but, Immmmmpressive! Dang, that's nice work.

Finished masking and painting the last of the sides on the main deck superstructure.  Looks like it'll take minimal touch up.

The next task will be masking all those tiny deck fittings, then painting the deck.  It's liable to take a while.

SchattenSpartan

Allen:Your little Typhoon looks simply amazing! I love the amount of detail stuffed into that tiny model! Is there any particular pic you'd like to see on the front page?

Thanks Clemens.

I guess the second pic for the front page would be good.

Allen

Thanks, Clemens.  All those little pieces of masking tape get intimidating.

Allen:Your little Typhoon looks simply amazing! I love the amount of detail stuffed into that tiny model! Is there any particular pic you'd like to see on the front page?

Jamie: "Chow Hound" looks great too! The weatheringis perfect with the faded, patchy OD and the exhaust streaks across the wings! What pic of her would you like me to add to the wall of fame?

CMK: I'm by far not brave enough to tackle a masking job like that. Looks like you pulled that paint scheme off perfectly!

Thanks, Allen and Jorge.  By the time I'm finished, I'll probably have to go see the optometrist.

Chanter: That Typhoon looks great, you put a lot of detail in a 1/72 kit! 

CMK: looking forward to see progress in your project! 

JSmyth: That B-17 looks really good, I love how the paint has that bleached look to it.

Jorge

Guys, thanks very much!

Joe:  Exhaust staining!  (D'oh!)  I knew I had forgotten someting.  I fretted over the wing leading edges so much I forgot about that completely.  

Jamie:  Great Fortress, especially how you faded the OD and the contrast with the big bold colours on the stabs.

CMK:  Your BB is looking fantastic.  Those disruptive patterns are so impressive. That's a lot of finicky masking you've got going on! 

Allen

Thanks, Joe.  I've been studying other builders photos around the web, as well as contemporary photos of the ship.  Kind of hard to tell sometimes what's what.

I'll be taking note when you get to yours--especially Ticonderoga.  I've got Hasegawa's 1/700 kit, but I plan to build her as Shangri-la.  One of her few remaining plank owners lives in town here; I've known him twenty years, and he's always full of stories.

Maybe for the 1945 GB, if someone takes it up?  Shangri-la was in Measure 21 by then, and it's a much simpler camouflage scheme.

Allen: Wow! Now that is what I call some sweet action! The overall paint job looks excellent. The detail in the gun bays is very well done as well the rockets. The only detail that I might point out is the absence of exhaust staining. But, hey that is simply my . It in no way detracts from the magnificent work you have done. I have to say Allen, your modeling skills have become quite top notch. It's a real pleasure to see your work.

CMK: Marvelous masking and painting. That Measure 32/18d looks very sharp and clean. Well done. I'm certainly taking note of your process for when I tackle my North Carolina and USS Ticonderoga in 33/10a.

Jamie: Congrats on your finish! And what beaut your B-17 is. All of your hard work has certainly paid off in spades. You did a particularly nice job on creating the splotchy OD. That looks the part for sure. It has been a pleasure to share a GB with you and I truly hope to work with you in future ones.

Very nice job Jamie..great first effort for a GB. Your talent shows!! 

Great work, Jamie!  Well-done work on the weathering and patchy-looking paintwork!  You can be pleased and proud of this one!

Thank you all for the great Comments.

Well here it is. The first group build is now done. I'm glad to finish this build. Its been a love-hate relationship on this one. I didn't think that the end would ever come. I hope you all have enjoyed my first group build. And here it is.

Thanks, Jamie.  Once I get the superstructure and deck fittings painted up, I'll have to mask all of it to apply the Deck Blue, and that'll take a while.  It took me over two hours today to do just what I got done.

I've got Trumpeter's 1/700 Massachusetts in the stockpile, but I plan to build it as USS Indiana at some point.

Chanter: That Typhoon came out great! Very Nice Work

CMK: That North Carolina is looking great. I like the Measure 32/18 paint job. I'm going to pick up the 1:350 Massachusetts. Keep the photos coming.

Today I started the masking, which is pretty small and time-consuming.

I used regular old painters masking tape from Walmart, and chopped the masks into manageable size pieces.

I left enough tape at the top to pinch it together to seal it, but I also popped some poster tack on it to close up any gaps.

First photo shows the port side up near the 16-inch gun mounts.

Next photo is a small area behind one of the 5-inch guns amidsship on the port side..

There's only one area of 5-L on the starboard side, but it was loaded with little protrusions that I tried to get the tape to conform to and around.  Won't know how successful it was till I can pull it off.

I got the black areas painted and some of the 5-O Ocean Gray areas.  After these set up for a day or so, I'll get back to masking off the last area of the Ocean Gray.

When everything was dried and set up, I painted the hull in the three-color camouflage pattern for the Navy's Measure 32/18d.  It appears to have been unique to USS North Carolina.

Then I started on the main deck.  Trumpeter chose to cast the superstructure pieces separately, and I wasn't sure if I should install them, then paint; or paint them then install them.  I finally decided to install them first.  

The photo shows the port pieces in place, and the starboard pieces still on the tape.  Writing the part numbers on the tape helps prevent me from messing up the parts and, oh, say, putting the vertical stabilizers on a B-24 upside down.  

After I got the six parts for the superstructure sides in place, I painted the sections of the superstructure that needed to be 5-L Light Gray.  Let that sit for a couple of days, so things would be set up enough to mask.

I've been putting in some time with BB-55, but didn't post any photos, so I thought I'd catch up.

When I built Trumpeter's USS New Orleans, I noticed too late that the waterline plate didn't fit so well, so I spent a lot of time filing and sanding and cutting, and I thought I'd gotten it to the point where it was OK.

Of course, when it came time to put the glue on, things still didn't line up and fit well.  So I pulled it apart, sanded off the glue and tried again.  It was still a challenge, and took me two hours to get the hull and the plate together, and then it still required a lot of filling.

Here's the hull and waterline plate installed and painted.  I might have to invest in a motor-tool if I get any more Trumpeter ships. 

That's an outstanding Typhoon, Allen.  You've really put in a lot of work with the details.  It looks great.

Alright, for better or worse, I'm calling my 1/72 Typhoon complete.  There are some blemishes along the leading edges that I tried to correct but they only seemed to multiply so I'm stopping before it gets worse.  I haven't completed many kits since returning to the hobby, but I'm learning with each one so that's making it quite enjoyable.

Another thing I need to work on is photographing models.  I try different focal points etc, but I guess it will be like everything else, and come down to practice. 

Thanks for hosting Bish / Clemens.

Allen

Jamie: that B-17 is looking really good!

SS: I am using the Eduard PE set on the engine. Lots of small pasts that still have to go on, I'll post again after I have completed it. It is time consuming but I am having fun with it.

Jamie: Great work on that B-17! Looks like she's almost done!

Jorge: That engine looks magnificent! I really like the exhausts. Did you use Eduard's PE set for it?

haseren: Welcome aboard! I'll add you to the build list right away!

Welcome aboard, look forward to seeing that dio.

Going to take an extended break from my ships and Build a Diorama of a Panther in the Battle of the Bulge. Dedicating this to my late grandfather who was an American Paratrooper in that battle. 35th scale. Revell/Germany kit.

Excellent work on the B-17 Jamie. Remarkable paint job.

That "Chow Hound " looks great I'm Doing the Chow hounf kit too. I just need to decide on which plane I'm. doing for the other 17. I'm leaning towards the "Nine 0 Nine"

She's a stunner, J.... Holding on for the big win on this one!

Well done, Jamie.  That is a sharp-looking Fortress!

Nice, that's looking good Jamie.

Here are some updated photos of the B-17. I'm getting very close to the end.