jimbot58

Cool how the photo was tagged as "Not to be released for publication" Security was no doubt still tight then, and after all "loose lips sink ships!" Jim

Oh no, do you think I put the ship in danger?

modelcrazy

Gam

I think some tarps would really add some interest. You'll see what I'm talking about if you look real close.

Gam

I think some tarps would really add some interest. You'll see what I'm talking about if you look real close.

Sorry no idea about the tarps but the crane and the AA guns look fantastic!

Here's tonight work. I painted the structure and antennas and installed the guns and halyards. Next, I'll work on a minor structure aft of this one and install all the sub assemblies onto the hull.

I was thinking of making some tarps for the guns since she will be in some spray. I saw some pictures of her in the Mare Island drydock in '45 with tarps over the guns. I suppose they were to keep foreign matter and welding slag off, but it got me to thinking. What do you guys think?

Steve

Son Of Medicine Man

modelcrazy

Thanks Gamera. The Radar is the whole reason I got the PE set in the first place. I had no idea there was soooo much more to it.

Got some more done on the aft superstructure, added the second deck, crane, quad bofors and the 5" guns (not glued yet). Tomorrow night I'll paint it and maybe get some time to install the halyards. Once this is added to the hull deck, I'll add the hanger doors, which will be closed with the scout planes stowed securely inside due to the moderate to heavy seas she will be sailing through.

Steve

Wow Steve!  You just keep out doing yourself!  Nice job on the PE!      The detail is just amazing!  I would have gone blind by now.

Ken

modelcrazy

Thanks Gamera. The Radar is the whole reason I got the PE set in the first place. I had no idea there was soooo much more to it.

Got some more done on the aft superstructure, added the second deck, crane, quad bofors and the 5" guns (not glued yet). Tomorrow night I'll paint it and maybe get some time to install the halyards. Once this is added to the hull deck, I'll add the hanger doors, which will be closed with the scout planes stowed securely inside due to the moderate to heavy seas she will be sailing through.

Steve

Wow Steve!  You just keep out doing yourself!  Nice job on the PE!      The detail is just amazing!  I would have gone blind by now.

Ken

Thanks Gamera. The Radar is the whole reason I got the PE set in the first place. I had no idea there was soooo much more to it.

Got some more done on the aft superstructure, added the second deck, crane, quad bofors and the 5" guns (not glued yet). Tomorrow night I'll paint it and maybe get some time to install the halyards. Once this is added to the hull deck, I'll add the hanger doors, which will be closed with the scout planes stowed securely inside due to the moderate to heavy seas she will be sailing through.

Steve

Steve: My hat is off to you sir, that's some PE work! That radar array just makes me squeamish looking at it.

Jim: Those seatbelts came out great! And congrats to getting back into shape- I really need to exercise a little more myself.  

jimbot58

Hello gang!

No, I didn't drop off the earth, it's just been busy, busy! Car and truck repairs, (still have more to do!), added yard clean-up with spring that has sprung, an out-of-town trip,and so on. Plus, I have been pushing myself trying to work on my weight, with walks at lunch and after work as well! Now I also bought a bike, with several nights spent fiddling with it to get it where I want it! Finally got out on it today with a 12 mile ride in the morning, and finished with a walk of about 5 miles this evening! My feet and legs are threatening to sue me! The good news is that I have dropped almost 40#!!

I do spend time at the bench but often find myself too tired to sit at the computer afterwards.

So finally some updates!

Mostly what I have been doing is working on the cockpit of the Cobra. I didn't have a lot of references to go by, so I just "winged it". I added painted masking tape to the seats, with cut bits of PE frets for buckles:

I deliberately varied the length and position of the belts so they would hopefully add some realism.

The fuselage isn't fully closed yet, but here's how it will look:

Jim

Hi Jim,

I fully understand about being busy with other stuff besides modeling.  Spring has sprung here as well.  In fact, I will be taking a few days off this week just to get caught up on things like my garden.

Great work on the Cobra cockpit!  It looks fantastic!     

And congratulations on the weight loss!  I know how much work that is!

Ken

modelcrazy

Thanks Jim.

So here's this weekends nightmare PE work. The aft superstructure, mast and radar. I feel like a jeweler.
I still have quite a bit more to add. More AA guns, treterary guns, gun director hanger doors etc.

Steve

Wow again Steve!  That is some very intricate work with the PE!  It does look like something a jeweler would do!     

Ken

Hello gang!

No, I didn't drop off the earth, it's just been busy, busy! Car and truck repairs, (still have more to do!), added yard clean-up with spring that has sprung, an out-of-town trip,and so on. Plus, I have been pushing myself trying to work on my weight, with walks at lunch and after work as well! Now I also bought a bike, with several nights spent fiddling with it to get it where I want it! Finally got out on it today with a 12 mile ride in the morning, and finished with a walk of about 5 miles this evening! My feet and legs are threatening to sue me! The good news is that I have dropped almost 40#!!

I do spend time at the bench but often find myself too tired to sit at the computer afterwards.

So finally some updates!

Mostly what I have been doing is working on the cockpit of the Cobra. I didn't have a lot of references to go by, so I just "winged it". I added painted masking tape to the seats, with cut bits of PE frets for buckles:

I deliberately varied the length and position of the belts so they would hopefully add some realism.

The fuselage isn't fully closed yet, but here's how it will look:

Jim

modelcrazy

Thanks Jim.

So here's this weekends nightmare PE work. The aft superstructure, mast and radar. I feel like a jeweler.
I still have quite a bit more to add. More AA guns, treterary guns, gun director hanger doors etc.

Steve

Steve, I can't think of anything to say other than...

OMG!

Thanks Jim.

So here's this weekends nightmare PE work. The aft superstructure, mast and radar. I feel like a jeweler.
I still have quite a bit more to add. More AA guns, treterary guns, gun director hanger doors etc.

Steve

modelcrazy

I use to do that too. But I found this method in another forum and found out it seems to make a more consistent thread gauge.

I guess to be fair, I'm comparing apples to oranges. You're making threads for rigging and I'm making rods to scratch build parts. If I ever get to some of the WWII fighters I have, I may need to try that for antennae. You work is looking great Steve!

Jim

I use to do that too. But I found this method in another forum and found out it seems to make a more consistent thread gauge.

I usually stretch sprue by twirling a long piece over a candle and pulling it apart. Kind of tricky.too much heat or too little and it breaks

Wow, stretched sprue!?! I'd been trying this with thin line, maybe that's where I've been going wrong. Thanks for you demo on it, I've done it before but never enough to get very good at it.

modelcrazy

Thank you gentlemen, I really appreciate it.

Here's tonight's work, I got the signal lanyards, missing AA guns and the bridge windows darkened, at least I think it's the bridge. Since the bridge windows were rectangular I just painted them rather than drill like I did for the portholes. Now to put the assembly in a safe place until I need it later.
On to the aft structures.

Steve

 

Hi Steve,

Sorry, but the only word I can think of is "WOW" again!  Great work!     

Ken

Gamera

how on Earth do you do that rigging? I've tried to rig simple biplanes and end up with the thread stuck all over the model, the bench, and on me. Once I get a few on I then end up knocking them off trying to attach the rest of them

It's not too difficult. I use stretched sprue using the technique I pointed out in this thread

Stretching sprue

Once that is done and attached with CA, I tighten the "line" with the smoke from an incense stick or firecracker punk. Don't hold the smoke on it for too long or you will melt the sprue thread. A short time frame along the thread is all that's needed. The method works for biplane rigging as well.

Wow that's crazy Steve, how on Earth do you do that rigging? I've tried to rig simple biplanes and end up with the thread stuck all over the model, the bench, and on me. Once I get a few on I then end up knocking them off trying to attach the rest of them....

Thank you gentlemen, I really appreciate it.

Here's tonight's work, I got the signal lanyards, missing AA guns and the bridge windows darkened, at least I think it's the bridge. Since the bridge windows were rectangular I just painted them rather than drill like I did for the portholes. Now to put the assembly in a safe place until I need it later.
On to the aft structures.

Steve

Steve, I'll say you're getting there. Very impressive. I haven't built a ship since I was about 12 ,(HMS Hood) so I'm not well versed in the intricacies involved, however I'm certainly impressed with what you've accomplished thus far. Outstanding!

Steve that is awesome work!  Cant wait to see more.

I'll second Ken's WOW - that's beautiful work there Steve.

modelcrazy

Well, well, well, long time no post. Life has kept me very busy as of late.

Here is the forward superstructure, almost done. I still need to install 2 more single AA guns and the signal lanyards to the yardarm. After I get that I'll work on the aft structure,mast hangers and cats.

I'm getting there.

Steve

Hi Steve,

All I can say is "WOW".  That sure is a lot of detail!  Nice work so far!     

Ken

Well, well, well, long time no post. Life has kept me very busy as of late.

Here is the forward superstructure, almost done. I still need to install 2 more single AA guns and the signal lanyards to the yardarm. After I get that I'll work on the aft structure,mast hangers and cats.

I'm getting there.

Steve

Hey Jim the jet looks good thus far along with your other work. I'm sorry to hear of your adversities and health issues. It seems we all take our health for granted until something goes wrong. Hope your luck takes a turn for the better soon; you certainly deserve it!

jimbot58

Hey all!

Ben tough getting time in at the bench!

Last weekend was spent trying to do some major work on a car I didn't want to work on, and then when it came time to deliver the car, nobody was able or willing to help, and I ended up walking 12 miles home! Not much done there!

This week has been bad as I have some sort of respiratory infection going on, and though not sick enough to stay home, work was just miserable.

A few things I did accomplish:

Attached the gear to the A-10:

Assembled and painted a set of GBU-12's. These are smaller than the GBU-10's that came with the kit. The 12's are used primarily for 'plinking' tanks. From a Hasegawa weapons set.

Even though I didn't intend it, parts of the Cobra sort of started falling together... and paint as well....

The manufacture apparently upgraded the kit since it's initial release, so it required sawing of the rear of the cockpit and attaching the more detailed part.

The instrument panel decals are a bit cartoonish to me, but no upgrades are available. This kit may actually end up being a OOB build! First for me in a while! The panels are better that anything I could do at this scale I guess. Sorry photo is blurred.

So far:

The clear part on top gets painted except for a small bit on top. I'll probably add some masking tape belts at least.

Jim

Hi Jim,

The Warthog is looking mighty fine!    Also the trim on the Cobra cockpit looks really nice!     

Ken

Gamera

Wish the photos turned out better, not sure why they suck, I made sure I had plenty of light. Anyway here's the Wildcat and Hellcat together. Hopefully I'll get the clear-coat on for the wash before the weekend is out.

Hi Cliff,

They both look great!  Good job so far!  I think the paint came out just right.     

Ken