Cranes? Yes, quite a few and no, they do not stop being a PIA, but done right they look fantastic compaired the the plastic in the kits. I would say that cranes, railing and rigging show off a ship as a master's work, not that OOB doesn't look striking, it just that the extra detail of those items really make it pop.

Good work on all the PE. I would need a break by now and work on a plane or something (typically why I have two projects going at once). I myself just finished up 30 telescops that attach to the 5"/38 dual gun mounts for the NC. Thoes wee little monsters cost me about 8 hours and several naughty words. Now on to the 15 quad 40mm Bofors mounts

Ben you're kicking it with that PE work! I did a ton of that for my frigate last year but alas no cranes on those so nothing more I can add to your process there. 

goldhammer

You sir, are becoming a PE master tech.

 

Oh yeah, couldn't have said it any better! 

You sir, are becoming a PE master tech.

Steve and Mongoose.. I am going to try your water technique on the Arizona as well. I still have a long way to go before I start that phase of the build.

I'm Back at it, now on the rear hoist. It wasn't anything difficult really, just 12 pieces; one with seven folds; and four of them with four folds that end up being about the size of a pin head when done. I can't forget about the base of the hoist which is a three piece affair, then there was this scratch built tripod behind the hoist with one of those pin head pulleys glued to the top of it.       

Here is the WIP with the seven fold lattice work done, the base completed, two of the pinhead pulleys fully folded (one attached to the hoist) You can also see the tripod legs cut from spare stock, and another unfolded hoist cut from the PE. Oh, and lets not forget the supporting bracket glued to the bend in the lattice work, it will hold another pin head sized pully.



And here it is with everything put together. Believe it or not, this silly hoist took 2 and 1/2 hours to get right. To the right of it is one of the completed Mark 19 Range Finders sitting where it will be on its platform. Behind it some of the completed PE waiting for clean, paint and assembly.

Has anyone built a hoist like this one before in 1/350? If so, can you tell me the secret in building them as this one was a PITA. 



And another photo of the accumulated guns completed so far. I started on the 5" guns to sit on the main deck of the superstructure, but I have nothing good to show just yet, there will be 8 of them. New barrels, and several PE pieces on each 5" gun.. I can't wait.



Hope to have those little guns done tomorrow with photos, and then the cranes.....

Ben

TheMongoose

I broke down and ordered some of that gel medium today. those water dioramas by modelcrazy and scottrc have me psyched to get one done for my ship! Hope the stuff goes a long way...

 

It should. A big jar can last me a few dios. Now that I going to be using the foil for making the waves it should last longer. Did you get some varnish as well?

I broke down and ordered some of that gel medium today. those water dioramas by modelcrazy and scottrc have me psyched to get one done for my ship! Hope the stuff goes a long way...

Ben, Your continuous work with all the photo-etch is really spectacular. Wonderful effort.

DRUMS01

That is why I love these GB's, we have various scales and various subjects: subs, PT boats, battleships, frigates, carriers, etc. And it seems that everyone excells at the model they are building which is another great thing about these GB's. Learning together while enjoying others builds is definately a GB perk.

I couldn't agree more Ben. Participating in GB's has been the biggest part of bending my modeling curve. And this one is no exception. Although I face my share of trepidations with my first ship model, you folks here are the best source of inspiration and enthusiasm. FSM forums has always provided the very best in non-judgemental and helpful modeling.

Your work continues to inspre and amaze Ben.

Trying to complete the funnel is well.... exhausting (I made a funny). Seriously, this has more parts on it than a Swiss watch (figure of speech). I made the second searchlight control structure for the other side but it looked a little funny and then I noticed, I bent them both the same way, so I had two right sides and no left side.  

One more case where the second PE package has saved me. After getting the second structure bent correctly I glued them both to the side of the exhaust funnel. I decided to glue them on prior to the searchlight platform. If you look closely at the photo the platform has bracing that must be folded under and glued. If you put it on first you will risk the side structures not fitting properly as the bracing beneath the platform goes both beneath the platform and against the side structures. This photo shows both side structures and the platform on as well as the bracing turned from flat and half folded.



And this photo shows the bracing of the platform folded and glued to the side funnel structures. The crusty residue on the funnel is glue accelerator which was wiped off.



Next was the supports beneath the side structures (4 each side).



And now the fun began... the PE platform to the front of the side structures was not wide or deep enough around the funnel which caused a gap between the platform and the side structures that could not be easily fixed. My solution was to create a platform out of Evergreen sheet stock to replace the PE part. Once attached to the funnel and side structures I used spare PE for the hand rails. Last was folding / curling the hand rails for the top of the searchlight platform (this was frustrating and time consuming). This is what it looks like to that point (sitting on the superstructure):



The Eduard instructions call for the removal of the top exhaust grate to be replaced with PE. Upon close study, the PE does not really add anything regarding detail, so I left the one in from the kit. The only thing added was the PE around the exhaust. My last photo shows the completed assembly:



Next will be the rear hoist, till then hoist one for me (another funny)   

Ben

DRUMS01

That is why I love these GB's, we have various scales and various subjects: subs, PT boats, battleships, frigates, carriers, etc. And it seems that everyone excells at the model they are building which is another great thing about these GB's. Learning together while enjoying others builds is definately a GB perk.

Thanks Ben, that's exactly why I started these series of GB's, (German this Sep, Japanese next). it gives members like yourself an opportunity, reason, excuse, chance, whatever you want to call it to build a ship with others who can help and support, and get out of their comfort zone.

I build all subjects but cars and armor are not my strong suit.

STEVE: I hope not as your work looks amazing regardless of scale. A ship in 1/700 is just something I would not enjoy building. While I really appreciate and enjoye the craftsmanship and finished products, 1/700 is not my build scale.

That is why I love these GB's, we have various scales and various subjects: subs, PT boats, battleships, frigates, carriers, etc. And it seems that everyone excells at the model they are building which is another great thing about these GB's. Learning together while enjoying others builds is definately a GB perk.

Ben 

DRUMS01

I believe that a 1/700 catapult would result in 2 things, a scrap pile of PE and professional counseling as I would most likely loose it.....

Oh, so that's what wrong with me. 

STEVE: I believe that a 1/700 catapult would result in 2 things, a scrap pile of PE and professional counseling as I would most likely loose it.....

Like I said earlier, some of you are artseans who create reality in scale, for me all of this is a struggle (and enjoyable one, but a struggle). After all, I am actually a car guy and most of them now are 1/20 or larger due to eye sight and fat fingers.

Thanks everyone for your motivational comments. You ship builders have my respect and admiration.....

Ben

Ben: Everything looks good! Love the catapult!!! 

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement Steve, Gam & Ben.

Ben, you are a magician with PE. The catapault is amazing. You certainly seem to have a steady and patient hand. Beautiful work.

modelcrazy

Beautiful work Ben. The removal of the laders on the stack are well done. The cat is a very delicate piece. Try it in 1/700 scale sometime

 

throwing the gauntlet down for sure! lol

Beautiful work Ben. The removal of the laders on the stack are well done. The cat is a very delicate piece. Try it in 1/700 scale sometime

Joe, your detail on those guns look really nice....

I had a short break in modeling as my family and yard responsibilities took priority. With that said there is not a great amount to show. It has still been raining regularly so I am delayed at spraying color on anything.

I did start and finish the build of the rear catapult. The main piece was folded to square and glued. Then the ends folded down to finish the squaring of the PE and add strength (and glued). As with the turret #3 catapult, it requires the builder to add plastic/metal/solder to the brackets at the front of the launcher to simulate the shock absorbers (?), I used 0.9mm plastic stock. The mount for the aircraft which sits atop the catapult must be carefully folded. Too much fold towards the center and it will not sit on the catapult correctly. There were also two small PE boxes that were folded and added to the center of the catapult cradle. The pieces of PE bracing which is part of the base mount are very fragile so be very careful when cleaning the parts metal sprue or when attaching the catapult to the base. I found that even when carefully bending the bracing lines it can easily get out of square. My solution was to keep them separated by the width of an exact blade when bending them into their final position. Here is the result (please pardon the fingerprints):



The stack was my next assembly. The Eduard instructions tell you to remove the molded in washboard looking ladders from the side of the funnel. Take care not to remove too much plastic as it will show in the final product.



Eduard also instructs the builder to discard the plastic searchlight control structures on the side of the exhaust stack and replace them with PE. The complex bending and fitment require slow and careful incremental bends to make the fluid arching rounds of the front and rear of the structure. To aide me, I used a brass tube from my spares just a slight bit smaller than the bend required. Careful gluing and filing finish off the PE part. I noticed that by design one end of the rounded fold leaves a slight opening , as if to replicate a walk in from the outside platform. After looking at ships drawings I see that it is suppose to be there to gain access to the platform and then to some stairs which go from there to the Conning Tower Platform. Also, I want to bring our attention to the two different shapes of the search light control structures. The kits plastic part represents the smaller and more square structure used around the 1931-1939 era, while the PE parts are larger and are the correct shape for the 1939 - 1941 updates. So.... if you are wanting to build the earlier version of the ship, use the kit parts; if you are building a ship in the 39 - 41 era use the brass structures.





Still more to come with the exhaust funnel. 

Ben

Joe: Nice work there on the turrets, she's coming along great!

Thanks Joe, I'm glad your are able to make heads or tails out of my explanation. The 5" are looking good, I hope I can do as well on the North Carol.

Hi Ho Shipmates. I have been absent from the GB for far too long and I have a whole lot of catching up to do. I've been through much of what has been going on here and each and every one of you been doing some amazing work. As such, I will endeavor to do my best to acknowledge each persons efforts.

As for myself, I'm on day 11 of my voluntary sheltering in place. Although I've been using the majority of my time working in the yard, I have managed to get back to doing a little work on the USS Oakland. I'll post my updates here in a bit. It's quite nice having the time to get back at my bench but, I'd prefer it was under much different circumstances.

With that, let's take wonder at what you all have been up to.

STEVE: Your finished OHP and Spruance are just simply imressive. Yet, it's your ability to construct such magnificent bases and water effects that just win the show. You really do have a remarkable skill at creating realism. There will come a time, soon hopefully, when I try my hand at it. I am grateful for your tutorials as they definitely provide some wonderful guidance and inspiration. I already have some materials on hand when I get to it. In addition to the Liquitex materials I also have some of the AK Interactive water gels which will be interesting to try out.

SCOTT C: You have done an absolutely admirable job creating a base for your Lex. I certainly hope my initial efforts come anywhere close to your excellent results. Your Kansas is also looking marvelous. You work on it is really outstanding and you are capturing the beauty of the ship superbly.

MONGOOSE: My belated congrats to you on getting your excellent build in the FSM Gallery. Very much well deserved. Bravo!

DRUMS01: Wow! Your Arizona is incrediblely epic. All that work on the PE and decking is immensely impressive and beautifully done. I'm looking forward to your progress.

I do hope I've touched bases on everyone's builds so far.

For now, I don't have a lot of progress on the Oakland but, I'm getting something done. I've got the resin 5 in gun turrets done. I had to drill out and mount a small piece of styrene rod on the bottom of each one in order to properly center them on the deck. Also, it was a careful and meticulous task to drill out the mounting holes for the gun barrels without damaging the blast bags too much. All in all, they look good. I'm currently working on all of the 40mm Bofors and 20mm Oerlikon AA guns.

Here's a few pics of the 5 in gun turrets and everthing set in place.

Glad to be back with you all. I hope to keep up with it.

Cheers, Joe

Excellent work Ben.  All that brass is making your Arizona really shine (badda thump!)

Mongoose, very nice rendition of the brown water navy.  Great effects of the color transitions from the shallows to the deeper water. Thats not easy to do. 

Yeah that looks awesome Mongoose! 

Love the beach, thanks!!! 

That looks excelent Mongoose!  The waves and shadows are awesome!

This GB is so inspirational I'm pulling my 1st water base off the SOD! Time to try out Steve's lessons. 
now this is done in the paper towel and gesso to smooth every Out so it appears I can start here. The next one I do will be withthe foil as that seems to add serious depth to the water.

Doing just the initial painting tonight. 1st a coat of blue, then i tried dark green in the deeper swells, then sprayed blue across horizontally to try and just hit the high spots and create some depth to the water. 

Then this one's for Gamera  let's include a beach...

And before calling it quits for the night let's do a sneak peak at the scene. The USS New York I did 2yrs ago in our Secret Santa GB is unloading the Seals and putting troops and equipment ashore...they're invisible now but they'll show up eventually.

There are a bunch of helicopters and RHIB's in the kit. It won't be to scale of course but the whole panel should look full.

What do I think Ben? I think that catapult makes my head hurt... 

All joking aside you're doing a bang-up job there. 

And thanks, I'm learning a lot from looking at your progress without the headaches of doing it myself. 

I got back on the North Carolina. Took and hour to figure out where I finished back in December.

Lots of work Ben, I short stack of PE LOL.

Steve: no.. they are both Eduard and actually the exact same set. I changed some of my building methods and technique for the second set of towers based on the things I learned building the first ones.

Gamera: I think IMHO that the second set are sharper and cleaner. More PE work, it never ends with this one....Here is my second attempt at the primary control tower. 

The first attempt I ended up taking a couple window frames out, and over sanding it to the point of messing with the overall shape. I also had to be satisfied with the kits plastic MG birds nest as the PE one did not want to cooperate on the first one. 

OLD:


In this "second" attempt I used some rectangular plastic to square the inside of the tower. This also created the inner rooms / devider for the windows. I also found out during the first attempt of adding the window armor it needs to be cut at the metal folds to avoid it wrinkling being waving inside. When looking at the visibility through the new windows I made a decision not to super detail inside. 

Regarding the top round turret, I found that adding the door before bending it into a circle gave the contact point more surface thus allowing the superglue to bond much better. This meant I could be a little more aggressive at making a good circle without fear of it separating at the seam. A also applied some window armor in the round top tower and sanded it down to a more appropriate height.

As far as the birds nest, I used the same methodology that I used on the round turret top. This consisted of shaping it correctly and then gluing it to a sheet of plastic. Once dry, I trimmed the plastic to shape and drilled the holes for the MG's. The next step was to folded four PE ammo containers and place them in the birds nest. Last was to add plastic rod behind the round top so it will support under the birds nest. Then I glued the birds nest to the primary fire control tower. I think the PE looks better than the thick plastic one (IMHO), what do you think?

NEW CONTROL TOWERS:


Other than a couple other small PE items, the remainder of the day was dedicated to building the main gun # 3 catapult from PE. Obviously, the kit part is a crude plastic blob. The PE consists of roughly 15-16 pieces that once assembled looks the part. Many of the PE parts required numerous folds and the hand rails are very delicate. I am very happy with the end result.



SITTING ON THE #3 TURRET (more PE behind the gun)


Last thing I did today was work on the 5" superstructure guns (10 of them). Nothing really difficult, just remove the barrels, clean them up, added the tape for the canvas tarp weather shields, and add the metal barrels.

CLOSE UP

STACK OF PE AWAITING PAINT:


Still waiting for a couple good sunny days in a row so I can paint some stuff. Till then I still have plenty of PE to fold. Till next time....

Ben