Oh wow, I didn't know that was the vintage kit, now this is gonna be interesting!!! 

And it reminds me of the old joke about the blonde who asked 'why is there a memorial to Arizona in Hawaii???' 

Cool Ben, great PE there. The mold started with Baner, was sold to Mini Hobbies (which is in my stash) then finally Hobby Boss. The model hasn't changed at all during the process. Baner just up-scaled the old Revell 1/426 scale that still goes for more than $20  so that's why the odd superstructure halfs and split deck. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here but Baner did update the hull to something that looks more like the ship but NO ONE gets it right, including Trumpy's 1/200 scale Zona.

Good on ya for tackling this old warhorse! There's just something about the Arizona that has a place in my heart.

And I had to throw this one in.

Ben, Oh Boy!!!!

I built that kit, it was my first 1/350 scale and the first time I ever used PE.  It is a nice kit with a few minor issues.  One issue is that none of the windows in the spotter towers or portholes on the bridge line up, so assemble these early, fill and sand, and if possible re-drill and cut out the portholes and windows, it will make a huge difference, even with the PE, the miss-alignment will give you problems installing the PE walls.  The other is that fit between the upper and lower hull has problems.  Mine was a first run release and the lower hull was set up for a motorized version, and was about 3% smaller than the upper hull, so I left mine as a waterline display.  Below is a in-progress pic, the only one I have. I should snap some of it finished.  I backdated the ship to 1939-40.

And that kit screams for that wooden deck set you bought, for the kits deck detail is nill. 

Oh, and if you have not done it, trash the kits Kingfishers and get some aftermarket.  So many of these finshed kits look great except the builders used those cartoon like kit planes that came with it.

Scott

Ben: Oh WOW, that's gonna be epic! Love all that PE and that wooden deck looks just beautiful!!! 

I have been thoroughly inspired by many of the builds in this GB. I can easily see that many of you have vast experience or really good modeling skills when building ships. This is my second ship build in no less than 30 years. 

Well, its time for me to finally contribute to this GB. As promised, I am going to attempt to build the 1/350 USS Arizona kit from Banner. I got this kit as a gift back around 2002 I believe. Over the last year or two I started to obtain some of the detail packs for it. Here is what I'm starting with:

Model Kit

Wood Deck

Little People

Big Guns

Some Tom's Model Work's PE

And lots of Eduard PE

All of this PE will give me many doubles (just in case I goof up) 

I am not going to go into the history of the ship as most of you already know it, and many of you know it better than I do. 

The kit while older, is new to me. Right off I am surprised to see that the hull is separated at the water line. The lower hull molded in hull red while the rest of the ship is molded in a medium gray.

The main deck looks to be a three piece affair with some very basic detail molded into it. Not sure yet, but I will most likely have to remove some of it before adding the wood deck. 

The next thing I see is that the all the walls of the superstructure are molded in halves; the lower half is molded into the lower deck while the top half is molded to the next upper deck of the structure. Worse yet, they are split at the port hole level! This is going to make the task of removing the seams while keeping accurate port holes a nightmare. But wait!, I'm in luck in that the Eduard PE set has one piece walls to replace many of them.  

My last input regarding the mold is that some of the ladders and steps are incorrectly or poorly molded (solid) but I should be able to remove and replace them with some PE. 

I am going to stop here as my first post on the build, but I will be actually starting this thing tomorrow. 

Ben

GMorrison

From the "Opinion given where no opinion was asked for" department.

The 1/700 Iowas are not much smaller. They are cheap. Plenty of AM stuff.

The Revell Missouri was the first plastic ship they ever sold. It's a real dog.

 

Your opinion is always welcome G.  I got this as a Christmas present (along with the 109) from a co-worker many, many moons ago and have needed a reason to build it. I've built the Tamiya Iowa and it is a beautiful kit. If I build the Mighty Mo, it will get rid of a box in the stash and keep me from buying another kit.  I don't think production will ever outpace input, but one can make the token attempt.

Be sure to install a little brass plaque on the deck where the Klingons signed their surrender document.

Bill

It makes a decent spaceship LOL. After some serious reconstruction of course.

Still WIP

From the "Opinion given where no opinion was asked for" department.

The 1/700 Iowas are not much smaller. They are cheap. Plenty of AM stuff.

The Revell Missouri was the first plastic ship they ever sold. It's a real dog.

lewbud

The Missouri is just a product of her time. If I were to build her (doing some serious thought about it as it would be relatively simple build)

Yes she is. I built her, the Arizona and Bismarck and use to play with them with a friend in the grass as a kid. There were hours of enjoyment "shooting" (throwing pebbles) at each other. They are perfect for what they were designed for and would make a nice display. The measure 21 sounds perfect. Just let me know if that's your choice and we'll draft up the build orders. The PT can be built into a fine looking kit, I.E. Crown r n7's excelent redention of her on the wall.

lewbud

Thanks Steve. The Missouri is just a product of her time. If I were to build her (doing some serious thought about it as it would be relatively simple build), I'd build her box stock in Measure 21. Hull would be Navy blue up to the lowest point of the deck, then Haze Gray above it. Decks would be Navy blue as well. As for the 109, she could easily be brought up to modern standards. I found replacement .50's and an Oerlikon on Shapeways, and White Ensign makes a PE set for it. If my aging memory serves, FSM did an article on upgrading the Revell kit within the last 20-25 years so I'll be digging through the stacks to find it.

Scott,

The Texas would be nice (I have one started, one in the box), but it's been a while since I built a floaty thing and I'm not up for a resin kit yet.

 

I hear ya about the resin, this is my first dance with a full resin kit, and actually, I am finding it easier building.

That Lexington is an old Renwall kit with a bunch of scratch built parts out of Evergreen plastic and a bunch of PE from Tom's, Little Arsenal, and Startfighter.  So old kits can get new life put into them but, like anything old, it takes money and planning to get them up to par.  

Thanks Steve. The Missouri is just a product of her time. If I were to build her (doing some serious thought about it as it would be relatively simple build), I'd build her box stock in Measure 21. Hull would be Navy blue up to the lowest point of the deck, then Haze Gray above it. Decks would be Navy blue as well. As for the 109, she could easily be brought up to modern standards. I found replacement .50's and an Oerlikon on Shapeways, and White Ensign makes a PE set for it. If my aging memory serves, FSM did an article on upgrading the Revell kit within the last 20-25 years so I'll be digging through the stacks to find it.

Scott,

The Texas would be nice (I have one started, one in the box), but it's been a while since I built a floaty thing and I'm not up for a resin kit yet.

Absolutly Buddy 

I'l personally stay away from that old Misery, it'll make you swear off ships. Have you seen what I'm doing to it in the Steampunk GB? That's all it's good for. The 109 will make you say a bad word or two as well. Anything you pick will be a cool addition to the fleet. 

Just let me know and I'll add it to the fleet roster.

Hi Steve,

Yes, I'm using clear, and took the picture while it was wet to see where I need to paint and add cotton.  I like what I see so far.  Your seascape still makes me want to lean back and prepare for the down thrust and the uproll, its that effective.

Lewbud, it would be so cool to have you aboard.  I personally would like to see the Texas .

Thanks Mongoose and Gam for the nice comments and support.  

Beggin the Admiral's pardon, but I'd like to join this motley crew.  I'd have to check the stash to see what's available as memory serves I have a couple of resin 1/700 USS Texas, a Fujimi 1/700 USS Arthur A Radford w/the AEMSS (unknown stage of construction), the venerable 1/72 Revell PT-109, and the ancient Revell 1/535 USS Missouri. I'm leaning towards either the Radford or the 109. However, things might change with a visit to the vendor room at the Shreveport contest next month or the Nationals in the summer if I haven't started by then.

EDIT: Also have a resin 1/700 CA-30 USS Houston aka The Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast.

I did some work to the Spruance water. I added the first coat of acrylic varnish and the first of the cotton. The bow splash still needs a bit of work but will be more spray than white water so will go on last.

As far as the Perry, I'm painting the crew and need to spray the helo and RHIB.

scottrc

Some more layering and swell detailing this morning.  

And got the roof on the pilot house and the mast stepped and secured.

 I hope this deviation is ok.  Funny thing about this display of the Lex and the "American Flag" theme of this GB is that I want to place the model as part of a service display that includes my fathers plank owner and shellback certificates that he got on the Lex, his crow, far east campaign medals, and his burial flag and shells.

Looking awesome Scott. I take it the gel hasn't dried yet. If you bought the clear, just add the cotton where the gel dries clear. 

These water effects are awesome.  I will be copying you guys whenever I get around to starting my ship.  

T e d

Scott: Great work there on the water and your dreadnaught. The tribute base sounds like a really cool idea.

Scott those wakes are looking awesome! Wow does that look like a nice display. Will be a perfect tribute for your dad.

Some more layering and swell detailing this morning.  

And got the roof on the pilot house and the mast stepped and secured.

 I hope this deviation is ok.  Funny thing about this display of the Lex and the "American Flag" theme of this GB is that I want to place the model as part of a service display that includes my fathers plank owner and shellback certificates that he got on the Lex, his crow, far east campaign medals, and his burial flag and shells.

Great looking boundary layer Scott.

Yeah, the cotton attaches itself to everything, the gel gets on your hands and cotton and gel are stuck on them for days. . I use gloves now.

Thanks Gam,

Got the base painted with different hues of green, blue, white mixed in different spots, some coats of medium, then mounted the hull.  I only broke a few bits off.  I have now started building up the wave effects off the hull with the cotton and medium.

Note to self, lay down medium, then the cotton!  Yup, I tried brushing medium over unsecured cotton and I had cotton stuck to everything but where I wanted it.  

This is fun, like doing a school art project.

Recent glam shot

The effect I am going to try to achieve. 
(NAVSOURCE/NAVSITE)

Scott: Whoa, that looks cool! She's coming along great there! 

Scott, yes. I can also shape the foam, and now the foil, to assist in shaping any waves, crests or troughs needed. I have tried many diffrent foams, from the green stuff for flowers, too dusty, the blue stuff for home building, similar to normal Styrofoam but slightly better, regular Styrofoam with the results you have and the hard white foam. My favorite is the hard stuff, although I do keep trying the others for availability reasions.

Good start, and yes, getting the hull cut out neetly in the foam is a job.

Well, I'm off... The foam I used was really low quality and shedded like crazy as I carved it, so when I was done with shaping, I wrapped the foil over it and then glued it into the base so I didn't have to deal with it.  I did mask the base first and plan to cut away the tape when I'm all done.

Lots of fit and cut to get the ship to look right. This hull bottom is not symetrical, it was "toy scale" and really is an adventure getting it to fit into the base. 

Toyed with the foil a bit.  It dawned on my that the ship is conducting air ops, so it needs a bone in the bow since its at full steam into the wind, right now, it looks to me like its steaming out of port.  I used cotton before with disaterous results, but I'm willing to get out and try it again.

I laid a first coat of Medium. Steve, I assume you pick areas that are the crests and build those up with medium?

Perfect, I'm looking forward to it. The frame idea I got from a friend of mine. I'm sure others have uesd it too, but what a great idea.

modelcrazy

What thickness of gel do you have there Scott? I usually use two, one medium and the other thin.

 

Medium.

I have another medium and varnish on order.  

What thickness of gel do you have there Scott? I usually use two, one medium and the other thin.

Scott: Ohhhhhhh, waiting and watching!!! 

Best o' luck!