Ships of the American Flag GB 2019 -2021

GMorrison

See what comes in your kit. Reviews suggest there is no PE in the kit, which is a little unusual but it's an older kit.

I had already checked that, nothing came with. 

GMorrison

Probably any set for Iowas will be fine. The thing would be WW2 era versus modern refit, there's a lot of difference of course in the electronics. If you are building the "1991" kit, it can't easily be backdated ot earlier period as the weapons other than the big rifles are all pretty different. So look for what you need in terms of era.

That makes sence. I wish that I had the patience, and more than that the knowledge base to know what needs changing to make it WW2 era. WW2 would be my preference, but as is is fine too. No way I want to spin my wheels trying to figure all that out. Maybe someday I will brave something like that. 

GMorrison

always like Gold Medal sets for their workability or Tom's for the price.

Good to know. I wondered about what is good.

modelcrazy

PE really makes a 1/700 pop, but like GH said at that scale they do get tiny. If you go with it, railing would be the least. Radars, ladders and even wood decks can really make a diffrence. If your intrested I'd look for the Missouri, Iowa etc for PE sets or they make generic rails, US radars and such.

Good input Steve. I will do this.

modelcrazy

BTW, I measured the ohms on a 1/350 5" barrel. Not the same as a 1/700 16" but it mightgive an idea. It ohmed out at .4 ohms. I think GM's idea of using the barrels as a conductor is certantly worth a try.

Very interesting and good to know! I will keep this in mind as I move forward.

My plan is to make the barrels using brass tubing. I ordered three sizes that should allow me to closely mimic the guns as depicted in the kit. With them being tubes, I ought be able to run a small wire through them. Building the barrels will probaly be more work, but I do enjoy fabricating things. And if running wires does not work, I can do other options that Bill mentioned.

I am eager to test it, just waiting on the shipment. 

goldhammer

At that scale I'd probably call it good with railings, but maybe radar antennas if available.  But those are going to be a bear if your fingers, eyes and coordination is anything like mine...blind as a bat and 15 thumbs in place of fingers.  

Tweezers will be your best buddy in either case

 

If your kit is post 90's refit, for a WWII version the harpoon launchers and cwis beehives have to go.  Don't remember if any of the 5"/38 mounts went away then or not but think at least 2 per side did.  Then need to put back all the 20 and 40 mounts.

Almost wonder if it wouldn't be easier to buy a Missouri and convert to WW2 Wisky.

goldhammer

If your kit is post 90's refit, for a WWII version the harpoon launchers and cwis beehives have to go.  Don't remember if any of the 5"/38 mounts went away then or not but think at least 2 per side did.  Then need to put back all the 20 and 40 mounts.

 

Yeah, sounds like a lot of work. I think I'll pass. Thanks though!

If yours still has 5, 5"/38 twin turrets on each side between the main batteries, then that is what she had originally.  Then just a matter of losing the missles and beehives then throwing some AA at her.  In that scale they shouldn't be real noticeable except to a rivet counter at a show.

goldhammer

If yours still has 5, 5"/38 twin turrets on each side between the main batteries, then that is what she had originally.  Then just a matter of losing the missles and beehives then throwing some AA at her.  In that scale they shouldn't be real noticeable except to a rivet counter at a show.

 

Wrath of Khan: He tasks me. He tasks me, and I shall have him. I'll chase him to the moons of Nibia and round the Antares maelstrom and round the Perditions flames...

Went back and looked at the pic of the box.  1991 version.  Two twin 5" mounts for sure in the artwork that I could see.  Probably not going to have all 10 of them

If there are options the instructions should point them out.

goldhammer

Went back and looked at the pic of the box.  1991 version.  Two twin 5" mounts for sure in the artwork that I could see.  Probably not going to have all 10 of them

If there are options the instructions should point them out.

 

Sorry to say there is only one option that the kit offers and that is if you want waterline or not. I read somewhere that the kit is definitely post ww2.

Here is a review of the kit...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8nrDPhRV6fQ

She is in Gulf War fit.  Would be a bear to back date her.  Would take two kits to do, or mold 4 more 5" mounts, plus any other changes that would be obvious.

Still going to be nice see your build of her.

goldhammer

She is in Gulf War fit.

goldhammer

Still going to be nice see your build of her. 

Thanks for all the good input.

hello gentlemen , capt bakster , informed me of this group build , unfortunately , I am unable to participate at the moment . but I would love to come along for the ride , as an observer it all possible , just to learn how a group build goes .

steve5

steve5

hello gentlemen , capt bakster , informed me of this group build , unfortunately , I am unable to participate at the moment . but I would love to come along for the ride , as an observer it all possible , just to learn how a group build goes .

steve5

 

Steve5,

You should join us! 

These are the first two rules of this GB:

1. Starts on Aug 1st runs until time ends or the Earth is destroyed.

2. You have two years to enter and until FSM goes away to post it.

I think you are covered on the timing. Heck, I'm thinking of entering another ship myself. 

Sure Steve. baywatchers are always welcome and if you want to get your feet wet you have until Aug 1 2021 to come up with something and enter. As the rules state, it's an open ended GB.

I'll 3rd those comments.....I know how good you are with sail, would be a treat to see what you do with something more modern.  But then again, plenty of canvas in the early US as well.

goldhammer

  But then again, plenty of canvas in the early US as well.

 

This is a good point. It also gets the wheels turning- might be the excuse motivation I need to start dabbling in sailing ships.  2 years has to be enough time to narrow down a subject. 

T e d

The only sail I have is the Victory....to bad she never was under the stars and stripes.

goldhammer

The only sail I have is the Victory....to bad she never was under the stars and stripes.

 

You can't get away that easy GH, The British Ships GB still has a year to enter.

cheers gentlemen , I have the hobby boss 1/350 arizona started , just a bit skittish with the PE , have to practice a bit first , I've also got the revell 1/144HMCS snowberry started too . I might finish it first , then jump into your group build .

steve5

BB 39 will be a great one.  Very similar to the old Revell offering.

Snowberry would be a good one for MC's British build.

MC... That one may never get built, at least for the next couple of years.

Steve, the Airazona would work just fine, let me know if you wanted to add it. The GGM PE does look daunting but after some study it's not as bad as it looks. GGM doesn't have the best instructions.

GH, the British ships GB is open ended like this one, you have forever to finish it.

I'll pass on the British....Have Scharnhorst for the German GB, and itching to do the F6F-5 Airfix 1/24 that latched onto my ankle and woouldn't let go last night at the LHS.

Ooo the Scharnhorst sounds great, 350 or 700?

Dragon's Smart Kit, 1/350.  '43 version,IIRC.   So plenty of PE to swear at.

Oh, I'd love to have that kit.

This arrived the other day.

It's an old kit. Not bad. Kind of simple. It does come with a nuclear reactor which I wont 

be using.

Some research shows the USS Blueback has a conventional tailplane set up. 

I'll have to figure out the limber hole trench and modifie the sail. At least the rear extension has to go.

Some photos I've found:

New to this Group Build stuff, so here goes...

Put me down for BB-2 USS Massachusetts, 1/700 Blue Ridge kit.  It's been on the shelf far too long waiting for me to dust off my modelling skills.

BB-2 Box upload by John Coleman, on Flickr

Sorry Mach I though I answred you.

That looks like fun and that finished build looks outstanding.

You can always use the reactor to power something at your house....like the house.

Drabix, welcome aboard Captain

You have been pipped aboard as Massachusetts ariving...Massachusetts aboard, with bells of course.

My group builds are pretty easy and slack. Just post when you do something of note on your build or want to ask a question or just chase a rabbit down the hole.

As you probably read in the rules, the GB starts on Thursday, or whenever it's midnight on the Aug 1st in your part of the world and will last until said world ends....or I do. Well for that last part, the GB will still go on, I just won't answer.

Good to have you John.