Aircraft Carrier Group Build (July 07 to July 2010)

raider-hall,

That is some very impressive work my friend!   Keep us posted on your continuing progress.

raider-hall,

The more the merrier!  Welcome to the group! I will update post 1 to add your name and project.  A scratch-built 1/350 JFK should be very interesting to see as it progresses.  I do a minimal amount of scratch building myself, so any in-progress photos and information will certainly be appreciated.

scorpr2,

The ship is coming along nicely!  One suggestion that I have is to consider using dry transfer stripes for the deck lines.  These are available at hobby shops that carry railroad items typically, and the dry transfers come in several colors.  I have used them in the past with great success, as they look better than waterslide decals, and are much easier than using a paintbrush.  When I built the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), I used white and yellow dry transfers where appropriate, then used a red technical pen to add the second color.  If you look at my completed Saratoga photos for this build, I used the kit's waterslide decals along with dry transfers for areas that no decals were provided for, and I even had to paint a few areas that were too narrow for anything else (around the elevators).

I am wondering about the color of your aircraft as the blue looks a bit light.  Late WWII and Korean-era planes were typically painted an overall dark blue, or more precisely dark gloss sea blue.  I have seen people paint the canopies black, silver, or light blue on their projects, and I typically go with either black or silver myself.

Let me know if you have any additional questions that I can help with.

hello gangs

I have to put my work at stop for while since im cleaning my basement then going on short vacation to visit my family.  so i should be back after july 1st.

So far what have been completed is the island (need to be paint in camo color)  flight deck has been painted but need to be touch up.  havent start on those tiny B25s yet, i will do after im done with the carrier so i can focus on B25s.  as for hull  need to be touch up and fix few errors   so far it looks great.   i should have it done sometimes in mid of july.  

Jeff,

Your progress is looking good so far , and as JMart mentioned, this should be about having fun first and foremost.  I was reading an article in Bicycling magazine not too long ago where the comment was made, "enjoy the ride, you have a job".  This certainly applies to modeling as well, as it is a hobby, and if we can not have fun with our hobbies, then when are we supposed to have fun?

I apologize to all for not logging in for a while, but it is a very busy time for the Training Department right now.  After a visit next week that will help to determine whether programs like mine will be reaccredited for another four years, things should calm down again.  That will allow me more time to build kits from my stash, as well as get some more miles on my bike.

Please continue to keep the group posted Jeff, silentmodeler, and all, and I will keep checking in as I can.  Also, if anyone from this group will be attending the IPMS Nationals this year, let me know, as I will be there and would like to meet you in person.

jeff

nice looking carrier you got there.  like the way the camo color looks on ur carrier smiles.  

heres my update but no photo yet,  finally got started on my CV-8 (hornet)  boy its little long processing since i have hard time doing 4 colors on the hull   start from bottom to top  red hull, black, gray then light gray.  so far i got one side of hull done with gray and light gray   once its done on the other side then will add black and hull red  so wish me luck  its my first time doing more than two colors on the hull.  then ill have to figure out how to do island since it has two  colors grr  im sure i can figure it out   unless you guys have better suggest or idea   let me know thanks.  I will post up the pictures soon as i can. 

first thing i need to say is sorry all i have been away for awhile and just now getting back to real model work i am still tryin to figure out what i want to since it all got put on the back burner but i will be getting what i need here soon so i can get started so i can make the deadline.on final note everything is lookin good hope i can do as good as work as alot of u are doin sorry for the delay

jazzy_jeff - Looks good to me! Hey, its all about fun and learning new techniques. I am doing the old monogram Nimitz as "practice run" for bigger/better things, like the 1:700 Trumpeter Nimitz I got at half price :)

Here are some links I have accumulated dealing with water bases:

/forums/897168/ShowPost.aspx

http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=42

http://www.modelshipwrights.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1538

http://www.modelshipwrights.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1880

http://www.modelshipwrights.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=42

http://www.modelshipwrights.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1582

Well, here are the pics mentioned in my last post.  Some are a little blurry, but I'm no photographer, sorry.  The dio base may not look that realistic, but I'm new at the simulating water thing.  Also, she may not be completely accurate, but I don't care, I'm having a great time building her.

So, here they are:

First, looking down at the flight deck

Second, the island area

Third, the stern area

Fourth, the starboard bow on the dio base

Fifth, the port bow on the base

Finally, the dio base from above.  The Monterey is on the left, and a Cleveland Class cruiser WIP (CL-81 Houston) for the Cruiser/Battleship GB to the right

enjoy,

Jeff

A little update on my Monterey CVL-26:

I've painted assembled all major components and put on a coat of future that is drying as i type.  When its dry, I'll try to get a couple of pictures up.  After that, all that is left is to decal, flat coat, put on the AA complement (waiting on some GMM PE 20mms and paperlab mk 51s for the 40s) and radars, and of course, the airwing.

Also, due to the fact that I will be leaving for college in the fall, I won't be able to finish my Essex.  I really want to do a great job on it and I just don't have the time...oh well...

-Jeff

Doug,

I have updated post 1 to reflect this change.  Being 1/800, is this the Arii kit that you are building?  If so, I used their kit when I built my representation of the Abraham Lincoln, and thought that it was a good kit, and better detailed than the 1/700 Testors/Italeri kit I used when building the Dwight D. Eisenhower.

I actually spent several weeks working on the Kitty Hawk when I was working for a contractor back in the early 90's.  She was in Philadelphia at the time for a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) upgrade.  I look forward to seeing this one built, so please keep the group posted on your progress.

    Good news and bad news.  Bad news is I have to change my entry to CV-63 USS Kitty Hawk 1/800.  Good news is I have it and I am starting it tonight.  Lots of little aircraft came with this boat.  Looks like its going to be loads of fun.  I'll keep yall posted with pics!

Doug 

Alain,

I hope that all went well with your exams.  Post the photos whenever you have an opportunity.  I look forward to seeing your work.

scorpr2,

 I hope that you start feeling better soon as well. 

Alain,

Good luck with those exams!

All,

The long hours are about to wind up for me, which will allow more time for ... cycling of course.   I may even find some time to build some more as well.  Anyway, keep the group posted on YOUR progress, and I will continue to look in when I can.  With some additional time off, I will also see about getting a photo of the finished USS Saratoga posted here.  I am still considering adding some PE sailors, and have painted them, it is just a matter of finding the patience to glue them in place.

Alain - Look forward to your progress! and good luck in your exams! once Im done with MY exams I can get going a bit... except I give out and grade the exams ;)

scorpr2 - hope you feel better and look forward to your progress!

More Power Scotty wrote:

Alain, I look forward to seeing your project.  How has the kit gone together for you so far?

Alain,

I look forward to seeing your project.  How has the kit gone together for you so far?

James,

Thanks for the off topic response.  I have considered becoming an adjunct instructor, and perhaps I could fit something in when we are not conducting refueling outages.  Perhaps the Training side of the nuclear power industry is as good of a place as any to be.

Please keep the group up to date with your progress, once you are able to start.

Scott - [off topic] Academia is not what it used to be, at least in the tier 2/3 schools. Too much politics, too many bratty/whinny self-centered students, financial problems at many Unis. I am looking to "semi-retire" and teach HS instead. If you are interested in academia, a good way to start will be to look for adjunct positions in your local schools. Many of our adjuncts have "regular" jobs and sign up for teaching one course in order to get some teaching experience or just an intellectual break from work. Relatively easy to get those jobs in certain areas, like science/tech and business.

scorpr2 - Great idea, would love to see some WIPs of the base/lettering scheme... I will start mine mid-summer, once I am done with teaching and clear my bench a bit :) Cheers!

james

scorpr2,

Thanks for the posting.  As I do enjoy a little woodworking from time to time, I have a difficult time using paint to cover up any wood.  Prior to the Saratoga build, I used a piece of wood to mount the last two carriers that I built.  For the USS Hornet, with planes for the Doolittle raid onboard, I simply screwed the waterline hull to the base.  When I built the USS Abraham Lincoln, I built a full hull and used some turnings that I purchased at a woodworker's store to mount the ship above the board.  With the Lincoln, I also used screws to keep the hull secured.  The use of cutout FDR letters sounds like it will make the base more unique.  Keep us posted as you progress.