1/350 USS Indianapolis CA-35 (Academy) COMPLETE

This is what I'm thinking regarding the seas. You shipoard guys know what I'm talking about. 

I realize these are all destroyers, but you get the idea.

Wow Mike,

You make an excellent argument against it. I like your logic, especially regarding being in a heighten state of awareness while transporting such valuable cargo. I'll leave them uncovered.

Thanks.

Steve,

I wouldn't cover your excellent work with tarps even if it makes sense with your planned display.  While knowlegable ship types will know what is covered and why, any casual viewers of you model will miss the fact that there were guns mounted all over the ship.  That of course, is one of the distinguished characteristics of a WW II USN ship anyway.

Besides, the ship was on a special mission and may have been at a constant high state of readiness and may not have had anything covered at all.

I more of a CV guy and don't know all the particulars of the ship, mission, etc., but I'd show her as a fast ship going in harm's way...

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

Awesome looking superstructure you've got there.

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

That is some excellent work there, well done!

Mike

Thank you Marcus and Mike. I hope to get some more up here soon. I'm really looking forward to sculpting the water scene.

Steve

Steve,

Nicely done.  

Very nice work, you must have the steadiest hands in the world.

Thank you SM2!

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

Here's a tip of the 'ol white hat for your work in general, and a big "bravo zulu" for those halyards!  Incredible work!!

That looks fantastic!

Groot

Thank you Tanker-builder, I really appreciate it.

Although, I hope your not waiting on me.

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

I know I posted a lot ;

Can you say Yikes ! I am doing this same ship as we watch you .

Thanks Steve! This is the fast attack version.

Steve

Gee Wizz that looks fantastic!     

  but ya know, it seems to be a bit shorter than I thinking the ship would be

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

goldhammer

You are not going to want to see another piece of PE for 6 months after this.

Boy that's the truth. I'm trying to get up the gumption to paint what I have done and start on the aft superstructure and mast...which is similar to the fore mast. Yikes!

Well you have "mad PE skills" no doubt about it. 

Very nice.  Hope you own stock in your favorite CA factory.  You are not going to want to see another piece of PE for 6 months after this.

Thanks guys.

As far as painting, I am a little intimidated by the prospect. I think I'm going to have to paint in stages. Each subassembly as I complete it.

Insane p e work . Can't wait to see it painted up

This is really 10 10 10 work sir.

Well, sorry it's been a little while since my last post, but I have been very busy with Spring yard work and other chores.

Anyway, here is an update. I completed the forward superstructure, and will be moving on to the aft.

I will be drilling out the portholes at some point.

Steve

Well , Now ain't that a bilge chiller !

   We'el Matey , Yer gotta keep the ships mascot under control or ya gotta keel- haul him .Argh , Once be enough matey . Don't let any of your friends see the panty hose you cut up in your parts drawer  , Ya , an don't be stealing the wifey's either !

I didn't think of that. Oh well, the 1 missing part can be replaced from the generic PE sheet, so this isn't a total disaster, just a setback.

I'm sorry to hear about the mishap.  I've found a vacuum hose with junk pantyhose rubber banded over the end a great way to find missing pieces (when I remember to try that method!).  

Your mast looks incredible, would have easily take me 2 weeks!

Groot

I had a slight mishap last night. I was working on the Indy's superstructure with all the associated PE on my usual TV tray workbench and my dog got tangled in the lamps extension cord. Well he started to panic and the TV tray, with everything on it, goes flying halfway across the room. My wife and I got down with a a flashlight and started looking for all the pieces. I was convinced that all the rails and radars I had so painstakingly built last night and the night before were destroyed. After locating all but one small piece of railing (which can be replaced from my generic USN railing PE set), I was able to repair the one piece that broke off. Who says CA is too brittle to hold?

Well needless to say, after repairing the broken assembly, I put the whole thing away for the night.

Steve

GMorrison

Separately it's always been my understanding that, Quints statement to the contrary, most all of the fatalities after the sinking were a result of exposure and injuries from the attack, after 100 hours in the water.

Yes, that was my understanding as well. Most of the survivors of the sinking perished of hypothermia, hypernatraemia, and the original injuries sustained by the attack, not as many shark attacks as we are led to believe. Although that undoubtedly was a factor.

GMorrison

In addition to your really fine model work, your photography is darned nice. This is a great thread!

Thank you sir, the praise is very much appreciated. I only hope I can continue to work to that level. Encouragement like yours certainly makes me want to continue to do better.