1/350 Hasegawa Akagi Complete.

Looks awesome.  The water is convincing. 

Okay?

     Well, I gotta say she's  got some bad rings Eh Wot? The pattern needs to be thinned and stretched a little to match the pic. Now if you'll notice the smoke is rather translucent by the time it gets to the water and twists from the effect of air flowing alongside the hull. If you can even get closer than you are, you probably won't get " Judge-Ding" for the end result. Da$%^%# good Job!!!! 

I made three new mist patterns last night. Not a easy feat when it cotton gets that thin. Sprayed some hairspray on them and set them asside to dry. I'll take some pics tonight but I may have to just go without. How well, nothing will look better than something that doesn't look real. One can only do so much with cotton.

Got the first coat of light grey on the 5 Zeeks and made up the PE gear for the 8 Kates I have done so far. These are taking considerably more time than expected.

128 days left.

OK boys, here they are. This is the best I can do with cotton.

Considering ship speed and wind, which do you like better?

1. no smoke

2. light smoke

3. medium smoke

4 heavy smoke

All of these can be changed a little and/or repositioned a tad, but they're pretty much what they are.

If you were to judge this at the IPMS, which would you prefer 1, 2, 3, or 4

I'm certainly no judge, but I think #2 light smoke is my personal fave.

Reminds me of this pic on wiki:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Japanese_Navy_Aircraft_Carrier_Kaga.jpg

Excellent job as always btw.

Love the first one.  You can see all of the ship, which is what I want to see.

Second one also very good.  I might pull the aft end down a bit, since it seems to block a bit more of the ship than the first.

Both add sense of motion and realism.  The one without now looks "funny" somehow after seeing it with smoke. 

This is a fabulous build and I take my hat off to you, sir.  Can't wait to see it completed with sailors and planes.

Bob

She's looking amazing Steve! As far as the smoke I would say #1 with no smoke or #2. Only thing I will say is if you don't know what it's suppose to be it, it kinda of looks like more water coming out as it's colored similar to the spray along the side of the ship. Maybe a more grayish color for better separation? Even though the cleaner white may be more accurate. Again it's looking fantastic

I'd say the light, but a tinge of grey in the top part where it's coming from the stack.

I like #2

With a little grey added?

It does add motion and life doesn't it?

Yes sir.  Adds a big sense of motion to the scene.  If you add any, just a tinge to the top.  Kaga's not showing any at that distance though.  But our point of view is a lot closer.

modelcrazy

With a little grey added?

It does add motion and life doesn't it?

 

this is my favorite. I think you could go between light smoke and this one. I had nothing, light, dark rolling one after the other and i think it definitely adds a feel of motion. With your scene i think it adds to it. From the picture and earlier comments about them adding water tothe smoke i think the dark one wouldn't be as realistic. In the end tho i was leaning toward light because i liked the shape of the smoke you created there best. This one with just 'a touch of grey' looks great!

Thanks guys, the light smoke wins.

I didn't get much done to the planes last night due to visiting with our daughter and grandaughter, they are far more important anyway. I was able to get to the hobby room after we got home and spent about 45 min putting the last of the PE on the 8 completed Kates. Tonight I'll start the paint on them and continue the painting on the Zeeks. I'll also need to build up the Type 99 #80 Mark 5 special AP bombs, which were a turned down 40cm (15.7") AP projectile with fins and two tail fuses. These bombs were 92 inches long and weighed 1756 lbs. Now that is a big bomb! 15 of the Akagi Kates carried these lead by Cpt Mitsuo Fuchida.

White bands indicating a dummy bomb

12 Kates Carried the torpedo.

Hey wildman... the carrier and base are coming along nicely. I really admire the little details (too many to list). Take your time on the aircraft as we all want you to keep your fingers and sanity. 

I was going to vote for #2 as well (not that it matters any longer). I was wondering if you were going to paint the pupils and finger nails on the crew figures as well (just joking).

I'm happy for you and its enjoyable to see it pitching in the water. I still look forward to every update.

Ben

Aha!

      You got it with number two! The sense of motion is definitely there!

Thanks guys, I had thought that as well when I took the pics. I'll get some smoke on it tonight. I'm going to show it at the local Hobby Town contest this Saturday, no planes or crew. I'll tell them to keep the cover on so some courious little guy doesn't break something off.

I used to break all of my older brother's models when I was too young to build them myself. The last one I showed to him (when I was in Dallas) he broke off the landing gear. I told him I deserved that.

modelcrazy

Thanks guys, I had thought that as well when I took the pics. I'll get some smoke on it tonight. I'm going to show it at the local Hobby Town contest this Saturday, no planes or crew. I'll tell them to keep the cover on so some courious little guy doesn't break something off.

I used to break all of my older brother's models when I was too young to build them myself. The last one I showed to him (when I was in Dallas) he broke off the landing gear. I told him I deserved that.

 

OMG that's hilarious and cruel at the same time! What a big brother

One of those repurposed AP shells/bombs was found when raising the West Virginia.  That might be part of it.  Pic shows the nose cone missing, and none of the fins, just as it was found in the ship.

modelcrazy

12 Kates Carried the torpedo.

 

I'm confused; why did it take 12 Kate's to carry one torpedo?

(Sorry, not sorry.)

Straycat1911

I'm confused; why did it take 12 Kate's to carry one torpedo?

Yes, the torpodos were VERY heavy

I finished the smoke.

Reeses!

That looks great with the smoke added.  Good luck with it.

Yup that smoke look is perfect

Thanks so much guys!

I worked hours on the planes and have the 12 done where I like them. Some have maintenance personnel in the cockpit monitoring the gages and other tasks. I'm missing the bombs which I'll build up tonight. Going on week three for these aircraft. Hopefully I'll speed up some.

I added some prop spin both idle and running at a higher RPM.

Those are beautiful. The wear looks real on that tiny scale. How did you do the chipping on those? That would be neat to know!

have loved watching this whole build steve . just awesome .

Thanks guys,

Chris, I used hairspray.

modelcrazy

Thanks guys,

Chris, I used hairspray.

 

through an airbrush? Wondering how you got such control. Dang those are sooo nice.