1/350 Hasegawa Akagi Complete.

ikar01

Now I need to fine the decals for the New Jersey.  Should be fun, but not as much as you're having.

 

I'm not sure where to get those currently. Try Floating Drydock.

Thanks PJ!

Some more progress, slow, but progress. I worked on the AM paper braces and finally got the process down. Now I'm starting to get some things done again. A 25mm AA gun platform is shown here. The other platforms shown also have the paper braces. Once I touch them with thin CA, they become as hard as plastic. I need to attach the bracing posts and makes up some AA guns from PE. There are also 2 ladders that will be attached from the small hull opening to the platform.

Oh wow! That is an awesome detailed build Steve. 

Thanks Ben. Yes, I'm considering guitar string. The Uschi string I have is great for rigging but a little thin for cable stays.

That PE looks wonderful and the aircraft is maddening like off the charts!

Have you considered piano wire or a thin guitar string? They would be the thin gage that would work great in scale and stay straight and strong.

I also have used a product from Germany that is a clear nylon filiment thread. While it works well for rigging on 1/350 and smaller ships, it could also work well for the cables. The good thing with the thread is you can tighten it up with a little heat....

Ben

Thanks Mike. Steve and Ikar.

Ikar, if you're intrested, I know a few places where you can replace those Bofors and Oelrikons with 3D and won't have to drive yourself nuts with the PE. It might be worth the price, which are reasonable, until you figure just how many you will need. I bought some for the North Carolina. I know where my limits are.

https://blackcatmodels.eu/en/

Shipping isn't too long either, mine came in about 2 to 3 weeks.

Well I started the cable stays last night. I don't know if they're going to stay tight after I install the deck for good. I'm not happy with the gussets. They are turned the wrong way and too small. I my replace both sets anyway. I used stretched sprue but my switch to an evergreen product for consistancey. The more I think about it, the more I may just do that. Proof of concept anyway.

what mike 1943 said , I just don't have the vocabulary . just beautiful work .

Love them big words.  I think I may have to get a Photo Etch Dictionary, and build it,  to get through some of them.

On the bright side I think I may have to get the P.E. set for the New Jersey.  My kid wants me to build him that ship in its WWII configuration.  Unfortunastely I have the Mosouri.  I asked if he wanted it idone as set up for the signing ceremony despite I would have to add all those figures and platforms.  He's insistent, considering my family is from Jersey.  Now I need to fine the decals for the New Jersey.  Should be fun, but not as much as you're having.

After having looked at this post of the pillars in PE I had to lie down and take a nap. It was making me dizzy.

You are either certifiably insane or derive some pleasure from doing what I (and some other modelers) would consider extremely taxing, often vexing work. I'm sure the latter is true. I only wish I had the talent, perspicacity, and perseverance you're demonstrating with the PE and the aircraft on this build.

Beautiful work!

Ikar, I also have spinning prop PE that look like a faster spinning prop, at least to me. Since from the pictures I've seen most if not all the planes on the deck were running while the pilots were being breifed.

Thanks GH, I believe after I make the cable stays for the aft pillars I'm going to lay down the girder PE and go back to the plastic...and the paper girders I have. I found that I can't finish the entire deck girders until the hull structure is completly finished. Looking through five diffrent sets of PE instructions to check if any part has any AM attached to it is time consuming, then I go and add to the work by creating my own scratch building. Sometimes it seems like I'm crawling along and another it seem like theres really not much more to do it it were OOB. But I am really enjoying this build. I also started on the base, cut out the Styrofoam. I think I went too heavy with the waves but at this stage it's not a problem to fix, or just start over. I know the Kido Butai was coming out of some somewhat heavy seas just before launch. A little pitch and roll.

We are never going to find you.  Every nut house on the planet has you on the most wanted list for capture.

I don't know how you do it....fantastic

This thing is past over the top for a FSM cover and feature.  Hope you submit it when done

Those aircraft are intenseive builds on their own.  I have always wondered about those spinning blades.  At this point they seam a little strange being made from metal instead of transparent or even semi-transparent plastic. It will be interesting to see how they come out.  The old way was to try cutting a disc of clear plastic.  This should look better, and be easier.

Tme to get more popcorn and a drink while I take notes.

Thanks Chris

The cockpit consisted of the IP, stick, seat and headrest. Yes, 9 hours. but most of that was cutting down the interior and fixing the fuse because I broke it in half carving some material out. Several mistakes that I learned from. Prototype. The next won't take as long and I should be able to speed up and even get an assembly line going.

9 Zeeks

27 Kates, 12 w/torps, 15 w/bombs

The PE set comes with type 91 torpedos with special fins and type 99 AP bombs. I though about using the 250KG bombs for the Zero's drop tanks.

MC that's an insane achievement. That picof the pillars and your girder work could be used by their marketing group!

 I was wondering what that cockpit would consist of. Dang that plane looks good. Hope youcan improve on 9hrs. Did I understand that right, 9hrs to make 1?

BBorBust

Magnificent work. Truly a masterpiece.

 

Thank yo my friend,

OK this weekends data dump. I worked on and off. I have 79 hours into it now. The Zero took 9 of those hours, but now that I did one, I get faster as I go. Not that I have any complaints with the detail kit but I do wish they added drop tanks for the Zeks.

The canopy was more difficult that I thought it woule be. Cutting out for the interior and the canopy/antenna were to toughist and too the longest. Now time to paint but I'll do that when I have the AB out for other things. The wheels are turned brass.

Moving on the she ship. I completed the pillars and added the crane tracks. I dry fit the deck to check the fit. Looks good. Now I need to add the cable stays but am also continuing on to the kits instructions and the additional paper detail set. Theres still some girders needed to add to the fore/aft sides and the mid deck.

Also, I didn't like some pillars hard molded on the kit so I am replacing those.

That's all I got done this weekend.

Magnificent work. Truly a masterpiece.

your Arizona leaves my mouth open with your PE work

thanks steve , that'a why it ended up on the shelf of doom haha , only just getting over the head spin , getting it down again , giving it another go 

Thanks Ikar but I don't need his number yet.

ikar01

I remember we had a vendor a couple years ago show up with a product that put interiors into 1/350th aircraft as well as canopies.

You mean this? Which I have BTW.

Mopar Madness

My prediction is "Best in Show"!

 

Oh stop it 

You're doing great, far beyond what I did for my friend;s build.  Keep it up, I still have my brother's phone number if it becomes necessary.

I remember we had a vendor a couple years ago show up with a product that put interiors into 1/350th aircraft as well as canopies.  That would be going a bit to far.

My prediction is "Best in Show"!

Oh come on Ben, your Arizona leaves my mouth open with your PE work.

steve5

I'll just watch the master at work

Thank you Steve, no master here, just following the instructions.

have I said i'm not much good at PE , no hope of buying this kit , I'll just watch the master at work . incredible work steve

steve5

Steve,

I'm still trying to un-cross my eyes after looking at this build thread

WOW just WOW!

Ben

Thanks Don and TB

Whooo Doggies!

 Ya'll are a glutten fer punishment! Yikes! that's some awesome work.

Wow, that PE work is beeautiful!

Thanks Chris, yes, nuch thought. I will paint and weather it prior to attaching the deck for good. Once it is attached I'll apply the wood deck. That's quite aways off.

I'm supposed to receive the cable reels PE today so once I FINALLY complete the flight deck framework, I'll get back on the hull. Especially since everything I ordered for it will have come in by then......I can't remember if I ordered the PE for the 25mm guns 

Wow this is going fast For PE! Definitely skill based. It's starting to take shape. Have you thought about how to get it all covered in paint with all those postsand girders?

Almost complete with the stern girders. Just some pillars and what look to be walkways(?) then on to the mid section. The deck is just dry fitted to the hull. Hase supplied some huge aligling pins to set everything correctly.