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1/350 Trumpeter The Sullivans as the USS Johnston DD 557 WIP

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61 replies
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  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Thursday, January 21, 2016 8:10 PM

Thanks Ed, like you said, the Trump tubes are acceptable so I'll go with those. That is a beautiful bow wave in that pic.

Stack and generator smoke it is then.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Friday, January 22, 2016 8:16 AM

 

I just ordered Tom's PE set and AM's twin 40's. Later as I'm ending the project I'll get AM's 20's and the 3D crew. This should get me started.
Looking at the kit, the 5 in look like they need some work like adding blast bags and hopefully Tom's PE set has ladders for them. The smoke generators are tiny, but look acceptable. Now hopefully I can do justice to the guys and their sacrifice.
Steve

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Friday, January 22, 2016 8:36 AM

Knowing your work, that won't be an issue......those still alive will appreciate it, and those that gave all will smile from above that they are remembered........

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Sunday, January 24, 2016 11:24 PM

I started the Johnston this weekend.

 

I'm going to start with the base.

First, I cut out the foam for the hull.

 

I then shaved out some waves and the wake swells and applied acrylic gel.

 

I then added paper towel and covered that with more acrylic gel. I'm using paper towel this time instead of paper strips. This should form a little better that paper.

 

 

The paper tower/paper is used to smooth out the texture of the foam. Once this dries, I will sand the surface and apply a little more gel to build up the waves.

More to come.

 

Steve

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 7:56 AM

The article I referred to is in the Feb. issue of WWII History.  Nice account, but no pics of your baby.  Some nice cruiser shell splashes though.......

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 9:12 AM

That's the resent issue?

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 9:14 AM

Yep, should be on the racks now.  My BiMart carries it.

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 9:23 AM

I'll have to look to see who may carry it here in Boise.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 11:51 AM

An update.
I sanded the base a little (it's a little weird cause it's like sanding rubber) to get the peaks down and applied another coat of gel. This time I added some to the bow waves to build them up.
Next will be the base coat of blue.

 

Steve

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Sunday, January 31, 2016 10:49 PM
I’ve started on the hull and guns. I received the 40’s and 20’s and wow they are really detailed. It took me several hours to complete the 5 40mm gun platforms and it will take several more hours to finish 6 more 20’s.
I raised the barrels of the 5”s to keep an aim on the Kumano do to the list of the ship during its turn and added blast bags.
For the base I painted the blue, sprayed some turquoise in the wake and added some cotton to the whitecaps and wake. My idea is to add some white disturbance just under the surface. I have added 4 coats of high gloss varnish and will be adding several more coats.
Steve
 

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Monday, February 1, 2016 9:33 AM

Glad to see your build underway Steve.  It looks like its goint to turn out swell.

(yes, puns intendedBig Smile)  Scott

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Thursday, February 4, 2016 10:51 PM
I had to take a break from the PE to do some work on the superstructure, however while the glue and filler is drying I constructed the depth charge racks and DC storage racks. The K gun launchers and racks are next.
The depth charges are pieces of solder.
Steve

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by steve5 on Thursday, February 4, 2016 11:33 PM

that was really interesting how you did the ocean .,look's great . going to put this on my favourites

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Bloomsburg PA
Posted by Dr. Hu on Friday, February 5, 2016 7:51 PM

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  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Posted by Hunter on Saturday, February 6, 2016 8:00 PM

Steve,

It is amazing how well you do on building dio's. I have looked through the forums and seen most of your water builds and can't believe how well and real you make it look.

I really can't wait until you get done with this build...Bravo Sir, Bravo Bow DownBow Down

Hunter 

      

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Saturday, February 6, 2016 9:44 PM

Thank you Hunter, 

After this I will be building through "USS" Prinz Eugen as she was before the atomic bomb test at Bikini. 

Later this year, during my Submarine Warfare GB, I will also building a Russian Akula,  an Ohio class boomer and possibly a LA class attack sub in a water dio, so we can experiment together. I also have SEVERAL 1/700 scale WW2 ships I have plans for.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Posted by Hunter on Saturday, February 6, 2016 10:50 PM

modelcrazy

Thank you Hunter, 

After this I will be building through "USS" Prinz Eugen as she was before the atomic bomb test at Bikini. 

Later this year, during my Submarine Warfare GB, I will also building a Russian Akula,  an Ohio class boomer and possibly a LA class attack sub in a water dio, so we can experiment together. I also have SEVERAL 1/700 scale WW2 ships I have plans for.

 

Steve,

That is one crazy build schedule...and I can't wait too see all these builds!! 

Hunter 

      

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Monday, February 6, 2017 12:01 AM
Well It’s been quite a while but I’m back on the Johnston. I’m redoing the base because I didn’t like the old one.
Here’s the process for the base.
I bought some hard Styrofoam from the local craft store and cut it to shape.
Next I drew out the hull shape and cut it out of the Styrofoam.
I then drew out where I wanted the wake and cut them out.
Using a lighter I turned the base upside down and used a lighter to melt the Styrofoam and create the waves (out in the garage).
I used some printer paper and tore them in strips. I then wetted the strips and applied them to the base using acrylic gel.

 

I continued this process until the entire base was covered with the paper strips. The wet paper wrinkles and makes beautiful ripples on the waves.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Monday, February 6, 2017 9:00 PM
I did some work on the base today. I checked the fit of the build in its slot then sanded the base and applied another coat of acrylic gel stippling it with the brush to get more of a ripple effect. After this coat was dry I mixed up some acrylic artist paint and applied it for the color.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 10:19 PM
Here is an update to the base. After the initial color dried I painted a thinned lighter blue. When that was dry I added a coat of acrylic varnish which mixed the colors and protect them when dry.

 

When that was dry I sprayed teal to areas of churn and then drybrushed the wave tops. I will leave the base for now and continue with the build next.
 
After I set the hull in the base, I’ll add acrylic gel and cotton to create the bow wave, whitecaps and wake.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by steve5 on Thursday, February 9, 2017 12:44 AM

can't tell you how much I have enjoyed your step by step tutorial , can't wait for to finish the bow waves etc , I will be storing this away for future use .

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Thursday, February 9, 2017 7:57 AM

I love your base!  I have never mastered ocean bases and hope to learn from your technique.  Excellent work!

Bill Morrison

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Thursday, February 9, 2017 8:05 AM

Thanks guys, I was beginning to wonder if anybody was watching.

The build is about halfway complete already. I just need to do some painting and assembly....and there's the PE...and rigging

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Monday, February 13, 2017 10:49 AM
I had the opportunity to work on the Johnston this weekend. I added some cotton to the base which will be covered with several coats on acrylic varnish and look like disturbances under the surface.
The ship has a few fiddly parts to install (PE 20’s, searchlights Etc.) before painting. Most of what you see has been dry fit for the picture.
Well back to it.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Posted by Hunter on Monday, February 13, 2017 12:04 PM

ABSOLUTELY PURE PERFECTION!!!! That is one beautiful build Steve. Just added it to my favorites so I have a true step by step "how to". Great job buddy!! Bow DownBow Down

Hunter 

      

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Tempe AZ
Posted by docidle on Monday, February 13, 2017 10:45 PM

Beautiful work! I finally got the chance to read Last Stand since I couldn't do anything else. I can see why you are doing this dio now.

Steve

       

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 5:50 AM

Stunning work!

Bill

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 7:20 AM

docidle

Beautiful work! I finally got the chance to read Last Stand since I couldn't do anything else. I can see why you are doing this dio now.

Steve

 

Thanks guys. 

I'm on chapter 45 myself. Quite a battle! I hadn't thought about depth charges and a sinking ship before.

I liked the one IJN destroyer slowing down during their retreat to salute the crew of the sunken Johnston. 

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Salem, Oregon
Posted by 1943Mike on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 7:03 PM

You're doing a swell job (pun intended Smile) on this waterline model.

Exactly how you have time for building at your prodigious rate is a mystery to me. You're an electronic technician (retired Petty Officer First Class from the CG) have grandchildren....where do you find time to build the Doolittle raid Hornet dio and DD-557 all seemingly at the same time? Wow!

BTW, I noticed you have the Tamiya 1/48 Fairey Swordfish Mark I in your que. I'm working on the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 Grumman TBM-3 Avenger just now but soon after I'm done with it I may resurrect my Mark II. I got some sprues from Tamiya as well as another PE set from HL and I hope I'll be able to carry on with it.

Mike

"Le temps est un grand maître, mais malheureusement, il tue tous ses élèves."

Hector Berlioz

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 10:01 PM

LOL Mike, actually I think I'm going slow.

As far as your Swordfish, I would love to see you get back to it. I liked that build of yours and watching your WIP.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

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