Digital Navy USS Arizona 1/100

[eibwarrior]

Hello everyone. I got a good tip on this forum and thought I would join. Some of you are familiar to me and I'm sure that I'm familiar to some of you... :D

I thought I'd share my in-progress upscale build of the USS Arizona kit that Digital Navy produces. It's originially designed to be 1/250, but I've upsized it 250% to achieve museum scale 1/100.

This project has consumed about 11 months and has really challenged me to become a better card modeler, so I'm very pleased with how things have gone. I've had a few challenges along the way, and it's made me a better ship modeler. I've also become much more versed on the anatomy of ARIZONA at this scale. :D

Here are some shots of my current progress. I've completed most of the build and I'm into 3 of the 4 main gun turrets at this point. I plan to carry my progress forward here in this tread from this point on.

I look forward to exchanging ideas and information with everyone here, and I hope you enjoy my build!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2780952189_7886c147c5_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2780952315_7fdabb7274_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/2771289442_74b6486981.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2780952521_ca6ded3761.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2804234990_8afddb8779.jpg?v=0

[Darwin]

I'll be following this build closely....please give lots of pics of the small details. You've done a very nice job of the tripod masts. Have you detailed out the hinges and handles on the WTDs?

[redhorse]

Welcome! I've been following this on Zealot, it's good to see your build here. It's a masterpiece.

[Don Boose]

Welcome! Your Arizona is a beautiful and impressive model. I'm very glad to see several US Navy battleships under construction here.

Don

[Barry]

Nice to see you here Elb

[eibwarrior]

Thanks everyone...

@Darwin... No, I've not done that, but at this scale it begs to be done. The WTD's have nice printed details, but they lack the character of 3-D. I've even had thoughts of replacing them with aftermarket WTD's that the large scale suppliers produce from resin, but I decided to keep with the spirit of the build in this aspect and stay with paper card.

You've given me something to think about for sure.

[dansls1]

Welcome - glad to see you made it here ;)

[Ashrunner]

Beautiful build of a famous ship.

Every time I see a photo or hear the name of the Arizona, I remember a line from a movie I saw once...I think a John Wayne movie. They are standing on a beach somewhere, and one of the characters says, "I still hope to see the Arizona come steaming over the horizon." or something like that.

By any chance, does anyone remember the name of the movie?

[Don Boose]

"In Harm's Way"?

Don

[SCEtoAUX]

That movie was They Were Expendable with Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, and Donna Reed about a PT boat outfit in the Phillipines at the outbreak of WWII. The character that said that had been a cook on the Arizona. :)

[birder]

You have embarked on an ambitious project, and looks great!

[Ashrunner]

Thanks Doug...

That's the movie. Sure hope to see it again soon. Donna Reed sure looked great in it 8v)

[eibwarrior]

Here's a quick photo update of my progress...

I've finished #1 turret as you can see in the first photo. I've worked the last few days on the fourth and final main gun turret (#4). I'm about 80% complete with it. You can see the progression below. I've only some minor details to add and it will be complete.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2828161625_a26ceea5da_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2828161723_fa47aee4be_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2828999546_7bb162cd1e_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2828161901_ee128e418c_b.jpg

[Barry]

She looks immaculate Elb your concentration far outclasses mine.

got to ask what are you colouring the edges with ?

[eibwarrior]

Thanks a lot Barry. That means a lot coming from you...

For the grays, I use Prismacolor brand "cool gray" markers. They come in shades from 10% to 90%. I use mostly 40% through 80%. These are pricey little markers. About $3.50 USD most places, but I found a place that sells them for $2 USD.

For reds, I use a Sharpie brand red marker. For all markers, I use a light, grazing motion when I edge color, so that I don't bleed. Once markers are broken in well, you can put some pressure on them.

For other special colors, I use Prismacolor brand colored pencils. I have a 30+ rainbow pack of colors. They suit most odd shades or colors.

[Don Boose]

Beautiful photos and superb craftsmanship!

Thanks for the interior shots and for the info on your tools and techniques.

Don

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Don!

I've finished the last of the main guns. Here is a shot of #3 and #4 pointed off the port side, ready for action. :cool:

I've now got some clean up work ahead of me. Lots of white spots to kill on the aft deck before I can move on to the catapults, planes and crane. I'll be building hatches and vents for the next few days and I'll start the #3 turret catapult then.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2831302590_2d29a5529b_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2831302686_2a5327d190_b.jpg

[Don Boose]

Outstanding! I love looking at these images.

Don

[Barry]

keeps getting better all the time

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Don and Barry... I've spent the last couple days building vents, winches, deckhouses and hatches on the aft deck. I've completed almost all of those. I should have some photos up in the next day or two.

Then I will begin the turret #3 catapult.

[redhorse]

Excellent! I've been looking forward to the catapults. Your detail work is great and these I'm sure will be very interesting.

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Jim!

I've finished most of the minor deck elements on the aft deck... Winches, hatches, vents and deckhouse... The first shot is the two winches that occur on each side of the #3 turret. These are fun, detailed little assemblies.

The overall shot of the aft deck shows that most (not all http://www.zealot.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif) of the white spots are history.

Finally, the last shot shows the parts laid out for the #3 turret-mounted catapult. Not too many parts for this and the construction seems very straight-forward. This will be a fun assembly to build and add rails to.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/2845981001_d8a8bbdcff.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/2845981135_752e2df703_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2846817140_e304388e0c_b.jpg

[eibwarrior]

To celebrate the one year anniversary (yep, I've been laboring away for an entire year as of today...) I've completed the float plane catapult on top of turret #3.

This was a fun little model to build. The construction of the catapult had lots of voids to cutout, and I enjoy that work a great deal. I added styrene round for handrails on the attached catwalks.

Some photos for your enjoyment. One year down, several more weeks to go.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2857305899_4bfdc27bd8_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2857307219_d5d56d1bc6_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2858137002_88a5083c20_b.jpg

[Barry]

great bit of cutting Elb as you say the handrails really finish it

[redhorse]

Ohhhh, it looks great!! Yup, the handrails make it! Puts me in the mood to visit a ship.

It's hard to believe you've been working on this for a year.

[tincan871]

Beautiful workmanship AND photography!

Ed

[dansls1]

I love seeing progress of this ship. Looks great as always!

[eibwarrior]

Thanks for the very kind comments everyone.

I'm starting the aft deck catapult next and will have some shots of that up in a couple days.

[milenio3]

Keep the great work coming, Eib!!

I saw that you used styrene for handrails, at least on your last comments.

But, what did you use for the turrets? I mean the structures around the turrets.

[eibwarrior]

Gerardo, thanks for asking.
The vertical bars are actually floral arrangement wire. I think it's 18 gage steel, coated with a thin layer of plastic coating. I got it at my local Hobby Lobby in the floral department. I used wire snips to cut the sections to the correct length, and then bent them with pliers. I made one as a prototype and then made a jig from card to make the rest uniform.
The horizontal ring on both the top and bottom of the vertical bars is actually styrene round, about 1/16" diameter or a little less. I glued it to the verticals one spot at a time with super glue and then finish painted with Tamiya acrylic (neutral gray).

I had to get crafty with that assembly.

[Gil]

It's time for the Vought-Sikorsky OS2U-3
Kingfisher...,
Any ideas on whether those included by Digital Navy will be detailed enough at 1:100?

+Gil

http://www.nasm.si.edu/interact/qtvr/uhc/images/050-KingFish2.jpg

[looker]

You can check it out for yourself at Downloads (http://www.digitalnavy.com/html/downloads.html)
http://www.digitalnavy.com/X-SITE.pdf http://www.digitalnavy.com/Xdiagram.pdf

[eibwarrior]

Good point Gil, and yes I have given it some thought.

I've built the Digital Navy Kingfisher and I found it difficult to build, but that was at 1/250 scale. At 1/100 it may be easier.

As a backup plan, I have built the Fiddler's Green Kingfisher and found that I liked the ease of construction and relative details/realism it provides.

I've not made a decision yet, but I have printed both the DN and FG versions at 1/100 and I'm in that decision making mode right now.

Here's the link to the Fiddler's Green Kingfisher:
Vought OS2U WWII Kingfisher (http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/aircraft/Vought-Kingfisher/kingfisher.php)
Here's a shot of a finished Fiddler's Green Kingfisher:
http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/aircraft/Vought-Kingfisher/IMAGES/OS2U-title.jpg

[milenio3]

Thanks for the explanation, Eib. In fact I use that floral wire for all my landing gear works, so I see it can be more useful than not.

[eibwarrior]

Gerardo, I'm glad to know floral wire is in good use. I discovered it one day completely by accident and now I stock a lot of it in various sizes. :)


Here's my weekly update. I've completed the aft catapult. I now am completely fatigued on cutouts. I was going to start the stern crane, but I've thought better of that. I'm tired of the knife work that I love so much. ;)

You can see that I have now started the Fiddler's Green OS2U Kingfisher (the first of three). I test built the fuselage of the DN Kingfisher at this scale and I'm just not good enough of a wingy-thing builder to make that design work. It's a shame too, as I love the colorization of the DN Kingfisher. Oh well, the FG one looks pretty good too and I can competently build it, which is most important. :D Here are a few shots of the pontoonless and tail wingless OS2U on the #3 'pult.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2877797538_46db674eab_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2877798510_fa5c3880b6_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2876967167_eab47325c7_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2877800950_5207268e15_b.jpg

[eibwarrior]

I finished my first of three OS2U Kingfishers. This was as easy to build as I remember from doing the 1/60 version. There wasn't any complication at all going to 1/100 size. I know it's probably not as accurate looking as the DN version, but I'm pleased with it.

It's nice to get a dash of color on the grey and red pallet that I've been working on. The blue hues are a nice accent on top of #3 turret. Stay tuned, more birds to come.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2885914549_4a9a45b9e9_b.jpg

[Barry]

Nice finishing touch

[CMDRTED]

This is looking real good, with some of the best looking detail work ever.
However,.... And this is only for possible accuracy issues, Were the Arizona's Kingfishers aircraft painted in the tricolour scheme?

[eibwarrior]

That's a good point Ted. I've thought about that since finishing the first bird. I'm going to ponder this for a couple days and make a decision on what to do next. I have the second bird laid out and I've cut out and assembled the cowl and engine, but I've gone no further.

I'm not sure that I can deal with this historical accuracy issue. I've got to think about this a bit.

[shrike]

They certainly wouldn't have had the star and bar insignia. Nice big red dots in the centre of the stars, as the Japanese hadn't attacked yet.
http://www.microworks.net/pacific/aviation/os2u_kingfisher.htm has a picture of a group of pre war Kingfishers in formation. The fuselages are two tone with a much brighter tone for the floats ( which , come to think of it, were removable - so they're probably leftover silver ones)

[Don Boose]

I also wondered if Arizona carried OS2Us or SOC Seagulls, but the NPS Arizona site (USS Arizona National Historic Landmark Nomination (http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/nhl/arizona.htm)) says the SOCs were swapped out for OS2U Kingfishers in July 1941. So far as I know, the colors would have been non-specular blue-gray upper surfaces and non-specular light-gray undersurfaces with red and white rudder stripes and insignia as Mark indicated. The Observation Squadron 1 (VO-1) identification markings [1-O-individual aircraft number] would have been black.

Here is a September 1941 photo of a VO-1 OS2U: http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/013935a.jpg from NavSource (Battleship Photo Index BB-39 Arizona (http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/39e.htm)).

But your Kingfisher looks great and, if you decide to go with the historic color scheme, I am sure you will find a way to display it on another model or in a diorama by itself.

Don

[eibwarrior]

Don, thanks for the photo. Yes, I'm leaning towards building the DN Kingfishers at this point. Although I feel that their design and appearance is better suited for 1/250 scale. But they have the correct markings and color scheme.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

[Barry]

Designing aicraft at 1/250 is indeed a different art.How about recolouring what you have built. It should not be too difficult considering what you have already done with this model.

[eibwarrior]

Yes indeed Barry. I played with the DN kingfisher tonight and I've come to the conclusion that it is totally inadequate for 1/100 scale. It's just too simplified and doesn't translate well to 1/100.

I've got some computer/digital coloring ahead. I think I'm going to move on to the aft crane in the meantime to keep the build moving forward, and play on the computer in my spare time to recolor the Fiddler's Green OS2U.

[docrox]

The GMP Missouri, 1:200 sheets include a quite detailed Kingfisher, which, IMO, could be blown up.

Hans Gerd

[eibwarrior]

Thanks for the tip Hans. I've got that model as well as your GPM California. I looked at those float planes last night. I think I've decided to stick with the re-color of the Fiddlers Green OS2U. I've scanned and re-colored about 20% so far.

I've completed the stern crane for the aft catapult. It was another nice cutout assembly. Very fun. This makes the stern not look so bare compared to the rest of the ship. I'm going to start adding all the fine details on the aft section of the ship, including the perimeter handrails so that the aft will be essentially finished.

Kingfisher update... I've decided to re-color my kingfishers from the historically inaccurate tri-color and markings (stars with bars) to a more accurate color system for OS2Us in 1941. I'm well into scanning and re-coloring the Fiddler's Green Kingfisher. Once I'm finished on the computer, I'm going to set out on building the three float planes.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/2902997278_11cc0b4d05_b.jpg

[Don Boose]

This is a fascinating thread! I look forward to seeing the recolored Kingfishers. Incidentally, I have been seeing belted kingfishers daily here at Cape May -- fishing and perched on tree limbs and poles. Don

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Don!

I've been keeping busy with handrail work and bollards on the aft deck, port side. That's close to 30" worth of my styrene round rail work. That's a lot of super glue and painting.... I've also done all the bollards and cleats on this side as well. Just trying to clean up the aft deck in its entirety while I'm re-coloring the Kingfishers.

Incidentally, I'm about 70% finished on the OS2U re-color, so I'll be getting back into the construction of those real soon.

Here's an overall shot, I've not done one in some time. It shows the catapults and aft crane. Also there is a shot of the aft deck rails and bollards.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/2919897790_ce300a4fc4_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2919897656_eb268207b3_b.jpg

[redhorse]

Your getting close! It's good to see a full length shot. Even with the wrong paint scheme, the kingfisher looks good back there.

[eibwarrior]

Well, while I'm still re-coloring birds, I've flipped the Arizona to the starboard side and installed all the handrails on the aft deck. I'm starting to see styrene round and Tamiya acrylic neutral gray in my sleep. :rolleyes:

Here's an update shot on the aft deck and all the gorgeous rails.

Birds are now 90 percent re-colored. Should get back into those soon.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2942743881_487051dbfd_b.jpg

[redhorse]

I'm starting to see styrene round and Tamiya acrylic neutral gray in my sleep. :rolleyes:

It's looking better every time! I'm wondering, are you smelling that Tamiya paint in your sleep too? I love that paint, but that stuff has the most peculiar odor...

[eibwarrior]

Jim, you're right about Tamiya acrylics... I love how they apply but man do they stink! I get a little fuzzy when I work with them too long.

Finally! This has taken way too long, but I must admit that I've done this just in my spare time only. Probably have about 3-4 hours in this re-color. Had to get colors close to what I considered the rendered colors of the OS2U of the time. And I had to change the markings from the late war stars with bars.

I'm very pleased with the finished product as you can see in this side-by-side shot of the prior colors (Fiddler Green's original) and my back-dated 1941 re-color.

Finished it just in time to go on vacation. :rolleyes: I'll put scissors to paper when I return late next week.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2946161762_1626d3416f_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/2945298713_838f969abb_b.jpg

[docrox]

Hi eibwarrior,

you did a great job in recoloring the Kingfisher.
I would work over the canopy parts and print them on an overhead transparency. I think, at that scale it would look great.

Hans Gerd

[phayu]

Very very Beautiful .:)

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Hans. I had thoughts about doing a detailed cockpit, but I'm too intimidated to try one at this scale. That, and the fact that the Fiddler's Green model comes without one. I'm not quite up to that scratch build effort. Maybe someday...

Now that I'm clear of vacation, I'm back on the job. Here's the first shots of the correctly colored :rolleyes: kingfisher. This is just the fuselage and wings only stage. I'm working on the pontoon and other parts tonight.

I've put the new scheme next to the old one so you can note some of the differences in the color scheme in early war vs. late war.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2982891642_9168b46deb_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2982892516_708c5ceee4_b.jpg

[birder]

Your recolor looks very nice! Should still add some nice color to the ship I think.:)

[willygoat]

Looks amazing. it's all so tiny too :D

[dansls1]

Great job! In addition to the color correction, I think you got a bit better shape of the fuse on the second build as well. (Please don't take that as an insult or criticism, I just think the new one looks better in general ;) ).

[eibwarrior]

Thanks guys.

Dan, yeah I agree. It helped to build it a second time at this size. This is significantly smaller than the intended scale and I've only built this one at full scale up until now. Some of the parts are designed to fit up with simplicity, but the reduction in size has even made it a bit more complex to assemble.

I've finished the pontoon and mounted it to the fuselage and tonight I'm working on the out-riggers for each wing. Those and the prop and this one will be finished.

Photos soon.

[Barry]

Looking good Elb

[Don Boose]

I'm glad to see the new re-colored Kingfisher! It has been fun watching the whole process of speculation, discussion, experimentation, and then finally see the new airplane appear.

Don

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Barry and Don. It's good to finally see the fruits of all that "mouse" labor.

Finished the first OS2U last night. I've placed it in a shot side-by-side with the original. I'm pleased with how the re-color came out.
Now I've got to build two more of these gems. That should keep me busy for a while. :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2986931976_c98fa299e7_b.jpg

[Golden Bear]

Good work Eib. I wanted to see a build for this particular model.


Carl

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Carl. I'm mid-way into the second OS2U at the moment. I'm going to hold off on any more photos until I'm finished with all three.

I'll certainly get my "fix" for plane modeling this week. :cool:

[nero_ro]

Your Arizona is a beautiful and impressive model. I'm very glad to see several US Navy battleships under construction here.

[eibwarrior]

OK, so I lied. I am going to post pictures before I finish all three birds. I couldn't resist. The pair looked so good sitting atop the #3 turret. I'm going to only have one on top of the turret when I mount them and a pair on the fan tail catapult. I just put them up there for temporary observation.

My modeling pace has slowed down of late, but with cold weather beginning to set in, my pace should pick back up again soon. On to bird #3...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3019540047_ff0e111a13_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/3019540157_f9305f1555_b.jpg

[Barry]

Nice finishing touch Elb

[redhorse]

I'm glad you took some more photos. The planes look really good on the catapult.

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Redhorse and Barry!

The three OS2Us are completed and mounted to their respective catapults. I'm glad this portion of the build is over. I enjoyed building the planes, but it took so long that I've lost momentum on the ship itself.

Time to get back into handrails, hatches etc. I'm working my way towards the bow where I will take on the anchor sets, windlass and jackstaff.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/3043727527_9a7de51d5e_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/3043727609_940607ae2b_b.jpg

[willygoat]

The planes looks awesome. You're hard work was worth it!

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Willygoat!

With the float planes complete, I turned my attention this past week to the bow and some catching up on handrail work. As you can see in the attached photos I have killed quite a few white spots on the bow including winches, windlass and various haches and vents. I've also constructed the jack staff from styrene round and attached it to the hull. All the while I have gradually brought the main deck handrails forward towards the bow.

I'll be starting anchor work soon and then turning the Arizona to run the handrail, chocks and bollards down the starboard side.

I'm running downhill towards the finish line now!:D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/3061172331_2fd6833299_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/3061172389_32e6fa94e1_b.jpg

[willygoat]

Looking better all the time. Did you make or buy the hand rails? Either way, they look sharp.:D

[Barry]

Magnificent Elb rails look crisp

[eibwarrior]

Thanks guys.

Willygoat, the rails are scratch built from .020" styrene round. I've done a brief tutorial on how I build them over at Zealot. Here's the link in case you want to check it out:Digital Navy - USS Arizona - 1/100 - Page 11 - Zealot Hobby Forum (http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152330&page=11)

[willygoat]

Woh:eek: Took a look at your other thread. That's a cool technique. Very labor intensive, but what great results. Very cool :D

[eibwarrior]

Very labor intensive is right. If I'm building straight sections, It takes about 2 hours to fabricate, paint and mount about 12" of rail. I tend to keep my sections 6" or under so that they don't become to out of square as I'm building them.

It looks good, but it takes a long time to build up the sections.

[eibwarrior]

I've completed the work on the bow of the ship. All the items are in place and waiting for chain, which is something that I'm looking for.

I've been busy with the small details in the shots below. Davits, boarding platforms and boarding booms. I've wrapped the handrails around the bow and have run them half way down the starboard side. The detailing is coming to an end very soon. Then all I will have left are the ship's boats and a bunch of rigging.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/3082586215_9d214fcd87_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/3083422840_06a13193a6_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/3082586367_a4d458005e_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/3082586495_1a47800cb0_b.jpg

[redhorse]

That is looking so good! I just ordered some various sizes of chain (plus a few kits of course) from model-hobby on 11/19 and the package arrived on the 3rd. I've got tomorrow off and I'll pick it up then and let you know what it looks like.

Also, what are those things that look kind of like airplanes on the side of the turret in the first two photos?

[willygoat]

Oh man! You stole my question Jim. But really, what are those things? Rockets of some type?

[member_3]

What a beautiful, CLEAN build! Your work is immaculate and adds a great deal to the overall appearance as evidenced in the detail closeups.

The airplane-looking devices are paravanes, used for minesweeping. Wikipedia has a good article on them.

[willygoat]

That makes sense. I guess they get dragged behind on a cable? Thanks Old Troll :p

[redhorse]

Trust a Dalek to know that (hmm we need more emoticons around here, can't find the proper one):p. Thanks Old Troll!

[eibwarrior]

Paravanes... I had no clue what they were called, but I knew what they were used for. I saw a documentary one time of minesweepers going up and down the rivers of Vietnam, dragging these things. I've never seen photos of them in use in WWII...

I've been tardy in updating recently. I've completed the details on the starboard side and now I'm starting on the ship's boats. I've completed one of the small launches, but I'm not quite satisfied with the look. I used 110 pound card and it was really too heavy to make the boat look right. I've since acquired some 60 pound card and I'm going to use it to build the remaining boats. Should get some better results. As you can see from the third photo, I've got a lot of boats to build and my 1/350 plastic Arizona has been distracting me of late. :rolleyes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/3114235568_9e1ed3302f_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/3114235572_82c68e24c8_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/3114235576_dfe049e4fc_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/3114235578_25a5028bb2_b.jpg

[willygoat]

That looks wonderful eibwarrior! Keep them coming.

[eibwarrior]

Here are some more boats to look at. These are taking more time to build than I had anticipated. Also, the construction of the hulls is good for the smaller 1/250 scale, but at 1/100 I find the results are mediocre at best and the construction time is lengthy. Gluing all these large seams takes patience and skill.

I'm bogged down in the motor boat launches at the moment, and fighting the temptation to get further involved in my 1/350 plastic Arizona. I've got to stick this thing out to the end since it is so close....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/3130863429_e8d0f186f4_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3130863669_2e945a0821_b.jpg

[Don Boose]

Definitely NOT mediocre!

Fine boats!

Don

[Barry]

They look good to me.........but then I did not make them always alters your perspective it's never good enough.

[Michael Mash]

That looks like a big boat. Doing the math tells me 70 inches plus! Is it really that big or did I do the math wrong?
Mike

[eibwarrior]

Thanks for the kind feedback guys...

Mike, your math is spot-on. We're running somewhere around 74" tip to tip, 14" wide and 24" tall from the bottom of the hull to the top of the aft mast and spotting room.

It's been quite an ambitious project and has gotten the best of me on more than one occasion in the last 15 months.

[Papercut]

I am new to Forum and just returning to the art of paper modeling and I just wanted to let you know that people who do the outstanding builds as you are doing makes me want to cut paper. I am 53 yrs old and I have built models starting w/my Dad at 7 yrs, and thats alot of builds between those years, and alot that came close but not finished, know that I am cheering you on and I wait each day to see if you post another thread. I use to build Pocher kits but gave them up because it was so hard to get thru those spoked wheels, but if you did, Oh Mommy. I hope to build to this quality, which I refer to as Art.

[dansls1]

Great looking progress as always, thanks for sharing!

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Dan!

I've used my thinking time to build some additional details that I skipped over earlier in the build. The first shots are of six 30 cal. machine guns that needed to be placed in the funnel platforms and the upper nest on the aft mast. These are fun little guns to build. They translate well on the upscale to 1/100.

I've also cleaned up a few details on the forward mast upper platform added circular handrails and small boom. Also started running the first rigging. The main line from the jack staff to the forward mast spotting room.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/3153647287_ce1c9a5da1_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3153647399_72e0f1f026_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/3154487430_3c39f0d2df_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/3153647637_e2a64e0b4b_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/3153647771_bd114bc7fe_b.jpg

[Don Boose]

The details add a lot!

Especially fine work on the little .30-cal machine guns.

Don

[redhorse]

Your almost finished! There's even some rigging on her now, it's such a beautiful model.

[Papercut]

She looks outstanding. Glad to see you working on her.

[eibwarrior]

Thanks very much guys. Yep, I'm playing with some rigging while I deal with my psychological disorder on these boats. :D

After much torment on the ship's boats, I've ventured back into them. Below is a shot of the other two motor boat launches. These look better to me than the first one for some reason. Maybe I just needed some time to get used to them or maybe I did a better job on these two. Who knows? :confused:

As you can see there are some racks that I need to build in order to place these two on the quarterdeck beside turret #3.
More updates soon!

[Don Boose]

Outstanding motor launches!

Don

[Barry]

They look good Elbe

[Papercut]

Do again! Na just kid'in, they look just fine.

[dansls1]

Excellent boats! Glad to see progress continue on this masterpiece!

[Michael Mash]

Great work on those motor launches. Even at scale 1:100 it takes some work to get those right.
Mike

[eibwarrior]

Thanks everyone. I should have the racks complete tomorrow and show some shots of the boats on the quarterdeck.

Just four more boats to go!

[eibwarrior]

I've completed the two racks for mounting the motor boats on the quarterdeck.

For some reason, I love building the racks. Maybe its all the cut outs. :) Any way, I've mounted them to the deck and placed the boats within.

There, now that may have been one of the more challenging and trying parts of this entire build. And it waited until nearly the very end!

Four more boats to go, of the easy variety... The large boats for transporting the crew in mass numbers to the mooring location and shore.

[redhorse]

I enjoy building racks and stuff like that too. It's looking great!

[Zathros]

WOW, I really can't say much except WOW!

[Barry]

A bit of good cutting again

[Michael Mash]

I agree eibwarrior. I enjoy making those racks as well. They are time consuming, but I think its the great sense of accomplishment once you get it right. Yours look terrific.
Mike

[papiro]

A different work over an old topic.
Excellent model my friend.
Saludazos

[eibwarrior]

Thanks my many friends!

I've finished the two medium-sized boats as of this morning. I'll post some photos soon.

You guys have been a great support group, and have played a key role in keeping my spirits high through this long build.

Take a bow!

[supercanary]

hello, it is beautiful

[willygoat]

You guys have been a great support group, and have played a key role in keeping my spirits high through this long build.

Take a bow!

How about a stern? :p The ship is looking great.

[eibwarrior]

Thanks guys! Yep, I'll take a stern too ;) No kidding, you guys really keep my spirits high through some trying times.

I've completed the two medium-size boats that are on the mid-level of the shelter deck racks. These will be on top of the boats (the largest) that I'm currently building.

These two were pretty easy to build and the results are adequate. I still hate gluing these seams together on the hulls.

I've placed them in the racks for now for this photo-op.

[birder]

That is an amazing model Eib!:)

[redhorse]

I'm going to miss this thread when you're done Eib. Any ideas what you'll build next?

[eibwarrior]

Thanks guys.... Jim, I'm halfway into a plastic 1/350 Arizona right now. I think I'll finish it up before I tackle another card model.

I'm eagerly anticipating Roman's new Fletcher. That's probably my next target. I may even upsize it to 1/100 as well. It wouldn't be quite the marathon that this has been.

[Don Boose]

That is an amazing photo! I'd like to see this ship model some day.

Don

[redhorse]

Thanks guys.... Jim, I'm halfway into a plastic 1/350 Arizona right now. I think I'll finish it up before I tackle another card model.

I'm eagerly anticipating Roman's new Fletcher. That's probably my next target. I may even upsize it to 1/100 as well. It wouldn't be quite the marathon that this has been.

Make sure you post some pics of the 1/350 Arizona when you're finished, even though it is plastic :) I've seen a few pics of it in this thread or maybe it was the one at Zealot and I'm very interested to see it finished.

And a 1/100 Fletcher! Hmmmm, that sounds like a great project!

[Papercut]

I look forward to that Fletcher DD, but if you sent me a address, I will mail you a copy of the USS Bagley since you have been such help to me. I too hate to see the thread end, but then again I look forward to what you do next. Rick :D

[eibwarrior]

Don, it's a good possibility that you will see it in the flesh. I'm planning on showing it at the IPMS Nationals (International Plastic Modelers Society) in Columbus, OH in August. Their head guy over the ships judging has been trying to get card modelers to come out and show their works to promote the hobby. I may also show it at the 2009 IPMC in D.C. I'm not sure I can do both, but I'll probably display it at one or the other depending on my schedule...

Jim, thanks for the interest. Yeah, I've been experimenting with my deck staining skills on this subject and trying to bring a Mini-hobbies model up to standard with some modifications, etc. I'll post a progress shot on this thread soon so you can see where I am.

Rick, check your PM inbox. Thanks for your help and support as well. I look forward to getting into Fletcher in 2009. This is going to be the year of the tin can for me. :D

[papiro]

Hi Jim.
How many Arizonas you have ??? (maybe your favourite ship ?).
Saludazos.

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Papiro. The USS Tennessee is actually my favorite ship, but Arizona is a close runner-up. The two models of Arizona are all that I have of this famous ship. When I finish the plastic version, I will be all out!

[eibwarrior]

Redhorse (Jim) had enquired about my progress on a 1/350 plastic Arizona the other day, so I thought I'd upload a few shots of my parallel build. Kind of parallel anyway. She only gets scraps of time right now while I'm in the finishing stages of the 1/100 monster.

The color is the controversial sea blue (5-S) scheme that has been much the debate in the ship modeling community for many years. I just wanted to do a blue Arizona. :D I've been playing with some water colors to get deck tones/stain and wear into the appearance. It's been somewhat experimental to this point as I have never really tried weathering with water colors. I'm in the process of making exterior bulk heads for the shelter deck from styrene sheet as the model itself has a horrendous seam in the middle of the shelter deck exterior bulkheads. It causes certain portholes to not even line up completely. :mad: It's a relatively inexpensive model, but requires a lot of extra work to get it up to speed.

[Don Boose]

It's a very nice model, although it does pale in comparison to its magnificent 1/100 scale sister.

Regarding the color scheme, I found this from the Honolulu Star Bulletin (which I am sure you have already long-since seen): http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/12/07/news/story04.html (http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/12/07/news/story04.html)

I must admit that I had been unaware of this information about the "Mediterranean Blue" color scheme and the differently colored turret tops on Pacific Fleet battleships and cruisers.

It made me think of something I came across while doing research for the amphib book. Colonel William S. Triplett, who commanded the 18th Armored Group (Amphibious) at Monterey, California, had the turrets of the LVT(A)s and the upper hulls of the LVTs painted in various colors to identify units during training. Those amtracks and amtanks must have looked rather garish as they trundled up onto the beach. The 18th was the unit that trained all the Army amphibious tank and tractor battalions during the war.

Triplett, by the way, was a very interesting character. He had been a sergeant in World War I, did a lot of writing between the wars, and had a lot of infantry and armor experience. He commanded the 18th AG(Amphib) for much of the war, worked with the Coast Guard and the Marines at Coronado to work out ways to operate LVTs in heavy surf, was instrumental in developing the LVT(A)4 that mounted the turret from an M-8 75mm howitzer motor carriage, did a lot to improve the survivability of LVT crews, and was constantly locking horns with the Navy Bureau of Ships and the Army Ground Forces headquarters over those two issues. In 1944 he was sent to Europe to command an armor combat command and, in spite of his superior service and documented gallantry in action, never made general – perhaps in part because he never suffered fools gladly and one of those whom he refused to suffer was Lieutenant General J. Lesley McNair, the Chief of Army Ground Forces (who was killed by U.S. heavy bombers during the break out from St Lo). We have Triplett’s papers at the Military History Institute Archives and extracts from his journal were published as A Colonel in the Armored Forces: A Memoir, 1941–1945, ed. Robert H. Ferrell (Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press, 2001).

Sorry for the hijack, eibwarrior. I get carried away sometimes.

Don

[redhorse]

Thanks for the pics, Eib. She's looking good... It's been a long time since I've built a plastic and now I remember another reason I went to paper - deck painting...

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Don and Jim.

@Jim... You're right, the weathering of plastic models is more in the artistic side than engineering side. It's my weakness. I can scatch build anything, but I can't weather to save my life. :p

@Don... A very good story Don. I enjoyed it and I'm glad you shared it. The Pearl Harbor Arizona color scheme thing has been a controversy for decades. A certain group of folks have heavily pushed the Admiral Husband Kimmel order for revising the color scheme of the fleet at Pearl prior to the attack. The recently found orders have made that a story line. Many purists that I know, some personally, debate this with the contingent that many of the ships in Pearl could not have been re-painted prior to the attack, Arizona being one of them. Since Arizona's records have been destroyed we may never know. Survivors tell conflicting tales about the colors of the ships on battleship row that day. I like the idea of the blue Arizona. If nothing else it's a good hypothectical paint scheme. :D The photographic evidence though is pretty conclusive about the turret tops. You can go to this link here to see how each battle division was painted for aircraft recognition purposes... Researcher @ Large - Battleship Turret Top colors on December 7, 1941 (http://www.researcheratlarge.com/Ships/S19-7/PearlHarborBatDivMarkings.html)

If you look at some of the overhead shots of the attack on Pearl taken from IJN bombers, it's easy to identify the different shades of color on the turret tops. Even in black and white, this is evident...

As far as the build is concerned, I've completed and mounted the last of the ship's boats. I feel like I just won the lottery! Now I can get onto the business of wrapping up some small details, ladders and rigging, etc. I'm in the home stretch now!

[CharlieC]

Sorry for the hijack, eibwarrior. I get carried away sometimes.


Thank you for that - I find it often makes me curious enough to do some research. Your comment on McNair lead me into interesting areas like "perhaps the disaster at Kasserine was set up by the 1930s US policies on using armour".

Regards,

Charlie

[Barry]

Really looking excellent Elb

A bit late but how about some rope fenders to cover some of the lines ........ of course I have no clue how to do them seem to remember someone once did a paragraph or 2 on them.

[eibwarrior]

Thanks barry. Rope fenders are an excellent idea. I'm in the same boat as you though. I wouldn't have a clue where to start. However, your idea caused me to spend 30 mins. looking at photos of rope fenders last night... Excellent idea.

[eibwarrior]

I've completed most of the kit-built parts for this model, so it's close to finished. Right now I'm adding the rigging (denim thread) and I'll be adding some after-market details to enhance the overall appearance. Items like 25-man life rafts, 12" signal lights, draped hoses and even a few sailors "at ease" to help give proper scale...

Barry, I looked into the rope fenders and actually found some aftermarket models at Cornwall Models' web site. I wouldn't know what style they used on the ship's boats for Arizona. Ball fender, bow fender, side fender? Take a look at these options and see if you know what they may have been. Rope Bow Fenders, Side Fenders, Ball Fenders (http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/rope_fenders.html)

As far as the rigging is concerned... The denim thread I'm using seems a nice size for this scale and has a good twisted rope look. It's easy to work with and easy to imbibe with CA glue to get a stiff look. I've put all the rigging forward of the forward spotting room/mast and I've worked in all the signal flag lines on the port side of the ship. More to come!

[Michael Mash]

This must be the largest scale card project Ive seen. This scale must make that rigging a little easier. Great images and very nice work.
Mike

[Royaloakmin]

Eib, rigging looks great, are you stiffening the thread, then applying it?

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Guys...

@Michael... Let's just say that it beats the socks off rigging a 1/700 scale Japanese battleship. ;)

@Fred... I'm stiffening some. The main lines from the jackstaff to the forward mast are not. They're just tensioned. The signal flag lines are. I left them somewhat flacid so they'd look wind-swept.

[papiro]

Muy buen trabajo mi amigo !!!!

Your ship looks better than original kit.
You must show your work proudly my friend.
Saludazos.

[milenio3]

A superb job you are foing there, Eib. the rigging looks just great.

And, just like Don, I also like more the paper model... but the plastic one has also her own sharm.

[eibwarrior]

Thank you Papiro and Gerardo.

It will not be long before I'm completely finished. Just a few minor details remain.

[eibwarrior]

Well, this is the end of the rigging, turret ladders and other small details. I've hit a block in the road. I'm waiting on my aftermarket details from Loyalhanna Dock Yard... 25-man life rafts, signal lights, sailors, flags and chains.

You won't see any more updates for a little while until that stuff comes in. It's been 4 weeks since my order, so any day now hopefully that stuff will show up in the mail and I can finish her.

Here are some shots to hold you over until then. The one from straight-on is the first shot I've taken from the bow looking back. I like it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/3234996693_476da21803_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/3234996695_9b0d90e2fe_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3234996703_2129132dfe_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3234996707_aa8a2387e8_b.jpg
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/3234996695_9b0d90e2fe_b.jpg)

[willygoat]

That is soooo sweet! The rigging is very impressive. Great craftsmanSHIP. Get it? hahah. Ship? Okay, I know. Very bad joke. Sorry. :p

[APA-168]

Beautiful work Jim, really first class! The size is amazing, someday I'll build one too...

[Michael Mash]

Terrific job on this one. She really is a masterpiece of skill and size.
Mike

[Yu Gyokubun]

Wow! fantastic ship!!!
I wish I could build such a large size ship

From a modeler who live in a notorious Japanese rabbit house

[redhorse]

Absolutely impressive! Incedidible, etc. etc.!!!

This is one of my favorite builds ever.

[eibwarrior]

Thanks everyone...

Jim, I may post a couple more shots of the 1/350 Arizona in the next day or so. I've made some progress with it since my shipment from Loyalhanna has been delayed in arriving.

[Papercut]

Got your msg. I hate I do not see any build post from U. I want give away your next maybe project. But I will say, if you do, and in the scale you said, WOW. I do not have the room for a BB, but a Tin Can, now that I would make room for.:D Oh did I say that!

[eibwarrior]

Hey Rick. Yeah, I've got to take a break. I've been in this monster for going on 16 straight months. I'm fatigued on paper modeling. I need a brief break to refocus.

I'm using the time to work on my plastic and painting skills. See the images below of where I'm at on the 1/350 Arizona.

Don't give it away Rick. My new build will be dependent on my favorite designer's release date...:D

[Don Boose]

The smaller plastic version is looking good, too.

Don

[redhorse]

I really like the deck on the plastic one. And I used to think 1:350 was big!

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Don.

Yeah Jim, I used to think the same. I'm gluing water tight doors on my modified bulk heads for the shelter deck right now. I used to think working with etched doors at 1/350 was big work. These seem fiddly after working at 1/100 for so long.

The deck is a work in progress. I'm learning how to do something other than the mono-tone teak deck on this model. I'm using different shades of umber, yellow and white water color to achieve a weathered, toned wood deck. I've still some toning down work to do in the f'csle area, but its pretty much finished. This was a learning experience and one that will improve in future builds.

[member_3]

Just a note on wooden decks on modern era warships. While serving on USS Observation Island (EAG-154) we had the occasion to be docked across the pier from USS Boston (CAG-1 at the time) in Pearl Harbor. She was a flagship at the time and I can recall our great amusement at her crew holy-stoning her wooden main deck in their whites. The deck, as I recall, was bleached (by salt and sun) to a rather pale color and was quite uniform in shade. Most of the wooden decks on paper models I have seen/owned are quite a bit darker than my 40-year old memory of the Beantown. This can be considered an anecdotal, rather than authoritative, reference. There was Kiwi destroyer or frigate at the same pier but that's a totally different story...

[eibwarrior]

You make an excellent point oldtroll... Below is a great color photo from LIFE magazine to illustrate it. I'd love to get that tonal feel in my decks. I know some weathering takes place and you get some shading, but overall, the bleached out effect prevails. This photo is an excellent example as you can see the contrast between the wet and dry decks...

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=a0df3993f76c1b29_landing

[PAPER FAN]

Fantastic photo, that Life site has amazing shots.

Your model is supperb.

This is my favorite shot from that site.


LIFE: Unident. American warships off the coast... - Hosted by Google (http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l?imgurl=ad7f89c993d6a655&q=1940s%20Hawaii%20source:life&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1940s%2BHawaii%2Bsource:life%26start% 3D40%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN)

I believe this is either Arizona or Pensylvania.

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Paper Fan.

Yep, I love that shot too. I know one sure way of telling which ship that is, but I'm not smart enough to make the call... The colors on the tails of the float planes are a dead giveaway, but I don't know the marking schemes in order to match each airwing with each ship.

One of the wingy thing guys would have to step in here for ID purposes...

[shrike]

I was trying to find that, but the markings for the patrol wings asinged to battleships and cruisers aren't as well documented as the carrier wings, and may well have been subject to the Captain, or TF commanders whim as anything.
That said when the subject of the blue Arizona came up, red was the colour called out for all of the identifying marks, so lacking better evidence, 75% sure it's BB39

[Jim Nunn]

A magnificent model, one that any maritime museum would be proud to display.

Jim Nunn

[eibwarrior]

Thanks for the input Shrike. I know the info is out there, I just don't know where it's documented. That's a pretty good guess though. I wouldn't bet against you.

Thanks Jim. I appreciate the very kind words.

[shrike]

OK, I stand corrected by new research (having bought a big stack of it recently)

The all red tails indicate VO-1 after Oct 1940 which was assigned to Battleship Division 1 - USS Pensylvania USS Arizona and USS Nevada. Sqd CO was Lt. W.D. Rowley. The Penn was Fleet flagship and the AZ was BB Division 1 flag


Unfortunately that means that it could still be eithr one of them


Prior to that the red tails would indicate VO-4 of the USS West Virginia.



Profile Pub. #194 the Curtiss SOC Seagull (gee Don if I start citing all my sources i'll feel like I'm back in school<G>)

[Don Boose]

It is a beautiful photo.

As Mark points out, The scout aircraft aboard the Arizona and Pennsylvania were all from Battleship Division One’s Observation Squadron One (VO-1) – see “U.S. Navy Air Units 1939”: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/articles/level1/us_navy_air.htm (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/articles/level1/us_navy_air.htm)

The best source of information on battleship and cruiser scout units is William T. Larkins, Battleship and Cruiser Aircraft of the United States Navy 1910-1949 reprinted by Schiffer Publishing. Much of this information is available on line, but I can’t find the website – it may be on my home computer. Mark: do you have this site?

Here are some useful sites for Navy units and markings, with a focus on VO and VCS outfits:

Joseph F. Baugher’s Navy Serial Page: US Navy and US Marine Corps Aircraft Serial Numbers and Bureau Numbers--1911 to Present (http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/navyserials.html)

Navy air units: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/9059/Sqns.html (http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/9059/Sqns.html)

US Navy Air Units 1939: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/articles/level1/us_navy_air.htm (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/articles/level1/us_navy_air.htm)

US Navy Carrier Aircraft Colors & Markings Before WWII:http://www.cybermodeler.com/color/usn_preww2.shtml (http://www.cybermodeler.com/color/usn_preww2.shtml)

Naval Historical Center sites, SOC Seagull:
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/ac-usn22/s-types/soc.htm
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/ac-usn22/s-types/soc-s.htm (http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/ac-usn22/s-types/soc-s.htm)

William T. Larkins home page: http://home.earthlink.net/~wtl/ (http://home.earthlink.net/~wtl/)

Valka’s Naval War in the Pacific Aviation Units Page: Airunits Index (http://pacific.valka.cz/airunits/index_frame.htm)

Fighter units, Pacific: http://pacific.valka.cz/airunits/usn_vf.htm (http://pacific.valka.cz/airunits/usn_vf.htm)

Current air groups and other info: http://www.outermarker.co.uk/Articles/CVWs/airwings.htm (http://www.outermarker.co.uk/Articles/CVWs/airwings.htm)

Don

[eibwarrior]

Thanks for the links Don.

I'll be the first to admit that my aircraft resources are quite thin. Outside of a chart that I got from a friend showing the tail markings for Corsairs of the various carriers, I'm at zilch for info.

[eibwarrior]

Well guys, it's been a couple weeks since my last post. I wanted to show you my newly-installed anchor chains. These are splendid for big scale subjects. I got them from Cornwall Models in the UK. These are 5.5 links per inch which works out well for this size.

I've primed them with multiple coats of Tamiya acrylic spray (haze gray) then over coated with brushed on (heavily thinned) Tamiya acrylic neutral gray. I think I killed all the brass, at least I hope so. :D

Still waiting on flags, sailors etc. from Loyalhanna Dock Yard. I shot them an email Friday but haven't heard back yet.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3282744331_c6d183ba39_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3283564522_8ec1beb23c_b.jpg

[Papercut]

OUT FREAKING STANDING:eek:. You just keep setting the bar higher. Adding figures will bring this beauty to life. I look forward to that. Rick:D

[redhorse]

Those are excellent anchor chains. I'll have to check and see if they have anything that might work in 1:200. I'm also looking forward to the figures!

[Yu Gyokubun]

It's so nice that I want to walkaround the deck and lean on the railings getting there to myself and assuming the air of a sailor but it is also nice to elbow my way through a crowd of figures
I am also looking forward to the figures;)

[eibwarrior]

Thanks guys...

Hey, if you want to check out Cornwall Models, you can get them at this link. They have very many handy items including this studded chain...

Cornwall Model Boats - Static display and radio control model boat kits including period wooden model ships.Model Ship fittings, Caldercraft Boats (http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/)

[Don Boose]

Thanks for this very useful site.

Don

[eibwarrior]

You guys probably thought I fell off the face of the Earth :rolleyes:

I'm back!

Just had to wait for a very lengthy delivery from Loyalhanna Dock Yard. All right, here's where I offend the "paper purists". :p

Got my partial delivery of white metal fittings and fabric flags. I've got some life rafts (more on the way due to partial order), signal lights, sailors at ease and all flags.

I'm still missing draped hoses and some oval life rafts.

here's some shots of the original packaging and the start of painting and flag wear. yep, flag wear. I've got to break in these flags so they'll hang correctly.

More updates soon!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3363597921_35c7ef2d94_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3364420064_d4d773b587_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3363600113_fb6aea1ddc_b.jpg

[Michael Mash]

Don't worry about offending paper purists. You have enough paper in that boat to build three or four at 1/250 or 1/200 scale.
This has been a terrific project to watch.
Mike

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Mike. I love to diversify my models to get the best details. Sometimes that entails styrene, metal or other materials... It's just my thing.

I've got a quick picture update of the flags, signal lights and life rafts. I'm having second thoughts about the battle flag's size. It may be a bit too small. I'll have to give it some thought. The Navy Jack looks to be a good size though.
Right now I'm painting sailors and getting those guys ready to man their stations.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3369501998_a859cf5215_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3368677737_e500cb3c24_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3368677031_aed23d582e_b.jpg

[Papercut]

Again, excellent:). I have looked at many threads from this my favorite to the one's from Europe, and I have only found one other build @1/100 that is on par with yours, a 1/100 Bismark. But I may sound bias, but I like yours the best because you have put so much of yourself into this build. You my friend along with others here set the bar high.:DRick

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Rick. You're kind comments are always welcome!

I've started cleaning up and painting the sailors. There's lots of casting flash on these and they require some clean up prior to painting.

I've used Tamiya and Modelmaster acrylics for the uniforms, and I'm using water color for the flesh and facial/hair features. The photos below show my six crewmen in various stages of painting and touch-up. I'll post again when they're manning their battle stations. :cool:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3387490281_3bedbbe880_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3388297870_e47f2bb399_b.jpg

[eibwarrior]

Sailors on watch. I had thought six would be a good number, but they look lonely. :rolleyes:

I spread them out to various positions to give a good feel of scale for the overall model. Even for a relatively small battleship, the Arizona was huge.

Now I sit and wait again for more details to show up. More rafts and draped hoses, then I can officially call her finished.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3390638027_48623a71b9_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3457/3391451020_626309c231_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3471/3391451982_97e0ebf87d_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3391453416_8a7ba8bd02_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/3390640223_5d1e033875_b.jpg

[Yu Gyokubun]

Great build, eib. Its my turn to walk around the deck but with American sailors on board I'm worried if I could catch American English if they ask me "Whut ar yew doing?"

[gtb -red]

A very well done model!http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[redhorse]

The sailors are a great touch. They make it seem even more massive.

[Michael Mash]

It sure is interesting viewing these images of this ship at this "massive" scale. It probably dominates the room you have it in. I just noticed the tiny little spotlights near the larger ones. Those just would not be possible (for most of us) at a scale of 1/250 or even 1/200.
Mike

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Yu, you're making me laugh. That's hillarious! Hey, you're welcome to walk the decks of my ARIZONA any day. :-)

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments. Michael, you're absolutely right. It dominates my office. It goes from one corner to one door opening and dominates the entire room.

I'll slip back into build hybernation until my other details show up.

Thanks everyone!

[Barry]

Looks great Elb that size takes a lot of work and steady hands.

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Barry.

I finally received the last of my details for the Arizona. More rafts, this time ovals and draped hoses.
I've painted and mounted my rafts. Had some flash to clean up on those, but they turned out well.
I'm painting and hanging the draped hoses right now. Once these are mounted. It's essentially finished.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3427234653_efa959ac5a_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3428043614_6c11ac23d3_b.jpg

[papiro]

Well... I was a little far of your work for some time and today I´m surprised with the extraordinary development of details !!!
The paper in your hands take a different material dimension my friend.
Congratulations and thanks for share.
Saludazos !!!

[Barry]

It looks great but I think you are right in saying the sailors look lonely maybe you could invest in a couple of groups.

[birder]

Those add-ons do indeed improve the realism and look really nice! Great job painting the little things, too, Eib!:)

[Michael Mash]

Forgive me if you have answered this, but what is your next build? Since this beauty is about done, I am curious to see where you will sail to next.
Mike

[eibwarrior]

Thanks everyone...

@Barry... Yeah, I've had thoughts of getting some more sailors, but I'd like to get some different poses if I do.

@Michael... Good question. I've been taking some time off from card modeling of late just to recharge the batteries. Right now I'm trying to commision a case for the Arizona, so that I can take her to shows and protect her at home. I've given great consideration to doing a "down scale" build next. In fact, I've already printed out a 1/500 version of Modelik's RN Giulio Cesare' - battleship. I plan on doing it waterline instead of full hull. I'll probably start it in the next month or so. No rush.

[eibwarrior]

I've been sidelined with other projects, and haven't put the icing on the cake so to speak.

I've mounted the draped hoses and water valves for the deck mounted hoses. These were white metal castings that I painted. They're really a nice touch of detail to the build.

I'm fiddling with some other small bits in order to wrap this project up and do a final photo shoot. Look for that in a couple weeks.

Thanks for checking in on my late update...:D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3588408211_e02c295dae_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3588408303_0f19178e0e_b.jpg

[Don Boose]

Very impressive! I look forward to the final photo shoot.

Don

[Yu Gyokubun]

Whut yew ar doin' is a great work, eib. Let me walk around on board of your ship to my heart's content after completion;)

[Padre]

At Sky Harbor airport (Phoenix, AZ) they used to have a model of the USS Arizona (don't know if it is still there somewhere) about 15-20 feet long. I always said, as a kid, that I was going to build one for my house. Now, no room in house to do that, but wonder if I could do it in that size in paper? Already built the Digital Navy one and that design is great.

You did a great job and I have admired it from the start.

For cases try Custom Display Cases By Grandpa's Cabinets (http://www.grandpascabinets.com/index.html)

[eibwarrior]

Thanks guys.

Padre, I'd love to see some pictures of that model if you have any. That's gotta be one huge display!

I talked to Ron at Grandpa's Cabinets, and the cost for a case this size was approaching $750 + LTL freight. Yikes!

[gtb -red]

great work on your build.

[redhorse]

I talked to Ron at Grandpa's Cabinets, and the cost for a case this size was approaching $750 + LTL freight. Yikes!

That's cheaper than I thought it might be. Is that with legs?

Arizona looks great!

[Padre]

eibwarrior, you started a quest that will involve some research. When I last saw the model at Sky Harbor airport I may have been in my early 20's ( a very long time ago):eek: I called Sky Harbor and asked if they still had it and if not, where did it go. It belongs to the City of Phoenix and the person I called there said "Huh?":confused:. I have other requests out and will let you know what happens. Interesting quest that will fill that vacant time I have between cutting out and gluing models.:rolleyes:

[eibwarrior]

@Jim... No, that's just a case. I would have to put it on a small buffet table or some other type of small scale table. With LTL, It was going to approach $900, and it would also come broken down for my assembly. At this point, I'm thinking it's cheaper to either build my own or go find a display shelf/case at a salvage company.

@Padre... That's a shame. I hope nothing happened to that model. Surely, someone preserved that? Probably locked away in a storage room of a warehouse. Good luck with your search!

[Padre]

As to my quest to find the model of the USS Arizona that was displayed at Sky Harbor Airport..........the results so far on http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/model-builds/343-all-my-children-11.html#post47951

[jacovdw]

One word....Breathless!
This is a work of art, well done so far!

[eibwarrior]

Well everyone, I've been a little tardy in taking the time to photograph and post my finished USS Arizona. Today I took some time to do that very chore. It was very rewarding setting up and shooting my model.

For a bit of a recap, here's a narrative on the build for those who haven't followed it to this point...

To this point in my modeling career, this is my masterpiece. This is Digital Navy's USS Arizona 1/100 scale. This is a paper model kit that is designed to 1/250 scale, but I had the inspiration to increase zoom to 250% and make the model similar in size to the 1/96 version that currently resides at the Arizona Memorial Museum. There are abundant tourist photos on the internet of that model, so I had more than enough reference material to help with my build.

About the model... The main structure of the hull is made up of several spines and frames and are made from 2 mm frame matting material. The skins of the hull and superstructure, and most parts are the printed parts (24lb high quality color paper) laminated to 90 lb cardstock. About 90% of the model is paper or card. The mast legs are styrene plastic tube wrapped with paper, the handrails and scratch built from styrene round, main and secondary gun barrels are formed with aluminum tube and wrapped in paper, and some of the detail elements (sailors, draped hoses, signal lights and rafts) are white metal castings.

I added the red fields to the turret tops since the model was not printed with these on the parts. The OS2U Kingfisher floatplanes are not the ones included with the kit. The Digital Navy birds didn't hold up too well with this much up-scale, so I used Fiddler's Green Kingfishers. The FG birds were painted in a late-war color scheme, so I had to do a pre-war color scheme on the parts by means of digital re-color. So the planes themselves were a time-consuming part of the project. Both re-color and building them took many hours.

In all, I have about 17 months or 600 hours of labor in the Arizona. It was a very rewarding and fun effort, but at the same time very draining and challenging. The total costs for materials on the project I estimate to be somewhere around $550. In summary, it's a jaw-dropping exhibit in my personal office. I get hours of enjoyment looking at it and showing it to guests. More importantly the Arizona will be a family heirloom that I will pass down to my kids and grandkids long after I'm gone.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3767194487_f50909cbe4_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2461/3767195015_bfb0f5653b_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2443/3767195589_4348df85a1_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/3767196553_a5a75e2bdc_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3767197979_7043dd8eba_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3767198493_547a766577_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/3767998602_c59954eacf_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/3767999180_c2c60d79f7_b.jpg

[eibwarrior]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3457/3767200735_a0c27ff434_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3767188047_08848cf0d3_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2586/3767987762_2a270dc0b4_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3767190115_1a730626bf_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3767191737_1fa92dafdf_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/3767192969_aaedef5f00_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3767193527_2a9cd223b0_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2656/3767194021_a8752fbe33_b.jpg

[redhorse]

Thanks for posting all of those pictures and sharing your build. Most inspiring!

[gtb -red]

Just a great build. Bravo Zulu!

[eibwarrior]

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen.

I'm humbled to be a part of such a gifted and knowledgeable community of modelers.

[birder]

That is a great model Eib, congratulations again:), nice to see her again, with the little figures and details, one of the larger paper ships built?

[Michael Mash]

This is a real monument EIB. It should outlast us all. Great camera work on all the beautiful images.
Mike

[Thales]

Pardon me while I roll my tongue back up into my mouth. Very nice job.

[Golden Bear]

Truly excellent. Marvellous work and its size does credit to its bulk as a massive battleship. I love the photos.


Carl

[eibwarrior]

Thanks to everyone for the most kind comments. I've really enjoyed everyone's participation, help, advice and feedback while building this model.

[Don Boose]

It really is a masterpiece, eib. You can be justly proud of the research, skill, and hard work you put into this model. It is a worthy tribute to the men who served in and died aboard Arizona.

Thanks also for the good concluding summary comment, which puts the ship and the model into context.

Don

[ccoyle]

An excellent model, as well as a tribute to what can be accomplished with an ordinary kit and a whole lot of skill and determination. Great photos, too!

Cheers!

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Don and Chris. I know you guys watched me virtually from the start on this project, and your kind comments and encouragement along the way kept me going.

[airdave]

I'm sure I am repeating what others may have already said, but

THATS ABSO-FREAKIN-LUTELY AMAZING!

(I know someone must have said that)

I'm not really that interested in this kind of boat, but that is stunning.
The scale really makes the difference I think.
And the build work looks superb.
...be proud of that one.

[silveroxide]

At long last the Arizona has resurfaced in memorial to the crew who served and died in her bowels. Fantastic job guy. Get some rest, break a mini champagne bottle on her bow. It is done. so what is next after this loooooong..........project?

[eibwarrior]

Thanks airdave and silveroxide...

It was a long project. It almost wore me out. As for my next project, it's underway here in the forum. 1/200 scale light cruiser CL-50 USS Helena. Go check it out here: http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/ships-watercraft/4175-uss-helena-cl-50-1-200-scale.html

[Marco]

I quite like large-scale models anyway, but this is something else. Pure class! My compliments for this magnificent build!

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Marco. Between your build and mine, we could fill up a room fast. ;)

[silveroxide]

Thanks Marco. Between your build and mine, we could fill up a room fast. ;)

That is true, but marco already has HALF the room full with just one model.:D:D:D

[Michael Mash]

I just ran into your Arizona in the "Showcase" section on the Digital Navy website.
Glad to see those great images of her there where she belongs. A fitting place for a fine project.
Mike

[eibwarrior]

Thanks Michael.

I was very flattered by what Roman had to say about the project. I don't think he ever contemplated someone taking his design up to 1/100 scale, as he seemed a bit surprised about how well it came out.

How did you like the R/C Lilla Weneda in the photo section? I thought that was pretty neat.

[Michael Mash]

Yes the Lilla Weneda was quite a piece of work. Also, a modeler from Japan did quite a job on "Ambrose". It is not a complex project, but he did a flawless rendition.
Mike

[tko24]

How did upscale and reprint this kit? Did you reprint it yourself or did you take it somewhere? What kind of cardstock did you use? Awesome build!!

[eibwarrior]

tko...

I had a commercial printing co. print the parts out at 250% magnification. Wasn't cheap. Got many quotes. $12 per sheet was the cheapest I could work out.

Laminated major members like formers to 2 mm frame matting material purchased from hobby lobby. Used 110 pound cardstock for most everything else.

Many thanks for your praise tko!

[doctormax]

wow, all i can say is wow.