GreMir IJN Nagatsuki 1/200

[tincan871]

After a very extended absence from the (old) forum due to a number of issues (mostly related to health), I have returned and anxious to get back into this amazing hobby. My chosen subject for re-entry is the GreMir IJN Nagatsuki. I know this is a subject that has been done before, but after reading the book (twice) of Capt. Tameichi Hara, I just cannot resist. Capt. Hara's first full command as a Lt. Commander was the Nagatsuki in 1934. I have read the previous posts but have not been able to retreive any of the attached photos, so maybe you all out there can help me get through this........so here goes........

[tincan871]

My first mistake was to assume that 110lb card stock was at least equal to 1mm in thickness as the instructions called for. Nary, no....I should have laminated to a second sheet. But I thought I may gain strength as I skinned the hull so I decided to continue anyway. Turned out, the bow section is a little warped.....maybe I can deal with it down the road.

[tincan871]

Sorry...having problems with my photo uploads....will get better.

[boosed]

Dear tincan871 --

Welcome aboard. I presume that you served aboard USS Damato?

You are working on a model that I have in my pile of ships to be built when I acquire enough skill to do so and my interests include US, British Empire and Commonwealth, and Japanese ships 1850-1953. So I will be watching this build with intense interest.

Especially as I see a beautifully-organized work space and a quality of craftsmanship that indicates to me that you didn't just begin modeling yesterday.

I wish you well on this build and I know that you will get plenty of useful advice, information, and good conversation in this forum.

Don

[tincan871]

Don,

Yes, I did serve aboard the Damato in the early sixties and was aboard during the Cuban Missile Crisis, shaking down eastern block freighters. She was a hybrid ASW Gearing class destroyer. Many fond memories of this time. Photo attached taken in Rotterdam, Holland and I was likely down in the sonar shack when this photo was taken.
Thanks for your kind comments, but I do consider myself still a novice and looking forward to the advise and input of our seasoned veterans.
Actually, this is my first attempt at a full hull ship in card. Prior to my long absence from the forum I did build the waterline JSC Indianapolis 1/400 and the 1/700 Digital Navy HMS Dreadnaught. The Indy is not quite finished, but I wanted to start afresh. My workspace is small but I like it a lot and it has most everything I need at arms length and I too, like to see photos of other modelers work areas.

Ed

[tincan871]

Fore and aft decks applied. Laid down and glued slowly in approx 2in increments to maintain alignment.

[boosed]

Excellent, Ed! You clearly have not lost the touch. I'll be keeping an eye on this one in hopes of trying my own hand at the same ship in the future.

Thanks for the photo of your tin can and the commentary. Were you aboard Damato during the Santa Maria anti-piracy operation? While you were harassing eastern block freighters, I was finishing up jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia, and wondering if I was going to make the next jump into Cuba.

Keep up the great work on the Nagatsuki.

Don

[tincan871]

Don

I reported aboard the Damato shortly after the Santa Maria incident. I presume you were Army? I could never jump out of an airplane!
Have been searching for years for a larger scale model of a Gearing tin can that I can convert to my ASW boat, but as close as I can come is this 1/700 scale plastic. It's finished now except for railings but just not a prize in such a small scale.

Ed

[OldTroll]

You may have already seen this...

Squadron.com

[tincan871]

Ron,

I did purchase a 1/350 resin Gearing several years ago, but I was so disapointed in the quality that it was shelved for a rainy day. Parts were broken, hull needed mucho filler, poor quality white metal parts, etc.

It was not a Yankee Modelworks kit, but it has left me running scared...paying that kind of price for such low quality. I am holding out for card in a larger scale (wish me luck!) Maybe that rainy day resin is coming sooner than later....I'm not getting any younger!

Thanks for the link and suggestion.

Ed