USS Essex 1:300 Maly Modelarz

**jimbean** · #1 06-02-2012, 01:59 PM

hi my friends,
I have been making slow progress on the Essex. Its a biggie.
I am adding a second vertical for stiffening as I always have the problem of building in twist, especially on a model of this size and any twist is so obvious on a carrier deck.
The sides eventually provide the torsional stiffness but my problem is to keep the frame true while attaching them. A chicken/egg problem.

I tried out this method on Roman's Fletcher model which is still in progress but didn't post it so as to not step on GMintz's excellent build thread. The first 6 photos show the Fletcher. It is now closed in and adding deck details.

The two verticals, the waterline, the bulkheads and the deck form a line of closed boxes which is a torsion beam The Fletcher deck was attached while the frame was still screwed down to my flat surface (an old door frame tread) and it came out torsionally very stiff. The sides went on very easily and came it out straight.

The last 6 photos show the Essex which is still on the "ways" but I am hoping for success there too. I will glue the frame to the deck inverted with weights to keep it flat. This works for a carrier due to the flat deck but not for a destroyer with its shear. First I have to place the small parts on the bow and stern as they will be under the deck overhang.
regards Jim Bean

**jimbean** · #2 07-13-2012, 01:16 PM

A little more progress on the Essex. The hull came out very stiff as I had hoped. I am adding the side pieces. The bow and stern "under deck" is complete except for the vertical bracing beams. It's a very well very well designed model, everything thing fits very well. I think I will leave it as a waterline model. Just getting lazy.

**Clashster** · #3 07-13-2012, 01:23 PM

Nice looking work!

**Tim Crowe** · #4 07-13-2012, 02:31 PM

Looking good

She's quite a size.

Last photo looks like the view a pilot would have on approach - apart from the large thumb in the way.

Tim

**John Bowden** · #5 07-13-2012, 07:38 PM

I love the anchor chains.......... really nice touch!

john

**jimkrauzlis** · #6 07-13-2012, 07:51 PM

Great job!

You're doing a splendid job on this kit...love the photos!

Thanks for sharing your work with us.

Cheers!
Jim

**jimbean** · #7 07-15-2012, 03:29 PM

Thanks all,
I like the chain too. It is from Micro Mark,
Shop Small Hobby Tools & Miniature Tools from Micro Mark
which mostly carries model rail road stuff and tools.
The chain is 20 links/inch which at 1:300 would make the links 15 inches long.
That seems about right for a big ship.
Jim

**jimbean** · #8 07-30-2012, 02:40 PM

Thanks all for the replies.
A little more progress, finishing the starboard side forward and adding the under deck supports.
I had to do very little trimming. The fit of the side pieces at the bow is great considering the size of the pieces and the amount of curvature. The bow has similar support beams to the stern but I didn't get them installed yet
Jim

**gtb -red** · #9 08-01-2012, 11:34 AM

nice work.

**jimbean** · #10 08-12-2012, 04:36 PM

hi all. A little more progress on the Essex.
The front under deck supports.
The under side of the flight deck where it overhangs on the port side and the side elevator.

Also a mystery. The part 29 is all over the ship. It seems to be a round bottom basket that scales out at about 10 feet long. So what is it?

My guess it a holder for life jackets. It would be easy to grab them in an emergency out of an open basket. Experts please chime in.

Jim