IJN Isuzu 1:200 - Answer

[Golden Bear]

Nice choice of model. I should have a partial build thread for this model somewhere around here. I would recommend supporting the hull side areas between the formers somehow. The thing is sooooo long and the formers so spaced out that it eggcartons really easily. Personally I would consider even fitting in slabs of .5 or 1mm card in every space.

BTW, I stopped building simply because the thing is such a monster. I just couldn't handle it after a while.


Carl

[redhorse]

Eib - Isuzu is about 32 inches, so pretty big. Nothing compared to that Arizona, though! I've even found a spot to display her when she's finished.

I've also found something that I actually dislike more than cutting out tank tracks - cutting through 2mm thick card! The stand is made out of that and I've burned through around 20 Excel blades cutting all this stuff out so far. I'm glad the laminating seems to be pretty much over now.

I'm really debating what to do with the hull. I'm wondering what would happen if I just glue it together without extra support? I'm thinking I probably wouldn't like the results. The slab idea might work and I'm also thinking of expandable foam insulation carved and sanded down to shape.

First I'll cut out the pieces and see how they fit.

Carl - thanks very much for bringing up your build thread. I finally did find it over on "the other forum" - I'm just glad the pictures didn't get deleted as happened to so many other threads there. You have solved my problem with the funnels! Yours look great and now I know how to do those wires that wrap around them. Any idea what those are for?

I'm currently waiting for glue to dry, so here are my latest pictures. Not much yet to show really...

[eibwarrior]

Nice shots Jim... Hey, I'll tell you what works like a jewel on that 2 mm stuff... Utility snips for vinyl flooring. They're razor sharp and make quick, precise cuts of that thick stuff. You have to cut carefully though as the outboard blade has some minor teeth and can leave imprints if you cut the wrong direction. you have to cut all pieces inboard of the snips. You can pick them up at any hardware store in the flooring section or in the tool section of your local wal-mart. They come in very handy and will save you a bunch of $ on blades and wasted time.

As for the hull, you could take some balsa strips and make a horizontal strut between formers. I've used this technique before with good results. It's a quick, easy fix to that problem.

Keep up the good work Jim!

[willygoat]

Looks nice Jim! I saw one of the other fellows on here use a single edge razor and a small hammer to cut the thick cardboard stuff. Works well on straight edges.

[redhorse]

Thanks eib and willygoat. I like that vinyl flooring snips idea - I'll have to remember to pick up a pair.

Here are the decks and I did decide on the hull. I glued 5mm strips on all of the frames and it seems to have worked ok.

[redhorse]

Now here is the hull plating, I'm not too displeased for my first attempt. I think in the future I'm going to make the strips 8mm or so as there were a couple places where there was very little to glue onto. I worked towards the center from the bow and the stern and hoped the center piece was too big rather than too small. It was! So I trimmed it down and everything fit pretty well. The stern pieces did need some minor adjustment and also the shrike rollystyks came in very handy!

[GreMir]

Very good job on the hull!
Nice clean joints and not even an ounce of putty or paint.

[B-Manic]

Wow - I have to agree, that hull is fantastic. Very well done, as in exceptional.

[eibwarrior]

Very nice job on the hull plating Jim. That could be a photo-slide tutorial for beginners.

[redhorse]

Thanks for the compliments! I've now finished the rest of the hull plating and she's starting to look like a ship. I'm looking forward to working with smaller parts now...