IJN Nachi / USS S.L. City, DKM Hipper, RM Zara

[talls6]

Down year for the Orange, but they will probably be playing longer this year than my Minnesota Gopher squad. Again, Nice work on the builds.
Darren

[PAPER FAN]

Zara's hull is complete.I used spackling compound to smooth out the lower hull. Sanded the hull that pulled up some paper. I added a coat of enamel then sanded with fine paper. This allowed the ruffened paper to be smoothed out. I added the upper plates. Normallt I would drill out the port holes, but due to the location of the seems relative to the port holes it became clear to not attempt this with this model. 2 additional coats of enamel and good to go.

[PAPER FAN]

DKM Hipper Hull.

I still have to finish the prow. The model was built using the hull sections at the back of the book that uses the camouflage pattern to hide the seems. A magnificent idea. I used balsa to fill the lower hull and am very glad I did. The result allowed for a well curved bulge that I'm not sure I could have done well other wise. There is no skeleton appearance. The designer did a wonderful great job on the model. The parts fit exceptionally well.

[PAPER FAN]

additional images.

[Don Boose]

These all look terrific.

Don

[PAPER FAN]

I all but finished the hull on Nachi, was done but I lost the rudder someplace. I will have to fabricate one, but will wait till the end when I attach the screws. I almost never install rudders until the model is nearly done for obvious handling issues. The bridge is coming together well and rapidly. I cut out the windows completely and glued bars from vanilla folder on the reverse side. I also added a black paper frame inside to both strengthen the structure and to darken the interior. I believe Angraf forgot the solid handrail on the upper bridge so I made it from the folder material as well. I'm enjoying the build of this ground breaking cruiser.

[PAPER FAN]

Nachi's forward superstructure complete minus the smaller details and guns. The build has been moderately challenging and Angraf's positioning of parts within the book are mind boggling at best. I swear I spent as much time hunting for the parts as I have building the kit. I like the results. I kitbashed the upper bridge windows by cutting them away and making my own out of card-stock. The printed windows are accurate I'm sure but simply too close together to cut out.

Joe.

[PAPER FAN]

Zara's foward superstructure. The model's fit is simply terrific. The upper bridge and poles are only dry fitted. The poles are temporary and will be replaced by higher quality units later.

Joe

[WTlion]

It is good to see a model of the USS Salt Lake city, the American ship with more engagements during WWII. Good luck.

[PAPER FAN]

Except for the mast, radar and smaller details the forward superstructure is complete to the level of Zara and Nachi. Have to admit, the tripod was not as difficult as I anticipated. I installed the forward mast pole, then slid the mid deck into position, unglued. I glued the upper bridge on the center mast pole. After this dried and set, I slid the aft mast poles through the holes from below until the reached the upper bridge. They did not line up perfectly and are slightly bent, but not too noticeable. Finally I positioned the suspended deck to contact all three poles and glued in position. The overall finish is true and square and looks accurate relative to the elevation plans.

Have to wonder how effective the early US treaty cruisers upper works really were. In any sea what so ever, the men stationed up there must have had a horrible experience. The portion of the ship had to move a lot with any roll. Unlike BB's these were narrow hulls and at 10,000-12,000 tons not the most stable. Looking at the Portland two classes later and the bridge was lowered several deck levels.