USS Helena/Phoenix
 

Just got my order from GPM and another order too. Gonna start the Helena and make it the USS Phoenix. Same class and I see no real difference after looking at it, just change the number and the name. After the Phoenix I will start the Jupiter although I really have to reduce it to fit in my display areas. If I get tired of one I may start the other as a break.

I will not take pictures of all the instructions and such as it was done here.
http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/k...a-1-200-a.html

I do agree that so far it is a great looking model and packaged very well from GPM as was the other order.

Good to see you starting this one Padre. I'm just breaking free of other projects and about to start mine too.

We can run parallel builds and help each other through the rough patches! This is a very detailed model, and I'm looking forward to your first update.

Actually, there was a great deal of difference between Helena and Phoenix. Phoenix was a Brooklyn class ship, and had her 5" guns in single open mounts. Helena belonged to the St Louis class, which had their 5" armament in four enclosed twin mounts.

There were also major differences in the superstructure, especially aft of the funnels.

While there is some difference it is close enough for government work!;) I will "try" to adjust where I can. I WANT the USS Phoenix and this is as close as I can get.:p

I'm always happy when you build a USN warship, Padre!

And I look forward to learning a lot as you delve into the detail differences between these sister ships and make the mods.

Don

Thanks, hope I live up to it.

Laser cut formers are nice so far, come apart easy, some minor trim, small parts need to be cut out so that they don't bend or break. When glued together they go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Yikes! You sure build fast . . . and good.

Don

Hello Padre. A new hull frame comming together always gets my attention. Looking forward to watching your work, and hearing some stories about this ship.
Mike

That framework looks very promising.

Very nice start. Looking forward to this build.

Helena looks like she had a busy war. I took a look at Wikipedia where she is classified a light cruiser. She seems to have been better protected than a British County Class heavy but with light cruiser guns (15 of them!) and was pretty fast as well. I reckon she'd have been quite formidable.

A good looking ship too.