USS Tarawa LHA 1

[cgutzmer]

GREAT! I must agree that a few small planes etc on board make it really spring to life
Chris

[Barry]

It does not always go smoothly even using 3d programs the positioning of the side lift opening ended up as a rather empiric pencil and paper job at least it now fits but the last 2 sections have gone back to John to fix the painting which I ruined.

Other than that I have picked up a cold in all this wet weather and my head is not working so I took a pic of Tarawa with Spruance instead of working on Tarawa. I don't think that is an unlikely combination in time.

[Golden Bear]

Nice pictures. I do love the little aircraft on there, particularly nice ones like the helo. I need to learn the weathering technique so that I can start incorporating it on my kits. Can somebody do a short description/tutorial of how to approach it?



Carl

[Barry]

Hi Carl

Weathering is a lot easier if you have a good photograph especially colour. I use the colour pic tool in Photoshop to get the main colours . Rust shows best as various shades of light and dark brown applied using a dissolved brush set to about 25% opacity and flow apply generally as vertical strokes (rust in general does not flow backwards with the waves) starting dark and going to the lighter shades and use an overlay it is too easy too put on too much. Just a touch of orange can be used but sparingly unless it is a rustbucket. When it looks just right then go over the lot with a large rubber brush again use dissolved and low opacity and flow. Then you can add a few thin line highlights. As Jim Krauslis once told me there has to be a good reason for rust like a joint on a cleat or a mooring hole where water has been dripping. If it is a Navy ship then also remember the matelots with paint pots are there pretty quick so there is not that much.

WWII North Atlantic escorts you can sling it on almost with impunity.


New avatar is by John Bowden and is his copyright sorry John could not resist it I will take it down if you like.

Hope this helps

[John Bowden]

Neato! I love it Barry!

Again the scale of this new model is something to see next to the Spruance! Good go on the weathering tip too!..............

Carl it's not an exact science as I know you know.

For me anyway I just start, keep things separated with Layers and when I don't like the looks of something it's easier to take off. On the other case if it is exactly what I want easier to repeat. Barry's right on the pics too, it sure makes it easier to get things looking right. The biggest problem I have it knowing "when to stop":o

Again I use PhotoShop, so I can only comment on that software and how I use it.

Barry, I've been thinking, I know that's scary, but if you'd send me a new corrected outline of the deck. I can make sure everything lines up better.

Again I love the avatar................ funny but I never even thought of doing that!

john

[Golden Bear]

Well, color photos are a little scarce for my current subjects. I want to try to do something to make my little gems look just a little bit "used."


Carl

[Barry]

Carl

I guess rust is rust and any photo would do really however in the days of your battleships when captains in general were aristocratic and b****y rich relatively and pre world war 1 rust did not exist and my old man was using gloss enamel paint provided by the captain to paint "his" cruiser. So maybe you need varnish instead.

I spent the day just pratting about and tried to design an interior for the hanger I think I need to cut some more space sideways as the sides are to close to the entrance. However one, there is a 10mm strip running round inside the hull to form the entrance from the lift and two with 2 folded choppers sitting in there will anyone see anyway




@John

Yep they make splendid icons mate the beaver would be a good one too

Regarding the flight deck everything is perfect as far as I am concerned up to those last 2 sheets I sent you the join at station 7 is absolutely in line and to be honest I would hate to have to fix it again. The only problem is the fact I got the markings for stations 8 and 9 in the wrong place.

Honestly I am not sure I could get the whole deck right again.

[Barry]

Well I hope it looks like one I don't know if it unfolds but it's a start not in the mood to build hulls

Question can't find a lot on the net do this one hinge anywhere ?

[John Bowden]

Barry,

The Sea Knight just has rotors that fold............. check Navy.mil and you will see some on deck in the Amphib section.

Looks pretty dang good, by the way! Dang between this and the Seahawk you are more than half way airwinged!

Here is the link to this picture............

http://www.navy.mil/management/photo...-5822P-072.jpg

Get it and make it big and look on the foredeck...............

john

[Barry]

Thanks John

Brains off yet again ............... good pic mate