USS Helena/Phoenix - Page 2

**Yu Gyokubun** · #11 07-12-2009, 01:09 AM

To tell the truth, I wasn't interested in the American war ships but seeing your presentation I'm getting interested in both Helena and Phoenix.
As Michael said I also would like to hear stories about this ship if possible

**Padre** · #12 07-12-2009, 12:42 PM

As you can see, the Phoenix as shown on a large model in the Phoenix Museum of History shows wooden decks and a gray paint. i am trying to make the ship look like that. I loose some detail with the recolor but will try to use a pencil to redo the detail.

**Padre** · #13 07-12-2009, 07:49 PM

I am using my old Photoshop 6, forgot many things about it and never knew many more. Got the wood deckings down and the color change to gray (a little off but ok). Now to "skin" the hull. I did order the "extras" to go with it.

**The Orange** · #14 07-12-2009, 08:45 PM

Those laser cut formers are looking great! Can't wait to see how you convert this

**eibwarrior** · #15 07-12-2009, 09:23 PM

Wow Padre, you even sprung for the photo etch. Excellent.

Looks as though you've done a nice job on the colorless parts. Deck on and all square. Keep up the good work.

**Padre** · #16 07-13-2009, 10:20 PM

Skinned the bottom of hull, add strips for over or under fit of the parts. The parts actually fit the formers/ribs well. The formers/ribs are thin though and needed the strips so that they hold better and don't slip off. Had to trim a little from the front so the the last piece would fit. The upper hull is now gray.
Also a picture of tool box which is an old silverware box with a drawer under so that I can store paper and parts.

**eibwarrior** · #17 07-14-2009, 06:46 AM

Good looking skins Padre.

I agree, the formers are way too thin to skin over without added hull red strips. It makes for a much cleaner installation. I plan to do the same.

My concern is with the weight of the hull skins paper. It seems a bit too light. I was thinking of laminating mine to some 20 lb. just to beef it up a little.

Good edit on the Phoenix name on the aft section. Looks just like the publisher did it. I also admire your tool box. Funny how we accumulate things and tools over the years. If you're like me, I bet you know exactly where everything is in that box too.

Keep up the good work!

**treadhead1952** · #18 07-14-2009, 07:13 AM

Nice work on skinning that hull Padre. Gotta luv all those extras, they make working over the tiny detail stuff a lot easier than coaxing paper products into the proper shapes. GPM rules!

**Michael Mash** · #19 07-14-2009, 10:52 AM

Nice job Padre. I always enjoy watching this phase of a build. There is always something to learn. Lots of good images as well.
Mike

**Padre** · #20 07-14-2009, 03:02 PM

I have finished the skin and decking. Have wooden decking as I want and the fore and aft sections are gray steel. So far has not been to difficult, will change when I get to the superstructure and guns. The Phoenix did not have enclosed 5" guns but three open single mounts on each side and one on each side on the 02 level forward. Punched portholes and put clear plastic in each.