USS Helena CL-50 - 1/200 Scale - Page 6

**Papercut** · #51 07-28-2009, 03:56 PM

Hello My Friend, coming along nicely. As always careful building being practiced. I have thought about how YuG did his posting of how he assembled the side skins at the front and attached to the frame. I too always seem to have the hardest time with this little operation. Might give his method a try. As always, a pleasure to watch you work.:DRick

**eibwarrior** · #52 07-30-2009, 03:12 PM

Thanks Rick. Good to hear from you.

I attached the decks last night. This was a very careful operation. I used Elmer's spray glue which is quite permanent and not repositional like other adhesives. So I had to be very careful during placement. Gosh darn it, this one won't come delaminated! Once it's in place, it's there for good.

I also had time to build and attach the rudder as well as the bilge keels. Heading on to the props and shafts next. More photos soon.

**Padre** · #53 07-30-2009, 04:44 PM

Looking good!

**Barry** · #54 07-30-2009, 04:48 PM

well glued old friend I am blowed if I would like to do that job looks fraught with danger

**Don Boose** · #55 07-30-2009, 07:32 PM

You're a brave man, eib!

But the final result is outstanding.

Don

**Padre** · #56 07-30-2009, 10:25 PM

With the laser cut formers the hull went together pretty neatly. Eibwarrior said the the card the hull was on was a little thin, I agree. On my reprint I went with 65lb card which works well for me.

**eibwarrior** · #57 07-31-2009, 04:36 AM

Yes Padre. If I had it to do over again, I'd do the lower plating laminated too. The top came out well.

fraught with danger indeed Barry. Those were some tense moments lining up and dropping the deck. They are just a smidge off square, but within my tollerance.

**Michael Mash** · #58 07-31-2009, 03:12 PM

Excellent work getting that "whole" deck to line up. I know the feeling. Looking good.
Mike

**eibwarrior** · #59 08-04-2009, 11:54 AM

Thanks Michael. It was a few frantic moments.

I've completed the prop and shaft assemblies as well as the rudder. So the underside is now finished. The shafts were printed on beautiful detail light weight paper, but they didn't hold up too good during the rolling process. Many wrinkles appeared in the finished product, much to my dismay. Something as rarely seen as the shaft was very well done in this kit. Many tonal changes in the texture, and very realistic looking. Alas, I had to toss them and use styrene round painted light grey for my shafts. That's o.k. The model does sit right side up afterall. :D

The props are all kit paper, but they're coated in a nice (thick) layer of gold acrylic. This makes them look much more realistic and almost under-water weathered.

The last shot attached here is of the hangar well in the stern area of the deck. Very basic four-sided walls with fifth piece which makes the bottom of the hangar. The printing on here simulates the open areas under decks on these cruisers for the aircraft hangars. I was on a Des Moines class crusier up in Quincy Mass (Salem) that had a similar hangar. The model is pretty faithful to the class in this detail.

Heading up top side for good now, the red stuff is over. Starting the bases of the deckhouses tonight. Check in soon.

**B-Manic** · #60 08-04-2009, 12:46 PM

The build is coming along very well, your stern looks perfect. The upper deck deck is joint is immaculate.