The Ship Model Forum

Greg,

Thanks so much for the kind remarks - always welcomed!! It was, for me anyhow, a personal adventure - as is my current build USS STODDARD (DD-566). The problem today is that researching ships from more than 50 years ago is getting to be a real challenge as resources are sometimes elusive, but necessary.

I wish you luck with your build - feel free to contact me regarding any questions. Just for the record - the kit is NOT great, there are hull problems, but...they can be overcome.

Hank

You did an incredible job Hank. Not only on the build but also with the documentation of the build. I have only just started reading through the thread so much reading ahead. I want to thank you for the great amount of effort put into documenting. Building such a large ship with the quality you achieved is a major undertaking, documenting it as well made for a huge time commitment.

Greg

Strategos Augustus,

Thanks, I appreciate your kind remarks.

Hank

I really can't wait to see your finished pictures.

Please take good pictures.

Your ship happens to be my favorite American battleship.

Great to see such an exquisite conversion.

Holy crap.

I remember when you started this project.

Thanks Tom & Thomas!!!

I plan to post photos in the Gallery - it's just that the photos I currently have available simply "don't cut it" and I'm hoping to get one of my friends, nearby to help out in the next weekend or so to take some useable photos of NJ - then I'll add it to the Gallery website.

It's now occupying a space in the garage (under plastic cover) next to my huge PEACOCK model waiting for a better locale'!!

Hank

A great achievement! Ship models often take longer to complete than the real thing! Perhaps at only slightly reduced cost, but maybe a similar proportion of the overall budget.

Congratulations!!! :thumbs_up_1:

All respondents:

Thanks for the kind remarks! Much appreciated. Just loaded the model into CaddyWagon for transport to the get-together in G-boro tomorrow. I will get more useful shots of the model then where it's a bit more accessable than my garage!!! :doh_1:

Larry S. - the acrylic upper case was fabed to my size specs. by Specialty Plastics, Fabrication Inc., Hamilton, OH (ttps://www.casesforcollectibles.com/acrylicboxes.html) - it wasn't cheap and shipping was also rather steep - they freight delivery by semi (yea, total overkill, but it is what it is!). The base was cut & size by another forum member who posted his USS IOWA build last year - Scott Wigginton, from Salisbury, NC (not far from me). The raised base allows the case to slip over the top level and works out very well.

Hank

Gorgeous!! What a beautiful ship! She looks great. If I might ask, who built your case?

Great job Hank! She looks fantastic.

Just beautiful.

Congratulations Hank! It's been seven years already? How time flies! Considering the plethora of change orders enacted from the original "kit", a reasonable amount of time!

Looks elegant sitting on the dry-docking blocks!

Cheers: Tom

:big_grin: Brilliant, Hank!!

NEW JERSEY shifted colors yesterday morning and has been re-assigned a new homeport - from Selma, NC to Mocksville, NC. She arrived yesterday afternoon and is awaiting mooring instructions from the dockmaster.

Here is a photo of her prior to leaving the builder's yard:
[attachment=0]Resized Model in Case_1.jpg[/attachment]
Once I have figured out how to post photos to the 'completed' gallery I will post more photos of the finished model and this build will be considered to be COMPLETED. 7 years and lots of time, research, and effort to build this model. As I am retiring the first week in April, this comes within my time forecast, so All's Well That Ends Well!

Hank:

Till ya seal it in a case (locked) and forget where the key is, it will never be done... It's how the builder always looks at a model as opposed to everyone else. That said, good thing the original constructors weren't model builders. That said, didn't keep the Navy from tinkering with it for 50 years!

Enjoy the new digs! Tom

Jason,

Thanks so much!!! Haven't heard from you lately, but then, we too are in a busy state trying to ready a house to get moved into this fall and my forum time is virtually nil. Much going on - will be glad once things are ready and in progress, then DONE!!! Back to having a bit of free time, etc.

The model is close, but still working on it each night.

Later,

Hank

Got myself caught up on your build Hank and wow is she an incredible beauty! Your planning, modifications and long-haul patience have really paid off! :wave_1:

Thomas,

Thanks so much for the remark - always good to know others find this interesting!!!

Really freaking awesome build!!!