Converting HobbyBoss' 1/350 SSN-774 to SSN-803 USS Arizona

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Expand view Topic review: Converting HobbyBoss' 1/350 SSN-774 to SSN-803 USS Arizona

Re: Converting HobbyBoss' 1/350 SSN-774 to SSN-803 USS Arizo

by CC Clarke » Sun Jun 16, 2024 11:45 am

Nice build John,

I'm getting ready to start a commisioned build of the AZ in 1/72. Using a Block 1 as reference is not going to cut it for me as it has two VLS tubes forward in addition to the four VPM tubes aft. The top of the towed array cover is flat for added deck room to walk, instead of just the VPM as the old ref material available depicted when you started four years ago.

Good ref material (the bane of many submarine builders) is slow in coming since there aren't many Block V builds in progress at EB. Of particular interest is the new vertical passive array being tested on a KB Trident. It might be added to the Block V's, but until we see one high and dry, that's speculative on my part.

CC

SSN-803 USS Arizona: calling her done!

by jcmackay » Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:05 pm

Hi everyone,

After a bit of a break, I've completed this model of the Arizona and I am calling her done. Let's take a look:
All the masts are installed and draft mark decals applied.
All the masts are installed and draft mark decals applied.
Although the Virginia kit comes with a lot of decals including DSRV markings, I only applied the draft marks. At this point, we don't know what markings the Arizona will ultimately carry, so I kept it to a minimum.
Although the Virginia kit comes with a lot of decals including DSRV markings, I only applied the draft marks. At this point, we don't know what markings the Arizona will ultimately carry, so I kept it to a minimum.
Decals were applied and treated with Micro Set, and then the model was sprayed with Tamiya Clear Flat.
Decals were applied and treated with Micro Set, and then the model was sprayed with Tamiya Clear Flat.
The display case is complete and installed. BTW, the combination of the acrylic case and the camera lens creates the optical illusion that the hull is curved.
The display case is complete and installed. BTW, the combination of the acrylic case and the camera lens creates the optical illusion that the hull is curved.
Ready for delivery to the proud owner! This will be finding its way to a display at a Submarine Veterans hall in Arizona.
Ready for delivery to the proud owner! This will be finding its way to a display at a Submarine Veterans hall in Arizona.
Thank you everyone for following the progress on this build and thank you especially to those who posted comments!

John :wave_1:

Hull paint and assembly complete on SSN-803 USS Arizona

by jcmackay » Sat Apr 03, 2021 2:32 pm

Hi everyone,

Since the last time, I've painted the non-skid area topside and installed the sail, bow planes, anhedral planes, and the propulsor. Here's a look:
I mixed up a batch of flat black, flat white, and brown for the non-skid area. I didn't want it to jump out, so I didn't lighten it very much. However, it shows up depending on the light. The propulsor was sprayed with the hull color and the screw was hand-painted brass.
I mixed up a batch of flat black, flat white, and brown for the non-skid area. I didn't want it to jump out, so I didn't lighten it very much. However, it shows up depending on the light. The propulsor was sprayed with the hull color and the screw was hand-painted brass.
I have some touch-up to do on the hull paint and then I'll install the masts.
I have some touch-up to do on the hull paint and then I'll install the masts.
20210403_08.jpg
Next, I'll be touching up the hull paint, and then painting and installing the masts. The model will be done at that point and I'll move on to building the display case.

John :wave_1:

Final coat of black applied to SSN-803 USS Arizona

by jcmackay » Sun Mar 28, 2021 1:52 am

Hi all,

I touched up the blemish on the hull that I found after the first go-around and applied the final coat of tar black. Here�s a look:
I�ve temporarily posed the sail and rudder in place. I�ll remove them while I paint the non-skid on the deck and re-install them afterwards. I won�t be painting the lower hull black gray: that is the appearance when Special Hull Treatment is installed. This kit doesn�t reflect that status, so I will leave the hull overall tar black.
I�ve temporarily posed the sail and rudder in place. I�ll remove them while I paint the non-skid on the deck and re-install them afterwards. I won�t be painting the lower hull black gray: that is the appearance when Special Hull Treatment is installed. This kit doesn�t reflect that status, so I will leave the hull overall tar black.
You can see I prepped the top of the sail to receive the masts as one of the last steps. I�ll add some white to flat black for the non-skid areas so that they stand out. The propulsor is not installed yet: after I painted it, I found a blemish and will have to correct that and repaint.
You can see I prepped the top of the sail to receive the masts as one of the last steps. I�ll add some white to flat black for the non-skid areas so that they stand out. The propulsor is not installed yet: after I painted it, I found a blemish and will have to correct that and repaint.
Next, I�ll paint the non-skid areas, and then install the sail, bow planes, rudder, propulsor, and anhedral planes.

John :wave_1:

First go-around on hull paint of Arizona SSN-803

by jcmackay » Fri Mar 19, 2021 11:52 pm

Hi everyone,

I�ve applied an initial coat of paint on the model and I�ll get to that in a moment. First, I want to thank Nino for his kind comments:
Nino wrote:Spectacular work John.
You will be the 1st person on your street to have a BLOCK V. :big_grin:
I had to re-read a few spots but your updates make a great primer for building a New Virginia Class.
Thank you so much for your comments! :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: You're right: I'll be the first one on my block to have a Block V Virginia Class! :good_one: With regard to your complement about my updates, I really appreciate hearing that. It may be a while before we see a manufacturer produce a Block V, so I am glad to get the positive feedback on my updates. Maybe somebody else will try to build a Block V? :thinking: Thanks again for following this build thread and posting your comments! :thanks:

Let's take a look at today's progress.
In a recent visit to the local hobby shop, I found they are now stocking Revell paints under the product line name of �Email Color.� One of those was described as �Tar Black.� I was looking for something that would replicate the dull black on the Virginia Class hulls, so I decided to give it a try even though the product line name is a bit strange.
In a recent visit to the local hobby shop, I found they are now stocking Revell paints under the product line name of �Email Color.� One of those was described as �Tar Black.� I was looking for something that would replicate the dull black on the Virginia Class hulls, so I decided to give it a try even though the product line name is a bit strange.
An all-black hull doesn�t show up well in these photos, but you can get an idea of how the hull looks now.
An all-black hull doesn�t show up well in these photos, but you can get an idea of how the hull looks now.
The Revell paint is an enamel and although the instructions say to use their thinner, I used regular enamel thinner. It doesn�t seem to have done any harm and I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out.
The Revell paint is an enamel and although the instructions say to use their thinner, I used regular enamel thinner. It doesn�t seem to have done any harm and I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out.
Of course, it never fails that once I apply the final coat of paint, I find those defects that I missed. I�m going to have to correct some minor blemishes and then apply paint as necessary. Then, I�ll paint the topside non-skid area.

John :wave_1:

Re: Converting HobbyBoss' 1/350 SSN-774 to SSN-803 USS Arizo

by Nino » Mon Mar 15, 2021 3:27 pm

Spectacular work John.
You will be the 1st person on your street to have a BLOCK V. :big_grin:

I had to re-read a few spots but your updates make a great primer for building a New Virginia Class.

Nino.

Enlarging the sail for USS Arizona SSN-803

by jcmackay » Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:55 am

Hi everyone,

Well, I am ready to paint the hull, but that is not today�s update. Since the last update, I took a look at the sail. I knew from earlier that I would have to enlarge it, but put that on the back burner. I'll show you that work today. But first, let me thank navydavesof, who wrote:
navydavesof wrote:Looking good, John!!! Looking real good! Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much for checking in and posting comments! It is nice to actually see comments from people following the build. One of these days, you'll have to let me know what your real name is! :heh:
:thanks: :thanks: :thanks:

Let's take a look at what I did since last time.
The Arizona sail is both longer and taller than the standard Virginia Class sail. I don�t know whether this is to take advantage of the ability to house more/larger masts in the sail or for hydrodynamic reasons. The first step is cutting the top of the sail off with a razor saw.
The Arizona sail is both longer and taller than the standard Virginia Class sail. I don�t know whether this is to take advantage of the ability to house more/larger masts in the sail or for hydrodynamic reasons. The first step is cutting the top of the sail off with a razor saw.
The next step is the vertical cut for the start of lengthening the sail. Almost all of the sail detail will be removed; the access panels on the side seem to be grossly overscale anyway.
The next step is the vertical cut for the start of lengthening the sail. Almost all of the sail detail will be removed; the access panels on the side seem to be grossly overscale anyway.
A section of .100 x .250 inch styrene strip bridges the forward and aft sections of the sail.
A section of .100 x .250 inch styrene strip bridges the forward and aft sections of the sail.
A piece of .100 x .250 inch styrene is then glued to the top of the sail and filed down to conform to the plan of the sail. The gaps between the forward and aft sections of the sail were filled with pieces of .030 inch styrene, cut to about .156 strips. I got a little crazy with height extension piece and broke the trailing edge off. Oh well.
A piece of .100 x .250 inch styrene is then glued to the top of the sail and filed down to conform to the plan of the sail. The gaps between the forward and aft sections of the sail were filled with pieces of .030 inch styrene, cut to about .156 strips. I got a little crazy with height extension piece and broke the trailing edge off. Oh well.
A piece of .040 x .188 inch styrene was then glued to the top of the styrene sail height extension. This will be the crest of the sail and the seam between the extension and the crest piece acts as a reference guide when filing down the curvature on the top of the sail.
A piece of .040 x .188 inch styrene was then glued to the top of the styrene sail height extension. This will be the crest of the sail and the seam between the extension and the crest piece acts as a reference guide when filing down the curvature on the top of the sail.
After a bit more dressing up, the sail will be pretty much ready for priming after I decide whether I want to install masts.

John :wave_1:

Re: Converting HobbyBoss' 1/350 SSN-774 to SSN-803 USS Arizo

by navydavesof » Fri Feb 26, 2021 6:32 am

Looking good, John!!! Looking real good! Keep up the good work!

SSN-803 USS Arizona hull painted overall in primer

by jcmackay » Thu Feb 25, 2021 11:53 pm

Hi everyone,

A quick update on the Arizona. Since the last time, I haven�t gotten as much done as I had anticipated. My work bench is currently pretty full with projects occupying my time, including a couple models for friends, and this stage of the model is very time-consuming.

But before we take a look at the current status, I want to thank 'navydavesof' for stopping in and posting encouraging words.
navydavesof wrote:Looking good! Great progress!

Thank you very much for taking the time to stop in and leave comments! They are greatly appreciated! :thanks: :thanks: :thanks:

Now, let�s take a look at how the model looks so far.
At this point in construction, I took a lot of time to ensure I hadn�t obliterated details I wanted to retain on the model. That took a lot of filling, sanding, priming, and re-scribing, followed by filling, sanding, priming, and re-scribing, only to do that again and again.
At this point in construction, I took a lot of time to ensure I hadn�t obliterated details I wanted to retain on the model. That took a lot of filling, sanding, priming, and re-scribing, followed by filling, sanding, priming, and re-scribing, only to do that again and again.
One of the things I decided to do since the last post was to get rid of the raised ridges going down the sides of the hull. I don�t know what those were but more than that, none of the resources I have of the Block V submarines show them. Maybe in the future, we�ll get better views of the Block V subs that show these details if they are present.
One of the things I decided to do since the last post was to get rid of the raised ridges going down the sides of the hull. I don�t know what those were but more than that, none of the resources I have of the Block V submarines show them. Maybe in the future, we�ll get better views of the Block V subs that show these details if they are present.
An additional reason to get rid of the ridges is that they were getting pretty beat up as I worked to fill seams between the hull halves and the various hull sections.
An additional reason to get rid of the ridges is that they were getting pretty beat up as I worked to fill seams between the hull halves and the various hull sections.
With the application of primer overall, the model is pretty much ready for the final paint. I'm pretty happy with it right now, but I�ll give it a once over and fix anything I find and then, paint the hull flat black.
With the application of primer overall, the model is pretty much ready for the final paint. I'm pretty happy with it right now, but I�ll give it a once over and fix anything I find and then, paint the hull flat black.
20210225_05.jpg
John :wave_1:

Re: Converting HobbyBoss' 1/350 SSN-774 to SSN-803 USS Arizo

by navydavesof » Mon Jan 18, 2021 6:16 am

Looking good! Great progress! :heh:

:woo_hoo:

Primer applied to turtleback of SSN-803 USS Arizona

by jcmackay » Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:50 am

Hi everyone,

In today's update, I'll give you a look at how the model looks with primer applied. But first, I want to send a big thank you to Steve at Model Monkey, who posted,
ModelMonkey wrote:Brilliant.
Many thanks for checking in and posting your concise comment, Steve! Feedback is always appreciated! :thanks: :thanks: :thanks:

Since the last post, I did some cleaning up of the turtleback and then shot a coat of primer on it. Here�s a couple of photos of how she turned out.
Once I finished scribing the missile tube doors, I applied primer in the area of the turtleback, which really made the remaining defects visible.
Once I finished scribing the missile tube doors, I applied primer in the area of the turtleback, which really made the remaining defects visible.
Once I get the remaining defects on the turtleback dressed up, I'll apply another coat of primer on it and the rest of the hull and clean up any remaining defects.
Once I get the remaining defects on the turtleback dressed up, I'll apply another coat of primer on it and the rest of the hull and clean up any remaining defects.
One of the things I need to do before I can move on to final painting is to re-scribe the safety track that runs along the starboard side of the turtleback. After that, I�ll move on to modifying the sail and the rudder, which, according to the drawing I have, are taller. More on that later.

John :wave_1:

Finishing up the turtleback on SSN-803 USS Arizona

by jcmackay » Thu Dec 31, 2020 12:57 pm

Hi everyone,

For this last post of 2020, we'll take a look at the progress on the VPM.

I've pretty much completed construction of the turtleback and from this point, I'll be cleaning it up in preparation for painting. These photos show the baffles (port and starboard) installed and the missile deck installed.
I made the baffles with .010 inch x .125 inch styrene strips. I cut out the limber holes and installed the baffles with liquid cement. Then, I filled in the seams with putty.
I made the baffles with .010 inch x .125 inch styrene strips. I cut out the limber holes and installed the baffles with liquid cement. Then, I filled in the seams with putty.
The missile deck is a piece of .020 inch styrene. Lacking any fancy tools, I used a drawing compass to scribe the missile tube doors and then finished the door detailing with a jeweler's file. For these photos, I've highlighted the missile tube doors with pencil lead because I saw that the etching didn't show up well in previous photos.
The missile deck is a piece of .020 inch styrene. Lacking any fancy tools, I used a drawing compass to scribe the missile tube doors and then finished the door detailing with a jeweler's file. For these photos, I've highlighted the missile tube doors with pencil lead because I saw that the etching didn't show up well in previous photos.
At this point, I'll be cleaning up seams and etched details. In my next installment, I'll show you how she looks in paint.

Thank you for stopping in during 2020 to check out the progress. I wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2021! :woo_hoo:

John :wave_1:

Building the VPM turtleback for SSN-803 USS Arizona

by jcmackay » Thu Dec 24, 2020 2:22 am

Hi everyone,

Well, it�s been a while since I last posted a status. Too many irons in the fire, not to mention we�re in the holiday season now. Here�s a short update with photos to show the current status of the project.

I'm building the Vertical Payload Module (VPM) turtleback using this drawing as a basis:
Virginia Block V VPM.jpg
In an earlier post, I mentioned I might build the model with open missile tube doors. I decided against that because it wasn't requested by my friend when he asked me to build the model and it would stretch out the time in building.
I built up the sides of the turtleback with various strips of styrene and then faired in the forward and aft ends of the turtleback with styrene and putty.
I built up the sides of the turtleback with various strips of styrene and then faired in the forward and aft ends of the turtleback with styrene and putty.
If you look back at the drawing of the VPM above, you'll see free-flood baffles port and starboard. I'll probably make these of .010 inch styrene sheet and they'll cover the gaps between the hull and the styrene of the upper turtleback. I'll scribe missile hatches on a piece of .020 inch styrene and then install that on the top and clean up seams.
If you look back at the drawing of the VPM above, you'll see free-flood baffles port and starboard. I'll probably make these of .010 inch styrene sheet and they'll cover the gaps between the hull and the styrene of the upper turtleback. I'll scribe missile hatches on a piece of .020 inch styrene and then install that on the top and clean up seams.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a great 2021!

John :wave_1:

Re: Converting HobbyBoss' 1/350 SSN-774 to SSN-803 USS Arizo

by jcmackay » Sun Sep 27, 2020 2:35 am

Hi everybody,

Thank you to Mr. Church who wrote,
Mr. Church wrote:Looking good, nice clean work there on the cut & shut.
I bought a hobby mitre block and razor saw specifically for this project because I wanted the cuts to be as close as possible. Of course, even with a mitre block and saw, they're still a manual cut, but they turned out pretty well. Many thanks for the kind words! :thanks: :thanks: :thanks:

I did some filling and sanding on the seams during the past couple days. Afterwards, I painted them with Light Ghost Gray to reveal defects. I have a bit of touch up to do on some of the seams, and then I'll repeat the process until I get it looking the way I want it. Here's a look at the first go-around:
The two black marks on the top of the hull indicate the forward and aft edges of the VPM turtleback. Once I get the seams cleaned up, I'll start work on building the turtleback.
The two black marks on the top of the hull indicate the forward and aft edges of the VPM turtleback. Once I get the seams cleaned up, I'll start work on building the turtleback.
I like the stern planes and lower rudder molded in to the model. They really are an additional nuisance if you have to glue them on and spend time aligning them.
I like the stern planes and lower rudder molded in to the model. They really are an additional nuisance if you have to glue them on and spend time aligning them.
John :wave_1:

Re: Converting HobbyBoss' 1/350 SSN-774 to SSN-803 USS Arizo

by Mr. Church » Fri Sep 25, 2020 3:31 pm

Looking good, nice clean work there on the cut & shut.

Working on the seams

by jcmackay » Fri Sep 25, 2020 3:16 pm

Hi everyone,

A couple more kind and appreciated comments:
pascalemod wrote:I like boat builds like this! Very cool!
navydavesof wrote:I had doubts about this build at first, but man, oh man! You are doing such a very, very good job!!!
A great big thank you to both 'pascalemod' and 'navydavesof' for taking the time to post those encouraging words! It's great to hear the positive feedback and see the interest in this project! :thanks: :thanks: :thanks:

Since my last post, I haven't done much (I spent most of yesterday visiting friends) but after giving the glue on the hull some time to harden, I started applying filler. Here's a couple photos:
I am using Squadron White Putty on the seams. I've filed down the portion of the towed array fairing that was on the piece of upper hull I used to fill in the gap on the lower hull.
I am using Squadron White Putty on the seams. I've filed down the portion of the towed array fairing that was on the piece of upper hull I used to fill in the gap on the lower hull.
Here's another view. The upper hull seams just to the right and left of center will probably be under the turtle back of the VPM. Once I measure out the VPM mods, I'll decide how much of those seams I'll have to fill.
Here's another view. The upper hull seams just to the right and left of center will probably be under the turtle back of the VPM. Once I measure out the VPM mods, I'll decide how much of those seams I'll have to fill.
John :wave_1:

Re: Converting HobbyBoss' 1/350 SSN-774 to SSN-803 USS Arizo

by navydavesof » Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:50 pm

I had doubts about this build at first, but man, oh man! You are doing such a very, very good job!!!

Re: Converting HobbyBoss' 1/350 SSN-774 to SSN-803 USS Arizo

by pascalemod » Thu Sep 24, 2020 11:50 am

I like boat builds like this! Very cool!

SSN-803 USS Arizona hull complete

by jcmackay » Wed Sep 23, 2020 3:52 pm

Hi everyone,

The final remaining gap in the lower hull has been filled with a section of hull cut from a discarded piece of an upper hull stern. Since the piece also had part of the towed array housing on it that will need to be filed down, I glued a piece of .080 inch half round styrene inside the hull segment. Here's a couple of photos of the hull with the leftover pieces.
20200922_141440 (2).jpg
20200922_141538 (2).jpg
Next comes the worst part; filling seams!


John :wave_1:

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