Timmy C - thanks for locating my build - I'm guessing at how this was filed (by creation date, which I had forgotten!). Anyhow, I'll bookmark it for future reference!
Mike - I also can't find a discussion of how I did my hull in the build log either; why - I can't explain now, perhaps I did...don't recall now. I know I had started a mini-topic on that topic that I had planned to post and never did. Anyhow, a bit of history on others who also have modified the 1/200 Trumpeter hull:
Jason Channell - used a plank on bulkhead type method for internal supports with styrene strips as replacement for his hull after cuttting out a section of the original hull - covered with putty and sanded smooth. Here are a few photos I saved from his method:
His internal bulkheads added inside the hull:
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IOWA_4 inside bulkheads.jpg [ 72.87 KiB | Viewed 11517 times ]
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IOWA_5 inside bulkheads.jpg [ 130.99 KiB | Viewed 11517 times ]
And his finished hull:
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Jason Channell - MO Stern_1.jpg [ 95.6 KiB | Viewed 11517 times ]
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Jason Channell - MO Stern_2.jpg [ 90.86 KiB | Viewed 11517 times ]
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Jason Channell - MO Stern_3.jpg [ 82.33 KiB | Viewed 11517 times ]
One other member also did (what I would consider the BEST METHOD) a complete hull replacement of the last 19 inches of the hull - this was a 3D designed/printed replacement for the after part of the hull. He used a high-end 3D CAD program (Solidworks, I think but I could be wrong) to do the design and also created internal bulkheads within the hull for structural strength.
And, I did my hull totally different by filling the interior of the worst affected area of the hull (behind turret 3 back about 6-8 inches). I also rebuilt the forward lower hull to widen the bulb area which is also incorrect.
Bow area - I made section templates from the IOWA class body plan and then adhered them to cardboard. Here is a photo of them in place:
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Fwd Bow wTemplates Close Up (Large).JPG [ 41.3 KiB | Viewed 11517 times ]
The templates allow you to see how much new material you'll need to add to get this area to the proper shape & thickness. This was after I had mark the hull w/magic marker to location the section lines:
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Hull in Stand wStation Marks (Large).JPG [ 71.61 KiB | Viewed 11517 times ]
I built up the forward section using styrene strips and putty and then sanded these down to shape. Not what I would term now a desirable method - due to my experimenting with liquid glue which didn't work well. If I were to do it over, I would use CA or styrene cement. Here is a shot of the forward hull with the station lines marked:
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Hull wStation Templates (Large).JPG [ 82.38 KiB | Viewed 11517 times ]
As for the hull stern modifications, I also made templates for that area, as well:
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Templates for Sta 6 & 7 (Large).JPG [ 61.15 KiB | Viewed 11517 times ]
I marked off the hull where these templates would be located, and then knew how much of the hull would need to be ground down to the correct shape. Here are photos of the hull after the Bondo had hardened and I had ground off the excess hull plastic:
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I didn't attempt to alter the shaft alleys, simply tried to get the hull shaped closer to what was the actual contour of the hull. The application of the Bondo was a small nightmare as I wasn't aware that a 2-3 inch thick blob of that stuff would generate heat, but it did. Luckily, overnight it had cooled and begun to harden; I left it for several days before attempting to work on it. I didn't make any photos of the interior of the hull filled with Bondo, why - I don't know, I just didn't.
If I were to recommend a method to use, it would be probably something along the lines of what Jason Channell used as his method was a lot more logical in some respects, and certainly a bit easier in the long run. A complete replacement of the last 19 inches of the hull would be the answer, but unless you know 3D solid modeling or someone who does (and is into ship hull design) then that option may be moot.
I hope this helps; this is a BIG undertaking for anyone to accomplish!
Hank