The Ship Model Forum

Try converting the colours from Australian Standard to your own chart standards and get a hardware store to make up the paints.

That is what I did to paint my RAN ships. I just went to the local hardware store and I think it was a 1L tin I had to buy of each. At least it will never run out.

For the decks we use N63 Pewter - http://www.e-paint.co.uk/Colour_alterna ... ion=Pewter

The hull is storm grey - http://www.e-paint.co.uk/Lab_values.asp ... orm%20grey

http://www.e-paint.co.uk/Colour_alternatives.asp

The numbers on that website should at least help getting a hardware store to mix the paints up.

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Amen dico tibi, hodie mecum eris in paradiso (Lk 23,43).

The RAN will be changing colours to USN Haze Grey during the new mods on the ANZAC class ships. The first being either HMAS Warramunga or HMAS Ballarat. I am not sure if the FFG's will be getting the same colour change.

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Hindsight always trumps forethought..............

Hi Guys

I have had the 1/350 USS Reuben James sitting for a while and finally ordered the Pontos "Advanced" upgrade set with the 25mm chain gun replacing the MK13 launcher.

My question is, as I believe all ships in class have the OTO 76mm as the main gun "would" or "could" that unit be replaced by the MK-45 5" 62CAL unit?

Thanks in advance.

Peter Hoskins
Sydney, AU

No way. Too much weight too high above the waterline (or CoG or whatever). I also don't believe the lightly constructed superstructure would long endure the recoil of the larger gun. Maybe in place of the Mk 13 launcher??

Cheers,

Keith

Hi Keith

Thanks for the reply, I was afraid it would be too much to ask of an older hull. So my kit will be standard with the Pontos extras and the 25mm chain gun forward.

Best regards

Peter H
Sydney, AU

FYI for anyone interested in portraying the underwater thru-hulls, sea chests, etc on their FFG model, the docking plans are availible in PDF at:

http://www.drydocktraining.com/drawings.html

Enjoy!

Keith

First item; awesome job Willie!

The 1/350 Academy Perry has what appear to be two reinforcement straps on each side of the hull about midships. I've noticed on all the pictures in navsource they appear to be a later (post 90' or so) addition and some ships only got one.

A I correct in thinking if I'm building a mid 80's Sides (FFG-14) that these should be removed?

Thank you!

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-Rob <><

You're probably correct. The hull doublers were added to remedy a design shortfall (missing expansion joint) that resulted in structural cracks amidships. I'm not sure exactly when they started showing up. I was in USS McInerney (FFG-8) in the mid '80s and we suffered the structural cracks in two separate heavy weather events. I don't recall the doubler plates being installed nor can I find photographic evidence of their existence during this period.

I'm currently building McInerney circa 1985 (w/ Pontos set), below are a few Academy errors (general and period/ship specific) I'm in the process of addressing:

Removed hull doublers
Removed TACTAS fairlead
Added missing bridge windows, port and strbd
relocated bridge fan room access door (port side next to FAS station)
Added CIC escape scuttle (02 level, forward of strbd SatNav antenna)
Corrected stanchion location under strbd SLQ-32 antenna
Added bridge pyro locker and weather instrument box (stbd side, forward of CAS equipment room door)
Corrected bridge wing configuration (life rafts and platforms for signal lights and CO's chair...check your photos)
Added port and stbd nav lights
Removed SRBOC sponsons
Corrected configuration of stbd high line station and ladder (may have varied by ship, check your photographs)
Opened superstructure vents and added PE wire mesh (many vents on main deck have spray shields installed, several should not...check your photographs)
Added missing watertight door (port side main deck, behind breakwater)
Removed hooded vent port side main deck
Added portholes for CO and XO staterooms; corrected launcher control window
Added missing boat boom (aft of breakwater, usually port side)

Probably more, but these things come to mind. All in all the kit is good, just need to check references for specific ship or period differences.

HTH,

Keith

Thank you very much Keith!

You've supplied a lot of valuable information; I will definitely comb through it all.

The Academy kit is a very good kit, my only real complaint was how they did the railings, way too thick and out of scale and their holes require lots of "plugging". aside from that it is a great build w/ really good fit.

I was on the USS Enterprise in the early to mid 80's I've had the Tamiya kit for thirty-years now...about 1/2 way through the island...someday...

I have no connection w/ FFG's or the Sides other than I visited it one 4th of July w/ my two sons in Anacortes Washington... almost twenty years ago...

Thanks again!

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-Rob <><

I am planning to build a late configuration 1/350 Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate as the USS Elrod FFG-55. I will be using the Pontos advanced aftermarket set and it should build up into a nice looking ship.

I read over the form and hopefully this wasn't asked earlier. My question on researching these ships is that several appear not to have anchors, but rather empty wells on the right, err, starboard side. The anchor chain seems to also be removed on the deck. Is this correct, or are the anchors lifted inside the hull so it looks like they are missing? Thanks!

Yeah, David is correct. On Perrys the anchor is pretty much hidden when stowed. However you should still see the anchor chain (and other ground tackle eg. stoppers and pelican hooks) on deck. Perhaps you have photos of a ship during a yard period when the anchor and chain have been removed for inspection and maintenance?

HTH,

Keith

Thanks for the reply, I didn’t know those anchors could go all the way into the well. I guess I am too used to WWII ships!

As for the chain question, on further looking at my reference pic the chain may be hidden by the forecastle, so I’ll make sure to put one on.

Hi another question: FFG-14 had a towed array in 1992, I'm sure of that...about what year did these start getting added to the class?

The reason I ask is I spent the weekend reworking a perfectly good hull to remove the reinforcing straps and adding new "bubble makers" and such to backdate to the mid 80's ...I'd hate to add this item if the period was wrong...

Thanks!

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-Rob <><

The TACTAS was installed in McInerney during an overhaul in Boston '86-'87 and I believe she was one of the very first.

Cheers,

I came across this schematic while researching FFGs and thought it might be helpful for detailing purposes. It is for an early USS Ingraham FFG-61 with the Mk 13, but it shows the running lights and other little details. Forgive me if it already has been posted.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... ematic.jpg

Thanks again Keith!

I'll leave it off then.

Thank you Philip good stuff in that drawing.

And thanks to all for some really great posts. Willie... wow... yeah no pressure there...LOL, and Sean how is yours going?

-Rob

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-Rob <><

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Amen dico tibi, hodie mecum eris in paradiso (Lk 23,43).

New masking product, ready for airbrush spraying. Oliver Hazard Perry FFG, long hull version to come.

Those masks look great. Will they be available in 1/96 and 1/72 scale?