The Ship Model Forum

Finally got to sit down and spend a little time on the Arizona! First things first, I love the feeling when you come home and there's two large boxes full of ship parts! Contents in the picture below consists of:

Artwox deck
Big Ed PE set
Master Barrels for all guns
WEM Anchor Plates
WEM docking keels courtesy of Randy (tegunn)
Fine EZ line
Various Evergreen shapes and sheets.
White putty
Two books for reference that I didn't picture.

So much to look at! I'm very excited to start using the PE set, it looks awesome, much better than the WEM I had for Bismarck. My only complaint would be that the instructions aren't the easiest to follow, but I've got a good understanding of where everything goes anyways. Artwox deck looks nice,

I've managed to lose the picture so I'll have to get another one later, but my suspicions about the different kit and Artwox deck were correct. There's no way the deck would kit this kit out of the box, and likely neither would the MK1 deck. So, the kit must be modified.

Out came the Dremel tool and off came the bulkhead! Looks a little messy but I promise it cleaned up haha.

IMG_5962_zps1mgrvrkg by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


Before I cut the bulkhead, I made a template of the hole in the deck.

IMG_5963_zpsjg7yprh1 by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


A little bit of filing and it's fitting good.

IMG_5964_zpsu1btimrh by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


Not glued yet, but here's the general layout of the bottom side. I'm also going to add some braces to stiffen the deck insert because I made it from 0.040" sheet.

IMG_5965_zpslvdcsdrq by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


That's as far as I made it this weekend before I had to pack up and head back to Yuma, had lots to do around the house. But I packed the Arizona so I can work on it in the evenings after work! Once the deck filler is glued in I'll test the funnel and see how that looks and go from there. I'm planning on having the funnel rest on my new deck piece like the old kits, but I may have to mount it like Mark's Pennsy instead.

On another note, here's a picture on the lower hull. Notice all the mounting bosses that tell me this kit was changed for an RC version.

IMG_5960_zps9fffflj6 by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr

That's all for now, more to come soon.

_________________
-Nelson
Current Project:
1:200 U.S.S. Arizona
1:350 U.S.S. Chicago SSN-721

Future Projects:
All of them!

Brother, you definitely have nerves of steel. To take a Dremel tool to a model with a price tag like that one takes more guts that I have. I'll be follow your thread with interest.

Bob M.

_________________
Give me a fast ship, for I would like to get out of harm's way!

I was at my LH this past weekend and noticed He still has 1 of the 2 kits he originally store stocked about 3 years back. Jim,.(his name) has marked this kit all the way down to $149 in hopes of turning it. It's less than half of what he had it priced at the beginning. Still he gets no bites or even general interest in it from the customers. I asked what he thought the problem was and he said "its old hat now...nobody wants it" Seems people are more into the Bismark/Missouri/Rodney BB's and the Carrier offerings.
It seems that the current modified run was a move on Trumpeters part to re-ignite sales by catering to the RC minded crowd.
Now his store is largely aimed at RC..and static modeling is secondary...yet even there the interest in "Zona" is merely lukewarm at best.
We talked about the changes that were made in the "new" run and what he thought about suppliers stepping up to meet those changes...wooden decks primarily. Probably not was his answer. RC folk wouldn't normally use deck sets and such due to water damage, and with sales being slow or limited, manufacturers more than likely wouldn't invest in new sets for it since they are more concerned with ramp up production on the other NEW kit releases.
My thoughts were the same.
I also have noticed a few online shops are showing "out of stock" on the BB39 accessories or no longer even stocking the items at all .

hondaman117..it looks like you are leading the cutting edge charge on the remedy my friend...Carry on!!

Thanks for the comments! I'm pretty comfortable using power tools from my experience building cars haha. I actually like using the Dremel more than I do trying to cut things with a razor blade haha.

Last night I was able to get the deck filler glued into place on the ship. I'm going to touch it again tonight with more glue and see if any more braces are needed. Not sure if I'm going to go through the effort of using putty and sanding the joints or not, it will not be seen when the ship is assembled.

IMG_5970_zpsnxyukgo1 by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


Here's a shot with the funnel sitting in place. It is actually sitting on the new deck section not the boat deck which is perfect for what I'm trying to do. Next job tonight will be to cut off the tabs on the funnel and fill the slots on the boat deck.

IMG_5967_zpsd2plz1sm by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


I pulled out the deck kit and trimmed out the holes so it would fit. Looks like everything is fitting good to me. Here's another case of where you can see how different the old kits were, this never would have worked on the new kit out of box.

IMG_5969_zpsao9jvmsa by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


And one last shot with most of the deck in place, I'm really happy with how the deck looks!

IMG_5968_zpsl6vyygrl by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


Once I get the deck sorted out I'm going to work on the few mods I'm adding to the hull like the docking keels, support braces, and maybe adding a little to the torpedo bulges. Just my opinion, but I don't think they look large enough when compared to this picture of Pennsylvania in dry dock. However, this is a late war picture and I'm not sure if the bulges were enlarged after Pearl Harbor or not. Maybe somebody with more knowledge on Pennsylvania can inform me!

USS_Pennsylvania_BB-38_zpslf0yvcss by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr

_________________
-Nelson
Current Project:
1:200 U.S.S. Arizona
1:350 U.S.S. Chicago SSN-721

Future Projects:
All of them!

Hello Nelson:

Nicely done on the deck. It looks like on the quarter deck there is a fit issue with the wood deck. I am sure you have that under control. This is a real hermaphrodite of a kit but you are making good progress. THere have been many comments about the Trumpeter Arizona hull below the waterline. I will be using that same photo to replicate the plating on the torpedo blister. I doubt I could make the hull look any better by trying to do so.
Looking forward to your next update.

_________________
Mark
Master Gunnery Sergeant USMC (Ret.)
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

On the bench:

1/200 USS Enterprise, CV-6

Hey Mark,

Thanks! I think the job is going well, I've got the biggest part out of the way. As for the deck, my one complaint about the Artwox deck is that the backing material is very thick, so it's a pain in the ass to get all of the little holes cut out. I'm 99% sure that some of the holes still have the plastic backing and that is holding the deck up, I'm not too worried about it at this point. And I'm still on the fence about making the blisters bigger, I don't want to end up with a massive job trying to make it all fit smoothly.


Update, I have finished the major deck modifications! The grooves for the funnel were about 0.04" deep, so I used some plastic of that thickness to fill them in . Once glued in, a little filing took place and the funnel fits snugly in place. There's a few small gaps I may try to fill near the front and rear of the funnel, but the sides fit good. If I end up going with the 5D color scheme they will not even be noticeable. The funnel is also prepped for PE, I may start on that soon.

IMG_5972_zpsvjjgs0of by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


After finishing the deck mods I turned my attention to the bottom part of the hull. I got a set of the WEM docking keels from a fellow member and have set about fabricating them. I did not get pictures yet, but I still have quite a bit to do to them. I took a break from them to work on the prop shaft struts. I got them sanded to a more hydrodynamic shape like what is actually on the ship. Not sure what I want to do to the area where the shafts leave the hull, it is definitely not shaped right. At a minimum I will round off the flat areas so they at least look partially correct. Also, Tracy found plans for the Pennsylvania class propellers, so once I have those I can set about modeling them to replace the kit props. Once they're done I'll get a set printed at Shapeways, and if they look good I might even have them cast in brass if it's not too expensive.

IMG_5973_zpsdaxbyw1e by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


Right before I quit for the night I also pulled out one of the turrets and messed with the Master Barrels, and I'm at a bit of a crossroads. The MB instructions say to use the barrels with the movable mounts, and that the mounts need to be shortened 6 mm to get the correct length. I had planned on using the blast bags from the kit, but this may make the barrels too long. I suppose I could make my own blast bags and follow the MB instructions. Does anybody have tips on good ways to make them?

That's all for now!

_________________
-Nelson
Current Project:
1:200 U.S.S. Arizona
1:350 U.S.S. Chicago SSN-721

Future Projects:
All of them!

Hello all,

I'm still picking away at the Arizona in the evenings when I'm home from work, and things are progressing. Lately I have been focusing on the funnel, it seems to be the part of the kit with the least amount of modifications needed. So I grabbed a picture of my progress last night, I'm working on replacing the splinter shields on the upper platform which involves scraping the old ones off so I'm taking my time.

IMG_5975_zpsktutxxka by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


Aside from the splinter shields all PE is in place, soon it will be time to begin painting which brings up a controversial question: What color was she on December 7th, 1941?

I've narrowed my choice down to two possibilities, completely 5D for the Measure 1 or a 5D/5S combination that several of the survivors have stated. We know in August 1941 she was in full 5D camo. From what some survivors said they were repainting her before the fateful day and the ship was not completely painted in 5S. I do not believe that she was completely in 5S if there was any 5S on her. Some of the post attack pictures show some paint that looks 5S, but due to photo properties it is hard to say what's accurate.

Also, we know that Arizona was scheduled to leave for Bremerton Navy Yard for an overhaul. My thoughts are that the Navy knew she would be in the yard for an extended period of time, why would they bother repainting her if they knew that work would be done and parts of the ship would have to be repainted after the work? That seems like a waste of time and resources that the Navy would not want, so she would stay 5D and be painted 5S after the overhaul was complete.

These are my findings, and unless anybody can provide documentation saying otherwise I'm going to paint her 5D for a December 7, 1941 fit (I would love for somebody to find a paper or picture that ends the debate lol).

I will keep progress and pictures coming, I need to figure out which paints to use!


Also, I just got an email saying my 1/200 Hood shipped...

_________________
-Nelson
Current Project:
1:200 U.S.S. Arizona
1:350 U.S.S. Chicago SSN-721

Future Projects:
All of them!

Are you intending to show her as she was on the day of the attack?

I seem to recall an interview with a survivor that indicated the ship wasn't fully in 5S, but was in the process of being painted from 5D to 5S.

Yes I want to build her as she was on December 7.

Unfortunately, this means guessing as there isn't enough evidence to conclusively say what color she really was in. I have read the interviews about her being partially 5S, but no photographic evidence or documentation to back it up. Some people try to look at post attack photos and claim that it's in multiple colors, but too much happened that day to be sure what is paint and what is fire/smoke damage.

This photo often surfaces and people use it as an example supporting the 5S scheme: http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/d44449 ... 21_landing It was taken sometime after the attack the ship had clearly deteriorated, but the paint still holds on in some places. To me, this looks like 5D and the picture has had "Color Shift" happen giving everything a blue tone to it (except for the white and reds which don't have much, if any, blue tint in them).

And there's other things like even if she was partially painted, I doubt we will ever know exactly what parts of the ship were done and what still needed painted on Dec. 7. I partially believe the survivors that she was being painted before the attack, but I feel safest going with a 5D color scheme as that is a known fact up until the Oklahoma collision in October. After then, it's a guess unless more info is ever found. And if that info is found, I'll smile and build another one in the correct color scheme!

_________________
-Nelson
Current Project:
1:200 U.S.S. Arizona
1:350 U.S.S. Chicago SSN-721

Future Projects:
All of them!

I doubt severely we'll ever know what her exact color scheme was on December 7th..we know what was ordered, but not what was finished.

5D is a safe bet because even if, by stroke of miracle, info does surface..it'll still be accurate for fall '41

Nelson,
Good work! The torpedo bulges are too narrow on the model and need to be widened. As far as the paint configuration, that's the biggest dead horse beating debate. By most research and accounts of crewmen she was 5S on 7Dec. The tinting for the 5S had reached the yards by August. Arizona collided with the Oklahoma in October and had to go to drydock at Pearl. It is at this point it is believed she received her 5S. I think that an admiral's ship will be compliant with any directives as soon as it can be accomplished..

_________________
Completed: Trumpeter 1/200 USS Arizona
Current Project: Trumpeter1/200 scale HMS Hood
Future Project: TBD

That's my feeling as well!




Thanks! And that's what I thought, off the top of your head to you know how much wider they should be? I was thinking about adding the width, but since I'm doing full hull this would be quite a job.

I still have a hard time deciding if I've researched enough to make that decision. I know the orders say that she should have been in 5S, but as we know they are not always carried out quickly. I do agree that it makes sense that she was painted in dry dock, but it seems like there should be documentation showing that the job was carried out, and it hasn't been found yet. I do agree that an Admiral's flagship should be well kept and painted. During several tours of the Midway I've taken in San Diego they've said when she was a flagship she was spotless to be any example for the rest of the fleet.

I'll admit I've never been fond of the 5S scheme, I thought it was too light and silly looking. However, the paints you've chosen on yours actually look very good, what brand are they? I'm still researching what I want to do, but if I do the 5S scheme I want to use the same colors you did as I like them the best.

Cheers!

_________________
-Nelson
Current Project:
1:200 U.S.S. Arizona
1:350 U.S.S. Chicago SSN-721

Future Projects:
All of them!

Nelson,
The for the torpedo bulges you'll have to refer to photos. I added about 1/3 to 1/2 more of the kit's. The 5S isn't light when first applied (a dark blue), but had a problem with fading to quickly. If you are depicting her on 7 Dec, it would be relatively fresh since she was out of drydock the month before and went out to sea a couple of times. I used the Testors Sea Blue(small jar-old style!) It was the best match and little to worry about rather than trying to mix a matching batch every time I need it for a small spray job..

_________________
Completed: Trumpeter 1/200 USS Arizona
Current Project: Trumpeter1/200 scale HMS Hood
Future Project: TBD

Howdy,

I'm still picking away at things in the evenings, and still figuring out what tools I don't have down here in Yuma lol.

I've got the funnel finished for now until I figure out what color I'm going to paint her (and figure out how I'm going to paint her, I have no air compressor down here lol). I'm going to paint the other items that attach to the funnel before I install them, and there's the section of railing for the front of the searchlight platform that can't be installed until the platform is glued on for good.

IMG_5978_zpssdmg0xgx by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


After I finished that up I got the urge to add the avgas line to the side of the hull, so I got that mapped out and glued on. It's close enough to the shape of the real one for me!

IMG_5977_zpscjcn3vbs by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


I think my next project is going to be getting the docking keels finished up so I can join the hull halves, or give up on them as they're proving to be difficult. The casemates need modified and the 5"/51 guns need lowered to the correct height. I can also get the inner bulkheads mocked up so they are ready to go in once the deck is on. I also need to add build the waterways and modify the chocks for the degaussing lines to pass under. And the anchor plate needs modified. And the list goes on... lol

_________________
-Nelson
Current Project:
1:200 U.S.S. Arizona
1:350 U.S.S. Chicago SSN-721

Future Projects:
All of them!

Nice work!

Here is the best rendition I've seen of the partially repainted AZ. Photo by Matt Enochs, from the 2012 Seattle Spring show. I don't know who the modeler is.
http://www.modelwarships.com/features/s ... G_6444.htm
http://www.modelwarships.com/features/s ... G_6445.htm
http://www.modelwarships.com/features/s ... G_6449.htm

_________________
Martin

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." John Wayne

Ship Model Gallery

Thanks! That half painted model sure does look good, I think I'm going to use it for a reference of the plating on the blisters.

I'm making progress when I can. I'll admit my time is mostly occupied with home buying right now, I'm in the process of purchasing my first house.

I decided that if I finished some of the smaller parts it would be good motivation to go to some of the bigger parts. So I got two of the rangefinders assembled with PE and put them in the storage box. I'll see if anybody notices my mistake... lol

IMG_5979_zpshn2cjg1v by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr

IMG_5980_zpskutdxn3y by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


I also started an assembly line for the broadside guns. I had one together already to check for the height of the casemate openings so I got the barrels in for the rest. Sitting out of frame to the right is the pile of parts that makes the rest of the gun, I don't have them glued together yet. Hopefully tonight I will get those assembled with PE. I may have to skip the PE bases for the guns because it makes lowering them to the correct height more difficult because I have to cut out a bigger area.

IMG_5981_zpskdqictur by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr


I'll keep moving along, there's still so much to do!

_________________
-Nelson
Current Project:
1:200 U.S.S. Arizona
1:350 U.S.S. Chicago SSN-721

Future Projects:
All of them!

Hi Nelson:

Nice work on the Stack, guns and the avgas line. You are making progress and that is always a good thing.

_________________
Mark
Master Gunnery Sergeant USMC (Ret.)
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

On the bench:

1/200 USS Enterprise, CV-6

Thanks Mark! I'm trying to make sure I'm always going forwards, I want to get Arizona done in a decent time so I can start on Hood later this year.

Only one picture from last night as I forgot to grab one of the broadside guns. I got the guns together but without the PE base, not sure if I will use them or not. But I got one of the Mk.19 rangefinders finished and the other one is ready for the PE to go on tonight.

IMG_5985_zps5aartxyq by Nelson Wallace, on Flickr

_________________
-Nelson
Current Project:
1:200 U.S.S. Arizona
1:350 U.S.S. Chicago SSN-721

Future Projects:
All of them!

Looking good so far buddy!

I hope to eventually get a 1/200 to work on...just haven't decided on what.

Thanks! This is my first 1/200 kit and I'm loving it! I like it so much that I got a Hood and just bought a Bismarck from a forum member... lol I'm thinking of doing them both "as sunk" including the controversial yellow turret tops for Bismarck, or doing Battle of the Denmark Strait schemes.

I really like the size of the kit, it looks impressive sitting on my work table. And the parts are bigger which is good for my big hands haha. But Edward still manages to include minuscule PE to go all over the ship

_________________
-Nelson
Current Project:
1:200 U.S.S. Arizona
1:350 U.S.S. Chicago SSN-721

Future Projects:
All of them!