The Ship Model Forum

Today I added the Hangar Bay Reels.

One question: the hangar floor colour is a mixture of different colours, or is a specific colour?
Thanks

Deck Blue. During the building there are some off color spots that I'll touch-up prior to finalizing the Hangar Bay.

I believe you're capturing the essense of the hangar nicely! Including the large emblems and other colourful items.

One note: you chose to make the hangar floor in it's 'real' color. As you won't be adding any lighting, the end result will become very dark I'm afraid. I would suggest you lighten up the floor with a wash of light gray paint, to counteract that unwanted effect. You'll be surprised how dark the floor will still look even then when you close the lid (the flight deck). You could try that already, just to check for yourself.

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"I've heard there's a wicked war a-blazing, and the taste of war I know so very well
Even now I see the foreign flag a-raising, their guns on fire as we sail into hell"
Roger Whittaker +9/13/2023

I've never tried doing that. Any tips or pointers my friend?

Got the refueling reels painted (all except for the one I missed!!!!!). I also painted around the smoke stack prior to installing the photo-etch frame to it. I also hung the aircraft launch cable on the port side of the Island.

Today I painted the one refueling reel I missed yesterday and placed six stairs platform around the hangar bay. I then formed the photo-etch ladders and painted them. Tomorrow the ladders will be installed.

Yesterday I got the smoke stack grill in place which wasn't easy since it's sized for the Gallery kit's island (not the Model Monkey island) but I'm happy with it. Can't quite see the internal grill but it looks good. I also fixed the starboard forward yard arm that accidentally was broken. I then placed the doors around the hangar deck. Still need to add photo-etch rails to the stairs platforms (as well as pretty much the entire ship). I then added the hangar bay ceiling's light fixtures using clear rhinestone. I won't be using lighting on this build so I'm hoping that these will at least be visable thru the hangar openings. I'm looking for tips on adding a light gray wash to the hangar bay deck since I've never tried that. Any advice from anyone??????

Been a few days but I finally got the decals on the Model Monkey Island. The "12"'s are from the Starfighter decal I had scaled-up to 1/350. The warning decals are from a 1/350 USS Enterprise (CVN-65) decal sheet I found on ebay. It was the only decal sheet I could find that was even close to working. I had to replace the F in Profellers with a P which came out well. Yes, you read that right. The decal maker mispelled Propellers. I didn't have a "&" symbol which Hornet had in 57 so I cut down an "A" and used it. It's not perfect but it's close enough. Onto the ships boats now.

That is gorgeous.

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James

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/users/James-Guard/user-index.html

Thanks very much.

Thank you very much.

Starting to prep the ship's boats. All thirteen of them.

Finally got the 13 ship's boats done. Next, the boat cradles.

So I decided to push through my fear of ruining the boats paint jobs and decided to paint the rub guards. Turned out netter than I thought they would. The pics really don't do them justice but I'm happy with them. Now I just have to place them (except for the Admirals gig and one 26' whale boat which will be placed externally) in their boat cradles. Then they'll be stored away to keep them safe from damage until it's time to place them on the model. I posted a pic of the cradles with the Swordfish Models Cover Sheet to help anyone looking to order them. Great 3D printing, packaging and service from Swordfish Models. Just be very careful handling them as they are very fragile. Please note that the package shows "two pieces". This means each package has two pieces inside (the bottom and top of the boat cradle). Don't get confused and think each package has two separate cradles. https://www.swordfishmodels.com/us-navy ... 350?page=2 is the link for them.

Today I got the ships boats into their cradles. I don't know why I didn't think of this a few months ago when I ordered the cradles but I need to order another cradle and cut it down for the Admirals Gig to sit on back on the starboard quarter. Looks like another order for Swordfish Models to be placed. These have been placed in secure packages for safe keeping until it's time to place them in the model.

Gorgeous work so far. Hanger deck looks nice. WIll really add to the finished kit

Thank you my friend.

Today I got the stern direction finder installed. I also got the railings installed on the stern after re-positioni ng the bollards to match-up with the railings (another lesson learned). Touch-up paint and light glue touch-ups on the railings still needed for the stern. Then the twin 3" mounts.

This morning was the PITA (Pain In The Ass) task of adding railings to the Hangar Bay platforms. Most of these won't be viewable once the flight deck is installed but for me it's about realism. Next will be adding the stern twin running Lights (blue and white in each) as well as the eight carrier deck lights. Thank G-d for line drawings!!!!!!!!!!