The Ship Model Forum

Good evening everyone,

Well I have been busy getting a lot of my "little task" worked on, I have been working on several cranes and a ton of buildings, not much to show as far as details go yet but soon I will have some more pictures to post. I have been working on several of the old "SKYWAVE" diorama kits, the dockyard sets I have had in my stash for this new project, I have modified some of them to receive fiber optic lighting in the cabs and some I have scratch built new bases for them, I'm trying to give a verity of things to look at and not have the old "cookie cutter" appearance. I have also modified some of the dry dock cranes that come with the SKYWAVE dry dock diorama sets, again changing up the bases on some and modifying one into a "stowed" passion. These are not getting lighting as the space is not viable to support it.

Several of the buildings kits are again SKYWAVE kits and these are being used in conjunction with all my AMW photo etch kits I still have to build, I have started work on some and they are now ready to get lighting installed and detail paint work, once I finish this phase they will be ready to install on the diorama. I have also been doing some more scratch building on different things for the diorama, today I nearly finished my "Waste Water Treatment Plant", I just need to finish the piping work and clean up some of the paintwork. I am looking forward to getting this little part finished up and getting it in place on the diorama, once I get it installed then I can add the lighting and fencing that will surround it.

Once I get all these "little task" completed and installed on the diorama, then I can move forward into getting the rail system completed in the first four feet of the diorama. I have cast my piers for the fitting out piers and they need to be sanded, primed, painted and installed, once I complete this I can also move forward with the lighting, my goal is to get these finished by next week and start building the fiber optic bundles needed for the light poles that they will be getting.

So, again lots of work is going on and it all is the "behind the scenes" kind of work to get to the bigger more defining work that is ahead of me, but I just wanted to drop in and let everyone who is still following along with this know that I will be having another picture post coming soon. So, everyone take care and see you guys real soon.

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

Hi there everyone,

Boy have I been busy doing a bunch of scratch building and building regular kits of harbor and yard craft, I have completed 13 craft so far, well they are build and detailed out to the max but with weather has not been to kind as of late to get any paint work done, but I am hopeful to get to it in the next week or two. I am also going to be posting pictures tomorrow of the craft I have built so far, I have to admit I was a little worried about the detail work but it has all turned out just fine and I must admit it is better then I had expected since I am not the greatest with photo etch, but for some unknown reason I found some great mojo and it's been working for me so I ain't questioning it at all.

All in all I am still working as much as possible and making progress, I will be back tomorrow with the pictures so see you guys then.

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

Well here is a long overdue picture post of what I have been working on for the diorama enjoy and if you like something let me know, if you don't let me know how I can improve it.

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

Next batch of pictures..........................

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

And another batch of pictures..............

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

And a few more................

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

Well hi there everyone,

Just a quick drop in to let everyone know that I am still cranking things out as fast as possible, currently I am working on finishing up some small builds I started several months ago, and right now I have 18 JMSDF "HATSUSHIMA CLASS" MSC's as well as 5 JMSDF "NIUIMA CLASS" MCL's. Right now 21 are all completed with the exception of decals, which I am planning to start work on here shortly today. I am looking forward to getting these done as they have been waiting for some much needed time at the bench.

I guess I am clearing out the "shelves" of doom from all the resin castings, up next is to fix and finish a batch of Russian OSA's 1 & 2, as well as the NANUCHKA Classes 1 thru 4, and the TARANTUL Types 1 - 3, I have several castings of these that need clean up and finish work done. I am hopeful to have most all this work done by the end of the month (HOPEFULLY)

I am also trying to finish up one of my Orange Hobby "NEWPORT CLASS LST's", most work is done but need to finish up the PE work as I had to but this on the back burner do to more pressing builds. I feel like this build is 65% complete. Bit more detail work to follow up on.

I'll post pictures of the MSC's & MCL's once completed.

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

Well I managed to get 12 vessels decaled 4 of them are the MCL's, I still have 9 more MCS's to decal with 2 more kits to build. I'm not going to build up the last two vessels yet until I get caught up on the rest of my selves of doom, well not really selves but storage boxes, needless to say I have to get these other things completed too make room for fresh builds

I'm sure that I can get most of the Russian vessels finally finished but again it is going to take time to get them completely finished as I have to finish casting a few small pieces for them. Well that's all for now. See you guys soon.

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

Hey I need some help.................... PLEASE

I am in need of some JMSDF 1/700 scale hull number decals, I have a set of the PITROAD decals for their general use and I do NOT have any more # 6's. Does anyone have any number decals for the JMSDF? I have searched EBAY as well as several of my "go to" sights and nobody has any at all and no mention of when they might get any, plus I think these are now OOP.

Any help would be great. Thanks guys.

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

Hey Jim! It's been a while for me on this site, but I see you are still plugging away at the largest naval base ever built! Good things take time, right?! I wish I could help you with decals, but I am just getting into 700 scale. Good luck!! Happy modelling Jim!!


Cheers: Laci

Hey Laci,

It has been a long time since I've heard from you, how you been doing? Say it ain't so...........1/700 scale????? Are you as crazy as I am? Well that's kind of stupid question as I remember that wonderful 1/350 USS NIMITZ you did, and we all know that your totally off your rocker with that master piece. But yes I'm still plugging away at the new diorama, it is slow going as I am being pretty OCD about everything. I had to take a break for a bit from working on it as I didn't want to get burned out as fast as I did on the last one. I have been working on the diorama pretty steady over the past couple of weeks getting things mapped out and installing a few scratch built items like the first part of the fuel depot and the waste water treatment plant. Just this weekend I finished laying part of the railroad tracks into a tunnel area, also installed that as well then today I gave it a landscape wash, this evening I am planning to add some greenery to it to give it some contrast from the dark earth tones. After I finished working in that area I started plotting the lighting around the left side of the diorama, along the wharf area and along the roadways, I am planning to get them drilled out tomorrow and start installing the poles, later this week I will build up the LED/Fiber Optic combos for those.

I want to try to get this first table done in the next couple of months so I can get the second table started. The next big thing is get all the buildings I have built wired up and install them, that is when things are going to be moving a lot faster and real changes will be noticeable. I found some decals on Ebay that someone messaged me about and I am ordering those, but I am not sure that the are going to work (sizing issue), the size I need is what would be on the fantail area of ships since the ships I'm decaling are minesweepers. Anyway I'll make something work, I will not be defeated in this, .

If you need any help with your 700 scale building let me know and I will do my best to help you out. Again it was great to hear from you man, truly was, your the first to post something here in months. I look forward to seeing your work in 700 scale, so keep a build log and I will follow along with you there buddy.

Take care and give Mrs. Laci my best. Talk to you again soon buddy.

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

It has been a busy morning here at Eastern NC Modelworks, I have just spent the last hour priming 31 harbor craft, barges and tugs, the primer coat went on smoothly and in a few hours should be completely cured and ready to receive some finish coats of Lifecolor Model paints. I have been trying to get a ton of loose ends tied up in respects to the diorama, and getting these yard craft is a big step in getting that task done. I hope that I will have all these finished by the end of the week and be posting pictures by the weekend.

So I am hoping to have pictures of 31 yard craft and 13 of 23 JMSDF minesweepers to post this weekend, along with the updates to the diorama that have been taking place as well. Later today I will be working on the pier lighting and getting the holes drilled out to receive the light poles and fiber optics. I will not have these finished this week as the is a ton of them to make, right now the area I am working in has some 50 lights to install. Which I need to make up 7 fiber optic units for these 50 poles, each F/O unit has 8 strands of fiber optics with one LED, which these have to be build up as well, lots of soldering to be done So, with me being a one man band it is taking a little more time this go around since I am being SOOOOOOOO OCD about how things are being done and test fitting, retest, and test once more before it goes in place permanently. So, If your one of those that are following along in the shadows you can expect a nice picture update this weekend.

Well everyone have a great day and best wishes for your builds, happy modeling.

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

Thanks for the update, Jim! Once in a while a picture would be even better, that way it is more understandable to us what you are doing

Still following!

_________________
Greetz, Ronald from the Netherlands.

My Blog: http://metusajunction.blogspot.com

My photos: https://www.flickr.com/people/52307730@N06/

I'm going to get some posted this week and hopefully it is worth the wait for those followers of this project as well as getting another video made and posted on my YouTube channel, it's my fault that I have not made a new video and get more pictures posted but it is hard to find the time when you spend almost all your time working on all the aspects of the project. Not to mention the last several pictures I have posted hardly no one made any comments on them weather good bad or in deferent, I know people are following but a little feedback is good from time to time. I guess I just need to do a massive picture update on everything and hopefully it'll give someone some enjoyment.

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

Thanks Jim. In my opinion photos are not only feedback, they give viewers a good look of what you are accomplishing.
So bring them on!

_________________
Greetz, Ronald from the Netherlands.

My Blog: http://metusajunction.blogspot.com

My photos: https://www.flickr.com/people/52307730@N06/

Hi there here are a few updated pictures of the yard craft and harbor vessels I have been working on over the past few weeks, I made notes with each picture to give you an understanding of what each one is and the modifications made using different materials. Enjoy.........................

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

Here are a few more pictures of things I am working on......................

I have more "mini builds" that I need to get pictures taken of and I will do so this week and get them posted, hope you guys like the progress on all these little builds and I will certainly get more of these finished over the next day or so, then get the final pictures posted for each unit.

OOPS Sorry about the last pic forgot to rotate it, man am I tired..................

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed

HI Jim

Always a great pleasure to see your progress I follow since the first days (since four years)I am admiring the work done and your tenacity
bravo
cheers
Nicolas

_________________
https://ladiagonaledubosco.blogspot.fr/

Thanks Jim!

_________________
Greetz, Ronald from the Netherlands.

My Blog: http://metusajunction.blogspot.com

My photos: https://www.flickr.com/people/52307730@N06/

Nicolas & Ronald, Hey guys thanks for the comments, sorry it took a while to respond but I have been getting a lot of those little task completed, I hope to have more pictures to post by the end of the week, right now I am working on a bunch of photo etch dockyard stuff, buildings, cranes ect..........as well as finishing up work on 34 LCAC's. I am still trying to get all those "back burner" builds completed since they are all for the diorama anyways.

I just ordered a bunch more photo etch items for the diorama as well, they are going to arrive on the 1st of July, I also got some AMW 25 & 50 yard piers for fathers day and they are going to be getting built up this month (July) in preparing to add them to the diorama to finish off that area as well.

I hope you guys are well and I look forward to hearing from you all again soon, best wishes and take care.

_________________
Jim Varnell
ABH2 USN/RET.
89-00
Eastern NC Modelworks

Up coming projects:
1/700 scale rebuild of diorama project 960 square feet.
(Table 1 underway)Feb.2017
1/350 USS ALASKA CB-1(started Aug. 2017) 70% completed