1/700 USS Hornet CV-8

[hypno7]

Hi all,

First time post here. I have been reading and re-reading many topics in this forum. I have learned a lot form the people posting here. I used to build scale airplane models some time ago, but I always wanted to make ships. This is my second ship as the first one was a study to measure if I was going to be able to work in 1/700 (space constraints). First one was an Arizona in 1/700 and I always wanted to have a Hornet CV-8.

I read several times the CASF topic on the Hornet and found out about the hull problems with the Trumpeter kit. I said well "how hard could it be to correct it?"... well, it was harder than I thought (spent a couple of months sanding). So I started making a new hull using Paul Budzik's technique (Thank you a lot for publishing your technique) and surprisingly, my implementation of it came out to be OK (at least, I am happy with it). I am still in the "shaping" process with fine sandpaper to give it a smooth finish. Now I have where to start if I want to have a CV-8 in 1/700

Thank you also to everyone at the CASF for CV-8, CV-6, and CV-5, very knowledgeable people out there.

P.S. I like full-hull...

[Hallis]

Looking good so far. I'm a fan of full hull too but really want to do a seascape.

[JTninja]

Nice work so far!

[Timmy C]

That looks great! Very well-done, and looks just like it should.

[JimRussell]

Looks like an actual MODEL of the Hornet's hull. I am sure that Paul will be pleased that some of his seeds have sprouted.

If you could, post some side by side comparison pictures between Trumpeters hull and yours. I am sure they will show the difference between a model and a plastic blob.

[pbudzik]

Glad to see you gave it a go. Looks like you did a very nice job. I'll be looking forward to the finished model.

Can't say it enough, Jim was my inspiration of just getting with the program and doing it right.

Paul

[hypno7]

Thank you all for the kind comments.

-Shane: oh I really like seascapes, but I am still experimenting and haven't been able to do a convincing one.

-JTninja and Timmy C: Thank you for the kind comments, I will try to post more as I have more progress.

-Jim: Thank you for the comment. Unfortunately, I don't have the original Trumpeter hull anymore. I sanded and filled the thing like there was no tomorrow. Right now is a blob of plastic and epoxy resin (and other kinds of fillers) in a trash container somewhere. I am planning on getting another kit, just for the airplanes, that makes it a good value. When I have it, I will take some pictures. I have been also following your work in this forum, I specially like the CV-6 a lot, that is a wonderful model.

-Paul: Thank you for the comment. If it weren't for your technique and PDF documents, either I would not have a potential Hornet model, or I would still be sanding and filling the plastic blob I had. I am still finishing the new one, but for me the shape of the Yorktown class is already there.

I will try to post more progress in the coming days. I have some space and time constraints, but I will try.

[hypno7]

Hi everyone,

Long time and small update (Sorry for the quality of the pictures, my camera is not working properly).

I added the bilge keels, armor belt and shaft exits to the hull.

It is now time to add portholes, but I am going to try the PE portholes to see how they look. (Still waiting for them to arrive)


In the meantime I made the propeller shafts with their supports, the Trumpeter ones are too short and not properly formed.

Also I started modifying the island to make it look more like the CV-8 Hornet (it is still not glued together)

Once I get to the portholes and be able to keep my sanity, I will post more pictures.

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[blacman]

Looking good
I will follow....

[hypno7]

Thanks blacman! I am following your IJN Chitose build, it is impressive.

I have been having trouble implementing the Hornet pilot house (it is not symmetrical). Still working on it...

Thanks,

[PetrolGator]

Beautiful. I just started trying to work with styrene and now know the effort you put into this.

How are you going to paint her?

[hypno7]

Hi Chris,

Thank you for your kind comment! I have been looking at your WIP on the USS Maryland, very beautiful model, maybe it will be my next project. Yes I am putting a lot of effort on the custom styrene parts. I am still not very happy with the Prifly structure, but that is the best one I could make. I am planning on doing the hangar deck interior too, so more styrene... maybe by the end of it I am a little more better at handling it, then I make another Prifly...

I am planning on painting her Measure 12 (mod), Doolittle raid for a change (that is if and only if I get to that point!)

Thanks again,

[hypno7]

Hi everyone,

Very small update.

I got a new Trumpeter kit (I really like the airplanes it comes with...) and I can now take a comparison picture of the hulls.

As you can see, I already started adding the PE portholes. I am fixing them in place with future as I read somewhere in this board, I am happy with the results and for me it is easier to keep a straight line like that. After they are done I will drill some of them.

One thing I noticed on the Trumpeter kit, is that *maybe* they tried to fix something on the hull. I don't remember noticing this on my first kit. In the picture below you can see what it looks like a mold insert (I am no expert on this topic). You can feel the "step" on the hull and *maybe* it feels narrower.

Of course it is still wrong, and maybe I am just imagining things.


I am working more on the island now, and will update this thread when I have more meaningful progress.

[hypno7]

Hi everyone,

Another small update. Some preliminary base painting with 5-O (check for errors, polish here, there..). I shortened the height of the hangar deck bulkheads, the Trumpeter ones are around 0.7 mm too high. Some out of the bulkheads and some out of the flight deck. It was an easy detail to add (or remove).

I added some generic detail to the hangar deck using other builds published here and a couple of photographs online as reference. I took some liberties on it but I think what is to be seen once the flight deck is on is minimal (you can only see that "something" is there, not ejection pin marks).

Next, the Ms12 mod camouflage masking...


Thanks for watching, comments and criticisms welcomed!

[LE BOSCO]

Hello hypno7

great detail work on the hangar and courage for the masking seance
cheeers
nicolas

[MartinJQuinn]

Masterful work!

[hypno7]

-Nicolas,

Thank you for your kind comment! I will be adding some airplanes in the hangar deck and maybe some light wash. I think I will need a little more than courage for the masking! I will see what I can do.

-Martin,

Thank you for the encouraging comment! I will continue posting.


I really appreciate your comments and I've been following the builds from you two on this forum, they always inspire me.

[hypno7]

Hi everyone,

So I did some masking and painted the Ms12 mod on the hull. A picture of the process and the result.

Masking:

Masks lifted:

Next, some light weathering and shading. Then the flight deck and finishing the island. In between maybe some airplanes...



Thanks for watching, comments and criticisms welcomed!

[LE BOSCO]

hypno7

a very nice paint job no criticism to make, but the acclamations
regards
Nicolas

[hypno7]

Thank you Nicolas! I got the courage for the masking session.