USS Memphis (Niko Model) 1:700

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 4:43 pm

I've run into some trouble with placing the 3rd funnel (only got the kit today) Somehow there doesn't seem to be any room to place her, the mantle at the bottom is too widow and the only to fit it required some surgery and placed the funnels out of line. How did you guys solve this?

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 4:44 pm

Just noticed: the Niko kit does not have all four of the rear casemates for a prewar look! They will have to be scratchbuild!

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:23 am

I've applied the razor saw and the #11 X-acto and have removed all the carefully cast things that had to go: the small gun tub behind the first turret, the AA splinter shielding amidships and most of the aft superstructure top platform. Felt somehow ungrateful. I've also added the lower rear casemates by using Evergreen tubing cut in half. Will show pictures soon...

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:59 pm

Here's a first shot of the stripped aft superstructure and the new lower casemates. They do nicely.

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:33 pm

More progress. Admittedly, it's a good kit, but with some flaws. The supports for the searchlight platform are of the same height, while the superstructures they rest on are not. This requires some extra styrene. One little box sat in the way of the supports and had to be cut away. The gun barrels really seem too small, almost Aa gun-like. I will substitute them with barrels from my Trumpeter Baltimore, which has been stricken off the list.

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:42 pm

Here's an update of my build, which was previously featured in the Calling all Omaha-class cruisers fans-thread. Here she is, still lacking the main artillery (i've ordered replacements, the kit's guns seem underpowered) but with the masts installed. I measured them with the Mk I eyeball from a period postcard that shows her in Amsterdam in 1927 (just prior to picking up Lindbergh after his atlantic stunt). As you can see, I've relentlessly butchered all of the trimmings she had in the 1940's, such as AA platforms and that. I can't be completely sure of what should be there and what shouldn't, but I don't mind, as long as she looks good.

Ship Model Gallery · Post by **MartinJQuinn** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:03 pm

She looks nice!

Pieter · Post by **Pieter** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:12 pm

Looks nice. What's your source for those 1927 Amsterdam photographs?

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 5:37 am

Thanks for the move, Martin!

Pieter, the photograph is an old postcard I found in my favorite antique-postcard shop (which has an interesting Naval section). It's a crude photograph, with at the back scribbled "De "Memphis" Amerik. Oorl. Schip. Amsterdam, 27 Mei 1927".

WI_Chris · Post by **WI_Chris** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:53 am

She looks fine and fit! If mine looks half this good I'll be happy. It's nice to see a different variant to the one I'm building.
Ship evolution is fascinating!

Great job!

Gone Asiatic · Post by **Gone Asiatic** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:39 am

Looks like a very nice kit.

Post by **Cadman** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:07 am

I have been very impressed with the Niko models I have seen. Your looks like it is coming along nicely. Keep Posting!

Quincy · Post by **Quincy** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:00 pm

Great build Michel!!!

Bob Pink.

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:40 pm

Finally, some progress, after weeks in the doldrums of not building any ships. I managed to assemble, paint and mount the spotter planes. I don't know if the aircraft are correct for the indeterminate timeframe of 'late 1920's', but as biplanes they will do. I'm not too happy with Niko's planes, they appear somewhat crude and not very symmetrical. I painted them metal and yellow, and the insignia came from a SkyWave US warplanes set. They barely fit next to each other, but that's how it was I suppose. Rest of the ship coming along nicely, last details remain to be mopped up.

Can someone tell me if the spotter planes had any clearly visible identification such as colored tails in the late 1920's?

Ship Model Gallery · Post by **MartinJQuinn** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:20 pm

Can't answer the question, but she looks great in her pre-war colors!

Quincy · Post by **Quincy** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:17 am

I concur with Martin. The pre war planes give a nice color contrast to your build.

Bob Pink.

Pieter · Post by **Pieter** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:32 pm

The spotters did have colored tails, I'm not sure what color however. Tracy White should know. Spotter aircraft in the late 1920's were usually O2U Corsairs. A good 3 view drawing can be found at
http://www.voughtaircraft.com/heritage/1532_025.jpg

MichelB wrote: I don't know if the aircraft are correct for the indeterminate timeframe of 'late 1920's', but as biplanes they will do. I'm not too happy with Niko's planes, they appear somewhat crude and not very symmetrical.
Can someone tell me if the spotter planes had any clearly visible identification such as colored tails in the late 1920's?

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:36 pm

Update. The USS Memphis is very, very nearly finished, so much that any further improvements will only be seen when i enter her into the gallery.

I'm still not sure about the decks on the aft superstructure: they seem empty. Any idea what they could have been filled with?

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:41 pm

And some more...

Post by **Timmy C** » Sat May 30, 2009 2:20 pm

Looks good!

From the pics on Navsource, it seems that awnings and awning supports were the order of the day, at least for the lower deck (first "step").

Here's a good shot of what should be on the second step: http://www.navsource.org/archives/04/013/0401306.jpg

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USS Memphis (Niko Model) 1:700

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USS Memphis (Niko Model) 1:700

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