The Ship Model Forum

Using the Dragon Livermore DD-429 1942 kit #1027, I'm going to attempt to build the USS Monssen DD-436. So, armed with this kit and the pictures that Rick E. Davis has posted of the USS Grayson in the "Calling all Ships" section we're ready to get started.

The deck for the aft deck house is my starting point. If I get this done the rest should be routine.

1) I used the deck part # N12 (deck for the Livermore) for the lenght and width of the new deck. The new deck is made from .030 evergren plastic strip. The demensions were scribed on it and then it was cut out.

2) I cut the outer edges from part # B19 (deck not used for either Livermore or Monssen). I had one left over from the 1944 Buchanan build. To do this I used a .030x.125 strip for a straight edge to scribe where I wanted to cut. It was taped down and scribing and cutting was done. The black area shows the portion to be used as extensions for the new deck.

3) I removed the round 5" locating circle from B19 and added it to the new deck.

Here is a picture of the parts and tools used so far.



12-30-09

I made a little more progress on the aft dec house deck. The extensions are attached and the shields are on and the rest of the parts are on for positioning. The shields are .010x.100 plastic strip and the lockers are .060x.060 strip also.

_________________
Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid

Gordon,

I look forward to this build. This is one of the more interesting configurations for the dual-class.

Gordon,


Ya beat me to it again! After I finish my Laffey and another project I have got going, I was going to get going on this. Look forward to seeing you progress.

Matt

_________________
In the yards right now:
USS Utah AG-16
On Hold
1/350 USS Portland CA-33 1942
1/350 Trumpeter Texas with a twist

I will be watching this as well Gordon. I just preordered the new 1/700 Dragon Monssen from HLJ.



Bob Pink.

Here is how the Monssen looks today. The deck houses are installed and the forward one needs a little more sanding at the deck seam. The midship and aft deck house decks are not glued down at this time. I worked on the 9th 20mm gun tub yesterday and I think it turned out ok. The overall shape is not perfect, but my scratch building leaves a lot to be desired. I learned a long time ago that you do what you can do, then enjoy what others who are better can do and try to learn from them.

I used .020 plastic sheet the the deck of the starboard side 20mm tub and .010x.125 strip for the shield. Tape on the underside and a single support hold it up at this time, a second support will be added when it is installed permanently.

_________________
Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid

Nice work, Gordon. My only complaint - the pictures aren't big enough!

_________________
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

Gordon,

Have there been any updates on this build? She sure is looking nice!

Matt

_________________
In the yards right now:
USS Utah AG-16
On Hold
1/350 USS Portland CA-33 1942
1/350 Trumpeter Texas with a twist

The Monssen is now back on the work bench being worked after having to wait for the Yorktown to be finished and the mourning of my Nephew passing. The last two days have been spent on making guns. (5x5"/38, 15x20mm, 1x1.1") The extra 20mm mounts and the 1.1" gun are for the Buchanan that is next in line.



The doors on the back side of the 5" guns are made of .010x.040 plastic strip. I put a piece of .010x.010 square plastic strip on the back of the ladders to put some space between them and the turret.

The 1.1" gun is from the Dragon DD kit and made oob.

The 20mm guns will be a mix of kit parts and modified L"Arsenal 20mm parts.

_________________
Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid

Gordon,

Very sorry to hear of your Nephew's passing. The Monssen is looking great so far, I am including the picture that I was talking about in this post. Hope it helps, and great detail with doors on on the backside of the turrets.


Matt

_________________
In the yards right now:
USS Utah AG-16
On Hold
1/350 USS Portland CA-33 1942
1/350 Trumpeter Texas with a twist

Matt,
Thanks for the picture.

Tonight's update includes two pictures and a list of the things done that have been done this last week.

I drilled out the holes for the depth charges that are along the aft deck house and filled them with either .020 or .025 plastic rod. The forward group has been removed, the center group is being relocated forward and the rear ones will be repositioned in that location. I filled the large holes in the deck for the 20mm tub supports with .035 plastic rod and redrilled them a smaller size for smaller supports. I filled and relocated the holes for the vent and hatch on the port side amidships. They will be added after the deck is painted. I located the port side torpedo hoist and added the support for it underneath the deck overhang. Last but not least, I got the search light platform and the mast (which I need to modify the height of) located in the the aft deck house.




That's it until next time.

_________________
Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid

Gordon,

I hope to get some pics of my Laffey posted here soon and probably start the Monssen this fall, I may attack the Barton first though. Don't know but I sure hope I get a chance to see this one in person like the others, she is sure shaping up to be a prize winner!

Matt

_________________
In the yards right now:
USS Utah AG-16
On Hold
1/350 USS Portland CA-33 1942
1/350 Trumpeter Texas with a twist

Sum progress on the Monssen (foreground) has been made but most of my time has been spent on the Buchanan, trying to catch up with the Monssen in build progress. (back- ground). I did get the two masts completed and a light coat of primer on the Monssen. The Buchanan is just about ready for a primer coat also. I want to paint them at the same time since they are the same colors.



Now it's onto make more rope bumpers and hose reels.

_________________
Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid

After several months of procrastination, I finally worked on the stacks tonight. I have a little more work to do on the front stack but the aft stack is ready for primer.

_________________
Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid

Today was a "Haze Gray" kind of day. I got the all major and some of the minor components for both Monssen and Buchanan painted today. This picture looks just like the last ones posted but there really is HG paint on these. It just takes more time to prepare two builds at the same time for painting. They are now both ready for paint.

It dawned on me today that I hadn't finished a model in six months, that is how long it's been since I finished the Yorktown last Feb.

_________________
Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid

I got some paint on the Monssen today. She (actually both the Monssen and the Buchanan)is now ready for that long and arduous task of masking the vertical to paint the horizontal.







Measure 12 modified

_________________
Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid

The decks are now painted and ready for a gloss coat before adding on the decal walkways.

_________________
Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid

Gordon,


Lot's of masking and lot's of photo interpretation mixed with some artistic license, see MS12(Mod) isn't that hard! Looking beautiful on both ships and can't wait to see them completed.

Keep the updates coming!

Matt

_________________
In the yards right now:
USS Utah AG-16
On Hold
1/350 USS Portland CA-33 1942
1/350 Trumpeter Texas with a twist

Great stuff Gordon!!





Bob Pink.

I have made some progress on the USS Monssen as well as the USS Buchanan. The walkway decals are on as well some vents and supports. She is now ready for the railings.




Matt asked:

Gordon,
I was thinking that at first too, but I think they will be fine. Good to hear from you! Is that Monssen going to be done by the spring show?

Matt, The answer is yes, the Monssen and the Buchanan will be done for the "Seattle Spring Show" on the 9th of April (my birthday).I think that the Fletcher and maybe the Gurke (outside chance) will also be done in time for the show.

_________________
Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid

Gordon,

Always good to hear from you! She is looking pretty good. I am very glad to hear that she will make it to the show in April, now my only hope is that I too can make it to wish you a happy birthday in person! That camo is very striking and the scratchbuilding makes her all the more unique.

Matt

_________________
In the yards right now:
USS Utah AG-16
On Hold
1/350 USS Portland CA-33 1942
1/350 Trumpeter Texas with a twist