The Ship Model Forum

David,

You my never finish this if you keep adding the newest thing that comes down the pike! The AMDR stuff looks good. Can you get the real big Evergreen over there? You would not have to use so many pieces. I'm not sure if you are aware of it or not but the three arrays are 120 degrees from each other. Your two aft arrays look like they will end up point out 90 degrees from the center line.

As for the gap, can you close off the forward end of the hangar with a sheet of plastic and butt the forward deck house up to it?

Bill

I know.... The thought was that we could use the highest powered radars because of the nuclear power aboard. The radars I heard about back then I now know of as AMDR, and I have read the problems the R&D is having putting it aboard the DDG-51 Flight IIA restart and the Flight III designs. Weight, power, and space issues. CGN-42 is the right platform for that!

Yes, sir, I had to take the camera back to work, otherwise I would go ahead and post up a picture of the sanded piece, but to describe it, I am sanding down the blocks to have angles to either side, like 12, 4, and 8 o'clock positions. It's a lot of sand paper and careful eyeballing not to sand too much down.

I had thought of closing the hanger up and sliding the two pieces together, but I had rejected it in my mind. However, like when you speak something out loud you hear it from another angle, your suggestion sounds better than it sounded in my head. I think you found the solution to a few of my problems. High-five, Bill!

Yes, sir, I can. I have been able to get the stuff that's about 1/4" square. I seem to have the pieces but not the plastic sleeve it came in so I can't quote its part number

Movement proceeds!

_________________
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

After sanding the blocks down I got a pretty good half of the block down to approximately the right shape. It looks pretty good.

The forward array was reasonably easy to do. The block behind it with the side arrays...has proven to be a bit difficult. So far, it works on the right side, but...

It does, however look very good from the side. I am happy with how the SPY-3 part of the AMDR is going to work out. Very happy.

If I can make the left hand side of this block look as good as the right then I will be very happy. If I mess it up then I will make a hollow piece out of sheet styrene. Either way, I know how it's going to look, and it's going to look great

_________________
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

Have you seen this?

http://news.cnet.com/2300-13772_3-10009461.html

..

Hey, Russ! Long time no type! Yes, I have indeed. That is the Raytheon version. I am not even sure how accurate that is to their actual desired deck-house. It may just be an artist's rendition, but then again, it might be right on! However what I am building is more loyal to what Lockheed has in mind. My project partner and I like Lockheed's ideas a lot more than what Raytheon has to offer all around.

Thanks, Bob! The detail you pour into Kirov keeps me at arm's length! I hope I can measure up to your skill as I continue my builds.



I will do hatches on the side of the mast and forward of the mast on the arm leading to the forwad array. They will only lead to the coms domes, but they will be there.

Thanks for the comments, guys! Work continues!

_________________
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

Superstructure is looking pretty sweet Dave!!

Cheers Bruce

_________________
building:
1/72 RC USS LONG BEACH CGN9
1/72 RC USS CALIFORNIA CGN36
1/72 RC USS SAIPAN LHA2
1/72 RC USS JOHN PAUL JONES DDG53
1/72 RC USS SHARK SSN591
1/72 RC USS SEAWOLF SSN21
1/72 RC USS ALBANY CG10

X2 from my end of the world. I've gained a lot of inspiration from you and your builds

Thanks, Bruce. The weekend just started, so I am back to cutting plastic! I am going to begin detailing out the hull as well with Archer resin decals, layers of primer to give a built-up appearance of different deck and hull plates, and begin laying out where the bitts and chocks go.

This will be a great weekend!

_________________
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

Thank you so much. Being in the US Navy is remarkably time consuming. I have been making time lately...as little as it is...for model making. I will be getting my featured projects finished very soon.

Thanks for the kind words. I hope the finished products inspire more

Stay tuned!

_________________
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

G'day Dave,

I just acquired some CGN-38 plans from e-bay I am thinking of doing a hull plug for the Virginia class CGN in 1/72...2.47m(or 97.3inches)long... after some practice with a smaller plug for a large harbour tug!!

Cheers Bruce

_________________
building:
1/72 RC USS LONG BEACH CGN9
1/72 RC USS CALIFORNIA CGN36
1/72 RC USS SAIPAN LHA2
1/72 RC USS JOHN PAUL JONES DDG53
1/72 RC USS SHARK SSN591
1/72 RC USS SEAWOLF SSN21
1/72 RC USS ALBANY CG10

Wow! I didn't know they had similar dimensions. That's pretty cool. Would it by chance be a CGN-42 type Virginia-class ? That would be pretty awesome!

_________________
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

Hey, guys!

Here is an update on the hanger. I will clip a few of the conduits before I prime and paint it. Here are the individual bulkheads.

Here you can see that I have 2 different hangers with a compartment between them. The hanger on the right is one for two H-60s, and the port is for up to 3 Fire Scouts. The compartment in the middle is an equipment storage locker. The port and starboard bulkheads are gear and tool lockers specific to the aircraft.

Helicopter hangers are an interesting project. It would be fun to light the hanger with LEDs and maybe acrylic rods sanded down and painted in places to channel the light the same way fiber optics do.

...but that's a project for another day! Next I am going to lay the RAST tracks for the helos and Fire Scouts and map out the padeyes on the deck!

_________________
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

Great Hanger detail mate I am amazed that you can pack so much detail into such a tiny space...

Cheers Bruce

_________________
building:
1/72 RC USS LONG BEACH CGN9
1/72 RC USS CALIFORNIA CGN36
1/72 RC USS SAIPAN LHA2
1/72 RC USS JOHN PAUL JONES DDG53
1/72 RC USS SHARK SSN591
1/72 RC USS SEAWOLF SSN21
1/72 RC USS ALBANY CG10

I would like to do a model of USS Texas CGN-39 (one day....) with the original type superstructure and build a alternate WHIFF superstructure for the AEGIS CSGN version. With the Mk-26's and 5"mk45's being removable so they can be swapped with a 61cell Mk41's and 8"mk71's.

Once I have the ANZAC FFH I am rebuilding for a mate done I will be able to look at starting some hull plugs for the two sizes of Tug and the Virginia CGN....also got plans for USS Canberra CAG-2 (which is the same hull as USS Albany (which I have already drawn frames and keel up for....might make a plug for Baltimore/Oregon city/ Albany class too! )

Cheers Bruce

_________________
building:
1/72 RC USS LONG BEACH CGN9
1/72 RC USS CALIFORNIA CGN36
1/72 RC USS SAIPAN LHA2
1/72 RC USS JOHN PAUL JONES DDG53
1/72 RC USS SHARK SSN591
1/72 RC USS SEAWOLF SSN21
1/72 RC USS ALBANY CG10

Wow! A USS Texas with Aegis upgrade, Mk41 S and Mk71s?! That will be totally awesome. You said with the original superstructure but win Aegis. That's interesting. I can see exactly where the SPY boxes can be put on there, too. Just like on the USS Norton Sound. I bet she would be a beast, especially in 1/72 scale!

Thanks for kind words about the hanger. Now onto the hanger and flight deck.

_________________
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

thats just awesome dave....I can only aspire to do that good of a job on CSGN-138 when i get going. You set the bar kind of high man....

_________________
In God we trust all others we track

You read it too fast mate!! I said an as built Superstructure....and an alternate WHIFF Aegis S/Structure (One USS Texas hull and 2 superstructures...with alternate weapons fit.)

Cheers Bruce

_________________
building:
1/72 RC USS LONG BEACH CGN9
1/72 RC USS CALIFORNIA CGN36
1/72 RC USS SAIPAN LHA2
1/72 RC USS JOHN PAUL JONES DDG53
1/72 RC USS SHARK SSN591
1/72 RC USS SEAWOLF SSN21
1/72 RC USS ALBANY CG10

David,

I like how this is going. Your friend that made the hull for you must be proud that you are doing so well on the top side. I like the grill on the back of the hangar but it looks Japanese to me. Is it from a Kongo? It's okay if it is, those kinds of thing will give the model a nice little touch. Where did you get the helicopter? It looks really nice for 1/350. Keep up the good work!

Bill

You're right, and it has gotten me in trouble a couple times now! I just have to remember...proper performance can boil down to the old shooting saying, "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast."

That would be beautiful. What a wonderful ship that would have been. I can't wait to see what you can do with it!

_________________
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance