Hey guys!
Been awhile, but I have been plugging away and with the deadline quickly approaching. Everyones builds are looking great and can't wait to see them all finished. My Chicago is progressing and it will be my typical down to the wire finish but she should be done by the 6th. Well, without further ado I give you my rendition of the USS Chicago CA-29 in August of 1942.
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This shot is of the supplied parts for the Radio Room and the aft 5-inch gun director platform. Both had broken splinter shields. I replaced the broken shield on the lower lever but completely scratchbuilt the director platform to better represent the Chicago in 1942. I thought I took a photo of the platform on it's but guess I didn't. You will see it in the photos below.
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The aft 1.1 gun tubs are supplied in white metal, and even though this kit had pretty good white metal pieces these were kind of rough. The one on the right was how they came and the one on the left is when I was done going at it with my dremel.
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You see one of the 40 ft boat cradles that I scratchbuilt and the PE cradles that I raided from the spares box for the 26ft boat. You can also see some of the scratchbuilt boat crane platform and the 5-inch practice loader.
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Here we see a dry fit mock up of the major pieces of the mainmast, The CXAM radar was from the WEM line and a very nice looking part. I scratchbuilt the 20mm platform above searchlight control and you can see the scratchbuilt rangefinder on top of turret #3.
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Here you see the scratchbuilt 20mm Tub on the stern. There were no good photos and looking at sister ships didn't help much as most of them each had a different arrangement so i just went with a simple oval tub. This took 14 pieces to make.
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Here we see the catwalks at the forecastle break leading into the well deck. Photos of this area are hard to come by, so these were the best I could do with what was available. You also see the 20mm gun emplacements that are next to the funnel and their servicing ready service lockers.
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Here we see the boatdeck as it is today, most everything is done in this area except for rigging and painting
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Here we have the 5-inch gun decks, you see the above mentioned director platform no in place. You also see one of the 8 5/25 gun mounts from L'Arsenal in place. If you look at the top of the crane post you will see I redid the pulley because the white metal version was solid and sort of a oval/hexagon shape, looks a little better anyway.
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Overall shot of her as she sits today. Almost all the railing is done and small details in place. The biggest thing left to do is fit her out with her AA armament and then paint and rig her. Should have more done today and maybe even start painting.
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Detail of the bridge. I tried to use tin foil to represent canvas covered railings on the pilot house roof, I think it looks okay but we will see when its painted. That tripod and all of it's platforms were a nightmare to get alinged and then detailed with ladders and railings but in the end I prevailed
Looking forward to seeing everyone else's updates and to the above posts question, what is up next?
Matt
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