Hello again all
Well, I'm back. I have not posted anything in awhile as I am feverishly trying to get this project completed by fall of this year. Scratchbuilding two ships at once presents it's own set of challenges, as you can imagine. In any event, things are moving forward. The DE-133 is now ready for final paintwork. The carrier, CVE-60, is coming along as well. Finally had a chance to snap some photos, so lets take a look........................
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File comment: Overall view of the carrier from portside. I have completed all the guntubs, platforms, and catwalks along the sides of the flightdeck, the Gallery deck, as it is called. Flightdeck is held in place by a number of screws which attach to blocks I installed in the hull. Mating the hull and flightdeck is a careful procedure, as it is a tight fit.
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File comment: Dead on bow view here. Flightdeck is 3/16" plywood. The curved forward edge is shaped balsa stick.
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File comment: View from portside looking aft. I had to do a bit of shimming to get the flightdeck nice and level. Plywood tends to warp slightly, so I don't use it much. It is a good choice for a large area such as this, as long as you keep it flat and weighted.
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File comment: Another bow view here, portside. I have to add all the support structure here beneath the flightdeck soon, as well as the anchors. I'll fabricate the support structure from styrene.
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File comment: Stern view here.
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File comment: Stern deck completed here. I used a mix of p/e, cast metal, wood, and scratchbuilt fittings here. Everything otherwise is styrene. I'll add the 5" 38 gun later.
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File comment: Good shot of the aft end of the flightdeck. Note the aft elevator in it's halfway position. I'll put an aircraft here with a few crew later.
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File comment: Dead on stern view. Note all the underdeck bracing. Again, all styrene.
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File comment: Much of this work will never be seen once the models go on exhibit. Too bad, takes alot of time. But nevertheless, it is there. All the platforms and guntubs will get the same bracing treatment, as on the real ship.
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File comment: Aft flightdeck bracing from beneath. Forward end will be similar, my next hurdle. Note the simple elevator arrangement. Lots of fabrication here.
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File comment: Here is a view midships on the stb. side showing the guntubs,platforms, catwalks etc. Note the stacks or funnels as they are sometimes called. I made a master for these and then a two part mold and cast them in resin. Still have to add safety netting along both side of this assy. Anywhere there is a catwalk there is safety netting. More on that later on. Note the openings on the guntub floors. These are stairwell openings. A small four sided box will be fabricated and then installed beneath these openings. After which I'll add stairs. There is a door here which I have already installed. These doors lead to various areas in the Gallery deck area. Same procedure applies all along the length of the flightdeck. There are lots of these openings.
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File comment: Another stb side view.
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File comment: Bow area, stb. side. Flightdeck mounting screw locations marked in red.
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File comment: Close up view of the 40mm platforms on portside. There are three more of these arrangemants on this CVE. To the right of these is the MK.51 gundirector location for the 40's, then far right is a 20mm location. Note the ammo boxes inside the 40mm shield.
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File comment: Close up of one of the four stacks. It was easier to mold these rather than make them one by one. Catwalks are perforated plastic used for needlepoint.
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File comment: Another detail view. V/L and railing are p/e.
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File comment: Aft elevator in halfway position.
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File comment: Flightdeck flipped over here. Note I have added pencil lines showing the locations for the bracing and supports. This is the next step before mounting the whole works to the hull.
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OK, Lets move on to the DE-133. As I said, she is ready for final paintwork. After which I'll add all the guns, depth charges, lifeboat, figures,etc. Then comes rigging and finally weathering. Rather than caption each photo, I'll just give a tour. I have added lots of details using scratchbuilt parts, p/e, cast metal, cast resin, wood, etc. A chicken soup of stuff if you will, all combined for the final visual effect. For a small ship, the DE has lots of stuff on her. I think I got most of it! Take a look.....
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Well, there you have it. Things are moving along slowly. Lots to do yet and little time. Wish me luck.....I'll be back! I continue on.................Bill W