1/700 USS Wilson DD-408 at Savo (Kraken & Vladi�s)

[Vladi]

The step that I like the least - applying gloss coat. I always feel uneasy about the darkening of paints and the shiny appearance in this phase. Of course I know they�d get better after the final flat coat, but I just can�t help myself.
But I like the next steps a lot!

(The other ship is USS Patterson)

[Vladi]

Several steps completed since the past post incl. applying the gloss coat, filters, pin washes and dry-brushing (all using artist�s oil paints). Photos show her with about 85% rigging completed (done by now).

Now I am in the process of adding some sailors and nearing application of matt varnish. Hoping to have her ready by August 9.
(I am waiting to get some updated parts for USS Patterson from Matt so I will continue on Patterson later.)

[MartinJQuinn]

She looks gorgeous! If I didn't know she was 700, I would have thought it was 350. Great job on the rigging too!

[Kraken Hobbies]

Stunning.... truly don't know what else to say. I must echo Martin's comment about it looking 1/350 with such intricate rigging and details.

Keep up the amazing work!

Matt

[Vladi]

Thank you so much, Martin and Matt, for your kind words! There certainly were some parts that were driving me crazy on the way

[Dan K]

It's beautiful, Vladi. Superb detailing. Agreed about the great rigging.

[Vladi]

Thank you, Dan Hope to have her ready soon!

[SG1]

Looking great! Weathering's so subtle and effective . Rigging must have been tricky! Waiting for the crew to be added your inimitable way

[Vladi]

Thanks, Stefano, hope I�ll match your high expectations.

Some final touches are still to be done and photos taken. I plan to publish photos of the completed Wilson here and on FB on Aug 9 at about 01:45am Guadalcanal time, i.e. on Aug 8 at 16:45 Prague time (CEST) / 10:45am in New York (EDT), at the time of the 81st anniversary od the Savo Island battle. Watch this space

[Rui Matos]

Brilliant job Vladi

Congratulations
Cheers,
Rui

[Vladi]

Thank you, Rui . And here she comes!



Although the night had been disturbed already by aircraft flares and a gun duel South of Savo Island, the unaware yet Northern Group of cruisers USS Vincennes, Quincy and Astoria and destroyers USS Wilson and Helm were still enjoying the quiet of the night of August 9, 1942. Soon they would be blinded by searchlights and surprised by gunfire as the Northern Force becomes ambushed as well. The Wilson would open fire at the enemy from large distance, but without any known effect. She would then start picking up survivors of the Vincennes and Quincy the next morning and providing help in fighting fires on the stricken Astoria until the stricken cruiser gave it up to the waves.

(based on DANFS USS Wilson DD-408)



She is depicted during the night watch just before the battle when the fleet was in Condition of Readiness II, so half the crew on watch with half the guns manned only. Many figures and poses used appear quite relaxed, unaware about what would be coming upon them very soon.



USS Wilson is the 10th model in my Battle of Savo Island collection, some 10 years since my idea of building at least one ship per class of direct participants in the fight.















Please check this Flickr album for more photos.

Many thanks to

• Matt Enochs (Kraken Hobbies) for embracing the idea of creating a 3D printed model of Benham class DDs, for all his patience with my � at times - daily feeds of comments, and, indeed, for providing me with the prototype of his great multimedia kit
• Rick E Davis for all his help in finding the relevant information and providing guidance and photos from his great collection, and also to Dick Jensen for his valuable input at times
• Don Andrews for pointing me in the right direction with his find at the moment I was slowly losing hope and Steve Wiper for providing me with his scan of the unique starboard side color photo
• Greg/blacman for providing his excellent 20mm Oerlikons, USN sailors and other tiny details (Shelf Oddity)
• Egilman for sharing his wealth of BOGPs

References used

• Floating Drydock 1/96 plan G-DD397 USS Benham DD397 1942
• Booklets of General Plans for USS Benham, USS Lang and USS Rhind kindly shared by Egilman
• Over 80 prewar and early war photographs of USS Benham class members, most of them from various online sources, especially Naval History and Heritage Command and Navsource.org and also kindly provided by Rick E Davis and Dick Jensen
• Modelwarships.com: Calling All 1,500 tonner (USN DD) fans!

[Vladi]

Adding some details on the final build phases for the sake of completeness of this log:

Rigging was done according to photos and BOGPs using a combination of rigging wire from Shelf Oddity for stays and halyards and black 20 den UNI-Caenis for antennae. The flag on the mainmast appeared quite small on real ship photos, Matt found https://www.navyhistory.org/2012/09/uss ... -way-home/ this mention that states that Sterett's flag was as small as 3 feet by 5 feet. I found no US flag decal that small so I printed my own on a blank white decal sheet using a laser printer, however, the minimum vertical size so that the stripes were still separated turned out to be 2mm. Therefore the flag is slightly larger in the end.



I used some already painted 3dmodelparts figures left over from past builds, supplemented by more finer ones by Shelf Oddity. Not too many sailors were needed (Condition of Readiness II) and they seem taking it really easy.



I consulted Rick about position of whale boats and the conclusion was that US destroyers often had their boats deployed when in the combat zone in 1942, �just in case�. I attached both boats outboard and added their rigging and attached some rolled up ropes on davits. I admit that the USN Y-shaped boat straps were more difficult to make than the X-shaped ones (like IJN or RN). I made them from a very thin tin foil, not ideal but it worked in the end. I also added white dots in place of the �408� hull numbers on the boats.



Among the final touches on the ship was adding �glass� to the Shelf Oddity searchlight. I punched it out of a very thin plastic sheet (originally a peel-off foil from a protective screen for a mobile phone) and then pressed a tiny ball into it to make it concave. I also added some PE ropes to the deck to make it a bit busy.

Finally, the seabase was to be completed. I used my usual 5mm plexiglass as the base with 3mm XPS on top of it with a cut-off opening for the hull. Some basic swells were made by pressing a noodle roller into it the XPS, then wakes were added using acrylic filler. The seabase was sprayed dark blue from a rattle can and then green and white around the wakes. Several layers of acrylic gel medium added the texture. Bow wakes are cotton with acrylic gel medium and AK Snow Flakes mimic the foam.



That�s it

[maxim]

This was really an impressive project - both the superbly-built model, but also all the research to find new information about the camouflage!

[SG1]

Vladi I've been longing for this! A most surprising and OUTSTANDING finale. A masterpiece, bravissimo!

[Vladi]

This was really an impressive project - both the superbly-built model, but also all the research to find new information about the camouflage!

Thank you, Lars, you know you�ve been my inspiration! Two more ship classes to cover... but I hope that won�t be the end

Vladi I've been longing for this! A most surprising and OUTSTANDING finale. A masterpiece, bravissimo!

Stefano, thanks for your kind support!

[MartinJQuinn]

Well done, Vladi! A worthy addition to your Savo Island fleet.

[Dan K]

[Kraken Hobbies]

Beyond Belief! Still can't get over it's 1/700...

Phenomenal job!

Matt

[Vladi]

Thank you, guys, I am glad you like her! And thanks for all your support over time

[Walter Sonderman]

Hi, Vladi,

wonderful work. Even more wonderful when you realize it is all in 1/700

Cheers, Walter