Calling all Oliver Hazard Perry-class FFG fans

[NukeMM]

Thanks, Willie! Coming from you, means a lot.

You sure picked about the most complicated mast to scratch build with your FFG. Its beautiful! I think you have stated that it is 1/350, right?

I am concentrating on the "clean" aspect. Less glue is more, I have found. Even if you can't see the CA glue on the rail doesn't mean it isn't there. I paid more attention, this time, to the bulkhead-overhead-deck seams than I have on previous models.

I am going to repair my JAG 1/700 USS McCloy DE-1038 model. The mast and rigging got busted off while on display at the local Hobby Town USA. I obtained replacement parts and PE from JAG.

I am starting over on a 1/700 Trumpeter USS Iowa BB-61 in 1984. I just scratch built the fighting top on her, but am displeased with the spray can Agressor Gray paint job that I gave her, and wooden deck paint job is too, thick. I am expecting another modernized Iowa kit from a recent trade that I posted, here. I will start over on the hull and main deck with that kit and keep the other finished assemblies that I haven't attached to the model yet. I'd also like to add the JAG 16" turrets to her.

[NukeMM]

Here's the whole FFG and CG diorama before I finished the USS Sides. I'll take more photos, tomorrow.

I have entitled it "Strait of Hormuz -1988"
(USS Vincennes CG-49 and USS Sides FFG-14)

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Atta Boy Carl!

Just think: if you and Willie were'nt showing models here, this would be an almost dormant thread.
Multi ship displays rock!
Tony

[NukeMM]

Hi Guys,
Atta Boy Carl!

Just think: if you and Willie were'nt showing models here, this would be an almost dormant thread.
Multi ship displays rock!
Tony

I had your BB and DDG dio in mind while putting mine together. You should submit photos of that one to MW's Gallery, Tony.

There are a lot of nice FFG models in the Gallery! I love Nye Nava's USS Gary harbor diorama!
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

Kazec's Reina Sof�a is a beautiful job, too!

Whenever I see these FFG's from the port bow view, I think about the Rueben James in "Hunt for Red October" movie when she fired a shot across the Red October's bow.

[NukeMM]

With the ensign hoisted, my USS Sides FFG-14 is finished.

[oneslim]

Well, I've gone back and read this topic twice. The reason is, I have a 1/350 Yankee Modelworks FFG-57 USS Rubin James on order. I plan on building her into FFG-39 USS Doyle. My Nephew-in-Law is now serving on board. He is taking his 20 and out in September 09. I want to surprise him with this model. It's not going to be a super detailed work of art. I just want to get it right. I'm hoping You Guys can keep me straight. From what I've found here, and surfing the web there shouldn't be any big problems.

Thanks

Bob Wescott

[Gone Asiatic]

Served aboard two "FIGS" (FFGs) - Why wasn`t one named NEWTON? `cause that would`ve been totally cool!

FFG RULED THE WAVES (prior to their MK-13 teeth being pulled).

[Willie]

Hi all,

After the summer break, I have retaken the construction of Santa Maria. I was already longing for it.

As the main mast needs painting before going on with it, I thought I could start the detailing of the flying bridge, which is really interesting.
The most interesting objects are the ECM containers, port and stb, as can be seen in the pictures in Oct. 2006 :

And one in detail, corresponding to sister ship F86 Canarias,

As it can be seen in these pics of march 2007, the ECM had been grounded even before the ship underwent a refit program in the following October, so they could be omitted.

The following pic that I received by courtesy of her commander was taken off Recife, Brazil, in may/june 2007 :

As it can be seen, the general appeareance of the flying bridge is some how naked, after the removal of the ECM�s and their attachments, with little else than stanchions and hadrailings, so I preferred to build the configurance of oct. 2006, much richer in details.
This was thus my solution so far:

I hope you like it, and very best regards,

Willie.[/size]

[Willie]

Hi again,

Some other details on the flying bridge were these:

And some more equipment :

Finally, some views of the flying bridge as it is at the moment :

I hope you like it, and best regards again,

Willie.[/size]

[NukeMM]

Super WOW!!

It has been a while since seeing new progress on your FFG, Willie. And it was worth the wait!

As I scrolled down through the recent photos, I was increasingly impressed with the individual components that you built, and then............................the shot with all of the parts assembled atop the bridge!

Super, Super, WOW!!

Very Nice, Willie!

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Willie,
Sweet!
Very nice attention to the smallest of details!
This will be the ultimate small scale FFG!
Don't take, "small", as anything less than a compliment!
My friend is working on a 1/96 FFG; USS McCluskey and his has less detail; granted it's not finished.
Keep up the awesome work!
Tony
ps your package is safe and will be sent soon; sorry for not having shipped yet.

[Willie]

ps your package is safe and will be sent soon; sorry for not having shipped yet.

Hi all,

Thanks a lot to you all for your kind remarks. It is really a pleasure to share these things with you guys.
Tony, no need to apologize. Mail when you can, and BTW, let me know how much it will be, plans + shipping. I will pay you through Paypal.
Very best regards,

Willie.

[Willie]

Hi all,

I have already started the foremast, that should be something like this :

As the construction process is identical to the one of the main mast, I didn�t think it was necessary to make any more pics, to not overload the page.
What I have made till now is then this, minus minor details and cable trunks.

The handrails are placed in quite an unusual way, I didn�t notice it at first, so I made some mistakes and had to remake them.
Very best regards,

Willie.[/size]

[Willie]

Hi all again,

As the construction is already somehow advanced, I thought it would be convenient to place all the subassemblies together, to have a general view and to make some adjustments if necessary.
I have no plan of the ship nor deck view pics, so this has to be done very carefully, so that every element is placed in its real location.

So it is like this ay this moment :

I hope you like it, and very best regards,

Willie.[/size]

[orb]

Willie,

incredibly impressive work! I don't think I've ever seen a more detailed build in that scale. I look forward to you finishing your ship.

[Willie]

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for your kind remarks. It is my pleasure to share this with colleagues.

The work of today was quite tedious, the exterior vent exhausts --I think from the hangar-- or for the gas fans in-takes, but I am not very sure.

The offering from Lee was a very odd looking grid :

I had to cut off all the holes after stripping both bulkheads off all the details, until I got this :

I had to place two supports inside, and then to cut all the pieces one but one, setting everyone in place before cutting the next. Quite monotunous and exasperating, but obviously this is a hobby -- nobody was compelling me to do anything...

It was then like this :

As I was fed up with strips I thought I could do something a bit more pleasant, so I started the aft hangar bulkhead too :

The process was the same, to strip the piece off all details, to open the holes and to complete it.

The articulated doors are made with Evergreen "V-Groove" # 2025 which is most suitable for it.
The white lines in yoghourt plastic are necessary for the painting.
And it is now like this, almost complete minus the two ladders and some minor details

And that�s all for today.
I hope you like it, and best regards,

Willie.[/size]

[GTDEATH13]

Willie I wonder what you would do with larger scale models such as 1/144 ... Works of art.... Now I am going back to fainting....

[Willie]

Willie I wonder what you would do with larger scale models such as 1/144

1/144 ??????? My fangs are drooling !!!!!!!! From 1/144 downwards you can build the real ship, even with the smell of the galleys and stacks ...
Actually I am looking forward to the Fletcher 1/144 of Revell, to build one of the Spanish of the series D21-D25.
Oh my God, a big ship in 1/144... my dreams coming true...
Best regards,

Willie.

[NukeMM]

WILLIE, WHERE ARE YOU?

We are all going through withdrawls with no updates in about two months. I know I am, anyway!

How goes it?

[Willie]

WILLIE, WHERE ARE YOU? How goes it?

Hi there Nuke and all,

Thanks for your interest in my humble work.
I have been quite busy lately, with work and family problems - life is not always pink.
I have been painting many of the finished sections, and have already built the bridge, which was more complicated than I thought. I will try to take a couple of pics and will upload them tomorrow.
Very best regards,

Willie.