Postwar navy.

[arnobiz]

Fantastic display Carl, I can't wait to see it painted (You too I guess!!)

[NukeMM]

Thanks, Gentlemen!

I'm not sure about the dock set, yet, and what to do with it. I've been thinking about a harbor scene for quite some time. It may turn out to be a place where my just-completed-models will tie to for photographs and a brief visit before going to their own separate water bases.

I have in mind a much wider display with three or four piers. And I do have in mind some ships being tied up outboard of each other, Simon. It is totally in the dreaming / planning stages at this time. But the dock set is nice to have to play with and to plan with.

The Battlefleet Models' dock set is really, really nice. Crisp! And beautiful buildings!

__________________________________________________________________________

I've made a count. I've been in this hobby for one year, now, and I've built 15 1/700 ships and 1 1/350 ship.

[Sauragnmon]

Carl, it would be awesome and cool if you were to actually go about making models of a Kidd and a Spruance moored side by each. I've seen pics of them co-moored like that and it really looks interesting for the Before and after view. "This is your Spruance on Drugs. Any questions?" You could even go a little further and have a trio - Spruance, Kidd, Spruance-VLS. Before, After, New and Improved.

Just my two pennies. I think it'd look pretty interesting.

[NukeMM]

Carl, it would be awesome and cool if you were to actually go about making models of a Kidd and a Spruance moored side by each. I've seen pics of them co-moored like that and it really looks interesting for the Before and after view. "This is your Spruance on Drugs. Any questions?" You could even go a little further and have a trio - Spruance, Kidd, Spruance-VLS. Before, After, New and Improved.

Just my two pennies. I think it'd look pretty interesting.

And how about a Tico to go with 'em?!!

I'll get right on it! It'll be done by the weekend.

Ever since I saw this shot for the first time, I've thought making a dio of it. Its in Subic Bay in the early 1980s.



I've already got two AFV Club Knox kits in their boxes and Loose Cannon makes the USS Vulan, which is the same class as the USS Ajax AR-6 which is pictured here.

I've also had the idea for a Boneyard diorama. That would be something to detail and weather, wouldn't it?

[Nektarios]

I m sure you ll make it look fantastic Carl. I can hardly wait to see your in progress photos.

[NukeMM]

I m sure you ll make it look fantastic Carl. I can hardly wait to see your in progress photos.

It'll be hard painting colors other than black, white, and various shades of gray. I think I'm going color blind doing all of these naval ships. But, I don't care!

[Nektarios]

I have started yesterday a USCG WHEC-715 Hamilton class ship. I have added some PE and tomorrow i ll start adding decals and the rest of the PE.

Haven t decided yet which ship of the class i ll make.



Any comments or questions are welcome.

[NukeMM]

Nektarios,

That looks like a really nice kit? JAG?

Here is a favorite photo that I found online. Its a Hamilton class with a Casco class 311' Cutter (former USN AVP seaplane tender small).

[Nektarios]

Nektarios,
That looks like a really nice kit? JAG?

Here is a favorite photo that I found online. Its a Hamilton class with a Casco class 311' Cutter (former USN AVP seaplane tender small).

Yup it is a Jag kit and they also make the Pre-FRAM version which is shown in the picture.

[NukeMM]

Gloss coat, decals, small boats, SPS-8 radar, and the gun director radar dish are attached, now.

Rigging, Radars, and Antennas yet to go. A few more railings on and around the foremast left to go, too.

[Hippy Ed]

Carl, Nektarios, you guys are doing quite nicely there on them builds

[NukeMM]

Dark wash is complete and the foremast rigging and radars are done. Just another piece on the top most part of the foremast, aft mast rigging, and four antennas to go.

[Sauragnmon]

Looking good, Carl, Looking Good!

[ASFC]

Looking good, Carl, Looking Good!

ditto!

[Cadman]

I think that open bridge really makes the kit look more realistic.

[NukeMM]

I think that open bridge really makes the kit look more realistic.

I was tickled pink when I saw the PE part for the open bridge. Before I noticed it, I was studying photos of the ship and wondered how I was going to replicate the bridge awning. It is a neat little piece. First one that I've seen like it. Easily bent and installed.

[Nektarios]

Dark wash is complete and the foremast rigging and radars are done. Just another piece on the top most part of the foremast, aft mast rigging, and four antennas to go.

Unbelievable level of detail Carl.

[NukeMM]

Dark wash is complete and the foremast rigging and radars are done. Just another piece on the top most part of the foremast, aft mast rigging, and four antennas to go.

Unbelievable level of detail Carl.

Thank you, Nektarios, but the credit has to go mostly to LCP for the kit. Besides the rigging lines and the antennas and the "E" decals, Everything that you need comes with the kit and the bulkhead details are all there, it seems. There are even more pieces of PE (i.e. radio direction finders, life rings, and even lookout binoculars) that I have decided not to try and add to it. I was able to salvage the whaleboat from the kit. It wasn't so, bad as I had first thought. There are even pulleys and rigging PE for the small boat davits that I decided not to add.

It is a necessary addition to my postwar USN collection, for sure.

I have two Corsair Armada USS Garcia kits in the mail, to me. I intend to make one into a USS Brooke class DE and the other a Garcia class. And I also have the Coontz kit yet to build. I have my eye on the Sumner FRAM from JAG, as well. I'll probably do the Gearing FRAM, too, but I think its kinda ugly, myself. It will be one of the later models of the collection, I think.

I saw you JMSDF Aegis destroyer in the Gallery today! Wonderful! I liked seeing it again!

How about that 1/96 Arleigh Burke! Wow! Except for the CIWS, my Sampson looks pretty close to it in the details, I think.

[Nektarios]

I have two Corsair Armada USS Garcia kits in the mail, to me. I intend to make one into a USS Brooke class DE and the other a Garcia class. And I also have the Coontz kit yet to build. I have my eye on the Sumner FRAM from JAG, as well. I'll probably do the Gearing FRAM, too, but I think its kinda ugly, myself. It will be one of the later models of the collection, I think.

Can t wait to see your builds of the Garcia, Brooke and Coontz.

How about that 1/96 Arleigh Burke! Wow! Except for the CIWS, my Sampson looks pretty close to it in the details, I think.

It surely does Carl

[Nektarios]

Just went crazy two days ago and decided to further modernise the Hamilton. The main purpose for its FRAM modernisation in the late 80s/early 90s was to serve in wartime as an ocean escort. I thought that i could add 16 VLS cells in place of the Harpoons and move them aft. Of course adding Mk-41 means that i have to upgrade the air search radars in order to be able to launch ESSM or SM-2s. This will be done by adding an AN/SPS-52 and two FC radars. I ll also install 2 triple MK-32 TT for ASW (the Hamiltons had them untill the early 90s) Another important addition is RAST system allowing the ship to operate its SH-60 in more extreme weather conditions.

Here 's a photo of the progress so far.