The Ship Model Forum

The time has come to sand and coat the hull. Yesterday, I spent all day reinforcing the inside of the hull using the Max CLR and fiberglass strands. It was a pain in the butt, but it turned out great.

This morning I took to sanding the hull. First with 60 grit and working all the way up to 400. I then moved the hull, swept the shop and then cleaned the hull with a tack cloth.









Now on to coating the hull. I LOVE this Max CLR!!! This stuff is super easy to work, has NO odor and has a working time of 45 minutes. It coats like molasses in December then evens out into a nice. It works so easy in fact that I could have had my 12 y/o stepson apply it with the same results.







NOW!!! Here's a question for you guys. There were a few sections of the forward hull that were difficult to sand. I didn't want to get the wood too thin and I figured I could go back over it later with an automotive grade filler. But after looking at the way the resin is laying, I'm getting a natural ripple in the hull that pretty much simulates the wear on the hull that an active ship gets. Like this:





Here's what I'm talking about: Sorry the lighting is kind of poor!











So, mu question is this... Should I smooth it out with filler to make it look like a bass boat, or should I just leave it and paint the hull to give it a more "well used" effect? What's the general consensus? Thanks in advance guys!!!

Leave it be and paint it!!!!! You're building in such a scale where a "goof" like that really lends itself. Keep up the awesome work

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Drawing Board:
1/700 Whiff USS Leyte and escorts 1984
1/700 Whiff USN Modernized CAs 1984
1/700 Whiff ASW Showdown - FFs vs SSGN 1984

Slipway:
1/700 Whiff USN ASW Hunter Killer Group Dio 1984

Thanks... That's kind of what I was thinking.

Oh and Sorry guys... I had a computer goof on Photobucket and lost some of the earlier pics.

go ahead and shoot a coat of primer see what it looks like.....when i glass a pattern i'll shoot a coat......then that's when the fun begins..... ....joe

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http://www.48thfleet.com

Very inspiring stuff.. And the fittings you made...

I wish my ddg showed up...

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NIKOS (NICK)
ΜΕΓΑ ΤΟ ΤΗΣ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΗΣ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ
(GREAT IS THE NATION THAT MASTERS THE SEAS)

how long ago did you order it?? you will get it.....joe

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http://www.48thfleet.com

Joe thank you for your concern but I do not think that my moaning is the subject here...

We are witnessing here a superb build and craftmanship...

Chris how do you intend to build the masts and radars?

_________________
NIKOS (NICK)
ΜΕΓΑ ΤΟ ΤΗΣ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΗΣ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ
(GREAT IS THE NATION THAT MASTERS THE SEAS)

Well... The fun really begins! Here she sets with two initial coats of high build sandable primer. I'm going to go out here in about a half hour and wet sand it. She still has lots of imperfections. I have a little filling to do as well.

yup......let the fun begin.. ...looking good chris......keep us posted....

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http://www.48thfleet.com

OK... Well. Here's where she sets this evening. Bilge Keels in place. Needs a lot more sanding, but getting there.

i,m sitting in my shop here looking at my OHP hull in 1/72 scale....looks like i'll be starting it.....some one's gotta run with ya.....

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http://www.48thfleet.com

Hahahaha. Sweet. Then I won't be the lone giant on the pond!

count on it..... ......joe

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http://www.48thfleet.com

Well... It's been a few days since I've posted and I've gotten quite a bit done.



Homegrown, DIY running gear. Nice, straight and smooth as silk. Less than couple thousands clearance. Lube should keep out the water as well as the seals I'm designing. I'll keep you posted.





I started on the deck...



I left an egress hatch for the rudder linkages. It needs a ton of fine tuning but if the linkages ever jam, I won't have to destroy the stern to get to them.







So... What have I learned so far?

1. No matter how big and ugly you are and regardless of your misspent "John Wayne" youth, cutting nice big holes in a pristine hull you've spent weeks creating will scare you to the point that your sphincter could squeeze coal into diamonds! MEASURE 5 TIMES, CUT ONCE!!!

2. Go out and buy yourself a bottle of "Gorilla Glue". As SOON as you get home, squeeze it out all over your hands and clothes ('cuz that's where it's gonna end up), let the bottle dry thoroughly. Then use your nice new container to store small screws and what not. I'm not kidding. this stuff is crap!!! Don't waste your time or money. I've tried it twice and it failed BOTH times. And it's a bear to clean up and forget about it sticking to anything except to what you don't want it to stick to.

3. Silver solder is the stuff that dreams are made of. Yup... It ranks right up there with beer and brats! I went out and got a roll of it. I've never worked with it before but now I'm sold. Heck, if I could figure a way to fix everything in the house with it I would! It's flows like butter and cleans up real nice. Don't get me wrong... I've soldered before... But, I've only ever used lead/acid solder and had little faith in just how strong the joints made with the silver were gonna be. Just watch... I'll bet I'll end up with some silver based poisoning real soon!

4. Last but not least. I thought I should take on this hobby because it seemed like it would be relaxing and fun. Holy Cat Crap!!! When does the relaxation and fun start? I've been nothing but tense and worried since I started. Oh, and i haven't slept much either thinking about this darned boat. I think a mistress would be less bother!

looks like you'll be having the sea trials soon.....looking exelent chris.....your qoute on what iv'e learned...so true

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http://www.48thfleet.com

Yep true it is. Lucky me, I started building it just to pass time and keep the mind running during my (too long) holidays. So it just suits me. Relaxation is just not part of it. Perhaps it starts when the ship is finished (so actually when you just stopped the hobby) and it'll end again when you put the ship on the water, coz then the worrying will start again (so actually, when you start the hobby again) I guess the hobby just doesn't come with relaxation after all

Great results so far though, nice and smooth hull and excellent paint job

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The merchant shipyard

i think the fun starts (at least i think so) when you start the finale detail work....but then the more detail you put on it you'll be more worried about putting your work of art in the water.....some thing could happen.....joe

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http://www.48thfleet.com

Took a little time today to research and decorate the ASROC as it looked in '87. The pic of the real ASROC is from the '87 Persian Gulf Cruise Book.

Also... When I'm waiting for paint or glue to dry, I carve crew members. I figure if I don't want to put Genghis Khan and his hoards or a bunch of Cowboys and Indians on the deck (which are the only 1/72 figures my local hobby shop sells), I'd better make my own.

This is Ensign Bigfoot:



I gave him that name because he has the same gait as this guy:



I kept looking at him and couldn't figure out what the heck was wrong with him... Duh! NOBODY walks like that. Look at his arms!

So... I broke off his little arms and did some Superglue Neurosurgery...

He looks much better now!





Although... He really looks like Sasquatch now.