1/700 Alameda Naval Station 1945

[EnterpriseCBG]

When I first created the diorama I was looking at saving space and also being able to store and transport it. Looking at it I decided to restart the base so that it is "proportional" to the real base so working on a larger area now.

[EnterpriseCBG]

Started the build up of the piers using evergreen styrene.



Here is the Loose Cannon Crane that I am using.

[Sr. Gopher]

Awesome job so far

[EnterpriseCBG]

Latest updates...

Pier build up complete



Closer look at the piers..




Painted piers... water bottom base..



Carriers have taken shape.. working on details, armament, and of course the dreaded Photo-Etching..

[Sr. Gopher]

Did you have to cut out each individual piece for the pier? Or was a secret way you've developed?

[EnterpriseCBG]

I will share my secret... because I would hate for someone to go through the same ordeal then all the sudden realize theres a simple easier way...

I started out using pieces of evergreen styrene poles.. then didnt have enough and started using stretched sprew... then a thought crossed my mine. railroad N scale had these picket fences and with a little modification and a 4 pack of fences... wala! what would of took me a week to do... took me one night...

[Sr. Gopher]

Thank God! I spent a good 8 hours of my time trying to figure out a simpler way to do pier poles, but could not think of anything other than Evergreen or Plastistruct. Thanks a lot!

[johndon]

Nice work, my next dio will have one of the Alameda piers showing (albeit in 1/350th).

As a result, I'm desperately trying to find out if the piers were of solid construction or had a framework under the surface that allowed the water to run underneath. I notice that you've modelled your's solid - do you know if this was definately the case?

John

[EnterpriseCBG]

Nice work, my next dio will have one of the Alameda piers showing (albeit in 1/350th).

As a result, I'm desperately trying to find out if the piers were of solid construction or had a framework under the surface that allowed the water to run underneath. I notice that you've modelled your's solid - do you know if this was definately the case?

John

I modelled it solid because it was the easiest and simpler way for me to construct and I believe that the real piers were constructed with the water going through. The best way you can tell this is going to the site .. www.local.live.com - its almost like google earth. Go to Alameda Naval Station and then go to the icon choice of either aerial view or eagle eye view... eagle eye view shows the naval station as well as any place on earth at an angle. This will show you the details of the actual piers.

[johndon]

Thanks for that link, shows exactly what I was looking for

John

[EnterpriseCBG]

Thanks for that link, shows exactly what I was looking for

John

What are you going to build????

[MartinJQuinn]

The dio is shaping up nice...but you gotta cut Sara's stack down!

[johndon]

What are you going to build????

Hornet as the B25's are being loaded aboard.

John

[EnterpriseCBG]

The dio is shaping up nice...but you gotta cut Sara's stack down!

Martin thanks for reminding me about that ... when I first started the project I got the Trumpeteer Saratoga and decided there was too much to modify so I got the Fujimi. I went ahead and compared and noticed that the Fujimi kit stack was slightly smaller... now that you had me look at it again I went to the squadron signal detail US Aircraft Carriers in action part 1 and saw bigger differences so today I will be cutting down that stack.

[Sr. Gopher]

Any updates?

[EnterpriseCBG]

I'll be working mainly on photo etch and detailing the carriers .. I had to take a break and deal with work and planning my next round of things to do.

I will be switching to sci-fi in the next round... Executor class super destroyer..

and going to start on an RC - lifesize R2-D2...

fun fun

[EnterpriseCBG]

Fellow Modellers... I just discovered something...

On the USS San Jacinto...I had just put in the late maste from Goldmedal Models.. however looking at the photographs... was the light carrier ever fitted with the late mast? right now I'm not happy with the island and am looking at rebuilding it. Before I proceed I'd like someone to chime in if they know about the mast.

Cheers

[Sr. Gopher]

That could be for the Tamiya Bogue escort carrier.

[Cliffy B]

The whole Independence class had those "late war" masts installed during 1944-45 refits. San Jac may of missed out due to refit scheduling. I'll get back to you on it. See if you can spot it in any photos. A dead give away of the "late war" mast is a second higher yardarm above the lower one as well the radar arrangement. Early masts had an SK-2 air search set on them while the Late masts had an SM Height Finder instead.

From what I can tell looking at the photo, San Jac never got the "late war" mast. But that's me. Anyone have any shots of her in 1945?

The sheet has a mast or two for the Bogues but they are separate on the sheet. The two classes of ships were very different.

[pocketpencil]

Just a comment about the water color. I spend a lot of time at that pier currently and the water there is MUCH greener. I can provide some photos if you need them. Unless of course your going to paint it later in your build.

Otherwise, looks superb!