1/144 Kiev by Dave Wooley

[Capit�o Norbert]

yes i know i am doing some details when i can in the Bsmarck and sometimes i see the amount of detail and i know i have a long road ahead.
but each detail you add in your model your "long road" decrease.....
the time for me is very few. just weekends and as i am married.....
do you know......


p.s. il ike your tool to make small circles - wonderful

[109]

Hi Dave,

great work on the foam monitors!

Bye!

PS: I got my first Albion Alloy materials. Great stuff from across the channel! )

[DrPR]

Dave,

The details are where large scale scratchbuilding differs the most from kit building. It is up to the scratchbuilder (and kitbasher) to discover the missing details, and then figure out how to model them. It is not all laid out before you when you start, and discovering the details is the most challenging part.

When I started my 1:96 USS Oklahoma City CLG-5 I had drawings of the hull, deck layouts, and superstructure, plus a fiberglass hull. That was easy. However, I couldn't find drawings for many details, such as the flag staff on the stern (it took five years to find enough good photos, including 8mm home movies, that showed how it was constructed). I soon reached a point where I couldn't continue until a lot of questions were answered. Many other significant details also took years to figure out how they were built and then create my own scale drawings.

For me figuring out the details is a big part of scratch building. When I visit the USS Little Rock CLG-4 (sister ship to the OK City) and walk up to a boat winch, it is like visiting an old friend. I know that winch inside and out. Ditto for the missile launcher or the 6" turret. My 1:96 models of these features will represent them as accurately as I can make them.

I really appreciate your attention to details, and I understand your frustrations. However, your work speaks for itself! Your Kiev is beautiful. And I have to repeat what others here have said - it is hard to believe it is "only" 1:144 scale. From the photos I would have guessed 1:72!

[russclark]

lovely work on the firefighting foam nozzels,it is nice to see the method you use to build these small parts.the first one is usually the hardest,then it is repition for the rest

[Dave Wooley]

Hi Dave,

great work on the foam monitors!

Bye!

PS: I got my first Albion Alloy materials. Great stuff from across the channel! )

Hi 109 Thanks for your comments and I'm pleased that you got your material from Albion Alloy's
Dave Wooley

[Dave Wooley]

Dave,

The details are where large scale scratchbuilding differs the most from kit building. It is up to the scratchbuilder (and kitbasher) to discover the missing details, and then figure out how to model them. It is not all laid out before you when you start, and discovering the details is the most challenging part.

When I started my 1:96 USS Oklahoma City CLG-5 I had drawings of the hull, deck layouts, and superstructure, plus a fiberglass hull. That was easy. However, I couldn't find drawings for many details, such as the flag staff on the stern (it took five years to find enough good photos, including 8mm home movies, that showed how it was constructed). I soon reached a point where I couldn't continue until a lot of questions were answered. Many other significant details also took years to figure out how they were built and then create my own scale drawings.

For me figuring out the details is a big part of scratch building. When I visit the USS Little Rock CLG-4 (sister ship to the OK City) and walk up to a boat winch, it is like visiting an old friend. I know that winch inside and out. Ditto for the missile launcher or the 6" turret. My 1:96 models of these features will represent them as accurately as I can make them.

I really appreciate your attention to details, and I understand your frustrations. However, your work speaks for itself! Your Kiev is beautiful. And I have to repeat what others here have said - it is hard to believe it is "only" 1:144 scale. From the photos I would have guessed 1:72!

Hi DrPR Thank you for your comments they are much appreciated . I've only just returned from the Telford IPMS and to see the intensity , if that's the right word in the detail on 1:700 models I am in awe at the capabilities of the modellers that create such a level of realism , we never stop learning!. In fact I had a discussion with Guido over coffee on this very subject of scale and what it means . It is certainly a vast subject when you get into any discussion .A weekend is not long enough and I even managed to get some photos as well.
Dave Wooley

[Dave Wooley]

lovely work on the firefighting foam nozzels,it is nice to see the method you use to build these small parts.the first one is usually the hardest,then it is repition for the rest

Hi Russ Yes you are so right as we both follow a similar path .That first one is the mind teaser, after that it is more of a production line. Looking at it logically and from a very practical view point I should do one and cast the rest, but in a strange way I enjoy just making the parts, each and every one.
Dave Wooley

[Ticonderoga]

Wow Dave, how good are those monitors......

When I think you have shown us just about everything, pop, out comes another surprise.

I am so lucky to have this Kiev build ahead of my Russian squadron. I just hope, even at twice the scale, I can deliver half the quality.

Such an inspiration., thanks.

Andrew

PS, please don't forget those dates you were goin to pm. You have had a pretty intense time lately I know.

[Dave Wooley]

Kiev is fitted with the AK 630 close in weapons system , accompanying these is a manual sighting system mounted on a plinth close to each pair of AK 630s The job in hand was to make 4 of these sights.
Once again no drawings only photos . A simple sketch to work out the relative size and a start could be made.
The first job was to drill into a length of styrene box section to accommodate the V shaped arm supporting a simple �ring� sight .

This was followed by cutting to size each of the components that will eventually make up the 4 sights . The mounting plinth was made from styrene rod , shaped to a taper . Each base is formed from .50mm styrene and punched out using the leather punch

Each pre drilled section into which the sighting support is fitted is now married to the lower mounting which in turn will be joined to the plinth.

These are all lined up to each plinth ready for the next stage.

A common rod that will link each side of the sight is fitted to the top of the lower mounting

Each lower mounting is made ready to be assembled onto the plinth


Two discs which form part of the upper mounting are fitted either side of the upper mounting { but off set to one end}

Each one of the ring sights formed from PE is fitted to the �V� support which in turn fits directly into the lower mounting . The sight consists of two operating handles which are formed from strips of discarded hand rail PE and fitted into an outer disc.

All four prepared manual sights are given a coat of paint.

One sight has a dedicated semi circular platform which is to be installed on the port sponson supporting the 2 port AK 630s

The manual sighting is also fitted aft on both port and starboard r sponsons.

Dave Wooley more to come but I can see the finish line.

[ARH]

Very nice Dave,

[Dave Wooley]

Very nice Dave,

Hi Ron Good to hear form you . Quite a number at Telford where asking after you .
Dave Wooley

[Bill Waldorf]

Amazing as usual....Glad you went with figures. I have no words. Only praise......

[gtbred]

Man, i can only think if you did a Supercarrier.

[russclark]

dave, the manual sights are supberb,the good old punch comes in handy again keep up the exellent work sir.you inspire me, and more than likly many others to strive to do better

[Ticonderoga]

Hi Dave,

As ususal your work is excellent, such fine detail. I realise that dexterity comes with practice, but how do you manage to work the scale so well, especially when you work from a drawing only? I guess the answer to this question is a month of posts in its own right

Andrew

[Dave Wooley]

Amazing as usual....Glad you went with figures. I have no words. Only praise......

Hi Bill good to hear from you . Seeing your carriers with crew convinced me that is the way to go and I thank you for that .

[Dave Wooley]

dave, the manual sights are supberb,the good old punch comes in handy again keep up the exellent work sir.you inspire me, and more than likly many others to strive to do better

Hi Russ Yes some of the "old" tools are the most versatile and thanks for looking in and your kind comments, press on with your Nagato !!!!!!
Dave Wooley

[Dave Wooley]

Man, i can only think if you did a Supercarrier.

Hi Gtbred I'd love to do a supercarrier but first I'd have to cut a "big" hole in my workshop opps shed!!! There is a guy Chris is his name on the warship UK site building a Nimitz at 1:144 scale . It is a truly magnificent model and has a plethora of working features , man it is good!! Saw the pictures in the gallery of the USS Enterprise in the Smithsonian now that is a carrier that would tempt me , before they changed the island that is !
Dave Wooley

[Capit�o Norbert]

superb A. Carrier -
Hey Dave thinking about a new model?

[travelling_man]

Hi Dave

Words just seem able to do justice to the build!

Am about to PM you

Cheers

Steve