WIP - 1/350 USS Lexington (CV-2)

[lvsquarerigger]

It seems as if computer access will be tight for awhile so I decided to post what I am doing and add pics when I can.

The first thing I did was paint the lower hull and with one coat it seems to be OK. It looks good but when I do the rest of it I will give it a second coat.

And now begin the pics.

[lvsquarerigger]

The lower bridge is next. After receiving WP33 I looked at the very clear photo of the quad antiaircraft tubs and decided I wasn't satisfied with my current rendition so off it came. I redid the platform to a tighter configuration and put splinter shields on alighning them with the walls underneath. I still haven't put the ribs on but I do have the jig ready to cut them.

Next I covered the rounded portion with very thin styrene sheet as I really couldn't get the seam at the corners to look good no matter how I filled or sanded. From the photos in WP33 it is clear the windows that were here are incorrect in number, size, and location. There were only two on each side, not three, and one on the front although I can't find a photo or diagram to be sure. The originals were grossly inaccurate so what I have done is go to a very small drill, #73, and drilled out the windows. It took me a couple of tries to get somethng I was satisfied with but I managed. The windows are so small, 2 x 12 inches that true scale wouldn't be possible in any way I know of so this is my best shot as I wanted to show at least something.

At the navigation level I changed the starboard side to match what Chris did on his so the platform is wider and the splintershielding is a straight line rather than indented.

A note here: I had tried a larger size rod for the masts to get a better scale but they looked horrendous so I changed back to 3/32. Of course this meant repairing the bigger holes I had made so you will see that in different pics.

[lvsquarerigger]

The upper bridge section is next.

From the photo in WP33 the plot and flag bridges seem even in the front so I removed the front section of the lower bridge and matched it to the upper one. I removed all of the window dividers and replaced them to fit the new layout. Then I got WP 33 and changed it all again. I made both levels rounded instead of three sided. I cut off the side platforms and replaced them with sheet styrene tapering out to meet the back of the rounded platform. Still haven't put splintershields on yet.

[lvsquarerigger]

Next I added searchlight platforms at the flag plt roof level and added splinter shields. Then I added railings. Then splinter mattresses to the rails.

[lvsquarerigger]

In between I was working on the 8 inch director platform. Since Chris had said it was off scale and he had corrected that I followed his lead. Since I had already glued it up at the very beginning, while I was still under the illusion that Trumpeter made an accurate kit, I had to disassemble it to begin the changes. Then I widened the platform, extended the side pieces, extended the roof, changed the rear platform shape, added the rear bulkhead with windows and watertight doors, railings, splintershields, and I'm not sure exactly what else. I'm doing all this from memory and matching the pics I took as I went along. Anyway here are the pics, lots of them.

Then just for fun I had to set everything on the deck to at least get some sense of how it was all coming together. The radar is on the funnel here but that part is still yet to come.

Evidently you cannot post too many pics in one frame so I will add the others in a new box.

[lvsquarerigger]

Here are the other pics.

James

[lvsquarerigger]

Next is the 5 inch director platform. Again kudoes to Chris for getting it so right but with the new pics from WP 33 we can see there are two longitudinal braces not one. Also I have done the back half of the top but didn't get any pics of that so will add them at a later date. Also I could see that there is a slight apron for lack of a better term around the edge so have that to add too.

[lvsquarerigger]

Taking a break from the bridge structure and incomplete info I started on the funnel with the upper rear platform. Again thanks to Chris I tossed the original and built one to the correct dimensions. When I went to add the PE supports underneath I found they were too short and did not go all the way out as the pics in WP 33 so clearly show. SInce the dimension of length did not change, just the width, this did not make sense to me but oh well, more scratch building to do. I made my own and then completed the platform.

[lvsquarerigger]

Next was the lower platform but somehow I only have 1 pic of that so on to the upper gun platform. Looking in WP 33 again there are pics on page 11 and 31 that give good pics of the understructure and six sets of little double wedges are nowhere close. Here we go again. I cut off the wedges and made six suppots, all by eye from the pics, and the first one was a little too low so had to adjust. The the longitudinal support was open girder style but I couldn't make anything that small so used a solid strip and drilled it out to approximate what was there as best I could. Then the smaller supports running from that to the edge, two between each larger support.

BUt before those were attatched I had other things to do also. I didn't like the look of the splinter shielding from the kit so removed them and filled the spaces from their locating brackets, then I ran the small apron around the entire structure.Next came railings and I have yet to do the splinter shielding. The size on the kit is too small, eleven across the front where in pics there are only eight so haven't quite got the scale of those yet.

I'm still trying to get info on the box structures under the searchlights but will definitely make them. Also don't have the ammo hoists yet.

Also in the newer pics I noticed that the vents under the top edge of the funnel are in three separate sections so had to add those too.

I had to crop one pic to death to meet the size limit here. It seems I need to avoid the front of my mat with all those lines whenever I take pics.

[DanCinSD]

Nice work!

[Jon C Ryckert]

Great job!

[lvsquarerigger]

WP 33 is both a blessing and a curse. The more I look the more I see that needs to be changed. The 5" FC on the bridge structure is a case in point. I had already done supports on the bottom of the platform and was starting on the rails and splinter shielding on the top. Then I see in a picture and the blueprints that it was wrong! I had put one latitudinal suport and there were two! The second was also tilted back at an angle. So remove the old and start over.

With that done I could return to the top but alas I had snapped the rails I had already done off doing the under supports. Anyway, I started again and got them done. I also included the slight raised and forward projecting section as seen in a couple of the photos but I couldn't see it anywhere in the blueprints so it's my best guess of what it should be.

Also there seems to be a slight skirt around the edge of that platform and I added this also. I also broke off one of the stretchers so had to add a piece for that also. As it will be inside the PE ones I have the square shape actually works better.

[lvsquarerigger]

Next are the platforms on the rear of the funnel. I made both from scratch and the bracing under each was again a pain as the picture on pg 11 of WP 33 clearly shows how they looked. Once the bracing was in place I put the rails and splinter shielding on. Then it was putting it in place with the support rods. These platforms also had the small skirting that Trumpeter seems to ignore.

I've included pics of all the platforms in place but only the lower rear is glued in permantly. In the final pic you can see the rails on the upper aa platform still awaiting splinter shields. I have them on but have not taken pics yet. You can also see the rails on the small platforms just under the aa one. I've added the correct braces on these as well as cutting the holes in the upper platform for the ladders.

[carr]

When you combine attention to detail with superior craftsmanship you get the results seen here. Absolutely outstanding!

I'll be following this one closely the rest of the way. Can't wait to see more!

[lvsquarerigger]

Another set of bracing under a platform that is totally missing in the kit is the 8" firecontrol. I had already done this but in the newer pics it's clear the braces are girders not solid. So here I go again, off with the old and on with the new.

I did learn a little by installing the first set that it was a real pain to get the one brace between the two longitudinal ones installed so went about it differently this time. I made a pattern of the platform of the thinnest sheet styrene I had. I added the skirting that Trumpeter does not seem to want in it's kits and the two longitudinal braces. I then added the smaller struts but couldn't get anything small enough to do the really small bracing but at least now they are open not closed.

The more I looked at this the more it didn't seem quite right. The supports came too close to the lower deck and railings and the forward rails and shielding was just a tad too high. Here I go again, I took all the under support structure off, and sanded the forward railings down just a bit. I'm now redoing the supports but with wire instead of styrene. WIll post pics when it is done.

[JIM BAUMANN]

Relentlessly good work!

Your tenacity is admirable!


JImB

[MartinJQuinn]

Yeah, what Jim said. Great stuff.

[ArizonaBB39]

Excellent work

[smithec]

James Squarerigger, I simply cannnot find the superlatives to describe what I am seeing here. This will be the best Trumpy Lady Lex out there.

Best regards, Chris

[lvsquarerigger]

I thank all of you who have commended my work but would like to exrend a few kudos of my own, Tony at L'Arsenal USA, Randy at Camoflage.com, the gentleman who sent me pics and his extra set of stretchers from am Arizona kit, to Chris Smithers for his detailed build log and unceasing offering of information to any on the Lex site, and also to the rest of those who so unselfishly give of their thoughts and knowledge on the Calling all Lex site.

James