Calling all Iowa-class (BB-61) fans

[rdenman62]

here are a couple of pics of the USS Missouri with a bow view..There is a slight "rise" in the bow and you can clearly see that in these three photos. As you can tell its not as pronounced as the photo you posted. But you can tell there is an incline to the deck when you're walking up to the bow

[Timmy C]

It's a long telephoto shot which greatly compressed the depth of objects, but are you sure that's an Iowa class ship? It doesn't look right to me.

It's Iowa undergoing her renovations in preparation for museum ship duty.

[Matt52590]

Matt52590 here is a picture of my missouri with the flyhawk set for the bridge and bulkheads. its a really nice pe set

DSC01131.JPG

Rdenman62,
I've looked just about everywhere online for that super detail Flyhawk set. Some have the regular set but I want the "extra detail" one you have for the etched main turret covers and the bulkhead details with the bend down attached ladders. I could order the Eduard set that builder2010 used on his as it has similar parts if I cant find the Flyhawk set but I can't seem to for the life of me. I ordered the superset from lionroar at Hobbystuffdepot.com and they have the Flyhawk set listed but it's out of stock. Maybe cause of the earthquake there's a shortage? I emailed hobbystuff about it asking if they'd be getting any in or at all and I'll let you all know what they say for future reference cause it looks like a nice set.

-Matt

[Builder 2010]

I don't think that the earthquake was the cause. It's made in China, not Japan.

[Matt52590]

Oh yeah your right my mistake. I was just trying to think of a reason for it, they know its an in demand set so i wonder what caused them to evidently stop distributing it abroad. By the way Builder2010, remember your frustration you had with your Eduard 40mm quad Bofors mounts? Well let me tell youuuu... i just received the Master model "sea master" 1/350 20mm Oerlikon brass mounts (http://master-model.pl/index.php?page=s ... 56&lang=en). Wow.... they are some of the tinniest PE I've ever seen. the PE fret they give you to make 20 sets of them is about 1x2 inches . So since i ordered 3 sets of 20 and there are 49 mounts in total on the ship, I couldn't resist attempting to do one even though i am far off from starting this build. My curiosity and the rather large itch to finally build something got the better of me. Welllll... as you see from the diagram on the website you have to bend those pieces about 5 different ways. the gun sites are attached to the mount by about as much as what holds the piece on the brass fret in the first place! Somehow it managed to construct one and not have it fall apart. My needle nose tweezers dwarfed it and was very frustrating at times. My small shop hold and fold was rendered at times almost useless. In the end, it took me the better part of a whole hour to make that one mount!!!! The love of the hobby and patience will be the only way i get through the remaining 58 of them. I still cant wait to get all my pieces i ordered here so I can start to build!!

-Matt

[Builder 2010]

Oh Matt... do I feel for you. I looked at those mounts and thought, "No way in hell would I be able to build one of those!" There is a practical physical limit where, even though you can etch it, you really can't build it. Part of the problem is the contact area for the CA to bond. CA is inherently brittle, and small (tiny) surface areas don't hold up very well. The slightest touch and CRASH! the piece falls apart. Then there's the challenge of actually seeing the details on the finished product once the model is built. With the average age of scale modelers getting older, seeing those details is almost a lost cause.

Post some images, because depending on your experience, I might buy them for my Essex build.

I'm thinking about doing more repainting on the Navy Blue hull sides. I don't like how my previous touch up looks and doesn't conform to the overall quality of the model. My wife insists that I shouldn't do anything more since I could very easily screw something up. She may be right.

[robertmelvin]

I've made numerous attempts to master the SeaMaster's 20mm Oerlikon guns without success. I have to admit that PE is not my long suite and even after over three years back into the hobby I still find myself struggling with much of the PE available in my preferred scale of 1/350 (I can't imagine it in 1/700). After numerous attempts to successfully put together one of these guns, which look so nice in the SeaMaster's web site, I finally concluded that my gorilla fingers were simply not adept enough to let me work with these with an acceptable degree of sucess. I've since finding myself using either the kit parts with PE shields, etc., or going with another alternative like, Yankee Model Works white metal.

I take my hat off to anybody with the dexterity to build these fine little guns. I simply lack the ability/talent to effectively use them myself. As Clint Eastwood said "a man has to know his limitations). That having been said, I'm not altogether too disturbed by this. My approach to building my ships is as a "representative builder", not a pin light brigade rivet counter. I'm content if my builds give a respectable representation of the subject, especially when viewed at the kind of distances most of my builds (which I display in my office at work) will be viewed. I find this more forgiving of such techniques as using the kit guns with such PE as I can manage.

Bob

[Builder 2010]

That's a very mature and commendable attitude. Don't be so hard on yourself. We have no idea how many attempts they made efore they got one they could photograph. Eduard asked if they could display my ship on their website. I said yes. Maybe they'll give me something off on my next project. Again, just because they can etch it doesn't mean we mortals can put it together.

[robertmelvin]

Well said, Builder. Just because they can design it, it doesn't necessarily follow that certainly the average, and I consider myself an average modeler at best, can actually use it successfully. With Eduard's PE, I find that the pre-etched bends are a mixed blessing. They certainly make it easier to bend the PE in the appropriate places, but they also tend to make it more subject to breakage. I'm using the Eduard set for the North Carolina, supplemented/backed up by the GMM set in case I bugger up something in the Eduard kit, like cranes, etc., and I've definitely had some issues with breakage of the PE parts along the pre-etched bending lines. Fortunately, I've been able to remedy most of these breakages by getting one portion of the part in place, then gluing the broken section in place. I've yet to tackle the 40 mm mounts, so we'll see how those go. I have to say that I'm in awe of the job you did with the Eduard PE you used on your build. Of course, you skills far eclipse mine!

Bob

[Matt52590]

Oh no question, it was definitely a tough build and it did take me a hour to complete this one mount. I didn't have any magnification yet either and strained my eyes pretty bad to even see what i was doing. A you an see from the attached photos. the immediate difference you see ( the plastic one having been taken from my old MO for comparison) is the brass barrel is thinner. also, you can just make out the gun sights in another picture. Like you pointed out though, once painted and put into a case these details are unfortunate obscured for the most part. So in the end i suppose its one of those things that gives the modeler self satisfaction knowing that its there and what it took to make it, even if outsiders can't appreciate it.

Here are some pics:

[Matt52590]

By the way, sorry for those couple typo's I had in the last post. I really got to remember to make sure I check it over before I submit it! . Oh and Builder, to make your point you stated about CA being brittle...while I was turning the index card around for photo angles the mount piece fell over and one of the shoulder rests fell off you really do have to be careful and watch what your doing with these little things. Always good to have spares i guess haha.

-Matt

[Matt52590]

Here's one more picture i forgot to add, but thought it was worth uploading. An above shot comparison.

[rdenman62]

Matt, here you go http://www.ebay.com/itm/PE-1-350-WWII-B ... 27b8fdc323
don't know if you like ordering from this site or from some company in china...I picked up mine from hobbystuff too. I also have the lion roar set, the eduard set and the gold metal models set. Thought I might pick up the white ensign set but stilll need some of those alliance modelworks 5" guns as I think they're better than any of the ones provided in the lion roar or flyhawk set. Admire your patience on assembly of that 20mm.....havent decided what I'm gonna do on mine whether to use pe or kit supplied 20mm with some pe added....started on some 40mm and got 3 done and gave up..for now...anyways that link was one I found for the flyhawk set........check it out

[robertmelvin]

I still haven't given up on mastering the SeaMasters 20 mm guns. I still have quite a few to practice on as the spirit moves me. I'm not planning on starting Missouri, which I want to be a showcase build, until I have at least a half dozen more builds of various scales under my belt. This will give me more opportunities to hone my skills working with PE as well as resin after market, all of which I will be using on the Missouri build, from the resin foredeck aft. I'm hoping that these intervening builds will allow me to hone my skills to the point that I can hope to do a decent measure of justice to the Missouri.

When I do start Missouri, my plan is to go slowly, taking my time, anticipating a build that will take months, not weeks. And, unlike my usual practice of keeping two or three builds going at once, I plan on concentrating on Missouri exclusively during her build. For me, she is an ambitious project, though nothing in the league of Builder's model. But, never the less, I hope to produce a model that reflects all of the skills and knowledge that I have accumulated between returning to the hobby about 3 and a half years ago and when I start that project. So, in the meantime, practice, practice, practice, both by building other kits and by practicing on the available after market like the SeaMaster's 20 mm guns in the hopes of mastering them before I begin.

We'll see if this plan works when I finally sit down to the Missouri on my bench.

Bob

[Matt52590]

Matt, here you go http://www.ebay.com/itm/PE-1-350-WWII-B ... 27b8fdc323
don't know if you like ordering from this site or from some company in china...I picked up mine from hobbystuff too. I also have the lion roar set, the eduard set and the gold metal models set. Thought I might pick up the white ensign set but stilll need some of those alliance modelworks 5" guns as I think they're better than any of the ones provided in the lion roar or flyhawk set. Admire your patience on assembly of that 20mm.....havent decided what I'm gonna do on mine whether to use pe or kit supplied 20mm with some pe added....started on some 40mm and got 3 done and gave up..for now...anyways that link was one I found for the flyhawk set........check it out

Thanks a lot for finding that ebay link! I'm not sure what my paycheck will be like when I go into work later today so I'll have to see if i can afford dropping $130 haha. How do you like the Lion Roar set? Have you found the PE durable or flimsy? I have the WEM set and can attest to it looking pretty good. I've used WEM on my Bismarck that I never got to finish and is of good quality. I also have the 5'/38 cal sea master barrels (http://master-model.pl/index.php?page=s ... 56&lang=en) and they look O.K. The Lion roar set comes with some also i believe. I also ordered the L'Arsenal 5" twin mounts that come with 5" barrels (not for the barrels) and the BMK 16"/50 cal and 5"/38 cal barrel set so i have a million of them... If anyone needs any in 1/350 scale let me know cause i got plenty haha. rdenman let me know also what you think about the alliance 5" barrels if you do buy them, I'll go look them up now. And thanks for your comment about making the 20mm cannon. In my opinion, it looks better than the kit provided one and with some type of magnification and a steady hand, (which i unwisely didn't use and is probably why it took me an hour to make it cause i couldn't see the parts!) it would probably be relatively easy for anyone whose handled PE before. Then again, in the end its what you want on your model and how you want it to look. This is a hobby, its supposed to be fun and if something winds up being to difficult and it becomes a reason for frustration, than it really shouldn't be worth your time. Especially if its the difference between seeing a microscopic detail and that may not even be seen and appreciated by its viewers. This little guy took me a hour to build and I have nooooo idea how I'm gonna make 58 more of these to add to my build when the time comes. Anyone thinking about putting those 20mm's on their models, i say buy a set and see what you think.

-Matt

[Matt52590]

Rdenman,
Wow, the alliance model works resin twin 5"/38 cal mark 28 turrets look real good! (http://www.am-works.com/store/nw35051-w ... p-190.html) Better looking even maybe than the ones from L'Arsenal that are on their way... I like the rivet look that pops out at you and the raised lines around where the barrels raise and lower that usually gets applied by PE. Very nice. Now you got me thinking about buying these also!! But it'd probably be a little overkill considering how many 5" guns i will already have with the seamaster, lion roar and L'Arsenal sets. But we shall see.

-Matt

Matt, here you go http://www.ebay.com/itm/PE-1-350-WWII-B ... 27b8fdc323
don't know if you like ordering from this site or from some company in china...I picked up mine from hobbystuff too. I also have the lion roar set, the eduard set and the gold metal models set. Thought I might pick up the white ensign set but stilll need some of those alliance modelworks 5" guns as I think they're better than any of the ones provided in the lion roar or flyhawk set. Admire your patience on assembly of that 20mm.....havent decided what I'm gonna do on mine whether to use pe or kit supplied 20mm with some pe added....started on some 40mm and got 3 done and gave up..for now...anyways that link was one I found for the flyhawk set........check it out

Thanks a lot for finding that ebay link! I'm not sure what my paycheck will be like when I go into work later today so I'll have to see if i can afford dropping $130 haha. How do you like the Lion Roar set? Have you found the PE durable or flimsy? I have the WEM set and can attest to it looking pretty good. I've used WEM on my Bismarck that I never got to finish and is of good quality. I also have the 5'/38 cal sea master barrels (http://master-model.pl/index.php?page=s ... 56&lang=en) and they look O.K. The Lion roar set comes with some also i believe. I also ordered the L'Arsenal 5" twin mounts that come with 5" barrels (not for the barrels) and the BMK 16"/50 cal and 5"/38 cal barrel set so i have a million of them... If anyone needs any in 1/350 scale let me know cause i got plenty haha. rdenman let me know also what you think about the alliance 5" barrels if you do buy them, I'll go look them up now. And thanks for your comment about making the 20mm cannon. In my opinion, it looks better than the kit provided one and with some type of magnification and a steady hand, (which i unwisely didn't use and is probably why it took me an hour to make it cause i couldn't see the parts!) it would probably be relatively easy for anyone whose handled PE before. Then again, in the end its what you want on your model and how you want it to look. This is a hobby, its supposed to be fun and if something winds up being to difficult and it becomes a reason for frustration, than it really shouldn't be worth your time. Especially if its the difference between seeing a microscopic detail and that may not even be seen and appreciated by its viewers. This little guy took me a hour to build and I have nooooo idea how I'm gonna make 58 more of these to add to my build when the time comes. Anyone thinking about putting those 20mm's on their models, i say buy a set and see what you think.

-Matt

[rdenman62]

You can never have too much stuff I say......When I decided to build the Missouri I wanted it to have every after market item I could get my hands on. I wanted it to be "museum" quality, although my skills were probably not even close to accomplishing that. But I went ahead and started the collecting of all things needed to do that. I am sorta like robertmelvin above. This is the only build I am doing at this time. I wanted to devote all my "skills" and available time to this model. I even took a trip out to Hawaii this past February to see the Missouri and of course my daughter and granddaughter....I have been working on this model for about 8 months or so. Not every day and sometimes go a week before doing anything on it. It isnt even close to being done. I want it to be done. I want it to be like builder2010 model...and it will, someday.......I just had to stop buying everything remotely connected to it in regards to aftermarket stuff.....A few pages back in this forum I posted a list for every aftermarket item and company that I knew of for items for the Missouri. Look it up and if you can add anything to it, let me know and I'll add it to the list. The Lion Roar set has some things not included in any other set. Same goes for Flyhawk, Eduard and GMM. The GMM pe set is IMHO the best out of the ones I have. It does not have near the items that flyhawk or lion roar has but the brass seems "thicker" to me..have not had one of their pe parts break on me yet. All the other sets have broken on me just like builder2010. bend them once, fine, bend them twice, your pushing your luck, bend them 3 times? never made it there. All of them have their good and bad points. It just depends on how far you intend to go on detailing. I was going all the way but somethings are not going to be seen and I dont know if I want to go that far now......I'm also like you I have multiple sets of brass barrels both 5" and 16". I think the best quad 40mm out there are the alliance model works ones. Combination of resin and pe. I do have the L'arsenal ones too. Nice but I like the alliance ones. Same with the 5" gun housings the alliance ones are the best. Anyways check out that post about all the aftermarket stuff available , it may help you make up your mind on what to buy and what you dont.....

[rdenman62]

Heres that list.............................
The list is by no means complete. Also I didnt list every single piece that each manufacturer produces. I believe on page 25 or around there on this forum topic a member listed most if not all items made by L'arsenal so I didnt list each item. Here is what I have:
ABER...gun barrels...builder2010 used these on his build
FLYHAWK...pe set and gun barrels with resin parts, pe weapons 20mm 40mm...... nice set but expensive
EDUARD....pe set, figures, good set but issues with the etched "hinge" lines just ask builder2010
LION ROAR...pe set with resin, pe weapons 20mm 40mm, gun barrels...... excellent set but again expensive
L'ARSENAL...all kinds of weapons, gun directors, figures, resin deck see listing in this forum pg 25 I think...good stuff
GOLD MEDAL MODELS...pe set........very nice, affordable and brass sheets seem a "little" thicker than other pe sets
WHITE ENSIGN..pe set, kingfisher aircraft...very good..a little pricey for the ultimate set
YANKEE MODELWORKS....resin turrets, conversion sets, radar, gun directors, small accessories...pretty good but their
barrels are white metal
FUJIMI...figures....yeah these are japanese but you can use them, price??
GOFFY...resin figures...good...price good...
ALLIANCE...pe and resin 20mm, 40mm, 5 inch Gun turrets, decals....excellent stuff
SCALEDECKS...wood deck.......they look good,,dont have one but I believe Builder 2010 put one on his build
PONTOS....wood deck with anchor chain and dry transfers for draft markings...great deck I bought the "blue deck" very
affordable
ARTWOX...wood deck.....havent seen one...price???
KA....heard they have wood decks
MODEL SHIPWAYS...anchor chain...various sizes of chain...good
BMK...metal barrels....excellent...affordable and I own 16" and 5"
B&B...metal barrels....dont own any
MASTER MODELS...metal barrels...dont own any
TOMS MODELWORKS...various pe sets...nice and affordable
VETERAN...nice resin accessories....good prices
PAPER LAB...metal and resin accessories like hatch covers and searchlights....hard to find...decent pricing
VOYAGER...life rafts, pe sets......good stuff and prices
TRUMPETER...aircraft SC1...you get 6 in a box
FLAGSHIP...pe sets 20mm 40mm and hatch cover details...havent seen any....prices ??

Again this is not a complete list but pretty much gives you an idea of every manufacturer I'm aware of out there. Opinions on the items are mine and prices vary so shop around. Check out Larsenal list as they have quite a large selection. Hope this helps and if you know of any one I forgot just let me know and I'll add it to the list

[jlogicalor]

EDUARD....pe set, figures, good set but issues with the etched "hinge" lines just ask builder2010

I can vouch for that as well. It has been a problem for me as I build my Missouri. You have to be extreeeeeeeeeemely careful. I ordered a second set so that I would have extra parts.

[Builder 2010]

That's a great list. In hindsight, I might have liked the Alliance 40mm sets, especially since both the barrels and the bases are castings. The Eduard set has folded PE bases and gun mounts and both caused me trouble. Particularly difficult was getting the mounts to adhere to the base. I initially tried CA, but it kept breaking loose and then turned to soldering. The soldering worked, but was soooo touchy that I was never entirely happy with it. As far as the 5" mounts, I think that the Alliance mounts, while spiffy, have overdone the rivets. In fact, there really aren't any rivets, as seen here in this shot of the 5" High-angle Mount on the New Jersey. Putting the PE on the turrets with the Eduard set was actually fun and produced nice results.

Regardless of whose stuff you buy, you're going to have frustrations, like a white piece of paper�being used as a background for some progress shots�falling onto the model and almost completely destroying the SK-2 radar. It knocked the screen, forward rings and emitter completely off the complex of back braces and aft rings. It almost gave me a heart attack since this was the second screen I had built. The first one had fallen off the bench and I rolled over it with my desk chair wheel... ROAD KILL! I used J-B Weld, steel-filled epoxy to hold the screen back braces to the brass pedestal I had made. Luckily that all held and I only had to carefully re-glue the screen to the braces and do a bit of touch up painting. Here's a model of a ship that saw action in the pacific for a year without serious damage being seriously by a freaking piece of paper. Really?