Uss Arizona 1927

[Richkiss]

This is my rendition of USS Arizona circa 1927-28. I started this in February and it's almost done, still need some chain for the anchors and mounted. I've added a few more pics.

[MartinJQuinn]

Nice. Conversion/kit bash, or the old Tom's Modelworks kit?

[Richkiss]

Thanks. This was mostly a scratch build from a hobbyboss 1/350 Arizona 1941 kit. The cage masts were a bit of a stumbling block. I tried doing them with a jig setup, but couldn't get them off the jig without them coming apart, so I decided to do them directly on the deck. I have photos the build if anyone's interested.

[Channell]

Beautiful work!

[mark_sch]

Mark

[JTninja]

Great job! Hope you can get some bigger pictures posted as well

[Richkiss]

Thanks for the comments. I've submitted some photos for the gallery. unfortunately I dropped the model so now it's in need of repair

[NCMac]

How did I miss this? Excellent, just excellent. The American battleships always looked better to me with cage masts rather than tripods. Just hard as Hell to model and you've done a great job.

Regards,

Mac

[Richkiss]

Thanks for the compliment. I've always liked the look of the battleships of the 20's & 30's era US Navy.
I added a pic of the Arizona as she was before and after her modernization in march of 1931.
Rich Kissinger

[NCMac]

Wow. Your last photo with both versions really illustrates both the differences and the amount of work you've done. Even more impressive. I mostly model the early war years but also find the pre-war Navy most appealing. The light gray ships, natural decks, and colorful ship's boats look quite elegant. Again, beautiful work.

I hope you can make the necessary repairs without too much difficulty; sounds horrible.

Best regards,

Mac

[Charlestonguy]

Thanks. This was mostly a scratch build from a hobbyboss 1/350 Arizona 1941 kit. The cage masts were a bit of a stumbling block. I tried doing them with a jig setup, but couldn't get them off the jig without them coming apart, so I decided to do them directly on the deck. I have photos the build if anyone's interested.

Very nice work, I followed your post on this before. Would love to see how you did the cage mast.

[Richkiss]

Thanks. This was mostly a scratch build from a hobbyboss 1/350 Arizona 1941 kit. The cage masts were a bit of a stumbling block. I tried doing them with a jig setup, but couldn't get them off the jig without them coming apart, so I decided to do them directly on the deck. I have photos the build if anyone's interested.

Very nice work, I followed your post on this before. Would love to see how you did the cage mast.

I'll add some pics of the them as I progressed and try to explain what I did, thanks
I have to organize my photos so hope to have it posted Monday or Tuesday.
Rich

[MartinJQuinn]

This was mostly a scratch build from a hobbyboss 1/350 Arizona 1941 kit.

Even more impressive!

[RamsesJX]

Good job. I am follow your post before.

[Richkiss]

Thanks. This was mostly a scratch build from a hobbyboss 1/350 Arizona 1941 kit. The cage masts were a bit of a stumbling block. I tried doing them with a jig setup, but couldn't get them off the jig without them coming apart, so I decided to do them directly on the deck. I have photos the build if anyone's interested.

Very nice work, I followed your post on this before. Would love to see how you did the cage mast.

As to making the cagemast, for me, it was a matter of trail and error. I'm not one for measuring everything. I tend to eyeball alot, but anyway here's what I did.
Before I start, i make a platform using styrene underneath the deck (where the mast will be placed) a depth of 1/8". This is to keep the .015 music wire from falling through. The music wire is stiff yet flexible enough to work with as opposed to brass wire which kinks and bends easily.
I cut two round pieces out of .040 sheet styrene 5/8" +/- and 3/8" +/- (again not precise)
again drilling an 1/8" hole center.
I then drilled 48 staggered holes in the 5/8" and 24 in the 3/8"
I then I drilled 24 holes about 7/8" in diameter evenly spaced (again I dont measure precisely) that will fit 2 pieces of wire snuggly, but not to tight. I drilled a 1/8" hole dead center to hold a piece of 1/8" brass tube for support and to stablize the wires.
(In hindsight i probably should made double the wires on the bottom because the the masts i made look like they did before the fire control booths were added.)
Once this is done than it's a matter of cutting the wire to length. I start with 24 wires that will be about 1/2 the height of the mast and 24 that will be the full height.
now it's basically a jig on the deck. Place the brass tube in the hole and the two plastic circles on next and than it's matter of placing wires, i started with the short pieces a placed about 5 or 6 tall piece to breakup the top wires a bit. As i said, it's trail and error. Most recommendations say to start at 90 degrees, but i felt it was too much so i settled for 30 +/-.
I left the larger ring on the wires so the the fire control house would sit on it. Once i have it the way i want it i then use CA to hold it all together.
Sorry I don't have better pics to show what I did.
I not good at explaining things so if I've made it sound confusing I apologize.
Rich