1/700 USS Pennsylvania 1941

[ArizonaBB39]

Hi all. As my 1/700 USS West Virginia build is getting close to done I started a new ship, the USS Pennsylvania. I'm using a lot of aftermarket stuff on this build just like on the WeeVee.

Dragon 1/700 1941 USS Arizona
Eduard USS Arizona Photo Etch (actually designed for the HobbyBoss/Mini/Banner 1/700 AZ)
ModelMonkey 1941 Pennsylvania Superstructure, funnel, and turrets (reviewed here.) By the time I got the bottom most layer painted all of the rear most supports had broken off, they are very fragile!
3DModelParts Pennsylvania class splinter shields and fighting tops (reviewed below), 5"/25 gun mounts, 1.1" gun mounts, and .50 cal gun mounts (reviewed in my WeeVee build)
Wood Hunter 1941 AZ wood deck (I CANNOT recommend this, see below)


First a quick review of some parts. The 3DModelParts Splinter Shields and Fighting tops are excellent quality, just like their other parts. The splinter shields are especially nice because they are as thin as the PE, but you don't need to bend them or glue the tiny brace pieces to them either. They look much better than the molded splinter shields on the deck. The fighting tops are excellent and the windows are printed open.















Some progress photos from the last week:













I don't like the way the paint on the turrets turned out, so I'm going to be stripping them and starting over. I'll add some white to the blue for turret #4 too, its too dark.

Now about that Wood Hunter deck. Like I said I DO NOT recommend it. I don't know if it is just this one or what, but I had a terrible time getting it off of the film backer, which is very thin and rips and sticks to everything. The deck thickness is great, very thin, but the adhesive they used is terrible and no matter what I do it keeps bubbling up and won't stay stuck to the deck. (You can see this on the front of the 01 deck and on the aft deck between the turrets and catapult mount in my pictures) I'm going to replace it with an Artwox wood deck (which will be purchased by the end of the week).

[biggles2]

I've used the Artwox deck on a couple of Arizona's with no problem, although you probably will have some tearing near the bows where the planking areas become very narrow between the anchor chains. The wood decking is designed for the plastic kit OOB, so the cutouts for the superstructure on the boat deck section won't match the corresponding parts from Model Monkey.

[MatthewB]

Are those Splinter Shields 1/700?

If they printed in 1/700, then I am doing some for the USS San Francisco/New Orleans-class ships for the Early-war (although one of the ships, even Early War, had the single-piece Splinter Shields on the 5"/25s, didn't it?).

MB

[ArizonaBB39]

Thanks guys!

MB, yes those are 1/700, bought them from 3DModelParts. They're sold as USS Arizona splinter sheriff's, but also can be modified to fit other ships.

[Mgunns]

Bummer about that deck popping up like that. I really liked the Artwox deck for my 1/200 Arizona build. Fit perfect and so far no bubbling or lifting. The rear turret was painted "True Blue". It is a much lighter blue. I will be following as you work on your 1/700 Pennsy.

[ArizonaBB39]

Thanks Mark, yeah the Artwox decks are much nicer, that's what is on my West Virginia build. That's one reason I'm repainting the turrets, the blue was way too dark. I'm following your build closely too and using it as a reference. You seem to have gathered more information than I have.

[ArizonaBB39]

Nothing real to report on this build right now. I did order the Artwox deck today, though, so once that arrives I can make a little more progress.

[ArizonaBB39]

OK, since I finished WeeVee today I did a little more work on Pennsylvania. I pulled the Wood Hunter deck off and repainted the turrets. I lightened the blue for turret four. What do you guys think?

[Mgunns]

Hello Abram:

I think it looks much better. Before it was too dark, but this definately is an improvement and is clearly blue. I think you will have better luck with the Artwox deck as well.

[Brian K.]

Hi Abram, who's photo etch set are you using for your Pennsylvania build?

[ArizonaBB39]

Thanks Mark.

Brian, I am using the Eduard set, it is technically designed for the Hobby Boss kit, but I couldn't seem to find any other 1/700 photo etch for the class besides the Eduard set.

[biggles2]

Tom's also has an Arizona set, but Eduard is better.

[ArizonaBB39]

A little progress to report. My Artwox deck finally came in and I got it attached. While doing so I decided I was going to get rid of the terrible kit provided 5"/51 turrets. I cut the mounts off of the main deck and cut slots into the 01 level piece at each casemate to allow the back end of the 5"/51 guns to fit through. I'm not going for 100% accuracy, but it should look much better once I'm done. I am currently still deciding how to build the casemate bulkheads to enclose them. I've been thinking of cutting up a soda pop can and shaping the pieces of aluminum to fit. Any other ideas would be welcomed. I'm currently waiting on my order from 3DModelParts for more 5"25 guns and the 5"/51s.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, those will come later tonight after I get back home.


*I also started my next ship as I've been waiting for parts for Pennsy. In so doing I wanted to pose a question to those following along. I have grandiose plans to build the Pacific Fleet as it appeared circa Oct-Dec 1941. Should I start one thread that covers all of the builds, or should I continue to have individual threads for each ship? Input is again welcomed.*

[Mgunns]

Hi Abram:

I would do an individual build thread for each ship. Doing all in one thread could get a bit busy and hard to follow whereas if someone wanted to see just one build log, they wouldn't have to wade through a lot of other builds to find the particular one they want to follow.
Sounds like you are making progress on the Pennsy Build. I am traveling and won't be home until at least the first week of March so no progress on mine until at least then. Until then, I will be following along as best I can.

[Goodwood]

Hi Abram:

I would do an individual build thread for each ship. Doing all in one thread could get a bit busy and hard to follow whereas if someone wanted to see just one build log, they wouldn't have to wade through a lot of other builds to find the particular one they want to follow.

Agreed with Mark. If you ever do decide to make a diorama to put all the ships in once they're done (or even while you're still working on a few), that would be a candidate for another thread, where you can tie the whole project together.

[MartinJQuinn]

A little progress to report. My Artwox deck finally came in and I got it attached. While doing so I decided I was going to get rid of the terrible kit provided 5"/51 turrets. I cut the mounts off of the main deck and cut slots into the 01 level piece at each casemate to allow the back end of the 5"/51 guns to fit through. I'm not going for 100% accuracy, but it should look much better once I'm done. I am currently still deciding how to build the casemate bulkheads to enclose them. I've been thinking of cutting up a soda pop can and shaping the pieces of aluminum to fit. Any other ideas would be welcomed. I'm currently waiting on my order from 3DModelParts for more 5"25 guns and the 5"/51s.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, those will come later tonight after I get back home.


*I also started my next ship as I've been waiting for parts for Pennsy. In so doing I wanted to pose a question to those following along. I have grandiose plans to build the Pacific Fleet as it appeared circa Oct-Dec 1941. Should I start one thread that covers all of the builds, or should I continue to have individual threads for each ship? Input is again welcomed.*

3DModelparts 5"/51cal guns should fit in the openings without any surgery - I dry fitted one on my 1/700 Arizona. You should be able to use strip plastic to make the lower "bulkhead" and sheet plastic to make the "doors" that cover the openings. That's my plan with Arizona, if I ever get around to finishing her.

You can see photos here: viewtopic.php?f=85&t=158479#p657823

As for the 2nd question: One thread for each ship.

[ArizonaBB39]

Thanks for the input guys. Here's the pictures I promised, nothing too amazing. The Artwox deck is much better than the Wood Hunter one I tried using.

[ModelMonkey]

[BB62vet]

I'll agree with the others on your question re. group vs overall logs.

Pix look good - nice progress!

Hank

[ArizonaBB39]

Thanks all for the input.

A little update: No actual progress on the build it self, but I did order my Pennsylvania cranes today from ModelMonkey. They should be here in 2-3 weeks.