1/200 Arizona to Pennsylvania Conversion

[hondaman117]

Hello Mark,

Pennsy is looking great!

I always look forwards to seeing progress, and the 3D printed parts look great! If I get the plans from Tracy I'm planning on modelling a set of correct Pennsylvania class propellers that would get rid of the horribly wrong kit ones.

BTW looks like you have a substantial model stash in the background waiting to be finished! hahaha.

Cheers,

Nelson

[Mgunns]

Thanks all for scoping out the progres:

@Nelson: Thanks Nelson for following along on this build. Yes, I have to reduce the stash as we are planning a move across country to Arizona. I think you live in Arizona don't you?
I am going to start posting stuff on ebay, some ships but mostly aircraft.

I am working on the boats now, talk about tedious. I can't imagine spending months on airplanes for an Aircraft Carrier like some of our guys do. Their work is fantastic. I will stick with the "Gun Boats."

[hondaman117]

Mark,

Yes I'm an Arizona native. You'll have to let me know where you end up!

[ArizonaBB39]

Mark,

Yes I'm an Arizona native. You'll have to let me know where you end up!

Ditto!

[Mgunns]

Okay folks:

I am in the throes of uprooting from Wisconsin to Arizona, so progress has been on hold and slow, however, I did manage to get the boats painted and PE'd. On my Arizona build I used the Eduard PE Boat Cradles to replace the kit cradles. They really dressed up the boats and called the viewers attention to the added detail that they display in a busy part of the ship, namely the boat deck. However, they didn't cover the locator holes provided for the kit cradles so I had to fill them with bits of styrene rod and paint them grey to hide them or make them look like they belonged. I didn't want to do that on this build so I went ahead and used the kit cradles. Whilst doing this I was hit with the idea of using the framework of the PE cradles as that is what is most noticeable. So, I cut the framework out of the PE cradle and attached it, with some minor surgery to the PE, to the kit cradle.
As seen in the image below is the basic cradle framework;


I then cut the support brackets off and attached them to the kit cradle as seen below.



You can see that it isn't a perfect fit, but when painted it looks pretty convincing and adds detail to the boat cradle. I test fitted the cradle on the boat deck and with the cradle snuggly fit into the boat deck the added detail sits flush on the boat deck.





A little touch up to the paint, some crystal clear windows and this step will be finished.

Another thing I did was borrow and Idea from Jeff Sharpe's build of his Arizona. (Isn't this forum great? So many ideas and examples of great modeling) So, I had some extra 1/350 Wood deck lying about so I decided I would dress up the whale boats using the extra deck.



I redid the aft railing as it was for the wrong boat. But you get the idea.

I also tried to paint the decks of the Admirals gigs, but I decided not to go with that.



So I just painted them overall Dark Grey:



I looked for references for the gig's but other than Nimitz's gig and the photo that Jeff Sharpe sent me out of a Life Magazine, I couldn't find anything on the 5-D painted boats, so went with this. I did use the Eduard Interiors and will use these on the outboard gigs, as Pennsylvania had 6 gig's and I have two extra, Eduard gives you 4 interiors as AZ only had 4, so the non Eduard Boats will be stowed inboard.

[ArizonaBB39]

Looks great Mark!

[BB62vet]

Mark,

They are really coming along nicely!!! Yea, the forum allows a lot of ideas to flow back-n-forth helping out all of us. Keep me posted on your move, etc. I'm still working on the main mast/platforms - hope to maybe have the first photos & drawings available next week.

Hank

[Scott56]

Great work. I'm still in awe over the talents here on the forum especially the scratch building. It gives me something to strive to learn how to do. I'm still in the learning curve of PE,not that you ever get totally proficient. I'm sure everyone learns new tricks and ideas everyday, I know I do. Keep up the great work.

[Mgunns]

Thanks everyone for scoping out the build and keeping it alive. The move is stressing me out and I have really put the brakes on this build. I am pumped to continue on, but the move, the sale and the thought of packing all of this stuff really has me in a state of lethargy. To top it off, I just paid for the pre-order of the 1/200 Hood. Yikes.
Thanks again, comments duly appreciated.

[BB62vet]

Mark,

If it makes you feel any better - picture this - a 3 bedroom mobile home (70x14) in which 2 of the bedrooms and living room are essentially a model ship workshop - books, drawing rolls, tools, workbench, shelves, computer, light table, painting stuff, drill press, lathe, table saw - you get the picture. Now, I'll have to find some place to put all this s&*t when I retire in 2-2 1/2 years. Are you feeling better yet?? Now, I'm sad.... and I'm driving a small coupe - not even a hatchback!

Hank

[gott_cha]

Moving is stressful, and double so when the relocation is in another state. It's amazing at the amount of "things" we collect and it adds up if you have lived in the home for many years. A thought hits and you say;..."what Am I gonna do with all this stuff" most you keep and some you don't. Even worse if the person is "Prepper" minded..think Pak-Rat. It is a pain to pull roots and actually move.
Mark,..we all are behind you sir!
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Very neat idea on the Boat Cradles ..hadn't thought of that before. Looks great. Gives it fidelity with out being so fragile.

[Mgunns]

Mark,

If it makes you feel any better - picture this - a 3 bedroom mobile home (70x14) in which 2 of the bedrooms and living room are essentially a model ship workshop - books, drawing rolls, tools, workbench, shelves, computer, light table, painting stuff, drill press, lathe, table saw - you get the picture. Now, I'll have to find some place to put all this s&*t when I retire in 2-2 1/2 years. Are you feeling better yet?? Now, I'm sad.... and I'm driving a small coupe - not even a hatchback!

Hank

Thanks Hank:

I can feel your pain. But, I do feel better.

[Mgunns]

Moving is stressful, and double so when the relocation is in another state. It's amazing at the amount of "things" we collect and it adds up if you have lived in the home for many years. A thought hits and you say;..."what Am I gonna do with all this stuff" most you keep and some you don't. Even worse if the person is "Prepper" minded..think Pak-Rat. It is a pain to pull roots and actually move.
Mark,..we all are behind you sir!
............................................................

Very neat idea on the Boat Cradles ..hadn't thought of that before. Looks great. Gives it fidelity with out being so fragile.

Thanks Mark:

One step at a time. Thanks for your thoughts on the cradles. I am going to proceed with the others as well.

[J. Soca]

I went through the whole post and i just love it! I do like her 1944 configuration better though.. maybe next time.




Jose

[Mgunns]

Hello Jose:


Thanks for scoping out the build log and your comments. The Pennsylvania in 1944 was a mean looking ship eager to do battle. Lots of work to do it in that configuration. It could be done though.

[hondaman117]

I just took the bank account hit for my Hood pre-order as well, now I gotta work fast on the Arizona so I can get to the Hood this year! lol

[Mgunns]

Hi guys:

Thanks to all for following along on this build. I have to pack it all up as I am moving to AZ early July. Once settled in new digs, I plan on resuming construction of the Pennsy Project and will be posting pics and "in depth" comment on the build.

Until that time

[hondaman117]

Good luck with the move! Be glad you're not here yet, they're predicting the temperature to be 120 *F on Monday... haha

[Jeff Sharp]

Mark,
Extended break on this one? I need a Pennsy fix.

[Mgunns]

Hi Jeff:

Thanks for checking in. We have moved into the house in AZ now and have begun the arduous task of unpacking. The Arizona took a hit to the lattice yards. I am going to remove them both from the foretop and start over. So Pennsylvania remains on hold for the foreseeable future until I get my model room set up and get the Arizona fixed. On the plus side, I have my vents from Model Monkey, extra rafts, three inch guns and am ready to continue to march. I haven't unpacked the Pennsy yet, but; I think I got it packed pretty good so there should be no damage to any of the sub assemblies. I hope to be back in business and posting by the end of November at the latest.

Until that time