Thanks for the encouragement everyone!
Angeliccypher wrote:
Are those the 3D 20mm guns?
Sure are! I thought they would help speed up the building vs other AM 20's. In retrospect, I probably could have used the kit supplied ones but I had an "oohhh....shiny" moment.
MartinJQuinn wrote:
One unsolicited piece of advice - don't push to get her done for the show. It's the last push when we rush that bad sh*t happens. There will be other model shows. Just my two cents...
Oh Martin, this is only the 3rd show that I have told myself that I was going to have it done for

On the topic of "bad s**t", you couldn't be more right. In my haste to get her done so I can move onto another build that's screaming at me from the stash, I have made some real

. But thus is part of the Modeler's existence I suppose...
As to where the Big E is today, got the Island painted, rigged and attached. Forgive the crazy Cat's Craddle on crack effect, too close the wall caused some sharp shadows to appear as addional lines. I used Infini's Lycra thread and all I can say is that I won't be using anything else for awhile. Word of advice, get some crazy top shelf tweezers as this stuff is fine! I used 20 denier for signal halyards and 40 denier for the stays.

Built 4 L'Arsenal 40mm quads as the kit supplied ones were ok but incorrect with the shield being molded on.

This picture also shows how my weathering technique was missed on the Palisades. I need to figure out how to blend that in now???

I have also finished the 8-5/38's. Used kit stock guns as they have the look. Not happy with lack of breech channel, but I will live with it. I also used the kit's PE for the railings, but modified it to better match the real thing.

And just a couple of overall shots


All that's left is construction the deck crane, adding the 20mm guns to their bases, the 20mms mounts,guns and shield on the starboard side of the island and then final paint, remainder of the crew oh and a small group of planes.
I can get that done with quality in a week, right?
Matt