Merit 1/350 USS Enterprise CV-6

[ModelMonkey]

[taskforce48]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!

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.

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

[MartinJQuinn]

She looks really good!

[taskforce48]

I think we need to make something later than the 11th hour? Got her done(for now) and on the table Saturday morning.



Few close ups




I do plan on someday finishing the rest of the airgroup that was launched that morning, 6 Wildcats and 5 more Avengers. She is also missing some crew members from some areas of the ship. I am happy with where she is at for now and will take a break, there is a lot of other builds screaming at me for attention

Matt

[JTninja]

Wish I could have seen her in person. Well done!

[gtbred]

Nice build!

[Aop Aur]

Very, very nice!

Aop

[MartinJQuinn]

I think we need to make something later than the 11th hour? Got her done(for now) and on the table Saturday morning.

And....how'd she do at the contest?

[PetrolGator]

Love it.

[taskforce48]

Thanks everyone!

And....how'd she do at the contest?

I took a second place(was only two entries ) to a very nicely rendered Scharnhorst.

I really liked how this one image came out, taken by an OMS club member

Matt

[davidwaples]

Hi Matt,
Nice work! Was your intention to replicate phosphorescent water around the hull? That's the look I'm after and wondering how you went about doing it.
Thanks for sharing your work with us.
Dave

[taskforce48]

Dave,

The water is a mixed emotion for me, I like some aspects and dislike others. Now that you mention it, I do see sort of a phosphorescent glow about it. I did a thick texture coat with Heavy Gloss Medium. Once that was dry, I hit it with a base of Tamiya Black Green. When that was dry I coated again with a fair layer of gel to give depth. When that coat was dry, I sort of dry brushed the White foamy wake in. I glossed that part again to imply depth, then doing more highlight painting with White and Navy Blue, produced the kind of glow effect you called out. Most of that came from the Navy Blue blending on the base with the still wet White. I use craft store acrylics for these colors.

Thanks for checking in!

Matt

[MartinJQuinn]

Well done on the model and the award. That Scharnhorst does look very nice, never any shame in placing behind a well built model.

[TOMLABEL]

WOW!!! Great job, Matt!!!!

You really have done a fantastic job on the Big E!!!

I really love the flight deck paint job you did. Looks just like the Noumea pic!

TOMLABEL

[D. Lindsey]

She looks Awesome! Congrats on a fine build. Hope mine turns out half as nice. Could you tell me the dimensions of your display case and how much headroom there is from the highest point to the glass? I plan on leaving the hull intact but sinking her in a foam sea base. I want to get a case before I start the build.

[taskforce48]

Thanks again!

Could you tell me the dimensions of your display case and how much headroom there is from the highest point to the glass?

I used Tamiya's Large display case designed for their Yamato.


I would say using this case, it gives a safe 3 1/4 inches above the SG radar, so I think you would be plenty safe leaving her full hull.

The tape measure is laying against the top of the case

Thanks again!

Matt

[D. Lindsey]

Thanks Matt. Found and ordered the case. Think I heard my wallet say "ouch!"

[taskforce48]

Think I heard my wallet say "ouch!"

I bought this case about 2 1/2 years ago and it seems the price has gone up about 25% when I was looking at another. The Tamiya cases are very nice, probably well worth the price but I think the next large scale case I need will probably go to Grandpa's because he has a very nice product and price is now almost better plus he can do custom sizes.

Looking forward to seeing everyone else's builds!

Matt

[MartinJQuinn]

I think the next large scale case I need will probably go to Grandpa's because he has a very nice product and price is now almost better plus he can do custom sizes.

Grandpa's Cabinets are the BEST!

[Thom]

Incredible work there! Really liked going through the build and I've bookmarked this for whenever I get to my Big E.

And congrats on the win!