Everyone,
Shortly after I posted I finally got it to work!
Here are some of my most recent progress photos.
One of the antenna braces (at least that's what I call them) was broken beyond repair on the sprue, so I had to build one. Not perfect, but close enough that it won't stand out once painted.
IMG_6444 by
Nelson Wallace, on Flickr
Next item I tackled was getting all of the hatches on the deck. I opted to keep them all closed since I wasn't doing a diorama or anything.
IMG_6447 by
Nelson Wallace, on Flickr
After that I got all of the chocks and other deck fittings painted. My chocks are modified to work with the raised waterway and so that the Degaussing Cables will be able to fit under them. Fun fact, I was on USS Iowa a few weeks ago and her chocks are built the same way I modeled mine.
IMG_6450 by
Nelson Wallace, on Flickr
IMG_6611 by
Nelson Wallace, on Flickr
IMG_6453 by
Nelson Wallace, on Flickr
IMG_6455 by
Nelson Wallace, on Flickr
IMG_6494 by
Nelson Wallace, on Flickr
IMG_6461 by
Nelson Wallace, on Flickr
Next up I started fitting the main superstructure. Going up by each level fitting all railings and details as I go.
IMG_6614 by
Nelson Wallace, on Flickr
IMG_6617 by
Nelson Wallace, on Flickr
That is where I'm at currently. I'll keep working on the superstructure for now, the parts are safer on the ship than on the bench. I need to go back and add the degaussing cables, but I'll do that towards the end. Once the superstructure is done I'll probably jump on the main artillery or the ships boats and cradles.
More progress to come! I'm still going to go back and fix this thread so it will be useful again.
Cheers,