1/700 West Virginia 1941 & USS California 1941 (Pit-Road/TR)

[Dan K]

Surely, you didn�t think this saga was over now, did you?

The Vought OS2U Kingfisher seaplanes are done. Somehow. It only took, what, six weeks?

The kit versions are subpar: brittle plastic, bad seams, and slightly overscale. Cutting and sanding away the canopy area to accept the PE canopy frames from the Five Star set was an exercise in utter frustration. Clear plastic is the last thing you want when you are trying to check seams and fit, so I sprayed some light gray paint over it to better evaluate it. I was not happy with these.

Orange Hobby just happens to have released a 1/700 resin version of the plane and I ordered some in desperation. After a wait of several weeks, it became quickly apparent that these was an even greater disappointment. See my recent review: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/mi ... /index.htm

So, I went back to the Trumpeter versions, which required several rounds of seam filling and sanding in order to make them passable. The PE canopies never faired in properly; so these appear slightly humpbacked. The front windshield frames are also subpar.

Frankly, I reached the limits of my frustrations and decided that passable would have to do. I will remain open to the possibility of their replacement by some better option in the future.

[Dan K]

Eventually, I painted and gloss coated the aircraft in preparation for decals. I then discovered that the decals provided for by the kits are circa 1944-45, despite these kits being configured in 1941 fit. Fortunately, Mr. Quinn was able to spare some period appropriate rondels from what I think are some long out-of-production GMM decals. Those were much appreciated, M.

[Dan K]

Some views of a Kingfisher mounted on Wee Vee. I'll post California's later or tomorrow.

[Dan K]

And California's

[taskforce48]

Nice to see you back at it Dan! Your California has been very inspirational

Matt

[J.F.S.]

Nice recovery Dan!

[gscott]

Beautiful work as always, Dan.

[Dan K]

Thanks very much, guys. Gallery pics to be posted at some point. Hopefully sooner rather than later. I have to be motivated.

[Pieter]

Nice result with those kingfishers and good to know that I am not the only one struggling with PE canopies.

[Jim B]

Nice job on those Kingfishers. They look really nice. I don't build ships regularly, so casting aircraft in clear plastic just seems bizarre to me. And your West Virginia really looks great.

[Vladi]

Congratulations, Dan, your BBs look just awesome!

I fully consent to your experience with Trumpeter seaplanes, but you made them look fine in the end. Similarly, I am still waiting for a suitable replacement to their SOC-3 Seagulls. Clumsy, overscale, panel lines like WW1 trenches and a pain to work with that brittle transparent plastic

[Pieter]

I'm sorry for being slightly OT her, but for modern aircraft with bubble canopies clear plastic is very effective and that is probably why most kit makers are still doing them. You simply mask the bubble with a drop of masking fluid, apply a black or dark grey primer and the grey paint of choice and after removing the mask you have a nice and quick result. A quick drybrush stroke gives you the front styles of the canopy if neccessary. The problem is that painting complicated cage canopies like these is almost impossible on clear plastic, as Dan shows in the first picture.

I don't build ships regularly, so casting aircraft in clear plastic just seems bizarre to me. And your West Virginia really looks great.

[Dan K]

I've decided to complete USS Maryland 1941. You may recall that I had built up her bridge and cage masts while building California.

Progress pics below. I reduced the width of the torpedo blisters at their top with a file.

[Dan K]

Since no build of mine can be completed without a mishap, allow me to present Maryland's.

My mainmast needed another coat of 5-D to cover the upper portion, including the underside of the lower spotting top level. I blocked off the the spotting top, but not enough it seems. ( I lapsed in wrapping something around it for additional protection. Just brilliant.)

After a great deal of rework, the spotting top was repainted (though not as cleanly as the first time - gggrhhh) and the mainmast attached to the ship.

[Vladi]

That happens... Fingers crossed to your PH battleship row!

[Dan K]

Thx, Vladi.

This photo, download/file.php?id=138372&mode=view , shows the halyard lines for Maryland's mainmast to be anchored further inboard than I previously understood to be the case.

So, I followed suit. I used white Lycra line this time, and it was much easier.

[taskforce48]

Gorgeous work!

Matt

[Dan K]

Thx, Matt!

Maryland is pretty much done. She turned out the best of the three, as one might expect after all this practice. Gallery photo shoot to come.

[Kometa]

Great job Dan.
I am afraid that I am going to spend the same work with the airplanes in the constructions that I have pending.

[Dan K]

Thx, Kometa. The Kingfishers are a true pain, but, patience and practice can pay off. Maryland's planes came out reasonably well.

Not the best photo, but these do look good in person.