Scratchbuilding the USS Santee (CVE-29) in 1/96

[Cadman]

I agree that deck really stands out. I'd like to see more images of the 5"38 next time your snapping.

[JIM BAUMANN]

Top of the pack Bill!

The weathering is just so subtle-- really well done--its harder on a a big model !!

I like the feel of the deck--really woody!

It certainly looks a gem!

JIM B

[Dino Carancini]

She's a masterpiece! Sometimes large scale ships are a bit cold, but here you catch the right atmosphere!

Thanks for sharing these pictures.

Dino

[Bill Waldorf]

Here's a short update. I've now moved around to the port side and have completed the camo scheme up the sides of the gallery decks and the island and I have added the 40mm guns and their directors....Take a look.....

Here's one of the twin 40's on the stern. The gun itself is from HR Products. I've had these laying around here forever. They are cast metal and quite poor. I put alot of work into making them look close to acceptabe. I added some sights and barrels from Steve Nuttal. Before he passed away he gave me a few of these. I added the recoil springs.

Stern view again. The gun directors are from JD Productions, no longer producing parts, and are cast metal. There are 5 separate piece to each one and I found them rather tedious and difficult to assemble. Nevertheless, here they are.

The fwd. portside 40mm and director. Note the catapualt looks like it's bowed. It's really not, just the camera for some reason.

Portside view....

I think this shot is cool, except for the backround!

Aft elevator now completed. Made the "NO SMOKING" on my PC.

I keep pluggin away!! More to come....Stay tuned.

[Neptune]

Wow, stunning work. The weathering makes it look extremely realistic. I also love that water colour, looks very convincing! Must have been nice to be gunner on one of those stern platforms. Nice view when you look over that railing down... I wouldn't feel so safe anymore!

[Dave Wooley]

First off Bill may I say: The work around the aft gun tubs is pure gold. Just the right amount of weathering in the right places. Your re-work on the 40s has produced its own rewards but that deck is simply superb. In retrospect CVEs could be seen as perhaps less cluttered than other types of warships but you have taken each section of the vessel and worked it to a very high level whilst understanding how the vessel would appear in reality. So whilst the model may not be an Essex class carrier the level of attention to the detail is of such a high level that you are actually bringing the model to life, a rare gift for any model maker, particularly working in larger scales. It�s been said here on this board that larger scale models can be technically good but clinically built, with the result that the model has no feel for what is real . I see many larger scale models built in this way by both professionals and the accomplished amateurs, this is not to denigrate the skill of the builders but seldom do I see these models with this added dimension of what we would perhaps label � a sense of reality�. Ted Parr has reached this level with his astonishing model of the Nimitz again a very rare gift. . Bill you have achieved this and more. You are indeed a master craftsman because the model shows it.
Dave Wooley

[Bill Waldorf]

First off Bill may I say: The work around the aft gun tubs is pure gold. Just the right amount of weathering in the right places. Your re-work on the 40s has produced its own rewards but that deck is simply superb. In retrospect CVEs could be seen as perhaps less cluttered than other types of warships but you have taken each section of the vessel and worked it to a very high level whilst understanding how the vessel would appear in reality. So whilst the model may not be an Essex class carrier the level of attention to the detail is of such a high level that you are actually bringing the model to life, a rare gift for any model maker, particularly working in larger scales. It�s been said here on this board that larger scale models can be technically good but clinically built, with the result that the model has no feel for what is real . I see many larger scale models built in this way by both professionals and the accomplished amateurs, this is not to denigrate the skill of the builders but seldom do I see these models with this added dimension of what we would perhaps label � a sense of reality�. Ted Parr has reached this level with his astonishing model of the Nimitz again a very rare gift. . Bill you have achieved this and more. You are indeed a master craftsman because the model shows it.
Dave Wooley

WOW!! Well, considering your skills as a modeler, I must take this post a an honor. Being that this project is my first real attempt at displaying a ship "underway", I was a bit leary at first. One of the most difficult things to represent in either a model medium or a painting medium is water. It is constantly moving. I must thank Jim Bauman for his assistance with the water aspect. His models show the "sense of reality" quite well, albeit in a much smaller scale. I spent many hours looking at photos and studying the action of waves and things. I feel I have captured the effect reasonably well. Not perfect, but if I do another one, things will improve. I plan to put aircraft on and figures. I am hoping this does not take away from the realisim aspect. I do not wish to make things appear "toylike". The planes don't have clear canopys, which is quite a drawback. I don't have the time to remedy this situation, I would if I did. There are not really any figures out there in 1/96 that are correct either. I am forced to modify the dreaded model railroad figures to try to come up with something at least belivable. We will see. Thanks again for your post. Your comments continue to inspire me as well as your own skills. I have some questions on the Santee that I would like your take on. If you would send me a PM, I'll explain. Best Regards, bill W.

[Ludwig]

hello Bill,

I have a question regarding those planes. Which models will be on deck , I guess Wildcats , Dauntless and Avengers , are these 1/96 scale models solid ones or are they as the ie Hasagawa , Fujimi kits. , maybe vacuum-forming is a solution for the cockpits? Clear cockpits are more live-like than painted (dark grey-blue) ones.

Congrats with the results until now , USS Santee is looking really good , I like her camouflage very much.

regards,

Ludwig

[Bill Waldorf]

hello Bill,

I have a question regarding those planes. Which models will be on deck , I guess Wildcats , Dauntless and Avengers , are these 1/96 scale models solid ones or are they as the ie Hasagawa , Fujimi kits. , maybe vacuum-forming is a solution for the cockpits? Clear cockpits are more live-like than painted (dark grey-blue) ones.

Congrats with the resukt until now , USS Santee is looking really good , I like her camouflage very much.

regards,

Ludwig

Hello Ludwig, Yes, all three a/c you mentioned will be on deck. The are solid cast resin. No plastic kits are available that I know of. I could vac-u-form the canopys, but that would require cutting them off all the castings, exactly,vac-u-form them, then attaching them. Then the framework must be painted. Of course, with a clear canopy, there should be a cockpit. Now we start to get really involved. We are talking 12 aircraft in total. It would take me a long time to pull that off. I really don't feel that the effort would be worth it, in view of the fact that most of the details accomplished by doing all that would not really be seen that well anyway, once the ship is in a display case and the average viewing distance is about three feet. I don't have the luxury of time. This project is already way overdue. So, we do the best we can with what we've got!

[Bill Waldorf]

Take a look at this photo. If anyone can add opinions, that would help. This was taken in early November, 1942. Note the notations I have added on the photo. I believe these to be communication antennas. Note how they are angled out. I have another photo that shows these antennas, but at a 90 degree vertical angle. These must have been lowered to the position that you see in the photo during flight ops. Question, Is that a winch? There must have been a way to raise and lower these. There is only one visible in the photo. There is another further aft, at the same angle.These antennas were removed later on and replaced by whip antennas along the flightdeck. But they are there in the timeframe that I am representing the ship in. What do you think.....Dave Wooley?? Anyone else......

[Bill Waldorf]

Hello again all. Here's some photos of some more detail added to the ship. Getting close to completion. Check it out.......

Here's one of two 26' motor whale boats I have added. I don't have any shots of the details of the rigging, so I kept it simple.

Another view. These are sometimes called "captain's gig". I have to paint the small prop yet.

An overhead view. These small boats are again from John Haynes. Resin and cast metal, 4 pieces in total.

The aircraft boom. Made from wood dowel and styrene parts. Shown in it's "stowed" position.

Watch out for those props!! Alot of men were killed running into one. Could'nt find the right font on my PC.

Some detail added to the floater net baskets. Just some white beads, with a black wash. I'll put some small netting over these.

The forward 20mm mount.

Portside 5" 38 cal. gun mount.

Another view. Cadman wanted a couple more shots!

The LSO platform. A little work left on the windscreen, in it's lowered position.

I've added the portable windscreen to the bridge. This was plexiglass on the real ship.

Signal halyards and flags. Yardarm is brass to minimize bending.

Flags read, November, Whiskey,Tango, Papa, the ships flag hoist and radio call sign.

Ship now nearing completion. I'll add those comm.antennas I mentioned above, then the aircraft and crew! Stay tuned......We are almost underway. More to come............

[Sean Hert]

Hiya Bill!

Have you got a photo you an post, showing the font you need?

[Bill Waldorf]

Hiya Bill!

Have you got a photo you an post, showing the font you need?

Hi Sean, Let me look.......

[mark_sch]

Bill,
I have viewed all your ships you have posted on this site. All are works of art. Were is the Santee going once you complete building her?
Mark

[Bill Waldorf]

Bill,
I have viewed all your ships you have posted on this site. All are works of art. Were is the Santee going once you complete building her?
Mark

Hi Mark The Santee will be on permanant display at the Hampton Roads Maritme Museum in Norfolk, Virginia. The Museum is run by the US Navy. The battleship USS Wisconson is berthed there. Should be an interesting trip. The Museum is anxious for the model! Thanks for the post.....

[Dave Wooley]

Hi Bill Looks like a long trip for you and the Santee but an ideal and fitting location .
Dave Wooley

[J. Soca]

Most impressive work Bill she is going to look awesome whenever you add some wings on deck..


regards

Jose

[Bill Waldorf]

Most impressive work Bill she is going to look awesome whenever you add some wings on deck..


regards

Jose

Hello Jose Ah, yes, wings.........I am building them as we speak. There are many little models besides the big model. I hope things turn out the way I have envisioned them...........We will see....Stay tuned............

[Capit�o Norbert]

Hey Bill wonderfull work as always in your models.
is a good for eyes to see your ships
Regards

[J. Soca]

Most impressive work Bill she is going to look awesome whenever you add some wings on deck..


regards

Jose

Hello Jose Ah, yes, wings.........I am building them as we speak. There are many little models besides the big model. I hope things turn out the way I have envisioned them...........We will see....Stay tuned............

Will do Bill i really can't wait for you to get back to Sodak..

Jose