The Ship Model Forum

Hey James,
Stupid question, but where did you get those brass fennials (sp?) from your previous Nimitz build?

Dimmer installed and lighting adjusted. I also used a warmer white LED on this hangar. I like it much better. These LED's are from MicroMark. Flight deck attachment will commence this evening.

Flight deck is on, but, not without breaking off a rudder.

James,

Looking good there, keep up the great work...........

Simply beautiful. I like it

Ahoy boomstick. I need one small forklift 1/350 scale. Do have a spare? I love the ones in your Eisenhower. I'll trade the crew set that comes with the Dragon 1/350 Frank Knox kit (still on the tree, untouched). I'm scratch-building a work barge and the set from USS Wasp is WAY more then I need.
Thought I would ask...like me you are a stickler for detail.
Johnno
bootstrap1940@icloud.com

hello james

well done your aircraft hangar is more and more convincing , is superb ! be careful with the clamp tightening,you are courageous,excessive pressure , and collateral damages would be catastrophic!!!!
good luck for the rest
cheers
Nicolas

Thanks Nicolas. Johnno, unfortunately I don't have extra of the Jag forklifts but I have a whole bunch of the Nimitz kit, Tamiya Enterprise kit, and, the WASP and Iwo Jima kit forklifts. Take your pic.

Nothing exciting. Last few days have consisted of puttying and sanding any seams and gaps. This is the part that I've grown to be more patient with. In the past, I would be in too much a hurry and settle for terrible results. Now, IKE for example, I'll spend prob a week on this process. Then I'll flip her over and start weathering her hull and attaching platforms and catwalks. I would have started the island by now but there isn't a whole lot of changes to be made just additional SATCOM domes and their platforms. And for a bit of unexciting documentation...

Like the bubble wrap idea good way not to damage the paint job on the bow thanks.

James,

As always looking great, the work your doing on the bow would totally freak me out to do it after painting and decaling the flight deck, I understand the reasoning for it but I couldn't do it this far into the build. As another carrier builder I try to do all the filling and sanding prior to priming then if I find something that needs more work or forgot to do, say "cut" to molded cat walks off then go ahead and do it then fill, sand and reprime. Something I've done in the past is make a project list and balance it with after market kits.
I have found it works well when working with severail PE sets, keeps you from forgetting to work an area that is going to have PE later in the build.

BTW: I'm not Implying you forgot to do it, just saying how I'd be scared to do it at the point your at in this build. Again great build your work on.

Thanks for the reply Jim. That is solid logic. But in all honesty, this method with the big carriers works well for me. I know some guys will actually install the flight deck in sections then paint it after but I find finishing the flight deck then attaching works better. The bow is the only major filling required and with some delicate sanding, it all works out. Trust me, there are about a dozen layers of flat coat on top of future on that deck, I did accidentally scrape it a couple times with sand paper and it didn't even scratch it. Any damage to the hull paint doesn't matter because she hasn't been weathered yet and she will get the "rode hard" look. Anyway, I'm sure there are better ways out there, and who knows, I may switch it up on the next one, but so far it's been working out. Right now I'm researching the island and gathering parts for construction and hope to have something to show this week. I really appreciate the kind words and interest in this build. Keeps the fire going.

Thank God for "FUTURE" didn't even think about that being done already, that will put my mind at ease.

When you assembled your flight deck how was the fit seams between the three pieces? Was there any fill work?

No the seams are very manageable. Just use a flat surface and clamp it down.

It looks like you attached 1st and 2nd elevators before. I did not, they all are not mounted yet - not decided yet how to arrange them (up or down).

Its always a pleasure to see updates in this topic. Waiting for new photos

Now all the fun begins. I have her bundled up for her protection for catwalks and weathering, final sanding and touch ups. Not much of an update but that should change soon.

Managed to get a little work done this evening. One down...

James

Nice scratch built sat dome platform there........

Thanks Jim. Only four or five similar platforms to go.