The Ship Model Forum

Posted: **Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:16 pm**

Hello again all!!!

No, I'm not dead. Just busy. It's different not having a wife around. Housework is a pain and I would be better off working on ships, but somebodys gotta do it. Not to mention cooking, I like to cook. Cooking for one is not so fun. Anyways, not as much time to build as I used to have. Here's some shots of the USS Santee project to date. I see the admiral has everyone in suspence. Whats he up to????? We will see. Let's take a look at drydock two........

: Here's a shot of the internal bracing for the model. Lot's of stiffeners have been added for strength, many of which you can't see. Since this is a Museum model, longevity is important. I got it pretty strong now.

: Stern view here. A bit rough yet, but you get the idea. Note the support sponsons for the 40mm aft quads. Made from air dry clay. Much to be done yet. Stern was formed in with autobody filler. Again, this is just the rough in, I'll fine tune things soon.

: Port side here. Note the white material which is a paper pattern for the sides of the hull where there are openings. Sangamons were coverted from oilers, and the lowest openings you see were the main deck of the tanker. These are different slighly on port and stb. side. The openings above these are the hanger deck. I plan to detail out these areas as you can see them somewhat. These paper patterns will be transferred to styrene sheet and then attached to the hull after all balsa sheeting is sealed with epoxy resin, which has not been done yet.

: Stb. side view here. Note I have formed in the bow with the autobody filler. Should look pretty good as a waterline model. Hope I can do as good as some I've seen here!

: Another shot of the bow, Stb. side.Note the hawse pipe openings. All decks will be styrene. I've got to add the bulwark here yet and the anchor openings.

: Stb. side view of the stern here. Again note the paper patterns. 5" gun sponsons made from solid pine. A bit of a trick to cut and shape! Much to be done yet but things are coming together.

: Port side view here. The photo on the wall is of me and Steve Nuttall. Remember him???? A great loss. I still grieve over that one.

Well, that's it for now. Next step is to seal the hull then sand, fill ,prime, etc. till it gets right. Should be another couple weeks before paintwork. Lot's to do, and not lot's of time. I'm plugging away as best I can. Hope you enjoy. I continue on................................Best to all

Bill W.

Posted: **Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:00 pm**

Exciting!

I see you've made progress!

Looks great Bill, can't wait for more!

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:21 am**

Hi Bill GOOD to see you posting and what progress you are making . Seeing your build and even talking about painting reminds me to inspect my flight deck for tumble weed and spartina grass . I look forward to seeing more of your build . Have you started on the Island yet?
Dave Wooley

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:42 am**

hi bill
your not the only one who does not like house work all that wasted time.
i learn so much from the builds of DW the admiral & you i just whish i could put in into practice at least in my imagination its as good as yours.
gary

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:46 pm**

I see the admiral has everyone in suspence. Whats he up to????? We will see.

Hi Bill, Good to see you on the site again, nice up date,

At the moment im doing nothing, I have put Duane in mothballs, Iron Duke is ready for our show, I am then going on my holidays for 10 days, as for model building, ive give up till I get to feel I want to do it again, the passion has gone for the time being.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:10 pm**

Hi Bill ,

wonderful project you have there !

Regards ,

Laurent

Posted: **Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:28 am**

Hello Bill!

Your work is really looking brilliant!

Have you made any experience concerning cracks in the varnish with hulls built with mixed materials? Would you think it�s capable for r/c models and sunlight on the water?

Shame, my Renown is far away from getting wet on her keel, but I would be interested whether this method getting detailed and ready-for-painting- surfaces might be the right solution at least for the superstructure...

Best regards from Dortmund!

Joachim

Posted: **Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:17 am**

Hi Bill:

Nice to see the photos with the in depth build descriptions. You are an inspiration to us all, in more than one way. Will be watching each step!

Mike

Posted: **Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:37 am**

Hi Bill,

It's nice to have you around again

Things are looking good as usual and it will be a very interesting build to follow.

Cheers

Posted: **Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:11 pm**

Dave Wooley wrote:Hi Bill GOOD to see you posting and what progress you are making . Seeing your build and even talking about painting reminds me to inspect my flight deck for tumble weed and spartina grass . I look forward to seeing more of your build . Have you started on the Island yet?
Dave Wooley

Hello Dave! Kiev looking great! No, have not started the island yet. A little model in itself. Trying to get the hull done first. Stay tuned!!

Posted: **Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:13 pm**

Looking forward to more up dates and that island superstructure .

Dave Wooley

Posted: **Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:19 pm**

Joachim wrote:Hello Bill!

Your work is really looking brilliant!

Have you made any experience concerning cracks in the varnish with hulls built with mixed materials? Would you think it�s capable for r/c models and sunlight on the water?

Shame, my Renown is far away from getting wet on her keel, but I would be interested whether this method getting detailed and ready-for-painting- surfaces might be the right solution at least for the superstructure...

Best regards from Dortmund!

Joachim

Hello Joachim! Thanks for the comments. If your hull is wood, I would go with the epoxy resin I use. Really seals things up good.I would do several coats for an r/c model, sanding between each coat. The downside is this stuff is pricey and dries very HARD. Tuff to sand out. The first coat is the most time consuming, subsequent coats go easier. After sealing, make sure you put on several coats of primer, followed by a good enamel topcoat. HTH!

Posted: **Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:11 pm**

Hey Bill,

Nice to see that your back. If i remember right you took some time to help a friend that was going through a rough patch, how is he doing now? On another note I'd like to ask hows Steve's family doing now?

TommyL.

Posted: **Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:25 am**

Hi Bill,

your model of the Santee looks great. Today I received an email of former crewmember of this ship, I'm normally in constant contact to the crewmembers of the USS Sangamon. So I told them about your project, I'm pretty sure that they will like it!

Your idea of putting paper patterns on the side of the hull and on top of it is something of an idea I never came up with, wished I had, it's such a simple and very effective idea. Can't wait to see your next set of pictures, specially when you will start with the Island. Please remember my offer that if you need any help I still got a lot of pictures of the Sangamon so if I can be of some help, just let me know.

Keep on modeling
Ren�
www.usns.biz

Posted: **Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:37 pm**

Hi Bill

Any news, on this subject/build ???
Hope everything is allright with you....

.

Posted: **Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:42 pm**

Hello again all!

Well, it's been a while since I have posted but I finally have an update I'd like to share with you all.One of the more time consuming aspects of this build are the open sides of the ship. Santee, a Sangamon Class Escort Carrier was converted from a tanker as were the other 3 ship in her class. Since there are open sides one will be able to peer in and look at any detail that may be there. Altough not much can be seen in the display aspect, I felt the main deck and hanger decks would need some attention. What I have represented in the following photos is probably not 100% accurate as I have no drawings of the original tanker decks. Let's call it a "best guess senario!

: Heres an overall view from portside. Note the piping I have added as well as other details. This was rather difficult as I had to work inside the framework of the model. Not much room for hands!! Note I have beefed up the framework since my last post.

: Here's another view,portside looking fwd.Note the main piping runs down the centerline of the ship while refueling lines run perpendicular to those. The Sangamons retained their ability to carry lots of fuel and to perform refuling at seas operations.

: Here's a closer view of the diamond plating. Altough probably not totally accurate, I felt it was interesting nevertheless. Piping is 1/8" styrene tube. Note the expansion joint plating also.

: In this photo you can see the overall arrangement a little better. I have added the gate valves on the pipes the go outward to the sides of the hull. Again note the framework for the hanger deck floor, 3/16" balsa stick. Railings are p/e brass, other fittings are cast metal.

: The hanger deck support can be seen clearly here. Once the main deck is painted I'll install the hanger deck floor and then add some aircraft which will be visible thru those hull openings. I may lite up these areas with some small 12V bulbs......any thoughts??

: Heres a close-up of one of the six gate valves. Control wheel is a bit off center....oooop's!! I'll fix that. Valves are also from Plastruct Co. out of California.

Posted: **Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:45 pm**

Well, that was it for this update. I'll now prime and paint the main deck and install the hanger deck floors only where they will be visible. Then it's on to enclosing the hull, finally!! Stay tuned....More to come! I continue on............

Posted: **Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:49 pm**

Thanks for the interesting update. Are you still busy with other things or has everything calmed down some?

TommyL.

Posted: **Mon Nov 10, 2008 4:19 am**

Bill Waldorf wrote:Well, that was it for this update. I'll now prime and paint the main deck and install the hanger deck floors only where they will be visible. Then it's on to enclosing the hull, finally!! Stay tuned....More to come! I continue on............

Hi Bill Good to get your up dates. Question I see you may include lighting but would such lighting be see any way . Just a thought as it's a subject{ lighting} that I haven't give much thought to . Also I like the idea of showing the aircraft on the hanger deck , various stages of maintenence perhaps? Crews working on the aircraft ? Just thoughts . This is a superb subject and one that has lots of potential for subtle detailing.
Dave Wooley

Posted: **Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:21 am**

Great to see you�re back at it, again...

Where did you got your handrails from, if I may ask ???

.

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