1/350 USS New Orleans CA-32 (1945)

[PeteM]

Thanks for the build log Dave. Can I assume that he '42 Frisco also needs spacers to raise the deck to the correct height? What size rod did you use? I have the '42 on my short list for next project.

[Dave Hill]

Update: Aft 40mm/Mk.51 director tubs.

For the New Orleans I needed to be scratch-build the tubs for the aft 40mm's and their directors because they are totally different from SF. The SF had twin Mk.51 tubs and NO had a single structure for both gun directors. also,the tubs on NO are open at the rear where as SF had a more enclosed tub. I made the new tubs from .010" sheet styrene useing the tip from "Les": viewtopic.php?f=4&t=34863 after forming the tubs I added the ammo racks. the Mk.51 tubs were also made from .010" sheet and PE hatches were added. To round out the deck details I made new bits as the molded on ones were slightly underscale and just didn't look right to me.




Dave

[taskforce48]

Looking good! I love seeing a ok model being turned into a work of art! Keep it up, I eagerly await your next update.

Matt

[Dave Hill]

Thanks Matt...I'm really starting to like this scratch building stuff!

Dave

[Dave Hill]

Update: Finishing the hull

Painting the hull was pretty much strait forward with the masking,coating with Future for decaling and adding the hull numbers...when...I forgot the prop guards!!! the PE guards are nice but I don't like the 2 dimentional look of the brass. So I sanded the hull to bare plastic and scratch built new guards out of .020"styrene square rod which gives the guards a 3 dimentional and more realistic look. After repainting the hull I applied the hull numbers added the prop shafts and rudder and sprayed the model with a finish coat of Dullcote.





The hull with the scratch built bits glued down and a mock-up of the aft 40mm and Mk.51 tubs.





Dave

[mitchell300]

Very beautiful
Keep up the good work
Mitch

[MartinJQuinn]

Sweet! Love the prop guards.

[taskforce48]

This is going to be one sweet model! I can not wait to see how it comes out. What upgrades are you planning on using? GMM PE looks really nice, but I wish WEM would make their 1/700 set available in 1/350 as it would be really nice as would WEM's 1/700 Benson PE being scaled up for 1/350 Buchanan's (wink, wink, nudge, nudge ) out there. Really love the prop guards, they really stand out on this ship and a more "3D" look is required.
Matt
PS>Out of curiosity, why did you choose the "NO boat"?

[Dave Hill]

Hi Matt,

WEM does have a 1/350 PE set ( PE 35109 )for the Trumpy kits...I ordered it from WEM and it is nice!!!

I will be useing the following aftermarket sets:
GMM & WEM New Orleans class PE sets
L'Arsenal 40mm & 20mm AA guns
Veteran Model 5"/25 guns w/L'Arsenal brass barrels
B&D Barrels 8"/55 brass barrels

Re:PS...I chose the New Orleans because there seems to be enough San Fran's being built and nobody else is modeling her.

Dave

[taskforce48]

That tells you how much I've been working lately, I somehow missed that one! Will have to check it out. Good reason for choosing New Orleans, I will hopefully somewhere here in the near future be doing the Minneapolis in funky camo scheme to make her look like a Benson class destroyer. Keep up the good work!

Matt

[Dave Hill]

I was thinking the same thing about doing the "Minnie" in that "False Destroyer" scheme...but then I decided to do New Orleans instead.

Dave

[Dave Hill]

Update: Aft superstructure

I knew when I decided to convert the San Fran to New Orleans I'd be doing some scratch building and I found that out working on this area already. some scratch building was required for the conversion and some to correct mistakes in the kit.

First I knew the deck above the hangar needed replacing mainly because it's layout is differant than San Fran's and the tapered profile of the ballistic shielding on the part is a terrible feature of this kit. I made the new deck useing a 1/350 sized pattern from my ship's plans and attached it to .020" sheet styrene and cut it out. then I used strips of .010" sheet for the new ballistic shielding...I then made new 40mm gun tubs useing .010" styrene strips and added PE ammo racks...the only kit part used in this assembly was part F3. The PE railing and ladders will be added after painting.



Next came the hangar walls...I could've saved alot of time here and just modify the kit parts but I didn't think of that and just made new ones. I added PE doors and details correct for NO.

Next came the compartment under the 8" director platform (kit parts: G1,14 and 17) the over all hight is wrong...it's 2mm to low according to the drawing...I double checked my 1/192 drawing useing digital calipers and ScaleCalc.

Next came the 8" director platform which also has a differant layout than San Fran's and I made that the same as the deck above the hangar and used 1/4" styrene tubing for Mk.51 director tubs.


The Mk. 28 fire control station (kit parts: A22,23,24 and 26) was used...last came a new Mk.51 director station made from sheet styrene.

Dave

[Dave Hill]

The completed assembly mock up

The kit assembly



The new one with the aircraft crane.





Dave

[MartinJQuinn]

Outstanding!!!

[J. Soca]

that's one unbelievable job there Dave


Jose

[taskforce48]

Fantastic! This will be one superb build! Can't wait to see more!

Matt

[Quincy]

What a build so far!


Bob Pink.

[Dave Hill]

Hi all!!!

Update: Aft superstructure...Paint and PE

After getting a little spare time I was able to finally wrap up the assembly.



The assembly broken down and ready for paint.


The parts painted 5-H and taped off ready for the 20-B.

Dave

[Dave Hill]

The painted assembly with PE







The assembly dry-fitted to the hull...the crane,weapons and remaining details will be added at final assembly.

Dave

[MartinJQuinn]

What else can I say - the updates just bet better and better. Great work Dave!