1/24 Scale AM Minesweeper Scratch build

[desron48]

doing a great job trev.... ....i love that speed light on the mast......joe

[SweeperSkipper]

Thanks Joe, I alway's appreciate your support

[Dave Wooley]

Sweeper Skipper wonderful piece of work any photos of how you built the mast ? Thanks for posting
Dave Wooley

[SweeperSkipper]

Thanks Dave, No I only Have the shots of it at the stage it is now. I must confess that I have this little problem, I get so involved with what I am doing that Pictures often come to late. I plan on correcting this with my Next Build as I really enjoy posting and chatting.
I normally Model in 1/48 and have been researching two possible subjects for my next build, Either A Benson Gleaves Class DD in pre War Configuration or an LSD. Either one in 1/48. I had thought about a YMS Minesweeper in 1/24 However the lack of Quality lines has me stalled on this project.
So many ships and only a lifetime to build

[SweeperSkipper]

Another one of my upgrades for this late war version are Davits for the 26' Motor Whale Boat. One thing that I have found with this class of ship is that there is not a lot of information out there. While you can find good information on the Basic foundation for the Build other details are scarce.
Working from Photographs I have attempted to mock up the Basic Davits. Hinged to the deck they will work once finished. Several hours were spent just studying Photographs of all views except ideal.
Joe from the 48th Fleet is working up a 26' Motor Whale Boat for this Project. It will also be R/C. I am hoping to have the ability to lower the boat and run it all by R/C. Well Time will tell.
Here are a few shots of work in progress on the Mock up. From this I will Make them operational then build the set for the Boat............I hope.

[SweeperSkipper]

I decided to focus on port holes for the Bridge of the Big sweep. I needed 5 to start with. I machined the basic Diameter then bored/Drilled out the center to give me my frame. The port holes are kinda large in this scale as compared to smaller scales, however the same methods could be used in making the glass for them as outlined below.
I did not want to hassle with making dozens of Glass inserts to get 5 that would fit perfectly, So I used an old piece of 1" PVC pipe and some scrap 1/16 Plexiglass.
I left the paper on the plex and glued several pieces together with CA.
I then glued the stack of plex scraps to the PVC and chucked it up my Lathe.
Measured how wide my windows needed to be, and cut through the first piece in the stack.
Pulled it out and removed the Paper for a test fit.
I made these pieces to fit snug. Once they did I then machined the rest of the stack to get the number that I needed.
Glue in place with a white glue that dries Transparent or machine a grove in the frame for them to rest against snuggly.
Now I can continue on detailing my port holes and install them.

[Reid]

hmm.... i wonder if i can do that in 1/48... that extra step always helps.
that looks fantastic

[SweeperSkipper]

Hey Reid, Thanks
What I used to do in 1/48 was to cut my rings Much like Joe Does, Or use brass eyelets found in a sewing store. Place them on Wax Paper. Mix up some epoxy and fill them in almost to the top. A broken tooth pick works great for filling them in. Let dry and you have simulated Glass in your port hole. Now for painting. Install them in your Model. Go to a craft shop and find a hole punch That is the size you need, Usually in with scrapbooking stuff. When ready to paint place masking tape on to wax paper punch your holes. Remove the wax paper from the little circles and place over your glass. Paint and remove.

[desron48]

hey trev......those davits are looking great.....I DO KNOW what it's like to make parts with out proper doucumentation.....like wee weeing in the dark..... i layed up the blocks for the whale boat plug then make mold....expect it around chirstmas time (if all goes well) you going to rc this whaleboat?? gee i thought i was crazy... ..... ....JOE

[SweeperSkipper]

That sounds just fine by me Joe
R/C for that baby is the way to go. Of course I will do a Static version as well.

Guess they should call you Joe Cool

[Dave Wooley]

Hi Sweeper Skipper Excellent methodology with the port holes .
Davew Wooley

[SweeperSkipper]

Thank you Dave
As you will know that with this hobby you are always learning. I think I will redo my port hole rings with a lip machined in for the windows to be seated against.
Thanks again for your Kind words. For a rookie like me it helps to hear that I am on the right track.

[SweeperSkipper]

When I started the detailing on this boat years ago I did not do very much. This is where I found a serious lack of information. During my research thru the years I have compiled Much more information. However this class of ship is a bit tricky, It seems like no two are alike. Sure they might have the same bridge or Mast, But the general layout of all the equipment varies quit a bit from ship to ship. These boats did not get the attention and Fame of the bigger boats so documentation is scarce. Sure they had the inaugural in St Louis, But it was stripped of most of her equipment, Same goes for the Hazard in freedom park. However once again A lot of her equipment is gone or home made such as her depth charge racks and 55 gallon drums for depth charges. There is enough out there to build a solid foundation. If someone ever considers this build for something they want, There is an Excellent Fiberglass hull on the market in 1/48. Also floating dry docks E book on AM Minesweepers is an absolute must have. I used there plans for AM 267 for this build and had them enlarged.
That all being said My ship is coming along slowly because I have been spending Hours staring at enlarged photos to see what is there and what is not, Between different ships and different refits. Here are some pictures of the recent detail work on the Stern section.

[Dave Wooley]

Hi Sweeper Skipper this is TOP Draw workmanship . I like your goose neck vents how did you go about making these.
Dave Wooley

[SweeperSkipper]

Thanks again dave, I am starting to think your my favorite fan
If it wasnt for you I would mostly be talking to myself

I had one heck of a time bending those. I used every popular method then decided to think outside the box

I took a round piece of steel and chucked it up in my lathe. With a round file the same diameter as my brass that I wanted to bend i cut a deep groove.
Placed the tubing in the grove and heated it a little with a torch. Not much just enough to scramble the atomic structure.
Then I made the bend, Once started you have to complete the bend or it will come out uneven. They are not perfect but they are as close as I could get.

[Dave Wooley]

Hi Sweeper Skipper. I am always interested in how others accomplish tasks in model making . I can see that you have given some thought as to how you approach each item . Thanks for the explaination on the goose vents , it's a good method . There is so much on your model that catches my eye . I'm impressed by the hatches , sweep cranes , depth charge racks and particularly the way you have presented the handles on the hatches, how did you make these? I know at times you can feel that your efforts on the site are not being noticed. But they are and if some don't comment they do go in and view your work and learn from your skills. Thanks for posting it is appriciated .
Dave Wooley

[SweeperSkipper]

Thank you again Dave
I more than understand about limited comments and that's just fine by me, I read many posts and do not comment. However the last thing I want to do is go on and on about a subject where there is no interest. I have had three teachers so to say in this Hobby. Lee at SSY, Joe from 48th Fleet and other builds that I have read about in posts such as mine, Other than that I am completely self taught. Where I live I have no others to build or compare notes with, All I have is my Passion for Ships and for Building.
I am constantly learning. I am amazed at what you guy's can do and respect the effort put forth. I really enjoy the Comradery of building.
The wheels on the Hatches are from Robbe.

[ARH]

Thanks again dave, I am starting to think your my favorite fan
If it wasnt for you I would mostly be talking to myself


Welcome to the club SweeperSkipper.

I post loads and no one takes much notice these days.

[SweeperSkipper]

Thank you ARH, Dang glad to be here

I think mostly people are just to busy or don't wish to be redundant. I think this is a dying hobby. That's to Bad So much Talent and recourses being Lost to the ravages of time and time management. My hat's off to anyone who takes the time to re create history.

[desron48]

looking good there trev....some times i think this hobby is dying out because most people are spoiled on the ARF'S that are avalible.. ..then there are people out there who will buy completed models and claimed they built them.... ....but then there's are a lot of people who will take the time to build from the keel up....joe.....