1/350 USS Reagan CVN-76

[LE BOSCO]

Hello Ryan

your presentation idea is original ,I like a lot and indeed, the underwater part, may be darker.....
pending further progress
cheers
Nicolas

[sgtryan13]

Ok guys, thanks for the feedback!

I guess that is enough votes for a darker base for me to give it a go. I am hesitant to go with black still, so I guess I will take my blue and darken it with maybe a 50/50 ratio of black. Stay tuned.

If anyone wants to fly to beautiful CT and give me an in-person opinion, I will thank you by sending you home with one of my ex girlfriend's cats and/ or one of her rat dogs.

[anyahajobuzi]

That's how you would thank for an in-person feedback???? I mean:Free rat dog?!?! And all I have to do is take time off work and pay for airfare?!! I WANT IT!!!
Yeah, immigrants can't turn down free stuff.
The cats I will take as many as you got, since we don't have them in the Yukon anymore. The coyotes picked them all off the streets when owners used to let them out for a walk , long ago
So yeah, sounds like hell of a deal, Just shoot me the address and I'll see next weekend

Cheers: Laci

[rtheriaque]

Ok guys, thanks for the feedback!

I guess that is enough votes for a darker base for me to give it a go. I am hesitant to go with black still, so I guess I will take my blue and darken it with maybe a 50/50 ratio of black. Stay tuned.

If anyone wants to fly to beautiful CT and give me an in-person opinion, I will thank you by sending you home with one of my ex girlfriend's cats and/ or one of her rat dogs.

Hey, I'm local! There's another CVN modeler here that lives in Ellington as well- I told him a Tamiya Enterprise last year.

[sgtryan13]

Laci, for you, since you will be flying in from antarctica or santa's cabin, or the labs where Helix is being filmed, I will give you all 3 of her dogs and both cats! Hell, I'll even throw in a dragon burke class POS!

rtheriiaque- I thing you are talking about James/Boomstick, he moved to Ohio, but when he was in Ellington he came over my shop a few times to check out the GHW Bush while I was working on her, as I am next door in Tolland. Where are you located?

[sgtryan13]

Well sports fans, I have BIG news... Reagan dipped her toes in the water, liked how it felt, so she jumped right in!

That's right, Reagan is in the water, and with the exception of a few parts that I left off intentionally until she was on the base, the ship herself is DONE! The parts I left off were the lowered elevator, a stern rail (to be able to get my fat finger in there while I was lowering her into the sea) and the stern boat dock assembly. All those parts are done and ready for install, as soon as I am done touching up the seascape along the hull after the first coat of gel dries.

I darkened up the base, went with a very dark navy blue, and I like the result better. In truth, it probably could still be darker, but I am happy with it.

I also decided last minute to darken the lower hull quite a bit with pastel chalk, and then at the very last minute, I decided to coat the lower hull with future, as it is under water afterall, and would not be flat. Not sure if the judges will agree with my logic, we will see, I hope it does not screw me in competitions. The plus side of this type of display is that if I get the feeling or feedback that the things I did to the lower hull are hurting me in competition, I can simply cover the clear sides of the base (there are only 2 clear sides, bow and port) and display her only as a waterlined ship in a seascape, so we'll see what the pros think at valleycon and mosquitocon.

here she sits, with the larger waves still wet and chalky, but they will dry clear, then I attack them with the oil paints for the foam and white caps.

These ar the last shots of Reagan before she gets her airwing and crew glued on.

[sgtryan13]

A few other notes-

I am very happy to report that I actually remembered to implement my plan to have a way to house the battery pack. ON some builds there is not room, so the battery pack just sits off to the side of the model like an ugly sidekick with a wire going under my ship. ON this one there was enough room to make a box painted the same color as the base, that will sit under a plaque on the aft port corner of the base that will house and hide all the batteries and wires for her lighting.

Also, even though it is barely visible, I scratchbuilt more accurate props for her. the kit ones are not too bad for the props as they used to be, but the new props have a more aggressive look to them. Mine are not perfect, but certainly more accurate for the new ships/props than what the kit comes with.

Oh, and Keith Bender, if you are reading this, I made damn sure to install the props so the rotation will be correct, just like you harp on all the time. Just for you buddy!

And I finally remembered to take a couple pictures of the completed landing array system, much prettier with her colors!

I also encountered a strange issue that I saw on this forum just the other day: When I added the plexi cover, it messed with some of the rigging... (luckily none on the island thank the gods.) Not sure how to proceed with the crane rigging, the arresting wire will be an easy fix to glue down a little more. Any ideas?

[boomstick68]

Over the top attention to detail. Even the safety nets look real. I may try that one too. And the water dio. Holy cow. Great idea and it works, you can, even on a screen, perceive dept. Great work Ryan.

[Timmy C]

I believe the rigging issue is due to the static electricity of the plexiglas cover - Chris Flodberg mentioned the problem a few days ago, and a solution was offered by other forum members: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=155468

For your new screws, it could just be the photo angle, but I think you can round the tips of the leading edge a bit more:
http://www.navy.mil/view_image.asp?id=162270
http://www.navy.mil/view_image.asp?id=163215
Right now, I'm afraid they remind me of the ones on Dragon's Burkes...

[kylewoody]

awesome!!! That water base came out killer, love the way it worked out. She's a fine one!

Kyle

[Goodwood]

That is incredible! I'd love to be able to see it in person! Was going to suggest tinting the plexiglass at the waterline on down with a thin coat of transparent blue, but what you did with the hull looks quite good as well. Of course, at about thirty feet and up water can turn quite a deep shade of blue...

[gtbred]

nice work sgt. maybe trumpy should look at your build and make a new molding.

[sgtryan13]

Thanks a lot guys, it is nice to have the approval of my modeling peers, as you guys are the only ones who see things like this and can actually know what goes into the whole process vs my friends who come over the house, give a quick glance and say "that's neat".

Well, accurate or not, those props are sealed up tight inside the seascape, so that is how they will stay.

gtbred- if trumpeter would like to use my model to make a new kit, I will gladly sell it to them... for ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!!

Was going to suggest tinting the plexiglass at the waterline on down with a thin coat of transparent blue...

Goodwood, that is still a very possible option. I have been experimenting with different techniques for the below water plexi, but have not decided on anything yet.

I did spray a thin coat of clear blue on clear plexi, but for some reason it came out very chalky and not very see-throughish. Maybe there was some flat clear overspray on my test piece, so I will try it again.

I also am experimenting with a VERY THIN layer of the clear gel medium on the underwater sides, dappled to give a clear, but irregular surface. Right now that option is a solid maybe.

A third thing AI am going to try, is (if I can find it at a reasonable price) is blue tinted clear window film. I know it is made somewhere for cars and businesses, just gotta figure out where to find it.

Long story short, SOMETHING will still be done to the below water plexi, I am just not sold on what yet. I have wanted something there from the start, but it is now a necessity- Last night, looking over the Reagan, I noticed 2 things: A few drops of acrylic gel fell through the gap on the hull side and are now on my lower hull, and the very bottom of the ship, if you get on the floor and look up at it (which I know the judges can do, especially if the competition is tight) something about the finish looks "off" to me. I think it is a trick of the light, with the ultra flat blue base contrasting with the shiny hull where I applied future to give it the wet gloss look. But either way, even though I know that the finish is even on the whole hull, if I were judging the ship, this trick of the light or whatever it is, would have me scratching my head a little. So even though this ship is for me and my collection, I am challenging myself to make her 100% competition-worthy, so sometimes I feel that means tweaking certain aspects to the eye of an observer who may not know exactly why or how part of the build is the way it looks.

I dunno, I am probably nit-picking over details that only I, as the builder, even know are there. But the competition aspect is just another way I am trying to challenge myself and keep myself honest. While it is not so much the "competition" per-se that I enjoy, I do heartily enjoy seeing just how far I can take this build and what the honest criticisms and feedback is from judges with their trained and very critical eyes. The only real competition is with myself to make each build better than my last. So that beign said, Martin Quinn is bringing his new super-bright flashlight to look over Reagan, and I am bringing my hammer to threaten his North Carolina if I don't like what he has to say!

[anyahajobuzi]

Very nice sea-scape Ryan!!

The overall look is fantastic. I am amazed at the huge space you created with that display. I wish I had room for that much displacement. It is recommended that you take your ship to contest under a display, or is it gonna be safe just "out in the elements"?
Can the public normally refrain from touching the models, or are there accidents? (and following bloodshed)

Unfortunately I don't have a soultion to your rigging problem, but I so far glued and double glued everything.
I don't even know how I missed the birth of that sweet ship's crane, but it's beautiful!



Cheers: Laci

[sgtryan13]

I am amazed at the huge space you created with that display. I wish I had room for that much displacement. It is recommended that you take your ship to contest under a display, or is it gonna be safe just "out in the elements"?
Can the public normally refrain from touching the models, or are there accidents? (and following bloodshed)

Thanks Laci. Honestly when I finally mounted her to the base and put the case on top, I stepped back and looked at how much real estate this thing takes up and said "Wow, now what the hell am I going to do with her?" The answer is she is getting her own specially designed (read made by me and my dad in his woodshop) display stand that will stand free in the center of my display room allowing her to be viewed from 360` walk-around.

As to your display question, that is a tough one. Some contests have rules against cases, some don't, and some will allow it if you request and give a reason. IPMS-USA nationals said cases were fine, but had to be removed right before the judging starts. that was cool with me with the USS Bush, since at the nationals, the model room is closed to the public during the judging. But you better believe I was back bright and early the next day to put her case back on!

In my experience, having competed at about 10-12 shows now, from small locals, to one national, a case is a must for intricate ships. My New York is pretty simple and durable with minimal rigging, so I think I was Ok not having her in a case, but for 1/350 carriers especially, and other capital ships, I personally don't feel good unless it is cased.

My first competition, I brought the Truman to a smaller show in MA. Left her uncased, as nothing else in the room had a case, and there were plenty of signs on every table saying not to touch. Well I walked around the room checking out models, and came back an hour later to see a few sections of rails and a bunch of island and catwalk antennaes neatly piled on the deck by whatever asshat decided to touch em. Then there are the people wearing ballcaps, who forget that the damn thing sticks out 5" farther than their nose, and try to get right up to the model. Then there are the guys with the big cameras, and forget about the dangling shoulder strap hanging and swinging well below the camera like a friggin wrecking ball. I will say that this particular show in MA seems to be the worst as far as carelessness and touchers, but I have seen it at every show I have attended. I was stressed out of my mind at that show after the first damage, so I spent the next 4 hours hovering over my ship like a bouncer, and on several occasions had to tell ADULTS (and other actual modelers) who were about to purposely touch something to back the hell off.

After that, I put all of my intricate builds on the table in a case, and will take the case off for the judges if they need it taken off, and i will do the same for some pictures if someone asks. And since I have been putting them up there in the cases, I have thouroughly enjoyed every competition since that first one since I am not stressig over what damage is being done to a model I worked several months or several years on!

Long story short, you can either put it in a case, hover like a bouncer over your ship, or leave her uncased and pray that people are smart enough not to touch the damn things!

[Timmy C]

Some shows, like the one in Vancouver, hold their judging throughout the show (with a one hour closed room period for final judging and award placement), and so they require that the models be displayed with no cover for the duration of the show. Other shows, however, have specified judging periods, and will allow you to keep the cover on until that time.

[sgtryan13]

Guess it's a good thing for me that I have no intention of going up to vancouver, unless the Hartford Whalers come back to the NHL and I can see them kick some canadian butt! Screw that, I am not anxious enough to compete anywhere (with something I have poured my soul into) if there is a complete "no case" rule. No way. Unless... I know my weapons permit allows me to carry anywhere in the USA, if that includes our 51st state of Canadia, then I will consider it.

[MartinJQuinn]

So that being said, Martin Quinn is bringing his new super-bright flashlight to look over Reagan, and I am bringing my hammer to threaten his North Carolina if I don't like what he has to say!

The contest rules says that "the decision of the judges is final".

And we can discuss the case issue the day of the show. We've made exceptions in the past.

[rtheriaque]

he moved to Ohio, but when he was in Ellington he came over my shop a few times to check out the GHW Bush while I was working on her, as I am next door in Tolland. Where are you located?

I work at an injection molder in Ellington, just up the street.

[youngtiger1]

Very nice work indeed. She looks great in the base. Mind I ask where did you find the acrylic case? It looks perfect

Mike