Calling all rebuilt "Big 5" (TN/MD class) fans

[SeanF]

The David Doyle book is, indeed, excellent and probably contains more definitive answers - my copy is stashed in a storage unit at the moment or I'd've been referencing it already! I might be able to get over there and retrieve it tonight. This conversation has gotten me curious about several points.

When starting fresh with a '44 CA in mind, the WV kit is definitely the place to start. But now I'm confident that the mistakenly dazzled '45 CA kit can be salvaged with relatively little grief. We're almost there...

- Sean F.

[Betelguese90]

The David Doyle book is, indeed, excellent and probably contains more definitive answers - my copy is stashed in a storage unit at the moment or I'd've been referencing it already! I might be able to get over there and retrieve it tonight. This conversation has gotten me curious about several points.

When starting fresh with a '44 CA in mind, the WV kit is definitely the place to start. But now I'm confident that the mistakenly dazzled '45 CA kit can be salvaged with relatively little grief. We're almost there...

- Sean F.

Honestly, the hardest thing to do would be to make the midship 20mm platforms. I will have to lleave out one set of 40mm behind the 3rd set of aft 5inch turrets and replace it with another 20mm platforms that holds 2 guns on each, sand down on of the walls for a 20mm placement attached to the 40mm next to turret 3 on one side. I think the WV shares the same superstructure attached to the funnel as the '45 CA kit. I have seen pictures where someone used the WV kit as the CA and it has the same shape. Found a big difference where the Trumpeter '45 CA isn't accurate: the kit keeps the 20mm placement off to the side of turret 2, while in the actual layout, that placement was removed, so luckily I don't have to fret on that.

Biggest thing now, is finding a plan or close up of that midship 20mm platform. Seen a few, but not enough to really help a whole lot.

[bioshock73]

Honestly, the hardest thing to do would be to make the midship 20mm platforms. I will have to lleave out one set of 40mm behind the 3rd set of aft 5inch turrets and replace it with another 20mm platforms that holds 2 guns on each, sand down on of the walls for a 20mm placement attached to the 40mm next to turret 3 on one side. I think the WV shares the same superstructure attached to the funnel as the '45 CA kit. I have seen pictures where someone used the WV kit as the CA and it has the same shape. Found a big difference where the Trumpeter '45 CA isn't accurate: the kit keeps the 20mm placement off to the side of turret 2, while in the actual layout, that placement was removed, so luckily I don't have to fret on that.

Biggest thing now, is finding a plan or close up of that midship 20mm platform. Seen a few, but not enough to really help a whole lot.

Have you considered ordering an individual sprue from another kit that has those 20mm tubs in question?

[garyrunnalls]

I have a resin USS California 1944 that could be made into a 44' or 45' that I've taken apart and not going to use because I like the Trumpy kits better. I do have the resin 20 mm platforms that were midship and a resin conning tower with stack etc that I could send you free and if less than $5.00 postage free as well. Parts are not perfect but will work. I'm in California so unless your in ? I will pay for post and send.

[Betelguese90]

I have a resin USS California 1944 that could be made into a 44' or 45' that I've taken apart and not going to use because I like the Trumpy kits better. I do have the resin 20 mm platforms that were midship and a resin conning tower with stack etc that I could send you free and if less than $5.00 postage free as well. Parts are not perfect but will work. I'm in California so unless your in ? I will pay for post and send.

That would be awesome actually! I took parts from my Tamiya Missouri kit and attemoted to make a makeshift 20mm platforms from that. The dimensions are off, as it's to long and narrow so it looks awkward. live in california as well so it won't be to much.

[garyrunnalls]

I will get them ready and mail when I get your address, glad you could use them.

[Betelguese90]

I will get them ready and mail when I get your address, glad you could use them.

Pmed you my address. A big help and I thank you.

[garyrunnalls]

I love the Central Coast area off the 101Fwy esp. Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo, beautiful country. Anyways I'll put parts in mail manana plus some extra stuff you might be able to use for your build.

[Betelguese90]

I love the Central Coast area off the 101Fwy esp. Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo, beautiful country. Anyways I'll put parts in mail manana plus some extra stuff you might be able to use for your build.

I love the central coast, one of my favorite places here in california. Weather is always nice and the scenery is amazing. Ok sounds good! I'll be sure to post pictures when it comes in and the build is nearly done. I appreciate it alot!

[garyrunnalls]

You should get parts soon, let me know if you get them. Thanks

[Betelguese90]

You should get parts soon, let me know if you get them. Thanks

I got them thanks! Already working on making them work

[garyrunnalls]

Very cool, and I'm sure you'll do it well. I love the measure 33- 31 dazzle paint jobs of WW2 USN ships myself, although not easy. Glad ya got the parts.

[Betelguese90]

I'll do my best, not nearly as good as most on here, but I enjoy it. I have multiple USN ships in dazzle camo. It's a challange but it's rewarding to do. Thanks again for the parts!

[Haijun watcher]

Has anyone here ever built the HP 1/700 Maryland 1944 or Colorado 1944?

Just wondering if the bulges on either are correct.

I'm also wondering how much work, other than reducing the AA suite, would be required to backdate either kit to 1942 fit.

[bioshock73]

Has anyone here ever built the HP 1/700 Maryland 1944 or Colorado 1944?

Just wondering if the bulges on either are correct.

I'm also wondering how much work, other than reducing the AA suite, would be required to backdate either kit to 1942 fit.

I'm working on a Colorado 1944 kit, a slow go. I made a thread in the "Picture Post-Works in Progress" section. There is also a very good Maryland 1945 (Trumpeter) build in there, too. The bulges are not correct. They are too wide. Trumpeter used the same hull parts for all 5 rebuilt ships, should've been for just the Tennessee, California and West Virginia.
If Trumpeter ever decides to make these kits in 1/350, I hope they make the correct size of the bulges for the respective ship.

[Haijun watcher]

I'm working on a Colorado 1944 kit, a slow go. I made a thread in the "Picture Post-Works in Progress" section. There is also a very good Maryland 1945 (Trumpeter) build in there, too.

Bioshock,
I'm already well aware of the faults of the Trumpeter Colorado class kits, but I was only referring to the HP kits.

----------------------------------

David P,

I was looking at early 1942.

I already made an early 1942 Colorado using the Trumpeter Maryland 1941 kit with modified bulges per Sean F.'s instructions.

I saw a couple of HP 1944 Colorado class kits on Ebay but was wondering if the HP Maryland 1944 kit was easily convertible to the early 1942 version.

[bioshock73]

Bioshock,
I'm already well aware of the faults of the Trumpeter Colorado class kits, but I was only referring to the HP kits.

Go here. In my opinion, Trumpeter used their molds.
viewtopic.php?f=47&t=28745

[SeanF]

Bioshock,
I'm already well aware of the faults of the Trumpeter Colorado class kits, but I was only referring to the HP kits.

Go here. In my opinion, Trumpeter used their molds.
viewtopic.php?f=47&t=28745

That incorrect bulge sure looks the same, but the Trumpeter kit definitely has a finer quality of detail on both hull and deck. And the main gun turrets have a much better shape in the Trumpeter kit.

So, if you want to start with the HP kit, you'll have to saw/sand/grind the bulges if you want to correct them, and try to get them symmetrical and smooth enough to satisfy yourself.

Personally, I'd much rather re-work the Trumpeter hulls that to grind off that much resin (and make it come out neat in the end). And the HP kits would cost you about twice as much.

- Sean F.

[Haijun watcher]

Thanks to all for your replies.

I am beginning to think that using the Loose Cannon 1/700 Colorado 1942 maybe the best bet for building a Feb. to June 1942 Maryland.

As I said, I already built the Trumpeter 1941 Maryland kit as Colorado 1942 and tapered the bulge per Sean's advice, but I feel I could have done a better job. That's why I prefer to have a kit with correct bulges already.

[SeanF]

Not many pictures of the Loose Cannon Colorado on-line, but from what I see it looks like it has the same oversized bulges as HP and Trumpeter, but without the ribbing (waste drain spouts?) present on those two kits. Anyone who actually has the Loose Cannon Colorado, please feel free to correct me if this is not true.

- Sean F.