1/200 Scale Group Build from 2015-17

[Mgunns]

Mark,

Your AZ looks great!

Thanks Martin:

It's getting there.

@ Hank: I'm with you Hank. My next 1/200 build is also going to be the Pennsylvania. I did a drug deal at our model show with one of the vendors, traded some kits for yet another 1/200 Arizona in anticipation of doing the conversion. I must be nuts. Now I need to put in an order with Shapeways. Oh well.

Thanks

[Goodwood]

Are you going to shake things up by building a late-war Pennsylvania, Mark? I'm actually curious on what was different between the two ships, at least around the time of Pearl Harbor if nothing else, as well as what all was done to BB-38 in terms of repair work and refits.

[Mgunns]

Are you going to shake things up by building a late-war Pennsylvania, Mark? I'm actually curious on what was different between the two ships, at least around the time of Pearl Harbor if nothing else, as well as what all was done to BB-38 in terms of repair work and refits.

Hi Sean:


I will probably just do it as it was at Pearl in Dec '41. It went through major mods many times during the war, mods I just don't have the skillset or the wherewithal to do. I liked the way it looked prior to the war. The difference is really hard to spot if you don't know what you're looking for. It took me a long time comparing photo's to finally see the difference. The conning tower was taller and the shape of the bridge was much different. There were other less notable differences that I have yet to divine, but with Shapeways 1/200 Pennsylvania bridge available, it makes it all too tempting to pass up. The easiest post 7 Dec 41 conversion would be the first time it was Mare Island and the upgrades it went through at that time. I like the pre-war looks of these ships though and will be doing it pre war, maybe even earlier like '36 when it was photographed tied up at San Francisco behind the Ferry Building. My father in law remembers seeing at that time along with Saratoga and Lexington when they would come into the bay area. Floating drydock offers a DVD with Pennsylvania and Arizona on it, gathered from multiple sources with some great pictures of the Pennsylvania during her wartime career. Having been to Mare Island several times during my USMC career and seeing the docks where it was photographed at Mare Island and where it was tied up behind the Ferry building, the ship has a special interest for me.

[BB62vet]

Mark,

Ditto - I'm thinking 1941, pre-Pearl Harbor. Nice version of the ship in her heyday!

Hank

[Mike Reading]

Thanks Larry and I will your suggestion about photos a try.
Mike

[Fliger747]

For those interested in hull plating, there is an excellent project showing I believe Indiana in a floating drydock in 1:350 and plated the whole hull. I think his overall rusting weathering got a bit carried away for a USN ship, but if you look back through his thread a lot of interesting techniques.

T.

[Channell]

Just FYI, I put together a step-by-step tutorial on how to build 1/200 Veteran Bofor Quad guns for your viewing enjoyment and edjumacation.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=160867

[Fliger747]

Some slow progress on CB1. Drone's eye view of the shipyard.

T

[BB62vet]

Tom,

I must say that CB-1 is coming along nicely. The details are eye-catching. Quite impressive all around!

Hank

[Fliger747]

Thanks Hank!

Much do to your assistance! I will try to take some better photos.

Cheers: Tom

[tegunn]

Really outstanding work Tom!

[Fliger747]

Thanks guys! Really a great diversity of ship projects going on here. Not sure how many are going to actually get finished during the calendar year!

My long wearing 4 runner project is back on the road (shakedown cruise) so more time to devote to CB1.

Tom

[Mgunns]

Okay:

I am almost done, starting at the starboard bow and working aft. I decided to pose the colors in an in port pierside configuration.

I used the WEM railings. I was disappointed that WEM didn't give the modeler templates to cut away the railings at the chocks, or to provide etched cutouts to fit over the chocks. Note the Northstar paravane. I am (I think) going to put some sort of mounting strap on the paravane. The pesky lattice yards caused me a lot of grief. As mentioned, I had them on perfect, but knocked both sides off twice during the construction. Once as I was applying some pressure to get the superstructure to fit into the deck, the starboard side just popped off.

I put some ladders on the boat booms. From viewing distance they don't look too bad. I need to tweak this one a bit. Shows the rigging to good effect too.

Port focsl area. I noticed in a photo of the AZ there was a locker near the "B" Turret barbette and a vent, so I put those on. Paravane was on the deck as well.

Thanks to Jeff Sharp and Randy Chisholm who figured out the main mast rigging and where the antenna leads ended up, I managed to get mine to resemble the set up.


I used the WEM raised letters for the name. Randy suggested to use tape to align the letters. It turned out okay.

And the main mast with range clock.


Almost there folks. I am already going through modeling withdrawal. This occupied a little over a year of my life, and now it's: "Now what?" I am thinking of doing another one in August 1941. I was going to do a Pennsylvania, but; there are so many differences that need to be addressed, and the cost of the 1/200 bridge assembly is almost cost prohibitive, so an August 1941 is doable.
All that's left is aircraft, the depth markings on the bow and stern, some coiled line on the deck and that should do it.

Thanks for looking

[Fliger747]

The fragility of the lifelines is quite astounding! Don't breath hard on this one! Rigging all this also a skillful job!

[steinerman]

Wow Mark, that is one beautiful ship! You can (and should) be very proud of what you have accomplished. I can certainly see why it took you a year to finish. Craftsmanship of that caliber takes a great deal of patience and careful work. MY hat is off to you, my friend, and I'm sure the next one will be just as awesome!

[BB62vet]

Mark,

Damn!!!! Adjectives can't say enough!!! That's one fine 'ZONA!!! I especially love the extreme details everywhere - it's like you're ON THE SHIP!

Between you, Jeff Sharp, and a couple others currently doing 1:200 ARIZONA kits, I'm starting to feel like any decision to actually attempt a 1938-41 Pre-PH PENNSY would be modeler's suicide But, since I have a "deal" in the works for the kit, I may bite the $Bullet$ and in spite of the M_M Bridge cost, as you pointed out, and make this my next project. It's too bad one of the various manuf'rs isn't coming out with a 1:200 CALIFORNIA or similar class BB for a bit of variation.

Your work on this model certainly ranks up amongst the top! WELL DONE!

Hank

[Mgunns]

Thanks Guys:

@ Flieger747: I am humbled by it all. I am just a modeler who pretty much built this OOB. I work two jobs and in the summer ride my motorcycle; that is why it took me a year. I have the Eduard Railing set, but; that is nuts, you have to install the stanchions and then hang the chain railing on the stanchions. Not for the feint of heart or those that just don't think it is worth the effort. The WEM railings were fine and with a little pre-planning I managed to get them on.

@ Steinerman, full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes. I wanted this and here it is. I am scoping out your build as well and marvel at the small details, 20mm come to mind.

@ Hank: I am not totally sold out on not doing a 1/200 Pennsy. Just a lot of "tweaking" to get it. I am following your build of the NJ in 69 time frame. I will be interested in what you decide if you do make the jump to a 1/200 Pennsy. Maybe a "mini group build"?

Thanks again guys, I duly appreciate the comments.

[Channell]

1st class work Mark! Don't know if I would start all over on the same subject though! We're getting quite a few choices in 1/200 these days after all...

A Pennsylvania mini group build sounds tempting though... I've pondered doing one too. Maybe it would be less scary and frustrating if it was a collaborative effort?

[Mgunns]

Thanks Jason:

I am debating whether or not to pop for the 1/200 Pennsy bridge from Shapeways. There are a lot of changes to be made to do an "accurate" build. Of course, one could do the superstructure and make those changes that are most noticeable.
I was at Chuck Bauer's house last Wednesday and saw his 1/200 Arizona ca., August 1941 (Scope out his gallery) and really like it. Not ready to commit yet as I still have some minor things to do, like re-do the aircraft. Permanent sharpies aren't permanent when you use Testors Dullcote. A mini Pennsy build would be neat.
By the time we get them done, Trumpeter would come out with one. I am not sure I want to pop for the Nelson or the upcoming Rodney. I have some wingy things I want to do as well.
Your Nelson is coming along nicely Jason.

[Channell]

Thanks Jason:

I am debating whether or not to pop for the 1/200 Pennsy bridge from Shapeways. There are a lot of changes to be made to do an "accurate" build. Of course, one could do the superstructure and make those changes that are most noticeable.
I was at Chuck Bauer's house last Wednesday and saw his 1/200 Arizona ca., August 1941 (Scope out his gallery) and really like it. Not ready to commit yet as I still have some minor things to do, like re-do the aircraft. Permanent sharpies aren't permanent when you use Testors Dullcote. A mini Pennsy build would be neat.
By the time we get them done, Trumpeter would come out with one. I am not sure I want to pop for the Nelson or the upcoming Rodney. I have some wingy things I want to do as well.
Your Nelson is coming along nicely Jason.

I know... I'm tempted too but the shapeways bridge costs as much as the whole kit. I've seen pics of Chuck's Arizona, it's awesome too. You guys make me wish I worked harder on my Arizona!

Anyways, I shouldn't be thinking about building something else; I promised I would finish the Nelson first and I've got a ways to go on it. I still have a Bismarck and the Iowa too, plus an extra Arizona kit and defunct Missouri, just about all the fixin's to attempt a final refit Pennsylvania... something I REALLY wanna do someday. Guess my model desk will be occupied with big battleships for the next few years regardless...