The Ship Model Forum

Let me chime in here. She's a gorgeous, gorgeous dame, and considering how long and painful the road to finishing her must have been, she's not only a tribute to her crew, but also to your own fighting spirit.

Hello again all ! The USS Indiana / BB-58 project is now completed, I am happy to say! It has been a long road on this one. Over 2,500 hours, some 4,000 individual pieces, and about $4,000 US, and we are there. Many things have happened to my life here on earth since this project had begun. Many of those who were with me are now gone. The big one was my wife, Barbara. She passed away in March of 2007 after complecations from cancer. I always thought I would go first. If you have been following this thread all along, you know the cicumstances first hand, as they are here. I would like to take this opportunity to thank ALL of you for following along, and your posts. I hope I have offered some insight on scratchbuilding, in my own small way. I will now prepare the display for the museum. Then she flies to Indianapolis via FedEx, with an escort. I will post an epilog of the whole affair when I return. I got some good parting shots of the ship, some 40 or so. I don't really know which ones to put up, so I'll do them all! I'll post 10 or so at a time. So, this concludes another build by yours truly on Modelwarships.com. A Big thanks to the Cadman and crew. Without this site, I would have no outlet. I know that there are others, but I am comfortable here. Been here for almost 10 yrs! I dedicate this build to my wife, Barbara. I know she is OK, and looking over my shoulder from time to time. I sure do miss her. Stood by me through all the projects. We sure had lots of fun. Now, it's just me, so as I have said before.........Stay Tuned........More to come.........I continue on.............................Bill Waldorf

Photos.....Part two.......

Photos ......Part three....

Sincerest congratualtions Bill on achieving such a wonderful milestone. In this context I could not think of a more fitting dedication for the ship.

I don't know you and I cannot even begin to imagine the struggles you have gone through in recent times, but I can stand in awe of your character, strength and determination as displayed here in this place..

I am sure your loved one is at peace, and enjoying every achievment you make.

God bless and thanks again.

Andrew

God has blessed you well Bill. Wonderful hands!

That was great......Thanks so much, means alot to me.....

Mr Waldorf congratulations on finishing this perfect in every aspect build...

Best wishes and God bless from Greece...

Bill my friend You have a rare gift , you build with a passion and you have put your heart and soul into the Indiana which will always be there.
Dave Wooley

Sir,
An absolutely awesome achievement and I am positive that your Better Half is incredibly proud of you and your work. If the State of Indiana ever gets tired of looking at it, I'm sure it could find a home at a certain museum in Washington, DC.

Bill, she's beautiful - both ladies. Watching this build progress has been wonderful - the subject really came to life in your hands and it helps us "mere mortals" experience it with you. I have a modest collection of models that have come from some talented builders and watching what you guys go through to create this "art" makes me feel very fortunate that I have been able to care for and display some of these works of art.

Your candid sharing of your sorrows and challenges along the way also gave a very poignant glimpse into real life - not what we normally see on the internet. It made me appreciate my 20 year marriage and more than once, just hug my wife because you weren't able to any more. If Indy is your first gift, that was your second, at least to me and probably others.

God bless and I sure want to get to Indy to see her.

Warmest regards,

Matt

Bill,

I have enjoyed sharing your passion with this ship as well as all others first hand. I am glad the prep work for shipping and presentation went smoothly today. Looking forward to assisting you next weekend. I hope we have the opportunity to drive up to Savannah and visit the Maritime Museum there. It will certainly be a treat for you.

James

Hi Bill looking for your model and what model, i can say one thing: wonderfull and the care with your model means for me just not a excellent modelmaker but
an extraordinary people you are not so about the ship modelling but about the care and the honesty with the people. Your wife is proud of you.
sincerely
Norberto

As a newcomer to this site, and to ship modelling, I have been feverishly reading a number of build threads from beginning to end. The Indianapolis, and now the Indiana, are paragons of modelmaking. As a current railway modeller (boo hiss), I pride myself on building the best that I can and I know people who build some of the best there is. Bill, your standards surpass mine.

I can't wait to start my first project - a shame that it will probably be r/c and therefore not deserving of the delicacy of your artworks.

If I had a forelock, I'd tug it.

I agree with all that has been said before me! A great ship, the signs of a great man with a great mental strength and skill, this truly is a milestone which makes most other museum models look like toys! Congratulations, I'm sure your wife would be very proud of you as she probably was of all or most of your models!

She looks most impressive Bill no she looks mighty impressive !! i'll be looking forward to your next buildup..


Jose

Hello again all Indiana now inside her glass case and mounted on display base. These are the last two photos of her till I get to the Museum in Indianapolis, Ind. A plywood "crate" will be installed around this whole thing. Monday afternoon at 4 pm, she will be loaded on a jet bound for Indiana. Courtesy of FedEx. Note the replica sits on a wheeled dolly so we can get it out of my house and into my truck! Wish me and the model luck! I'll have an update later. Stay tuned and thanks for all your posts and kind words.......Bill W.

Bill---It is 'beautiful'---my sincere congratulations----you are a man of great character and determination---after all your problems, this emerges to show the world how to really 'overcome'--I look forward to seeing the Indy in person at the end of the month---as an aside, how much does the case and model weigh?----God Bless

Hi Bill All my best to you and a safe journey for your Indiana .

cmomm44 wrote:Bill---It is 'beautiful'---my sincere congratulations----you are a man of great character and determination---after all your problems, this emerges to show the world how to really 'overcome'--I look forward to seeing the Indy in person at the end of the month---as an aside, how much does the case and model weigh?----God Bless

The plexiglass case, the replica and the base weighs close to 250 lbs. With the flight crate around it, its close to 350. Takes 4 men to move it!