1/700 USS Bunker Hill CV-17 (1944)

[Timmy C]

Photo's are great! No worries there. Any problems with the lower hull not matching with the upper hull?

[AndrexP]

Some. I had to cut the stiffeners to allow spreading the upper hull about 1-2mm at the extreme beam. Some filler. Fairly easy.

I also had to remove some of the locating guides from the underside of the flight deck. Coincidence?

All in all, I thing the fit is pretty good, considering the size of components. Filler is most definitely required, but not unreasonable amounts, methinks.

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Andrew,
"That's one big carrot!!"
I must say that your 1/350 Essex class looks magnificent!
I noticed its 1/700 counterpart above and behind. Which is more difficult??
More details to add on to 1/350th, (without too much trouble), therefore more to appreciate. I think in some ways; 1/700 models are more challenging...especially to the eyes!!!
The guy I am building the 1/700 carrier for was considering a 1/350th build, but opted for the 1/700...due to cost estimates.
Just as well, as I imagine it would take more time.
Thanks for sharing, but the Mighty Mo has to go.....next! Well, actually the BB62 must be readied for the Nats, then the Mo.
Tony

[AndrexP]

More difficult? I wouldn't say so. I do think that working in 700-scale calls for a different application of the skills. Certainly I would argue that the same kit in a bigger scale is more tedious...

The 1/700 above the bigger one is the older Hoosegawa kit. It was the first ship kit I put together since I re-discovered model building after a couple of decades. I had already eye-balled (and bought, I think) the Trumpeter Essex, but didn�t dare launch into such a magnitude project without a trial of sorts, so I did the smaller kit (USS Ticonderoga, inspired by the colorized picture on the cover of the Steve Wiper's Warship Pictorial #22). I was also just re-learning Naval colors and camouflage, and I wanted to make to ensure the resulting ship 'looked right'. In this regard, the larger kit was an application of exactly the same process of reproducing drawings, cutting masks, color selection, airbrushing, etc.

Of course, like anyone afflicted with AMS (my infection goes back to the 70s-80s), I had to scratchbuild an entire hangar for the little kit, open every possible door, drill out ports, erase the overdone piping detail on the side and replace it with in-scale representations, etc. I even ballasted the model with sand and resin to give it a heavier feel (i hate knocking around a lightweight kit when working details. So although it was quite enjoyable, it wasn't exactly a quick and dirty build.

The larger kit is lots of fun too, but it's much slower goin', probably because it takes longer to make visible progress. I do like the looks of the full-hull 1/350 kit sitting on a shelf and I like the fact that the details -- gun directors, guns, radars, etc. are easier to appreciate.

So I cant say that I prefer one to the other, or that one is harder than the other -- except that I've also recently begun to lose my near vision (I'm 42). But I consider the larger kit an on-going concern, while the littler ships are better for a short-duration 'mission', if you will.

Indeed, Yorktown has been suspended since about Christmas time, while I decided to work the 1/700 Dragon USS Pittsburgh, then a 1/100 F-14 in my old squadron's colors, then the 1/350 YMW USS Farenholt (early stages visible in the pix above). I will occasionally do a couple of aircraft for the Yorktown air wing, as true quick project, though.

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Andrew,
For clarification purposes only:
I built 6 1/700 models since I started my 1/350 Missouri. The Missouri project became a separate project after another separate project. Every time I did further study, something else was being scratchbuilt and added on.
So, the 1/350 project ended up being "by-passed" in favor of the quick and timely completion of "easier to build" 1/700 subjects, (same ships, just smaller), that offered timely completion time and every bit of fulfillment.
So, I guess what I meant to say was....I won't Ultra detail out a 1/700 project...per se, as I'll save this for a more meaningful, (to me), 1/350th project. It is more difficult to handle 1/700 railings, ladders, funnel grates, radars and the like; I am sure you'd agree.
Just as sure as I said that I'd not overdo a 1/700 project, I did recall scratch building the mast assembly, funnel assembly and some other very small items on my 1/700 DDG. Then I did recall scratchbuilding the fwd fire control tower and adding a plethora of resin parts and brass barrels to my recent Desert Storm Missouri. I guess that makes me a confused modeler

..some as of pics of CV17...in the process of dull coating and painting the aaa stuff.....








"....get back to work...."
Tony

[Mark Deakin]

Hi Tony,

whats this a 1/700 out of the box full hull

Nice paint job though

Mark D.

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Mark,
Thanks and Yes!
Tracy,
VERY interesting article, and without the pics.....it wouldn't be the same!
faithfully submitted, Tony Bunch

[scottrc]

Hi Guys,
Hi Scott,
Amen.....
I'd love to see progress pics if you have the time to post them. BTW, when my CV17 project is finished, I will have some extra a/c available to you; just let me know. I had to buy the Trumpeter 1/700 a/c for the SB2C's, as the Dragon kit had none.
I can bring them to KC if you'd like.
If you don't want them, but another Essex fan does....who/m ever should let me know.
I'll also have most of the GMM decals sheet remaining to let go of.
".....cuz then it'll be back to BB's...in 1/350."
Not finished yet, but it's been fun!
faitfhully submitted, Tony Bunch
ps must be something wrong with me, but one of those 1/350 Essex Class kits is starting to look pretty attractive!!!

Hi Tony and everyone else.
I hope I can get a camera tonight and shoot come pics of my build. Thanks for the offer for the aircraft, however, I'm building the Oriskany, which needs Skyraiders, Dragonflys, Banshees, and Panthers. I have aquired a set each from Skywave and WEM (Cougars converted into Panthers) and are molding additional planes as I need them since these plane sets are OOP.

I'll have this model at KC, even though I don't think it will be finished due to so many work and family commitments that I have this month and the amount of detailing that I still want to do. I still think it will be fun to enter it even though it will be unfinished just because it is such an odd subject. However, it is looking pretty neat now that the flightdeck has been all marked up. Although the post war carriers were painted to look pretty dull, it seems to project some message about the time period, and the dreariness of the Korean war.

Later,
Scott

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Tracy,
I am glad to see your Essex project!
I have decided that if I ever build another Dragon 1/700 Essex kit, I will attach the upper hull to the flight deck, then make it so I could insert the hangar deck next, and leave the lower hull half for last. I had some trouble attaching the flight deck, and this task presents more of a challenge than ataching the hull bottom. It would be easier to glue the flight deck from inside than..........not.
Just thought I'd take a moment to take an, "in action", shot as I come really close to finish.
CV17 is in its case awaiting its pseudo-compliment of TBM's, SB2C's and F6F's. SB2C's are drying and not shown.
Some of the Hellcats and Avengers will be tri-color and some will be overall FS15042.
I'm strecthing the truth here, as all of the pics I've seen show all a/c in tri-color. Even though the few F6F-5N's and -P's would have been FS15042. It's about saving a little time, as I still have like...45 decals to apply by tomorrow night.

BTW, the flag jackstaff goes where?
so close, yet so fart...
Tony

[Tracy White]

BTW, the flag jackstaff goes where?
so close, yet so fart...

No open flames!!!!
Jackstaff is usually on the aft end of the island but I can't find any good photos for you right now
I'll look tomorrow if I get a chance in the day time.

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Tracy,
I have some pics of CV17 in Ms32-6a and the flag jackstaff is CLEARLY attached to the aft end of the island. What is not so clear....is the jackstaff itself. It just looks like a flag floating in space. Don't hurt yourself trying to find an answer on my account; I am passed that now. I must finish this model by EOD tomorrow.
Oh where, oh where do these airplanes go, oh where oh where can they be????



It is indeed a shame to add these pitiful little a/c with wrong shaped landing gear, (either too tall or too short), funky propellers, (hub is wrong on all of them..either too big or too small), and all of their other shortcomings on such a well engineered ship model, (my overall opinion).
I must state these observations to the contrary:
The Mk51 directors are too tall
The barrels for the 5" twin mounts have these silly, "rings"
The external platforms for the island do not easily attach
The Photo-Etch parts are very weak
The hull has a twist that ends up causing a twist to the flight-deck, (even after extensive effort to correct)
The hull bottom does not mate to the upper hull half, (work is needed here to correct)
The decals work well, but the stripes are too few and too coarse

Things I loved:
I loved the Mk51 directors! They can be used elsewhere!
I love the 5" twin turrets/gunhouses external detail..only the JAG resin ones are better!
I loved the detail of the flight deck!
I am glad I'm finished............well nearly so!

Your opinions/results may vary....
You guys are great!
faithfully submtted, Tony Bunch
Iowa Class Fan
Essex Class Fan

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Well; here it is Saturday morning.
The carrier is finished except for a flag and flag jackstaff.
The a/c await to be permanently attached also. I have been invited by an old friend to come over for dinner tonight, and the I am supposed to go to Dave's for some 1/96 scale modeling afterwards. I am tired now, and I have to go to work.
It's been around 100F every day for the last three weeks! At least the humidity dropped in the last few days; you can always tell, (besides how you feel), the humidity by how high up the towering cumulus clouds get to looking to the east, (CA/AZ deserts). Last week the clouds were probably getting up to 40,000'.
The guy I am building the carrier for told me yesterday that he'd pick it up from my shop....Tuesday. I want it finished tonight!
He said put together all of your receipts and I'll get you a check.
Doing commission work needs to be better thought out.......in advance!
faithfully submitted, Tony Bunch

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Look at the time; it's 1:15am!
The Bunker Hill is finished. Special thanks to Tracy for his expert assistance! Would have not been the same without this website and you guys!!!!!
Here are some pictures. I don't like them that well, but they'll have to do.





Thanks for letting me share, Tony Bunch
ps if you need me, I'll be on the Iowa Fans thread!
time to get some sleep