1/200 Scale Group Build from 2015-17

[Channell]

In honor of the latest big battleship release (HMS Nelson) and considering the high interest levels in these monsters I figure it's time to have a place to discuss, share, show off and otherwise built some camaraderie between builders of this most challenging scale.

Rules are simple:

-1/192 or 1/200 only
-any subject with the sole condition that it represents a real historic or modern ship in a fairly specific timeframe
-any skill level
-any time limit
-kit, kitbashed, scratchbuilt, modified and any combination of the four welcome
-may join at any point in building process, feel free to show off finished 1/200 ships too!
-winners will be rewarded with heaping loads of internet love and admiration
-losers will... well, there will be no losers!

Even if you don't want to get involved with detailed build log, come show your work from time to time, ask questions and give/get some inspiration!

Please join in!

[Channell]

(re)Introducing my 1/200 projects:





Trumpeter USS Iowa 1944

I'm aiming for the time period either just before or maybe during Roosevelt's trip to the Tehran Conference.

Trumpetr DKM Bismarck 1940

I'm going for the Bismarck as she appeared in late fall/early winter 1940, just before she got the Baltic camo paint scheme.

Both models have (and will continue to be) seriously modded to cleanse them of Trumpeter's many accuracy sins and will be built using the full fury of the aftermarket; I have (or soon will have) both KA MK1 and Pontos sets for each as well as whatever looks shiny and purdy to me when I had/have hobby money to blow (currently including Pontos advanced Bismarck set, Veteran Models 40mm quads, various CMK Bismarck details).

My previous build logs for these two ships:

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=158134

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=121249&start=380

[BB62vet]

Ah, now you're just showing off!!!!

Ha!!!

OK, this might actually be a good thing. Now, to add the linkage to the original build log do I just copy/paste the web address from the browser window?

Hank

[Channell]

Ah, now you're just showing off!!!!
Ha!!!
OK, this might actually be a good thing. Now, to add the linkage to the original build log do I just copy/paste the web address from the browser window?
Hank

Haven't been part of one of those (group build). What happens to our current build topics? I guess I need some "edjicatin'" on this stuff!
Hank

Showing off? that's nothing! Next I'm gonnna post a video of me modeling upside down while balancing a cannon ball on my chin and singing show tunes in Korean. Hey, we wouldn't post our stuff in the first place if we weren't showing off on some level, though I really enjoy making online friends, teaching and being the student even more!

Anyway, I've never been part of an online group build either. Other sites tend to be more formal about it by making deadlines, announcing winners and giving prizes but 1/200 warships are generally huge long-term efforts that don't like things like timelines or pressure to mass-produce. I see it as a potential "1-stop shopping" huge build log that isn't all about just 1 builder or model and promotes collaboration/ idea sharing for the scale. It also gives the chance for people who want to show what they're doing from time to time but don't want to get into opening/running their own log. This place also has the added benefit of not disappearing into the abyss of old posts; hopefully providing a good long-term repository for info and inspiration.

You don't have to quit your current log; just duplicate it in both spots "cut and paste" style. Personally, I'm thinking I'll just move over here for a while...

[BB62vet]

I agree - no deadlines, time periods, winners/losers, etc. - just a common place for all our similarly scaled builds to save time in locating for ongoing updates.

I'll next attempt to create a new NJ build over here and see what happens. Well, that didn't work - I'm not sure I know how to set up a build for my NEW JERSEY within this Group Build Topic - any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Hank

[Channell]

I agree - no deadlines, time periods, winners/losers, etc. - just a common place for all our similarly scaled builds to save time in locating for ongoing updates.

I'll next attempt to create a new NJ build over here and see what happens. Well, that didn't work - I'm not sure I know how to set up a build for my NEW JERSEY within this Group Build Topic - any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Hank

It's just like commenting on someone's post in the rest of the forum or adding to your personal build log... no special internal categories or anything.

Just post an intro to your build(s), including timeframe, basic info, ect along with the latest in-progress pics of your build and a link to your build log. When you make some progress and/or get stuck or want opinions on something add a new comment/pics... though the focus here is on actual building strategies, progress and the kit's issues, not necessarily history/facts/details of the real ships (which is what the CASF forums were intended for). Of course comments, praise, constructive criticisms and advice from everyone are welcome too.

Down the line with any luck we'll get a good crew joining up and participating and hopefully build up a useful and interesting resource for anyone interested in tackling a 1/200 build in the future.

[Fliger747]

Looks Like fun! When ever I give up on Missouri as being "finished" I have Alaska CB1 to pull off the shelf and resume construction. Alaska is waterline, styrene over bulkheads hull, styrene and plexiglass superstructure. Turrets plexiglass, 5" mounts, Mk 38 and 37 directors home cast from the same masters as I used on Missouri.

Cheers: Tom

[Channell]

Looks Like fun! When ever I give up on Missouri as being "finished" I have Alaska CB1 to pull off the shelf and resume construction. Alaska is waterline, styrene over bulkheads hull, styrene and plexiglass superstructure. Turrets plexiglass, 5" mounts, Mk 38 and 37 directors home cast from the same masters as I used on Missouri.

Cheers: Tom

VERY cool! That's something new that I'd love to see done in this scale... your Missouri is getting close, right?

[Fliger747]

Missouri might be getting close, but always more stuff! Other things to rebuild and improve, I am sure you know the scenario. Also have to repaint the underwater hull. Then a case...

Yes working on the Alaska will be a lot of fun. Interesting ships, often discounted for poor maneuverability, but almost exactly the same tactical diameter at 30 knots as the Iowa's and the Fletcher destroyers. The AA armament in practical terms had an advantage over many ships, even Battleships, by having pretty good arcs of fire, the same 5" broadside as SODAK, and possibly better ahead or astern. Faster than all but the Iowa's and as fast, good endurance and stability. A powerful main armament, the absolute best fire control ever shipped (same as Iowa). For the war they fought, pretty much as useful as an Iowa as a carrier escort. Yes they took a big ships compliment, but the largest driver of crew size was AA, especially the light stuff. Some of our other heavy cruisers had compliments approaching that of Bismarck or Scharnhorst and greater than that of Hood, mostly due to the AA.

A Question is actually related to the large AA suite, be a real scratch builder or populate her with the now available and excellent light AA. I do have the FDD plans in 1:192, but thin on photos compared to my Missouri! May be a while before I get really cracking on it.

Cheers: Tom

[BB62vet]

OK, here we go:

USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 1969 - I started this in 2012 with purchase of the Trumpeter 1945 MISSOURI (1:200). Due to the problems with the hull, I've been building this "top down" to this point, working on the superstructure which involves quite a bit of scratchbuilding for this time period of her career.

As of last weeK:

Here is a link to my build: viewtopic.php?f=59&t=154697&start=340

I'm doing a bit of detailing with ladders, railing clean-up, painting, etc. Also, adding items missing that should be in place (hatches, port holes, signal lamps). I hope to get the conning tower assembly in place this week w/all whip antennae.

Hank

[Mgunns]

I might be game for this. I have been in group builds on other forums with WWI aircraft, but lately have been drawn back into the ship side of the house. My recently completed 1/350 Saratoga was/is a motivator and I want to continue to work on my 1/200 Arizona. There seems to have been a flurry of activity with this model when it first hit the streets; but now seems to have died down. I was following Jeff Sharps' excellent build log for ideas and pitfalls. I don't get into the itty bitty little accuracy details, nor do I get to wrapped around the axle over the shape of the hull enough to do a complete rebuild ala Mr. Channel: hats of to Jason for his exemplary and ground breaking work on that one. So, I won't be adding anything new to the myriad of 1/200 Arizona builds out there, but may add to something from time to time to keep the thread alive and keep my motivation level up. I am really interested in Hanks 1/200 New Jersey. I am considering re-doing the one I did about 15 or so years ago in 1/350. Cleaning it up, adding some details that are missing per Hanks build, and putting it in a case; but I digress. I will be using the WEM PE for the Arizona and the Eduard PE for the Boats and the Riich 1/200 Kingfishers for the extra Kingfisher that Trumpeter failed to provide. I should also caveat this with that I bought one 1/200 off a seller on eBay for a good price, upon receiving it I found the turrets, other pieces and instructions missing, so I bought one from Free Time Hobbies that was complete So, per usual in my ship builds I start with the stuff that would drive me to drink first; the boats. I had submitted a question on CASF about boat colors with no response, so I went ahead and painted them from what I remembered about my time on U.S. Navy ships and photo's in the Stillwell book and others.
The "admirals barge:"


I drilled out the port holes per MK.1 Eyeball and used the Eduard PE for the rest. The others are the same save they are grey.
I will be posting updates as they occur. Right now I am in the middle of Wing nut Wings Fokker DVII for my father in law that I have to get done by Sunday the 22nd.
Until that time

[Fliger747]

Hank

During the war ( the big one...)... The Iowa's had no inclined ladders leading form 02 to 03 by 51-52 mounts but they are there today. Did NJ of your era retain the vertical ladders here? Your ship is looking good, very clean!

Cheers. Tom

[BB62vet]

Tom wrote:

Hank During the war ( the big one...)... The Iowa's had no inclined ladders leading form 02 to 03 by 51-52 mounts but they are there today. Did NJ of your era retain the vertical ladders here? Your ship is looking good, very clean!

Yea, I added them last night - they'll show up on the next round of pix.

Hank

[Channell]

Thanks for the kind comment Mark! As y'all probably can guess I'm pretty damn happy with myself for pulling the Iowa hull off... it's my first successfully accurized Trumpy hull... but not my first attempt. I spent quite a few hours last weekend undoing my failed attempts to redo the bottom of the Bismarck in fact; I'm glad I didn't botch it beyond salvage but I just don't have the ability and/or technique to accurately model the complex shapes of the real thing below the waterline.

Anyway I hear ya on the Arizona; I came late to the party but that kit got me hooked on 1/200 scale. Keep us updated on your progress!

[Fliger747]

Hello "groupers", sounds more like a name for sub fans!

Current fantail progress. There is a grate/reel occupying the aft port gun tub, constructed as best I can from my limited personal photo coverage.

Cheers: Tom

[BB62vet]

Tom,

Looking good!!! Here is a shot of NEW JERSEY's port fantail tub in 1999 (In Reserve, Philadelphia):

Don't know if this will help you or not! Perhaps you can copy it and blow up the tub area.

Hank

[BB62vet]

I've updated my build (viewtopic.php?f=59&t=154697&p=652030#p652030) with a couple photos of the superstructure as of last night, here's one of them:

02 Level assembly comes next. My Bender props are in the mail AND positive news from RandyM regarding the hull mod he's been developing. A couple other items in the works, so things are shaping up!

Hank

[Channell]

Good work so far Hank!

I decided to pick up the Pontos detail set for the Iowa since it has some important parts that I'm missing in my other PE sets; unfortunately I got my very first unacceptable "oopsie" with it too, and they were one of the main reasons I bought the set:







Those gashes are supposed to be the scribed lines on either side of the bands of rivets across the turret tops; apparently something went wrong in production but the fret was sent off with a set anyway... my set. I sent messages to both Freetime and Pontos and am still waiting to hear back from them... hopefully it won't be a PITA to get a good replacement fret.

[BB62vet]

Jason,

Thanks for the nice remark!!

Re. your silver PE parts:
I wouldn't think that you would have a problem getting Pontos to replace them - just the timing is what might drive you to drink It took my deck set 5 weeks transit from ROK.

I'm still debating how to approach my turrets - the fact is that the actual turret top is smooth, i.e. the bolt heads are flush w/the surface, not raised. So, they are actually somewhat obscure rather than pronouced in appearance. Are the IOWA PE parts the same as the PE parts in the MISSOURI kit?

Hank

[Channell]

Jason,

Thanks for the nice remark!!

Re. your silver PE parts:
I wouldn't think that you would have a problem getting Pontos to replace them - just the timing is what might drive you to drink It took my deck set 5 weeks transit from ROK.

I'm still debating how to approach my turrets - the fact is that the actual turret top is smooth, i.e. the bolt heads are flush w/the surface, not raised. So, they are actually somewhat obscure rather than pronouced in appearance. Are the IOWA PE parts the same as the PE parts in the MISSOURI kit?

Hank

I wonder if the turret tops were altered between WW2 and Vietnam? In WWII pics you can see the bolt heads look like giant dome top slotted screws and the straps were clearly visible: http://navsource.org/archives/01/061/016130e.jpg so the (not screwed up) Pontos PE w "rivets" does a really good job of capturing the look in scale.

The problem with the Pontos stuff is that it's already etched for the AA platforms and aiming stations for the bofor quads (Iowa was the lone sister to have 20mm Oerlikons on turret #2 rather than a quad bofors and has a PE piece to reflect that) so they wouldn't translate well to a later version of the Iowa class with AA-free main guns.