The Ship Model Forum

Hey guys!

This time it's time for small and sleek!

My aim is to build the FFG-61 Ingraham in 2014. Using the Academy kit and the nice Pontos advanced set for this one!
Also trying to super detail as much as I my skills allow. Differing from the Yamato, the frigate is small! So it doesn't feel too daunting.
Also the ammount of reference photos is astounding so possibilites are endless for detailing.
My plan is to strip most of the molded details and just build it more authentic as I possibly can!

Here's the first day of work !

The funnel









Pontos details and some small stuff added aswell.
The grab handles were actually a ladder in the pontos set, I just cut the rugs off and placed them separate.
I found it easier to use white glue for that. I used a small drop to secure one end of the handle, then position and apply more glue to the other end with a very fine brush.
After a minute I used the same brush with water to clean the excess.
Definetly easier to do than CA and easier to control! I liked it!

The gun









Only the gun came from the pontos set, rest are just spare etches and styrene added according to reference.

That's for the first day!

Expect regular updates rollin' in!

Nice start so far, excellent work on the details and nice tip with regards to the glue

Excellent, I learned so much from your Yamato build (I'm almost there with mine).

Greg

Here's the basics of the hull.







First step was to assemble the 2 hull halves. The extended part for the long hull version is provided with the Academy kit, though it's not mentioned in the instructions.
Nothing that can't be easily figured out. You only need to shave a bit off at the stern to make room for the helipad deck to fit in.

Starting from the stern, the rudder needed to be moved a bit off the center. Next step was to fill the fin locators, as they are wrong for the long hull version.
The fins were then cut to lenght and reshaped. Small stabilizer fins were also added on both sides.

Some additional details were added at this point with styrene and bilge pump holes etc. were drilled according to reference.
I masked the sonar dome and added some texture with Mr gunze surfaces 500 straight from the jar with a brush dapping it on.

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I am really looking forward to follow this build! Great photography.

Hi there Koppalakki and all,

Superb beginning !!!!
I built this same FFG class some years ago, and I have got the step by step at :

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=21745

You can see the final product at :

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=21745&start=500

I have lots of reference, should you need some.
Please keep the updates coming, because after what you have already done with the stack, it is going to be awesome.

Brgds,

Willie.

Hey Willie!

I checked your build already and hats off for bringing that piss poor kit to life with your detailing!

Here's some work on the superstructure parts.





Most of the unwanted details are shaved off. Also the vents and grilles are opened.
I thinned the plastic behind the vents to make the plastic appear thinner.





And here's my effort on making the vents. No idea why pontos didn't add these to their set aswell.
After making the holes I just used some scrap PE fret cut to lenght and fitted them inside the vent openings.
After that I placed a styrene rod behind them.

That's it for now, this cleaning and building these vents are a bit time consuming!

Here's the finished vents on the first side!
I replaced the styrene with a bit finer brass rod.





Top deck was also cleaned and excess details cut off.
After gluing the etch deck to it I coated the edges with medium CA and gave it a thorough sanding and filing to get the seam smooth as possible.





It feels super smooth but have to be tested with primer when the walls are inplace aswell.

And some more progress!

Superstructure building almost finished. All the main parts are almost fitted and all the seams erased.
I used a super fine mesh for the grilles, probably close to scale but a bit bigger might have looked better. Too late for that now!











I've also started the detailing progress a bit.



The hangar also recieved some styrene.



The plan is to detail the superstructure and get mostly everything on and then join to the hull and get rid of the seams the hangar will produce, then some more details and then to the paint booth and finish with all the other details I can pre paint and add later.

And done for today!

I finished the details on the aft wall.







Using basic strip and round styrene to build all the details. The electric wiring and the fire extuingisher system was done with a very fine wire.

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carr wrote:Very nice. I'm especially impressed by the lights. How did you handle and attach those and still maintain their shape? At that scale, they're so tiny. I tried similar lights in another build and didn't really succeed! My hat's off to you.

I just used 0.8mm round styrene and first used a file to get the other end rounded. Then cut the piece out of the rod at 45 degree angle and done. Then placed it with revell contact glue and the used white glue to get the small wires attached.
More time consuming than anything else to be honest.

Here's some work on the forward area.









Pretty much the same as the stern area. I used mr surfacer 500 to make the raised upper plate.
Rest Pontos PE, wire and styrene.

Primed the funnel. Before that I replaced the lights with the same styrene ones I made for the other areas.

Those lights are IMPRESSIVE. So tiny.

Can't wait to see more!

Looking forward to your next build, I learned so much with your Yamato especially the painting, nearly finished mine.

Hey Greg, checked your Yamato build! Home stretch keep it coming you're almost there!

In other worlds I've been all over the place!

Worked a bit on the hull, I used the superstructure to guide and check the placing of the etched decks. They placed perfect!



Some stern details.







On the bow after the etches were placed I coated them with heavy CA and sanded smooth to get it to be part with the plastic.





And some more progress on the details!

Oh, that is some excellent detail work there, mate, really brings it to life. Can't wait to see her in paint!

Now look who's back . Glad to see you do another floater. Nice etch and scratchwork chap!

Beautiful! The detailing is truly inspirational.