USS Houston CL-81 (VEE Hobby 1/700 DX)

[brocken1sm]

Hi all,
Today I present my model of USS Houston in her striking Ms32/1D camouflage scheme.

The kit is quite new (2023 release) and goes together really easily; my main gripes are 1) overscale plating 2) no replacements for the thick AA gun splinter shields 3) a bit more flash than a new kit should have. Looking forward to doing VEE's Indiana sometime soon, or maybe one of the Brooklyns.

The PE included in the DX version is satisfactorily comprehensive but I picked up a number of 3D printed goodies (since I would rather not fold 30+ AA guns from PE!)
Bofors 40mm quadruple mounts (Bunker Studio)
Bofors 40mm twin mounts (Muyi Model)
Oerlikon 20mm single mounts (Serpent model) - don't recommend these as they come with nasty overscale rivets on the shields
U.S. Navy life rafts (Serpent model)
U.S. Navy floater net baskets (Serpent model)
Wooden crates (Serpent model)
I also replaced the pinnaces with some leftovers from a dragon kit since these ones come with canopies (and I was a bit fussy with how the kit ones looked).

My biggest mistake with this model was rushing it to enter a local competition which meant some of the PE (e.g. the rails) was pretty sloppy. Ended up pulling most of the rails off and re-attaching them which wasn't perfect either, but hopefully noone notices . Asides from that I'm fairly happy with the end result. Only other thing I'm dissatisfied with is the rigging between the two masts; it is unnaturally straight and should sag abit more but pulling it out would risk damaging some of the other rigging lines.

As usual, feedback on my work is more than welcome!

[MartinJQuinn]

Overall, very nice work. Nice restrained weathering. I like the presentation on the base, with the black background, as well.

One nit pick, regarding the railings: the areas that run through the black paint would, on the real thing, be painted to match the camouflage. Again, that's a nit-pick. Doesn't distract from a great job.

[Dan K]

Beautiful job.

[Phillip1]

brocken1sm-Very neat and clean build. The painting, and rigging look great!

Phillip1

[BB62vet]

Very nice build overall. 1/700 is a scale that is obviously difficult to work with and you've done a fine job with details!

I'm working with 2 other modelers on a 1/200 scale commission of USS PASSADENA (CL-65), another square bridge CLEVELAND class cruiser, so you photos are of interest.

As for the handrails, I know this is a difficult area to work with - I'm creating ours using 3D design/printing and finding the correct thickness, etc. without overdoing/underdoing it is a delicate balance.

[hypno7]

very impressive and clean build! the rigging and PE work are exceptionally nice