The Ship Model Forum

Greetings,

Rather than intrude on Douglas and his excellent build of Chevalier, I decided to start a separate WIP and finally managed to get some better photos of my build of Chevalier from the 1/144 Revell kit. I am not using any aftermarket items in this project, just modified stuff from the spares box, some modified PE, and scratch building from styrene stock and whatever I can find that is the right size and shape. I am still in the early stage and the photos will show some rough places, dust, and odd alignment. This will all be taken care of as things progress.

Your questions, comments, suggestions, and advice are always welcome! I can use all of the help I can get. Many thanks to everyone that has helped so far.

Bill

OK, on to the photos....

Really nice work !!!

Keep posting !!

Regards,

Douglas

MOST EXCELLENT!

Regards
Steve

Thanks everyone for the comments! Here are some more photos, please let me know what you think or if you any questions/advice.

Cheers,

Bill

Great work. Scratchbuilding looks so much better than P/E on larger ships!

Vouah vouah ...

Some progress images of the bridge and forward superstructure. These are very much "in progress" and many details have yet to be added. Enjoy the photos, your comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome!

Cheers,

Bill

Oh my God, you scratch build expert !!

Regards,

Douglas

Hey Bill,

Really great detail your building there. I really like it.

Regards
Steve

Thank you Steve!

This image shows a PE railing test fit on the searchlight platform. The railing is modified from an old PE set I had. I tried to thin down the kit styrene railings, but they still look too big so I wanted to see if a PE alternative looked better.

Opinions?

I have the same question for you that I had for Douglas with his Fletcher---where are you and how is your progress going?

I am building the same ship (no photos to post yet) and your and his and everyones, an outright inspiration and research trove.

But alas, you all seemed to have gone to the Bermuda Triangle...

Best regards,
George

Hello George!

Thanks for your message. I got sidetracked with other projects and have not done much on Chevalier. Your message is the kick in the butt I need to get back to work! Look for some new photos soon.....

Thanks,

Bill

I personally think that the PE rails don't look as good as round rails in that scale. The best alternative would be to build brass rails. Unfortunately I've never worked with brass soldering and am a little intimidated by it. So for ease of constrution, the PE rails are quicker. Possibly they could be made a little heavier with paint to give them a round look.

Hi Les,

I agree with you about the photoetch railings. They look too flat in anything larger than 1/200 scale. Originally, I tried to thin down the kit styrene railing. Even after a lot of work they still looked far too big. Soldering brass rod in the proper diameter is certainly superior to PE, but I have yet to master the skill. As you mentioned, it is possible to give the PE railing a more rounded look with paint. I have found that common enamel spray paint typically found in any home improvement store is thick enough to "cling" around the brass. Once dry, the enamel is hard enough to work with and the railing looks far more "rounded".

Bill

Hi Bill,
I know you're working on more than one build at a time, but have you made any progress on the Chevalier to date?

My DD-555 USS Haggard build has been stalled for a long time and I hope to do more work on her soon. My 1/96 scale DD-473 USS Bennett is moving forward slowly. I'm presently working on the hull and I'll post some photos of it soon.

I waited five long months for the hull and fittings from the scale shipyard and I have to say that I'm not impressed with the hull. I plan to make a few changes to the hull, but it does look much better than the hull made by Lindberg I�m using for the Haggard.

I hope all is well with you and your family.


Roger DD-473/DD-555

Hi Roger,

My 1/144 Chevalier is still on hold. I have been working on several other builds and many, including Chevalier, are close to being finished. I recently got distracted with the Moebius 1/72 Skipjack and have had to resist the temptation to drop everything else and make a start on it. There are so many very nice kits coming out these days!

What don't you like about the 1/96 hull you got from SSY?

Cheers,

Bill

Here are some additional old in-progress snaps that I have posted elsewhere and thought I should add here to update the WIP. These images may be of some interest to those of you that are also working on the 1/144 Revell Fletcher.

Your questions and comments are always welcome.

Cheers,

Bill

HI Bill

nice adding detail simple and effective
cheers
Nicolas

Hi Bill,
You make it look so simple and I have learned a lot following your work!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing your progress with us!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to post some photos of what the scale shipyards 1/96 scale Fletcher hull looks like on my build tomorrow or the day after. I don't want to take up any space on your thread, but I'll post a link here so everyone can find it.

Roger DD-473/DD-555

Hi Bill,
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roger