I've run into a few hiccups with California. When I went to add the 24" SL to either side of the bridge, they didn't look right. Then, looking at plans (for WeeVee), I realized they were on raised bandstands, like other standard battleships. So, I made two pairs - one pair for CA, one for WeeVee:
These are now ready for paint:
Speaking of paint, I airbrushed some parts 5L, then realized that, even though it was the same color, it came out a different shade than the previous batch. New paint is on order. Hopefully that will more closely match what I had been using previously.
I also permanently glued the forward spotting top, AA defense station and the Mk19 directors to the top part of the bridge. I then glued figures inside the pilot house, so they'd (hopefully) be visible once the pilot house is in place
A few other issues cropped up. The photo-etch "yard" for the forward spotting top is, I believe, incorrect. It was designed to be somewhat similar to the yards on Arizona and Nevada, in a triangular shape but straight across the back of the spotting top, not angled, like AZ & NV.
Looking at photos, I determined that if I cut the PE part in pieces, I could use a flat section to help fabricate the mast, which is what I did. Again, I made 2: one for CA and one for WeeVee:
I also glued the main spotting top to the aft/main cagemast, then starting railing the SL platform.
I dry-fitted the 3D CXAM radar that was graciously sent to me by another modeler (thanks Jim!) and found, to my dismay, that it doesn't fit:
I pulled out an Infini PE radar set, and this part matches up to that part, so I suspect that the small platform above the pilot house that housed this might be too small/short? I guess I can turn the radar a bit, so it will fit, but it will be obvious upon inspection that it wouldn't be able to turn.
Finally, while adding some resin parts and additional inclined railings to the quarterdeck, I realized i never purchased 3" gun tubs for said deck.
Guess I'll be heading to the Model Monkey website right after I post this...
Oh, and I don't have enough 36" searchlights either...
I've run into a few hiccups with California. When I went to add the 24" SL to either side of the bridge, they didn't look right. Then, looking at plans (for WeeVee), I realized they were on raised bandstands, like other standard battleships. So, I made two pairs - one pair for CA, one for WeeVee:
[attachment=8]IMG_1548.JPG[/attachment]
These are now ready for paint:
[attachment=7]IMG_1549.JPG[/attachment]
Speaking of paint, I airbrushed some parts 5L, then realized that, even though it was the same color, it came out a different shade than the previous batch. New paint is on order. Hopefully that will more closely match what I had been using previously.
I also permanently glued the forward spotting top, AA defense station and the Mk19 directors to the top part of the bridge. I then glued figures inside the pilot house, so they'd (hopefully) be visible once the pilot house is in place
[attachment=1]IMG_E1499.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=0]IMG_E1500.JPG[/attachment]
A few other issues cropped up. The photo-etch "yard" for the forward spotting top is, I believe, incorrect. It was designed to be somewhat similar to the yards on Arizona and Nevada, in a triangular shape but straight across the back of the spotting top, not angled, like AZ & NV.
[attachment=6]IMG_E1526_V1.jpg[/attachment]
Looking at photos, I determined that if I cut the PE part in pieces, I could use a flat section to help fabricate the mast, which is what I did. Again, I made 2: one for CA and one for WeeVee:
[attachment=5]IMG_E1541.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=4]IMG_E1545.JPG[/attachment]
I also glued the main spotting top to the aft/main cagemast, then starting railing the SL platform.
[attachment=3]IMG_1551.JPG[/attachment]
I dry-fitted the 3D CXAM radar that was graciously sent to me by another modeler (thanks Jim!) and found, to my dismay, that it doesn't fit:
[attachment=2]IMG_1550.JPG[/attachment]
I pulled out an Infini PE radar set, and this part matches up to that part, so I suspect that the small platform above the pilot house that housed this might be too small/short? I guess I can turn the radar a bit, so it will fit, but it will be obvious upon inspection that it wouldn't be able to turn.
Finally, while adding some resin parts and additional inclined railings to the quarterdeck, I realized i never purchased 3" gun tubs for said deck. :doh_1: Guess I'll be heading to the Model Monkey website right after I post this... :whistle:
Oh, and I don't have enough 36" searchlights either... :cry_3: