Group Build: Historical Warships of WWII

[blakeh1]

I'm working on the USS Iowa now, my reference book says " starting in January 1944 a dazzle camouflage Measure 32 Design 1B was applied. Iowa was the only ship to ever wear this pattern. "
I got to honor that, so that's the paint job I will attempt.

I did the USS Iowa on 1/700 with that same scheme. It is a fun scheme. Looking forward to your paint job

In case it helps here are some pics of it in that camo

 

[Edbert]

I can see how it could be hard to figure out which way the ship is oriented or moving, or if it even just one ship, or what type of ship

The lions agree...

 

[BarleyBop]

Behold, the mighty HMS HOOD!
It's been a gas, I just had to tag along with my first, be it a TOON, ship build!





Build pics in this HOOD thread

Cheers!

 

[blakeh1]

Rigging and all, excellent work

 

[Calico Jack]

@BarleyBop Awesome "toon" build, way to go brother.

 

[Calico Jack]

Just a quick update. I also would like to ask that someone "release the hounds' in a few days if I'm not heard from in a few days after this update.

I am in the stage of adding all the hull PE portholes that might as well be 1/1200 scale. So as I plunge into this insanity, I have 90 hull portholes to manage. If all goes well I shall be back in a few days, if not, a padded cell shall be my new home...

 

[blakeh1]

Just a quick update. I also would like to ask that someone "release the hounds' in a few days if I'm not heard from in a few days after this update.

I am in the stage of adding all the hull PE portholes that might as well be 1/1200 scale. So as I plunge into this insanity, I have 90 hull portholes to manage. If all goes well I shall be back in a few days, if not, a padded cell shall be my new home...

View attachment 138770

Good god, talk about nerve wracking

at least your getting good results though

 

[BarleyBop]

I hope they come with lots of spares! Do you place them freehand or slide em down a wire placed in the hole?

 

[blakeh1]

Now decision time on how to arrange the planes since they have to be glued in order to stand without flopping on their tails

I have seen lots of pics which have them them tied down in various positions along the way, in some cases even wit and SBD or Hellcat tucked in among them. Obviously they moved things around deck quite a few times for one reason or another
Unfortunately there is really no good overhead view or other of how the deck positions were on takeoff apart from the two shots below which still leaves some guesswork

However as far as I can tell, for actual launch time, it looks like they angled planes pretty close to each other along each side to allow as much runway room as possible. It also appears only the next two planes to go actually started their engines (for safety, lack of room etc...?), while the farthest one forward would go taking turns alternating to the starboard and port.

There certainly was not a lot of room for error shoving 16 planes as far back as possible



So I have all but t first two here glued down. I used canopy glue since it dries clear. Plus it allows me to adjust lightly while drying, or if I really don't like a spot, it is fairly easy to remove still

Also these are pretty small so painting the canopy was a challenge. It looks rough zoomed in like this, but I just added some light dots to try to simulate the look of frames. The effect came out better on some than others, but at normal viewing distance it is not too bad an illusion





And a few more to paint, but once ready this will be something like the final configuration. Planning on having the lead plane in the air just off the bow

 

[Calico Jack]

@blakeh1 That looks like the best staging and action of the Doolittle Raid I have seen in 1/700 scale! I think that is as spot on as it can get and super impressive!

 

[Calico Jack]

I hope they come with lots of spares! Do you place them freehand or slide em down a wire placed in the hole?

I have to place them freehand throughout. As you can see, some will be drilled (open) portholes, while others will be closed off or sealed. Last stage of the build, I will fill them all in with tinted resin to simulate the glass.

 

[BarleyBop]

Doolittle Raid

Can't imagine what it must be like fly off the bow of that ship, knowing that even if you are successful, you won't be coming back!

 

[Calico Jack]

Ok, so this might take a while...lol. In place are 7 aft on starboard. Only 38 to go on starboard side. Might go a litte faster once I get into a rhythem.

 

[Edbert]

I am in the stage of adding all the hull PE portholes that might as well be 1/1200 scale. So as I plunge into this insanity, I have 90 hull portholes to manage.

WTF? Am I reading this right that you have to plug all the portholes with evergreen, sand them smooth then drill out smaller versions and apply PE detail, to each one, 90 times?

So much for a GB, we'll see you sometime in 2026.

 

[Edbert]

I've not posted in a while, my build portion is winding down fast. I seem to have lost the shield of a single 20mm flak, also decided to make my own mounts for the main antenna (I think it is an antenna, the big thing thing near the top of the main fighting stack) since the ones that it came with were too thin (for me to avoid ruining) and were too short on one side (which probably means I assembled crooked) so I took them out. I can make some wire ones, plan to try with copper, but think steel would be better for this so I might have to buy some tiny straight (stiff) wires.






These are from a few days ago, I had just finished retouching the gray on top after heavily washing the blue decks to tone them down. Note most AAA missing, and the main super-structure is just resting there.


This picture is from today, ten minutes ago actually. The missing 20mm and remaining bits are obvious to me, but I know where to look. I also will add this shot (below) to explain some slow movement. I spend a lot of time switching contexts





Edit to add: I have all the railings set aside and painted, just think I should deal with rigging (deciding if I am up to it) before they get in the way or get bent.

 

[kevin]

Looking good......I like the deck weathering....and all the turrets set up for a broadside.

 

[Calico Jack]

WTF? Am I reading this right that you have to plug all the portholes with evergreen, sand them smooth then drill out smaller versions and apply PE detail, to each one, 90 times?

So much for a GB, we'll see you sometime in 2026.

Yes Sir. That would be the facts of the situation, but only in part. There are 90 portholes just on the hull. I have to do the same for the rest of the ship, which should be about another hundred-ish.

 

[Calico Jack]

@Edbert That Texas is looking might fine! Excellent job all the way around with your build.