Group Build: Historical Warships of WWII

[Calico Jack]

Well it doesn't seem like much to brag about on this update, but I put down the main forward wood decking. It was a very tedious process, but I can live with the results. I still have some tiding up to do on the hull details, scratch the hanger bays, and finish up deck fittings throughout, then it will be time to prime and paint. Hopefully I'll have much more to share next update.

 

[kevin]

It was a very tedious process, but I can live with the results.

I can definitely relate to that! I'm still working my way through my first Pontos wood deck set.
It's looking pretty good Jack, your cut outs are sharp and clean.

 

[Calico Jack]

I can definitely relate to that! I'm still working my way through my first Pontos wood deck set.
It's looking pretty good Jack, your cut outs are sharp and clean.

Thank you Sir. I always use a fresh #11 and the tip guided by the body of the blade centered along the line. For ovals, just the tip in short cuts rotating the work so I'm always cutting the same way around the circle. I hope that makes sense...lol.

 

[Edbert]

I had the old BB set aside for a bit, but am still working on her.

Getting pretty close to done actually. Am not happy at all with the Kingfishers, ordered a aftermarket set.

This is a picture after the deck railing was started.

 

[Calico Jack]

I had the old BB set aside for a bit, but am still working on her.

Getting pretty close to done actually. Am not happy at all with the Kingfishers, ordered a aftermarket set.

This is a picture after the deck railing was started.

View attachment 142712

Looking great! That is some of the hardest railings on the Texas. I'm not too fond on the aircraft on my build either. I make look to Trumpeter for replacements.

 

[BarleyBop]

deck railing

Geez, I got the Hood railed in no time flat!

So that's what a real ship model looks like... I like!
I can see how y'all get hooked! Mighty fine.

 

[blakeh1]

I had the old BB set aside for a bit, but am still working on her.

Getting pretty close to done actually. Am not happy at all with the Kingfishers, ordered a aftermarket set.

This is a picture after the deck railing was started.

View attachment 142712

Wow! Now that is quite some details. Looks great in the color as well

 

[Calico Jack]

@Edbert or anyone else that may be in the market for nicely detailed 1/350 Kingfishers, these are a great upgrade over 99.9% of kit supplied aircraft. They also have them in 1/700 & 1/200 scales as well and other float plane types.

OS2U Kingfisher

 

[Calico Jack]

So I needed SC-1 Seahawks for my build, so ordered this set of 3 and can't wait to see how these work out. I need them right away as these will come later in the build, but good to have on hand when I get there...lol.

 

[kevin]

Those look very nice....I saw from your link that they have 1/200 Kingfishers as well. The Trumpeter Kingfishers for my USS IOWA are pretty good, but open canopy with pilots are very tempting.

 

[Calico Jack]

Those look very nice....I saw from your link that they have 1/200 Kingfishers as well. The Trumpeter Kingfishers for my USS IOWA are pretty good, but open canopy with pilots are very tempting.

True, and these carry some serious details for the scale.

 

[Calico Jack]

So back at the bench and wanted to start cleaning up O1 deck level to prep it for all the PE that will go in place. Sticking with the theme of having as many doors and hatches open to simulate how she would have been, I opened two of the three watertight doors on her starboard side. I decided to take some photos to show my process of opening doors in case anyone needed the info.

I am using both Eduards and Pontos photo etch sets to compliment the ship with parts I want to add more detailed depth. The Eduard doors all more detailed in that they fold giving both interior detail as well as the exterior. They also have the door framing so they can be modeled open or closed or ajar.



First I removed the door from the fret and use blue painters tape for the low tack residue and position the open framed door in position. I then use a fine Sharpie to color in the frame where I want to open the bulkhead.



At this point I drill out the four corners as close as possible to the black marked door location. I also drill out each side so cutting with an #11 exactly, I can have a clean door opening. Then using a tapered file, I clean up the lines so that they are flush and square. Afterwards, I run Tamiya extra thin along the cut edges which smooth out the opening edges so it looks very clean. When ready, the doors can be added.



If need be, you can scratch in interior walls or details as needed. Next, the second starboard door...

 

[Calico Jack]

Here's a little more detail on the process I use on the second door. First, determine the location and height of the door and afix in place.



I then use a black Sharpie and color in the frame so I have an exact location to open the bulkhead wall.



I then take my drill bit and lightly start pilot marks inside the frame starting in each corner and then down the sides.



Then it's simply drilling out and using an exacto and file to clean up the cut out. Finish off with Tamiya extra thin to smooth out the plastic and you are ready to mount your PE doors when ready.




I hope this helps for anyone that would like to add open doors or hatches using photo etched parts.

 

[Edbert]

Awesome!

Why are some portholes drilled and others plugged? I think I missed something.

 

[Calico Jack]

Awesome!

Why are some portholes drilled and others plugged? I think I missed something.

LOL, you haven't missed anything. The portholes are galore throughout, so it's just that I have to manage my mental health by not doing portholes constantly So the process is plug up the over-sized molded portholes, then redrill them the correct size, then go back and place all the correct PE porthole types.

 

[wjbrandel]

Nice work. Are you planning on lighting the interior?

 

[Calico Jack]

Nice work. Are you planning on lighting the interior?

I already have created a monster out of this project, so the lighting would put me into a white jacket with the buckles in the back...lol