Jeanne D'Arc by popeye the sailor - FINISHED - Heller - 1:400 - PLASTIC

[popeye the sailor]

thanks OC      I figured it was about time I started to populate the deck.   like all models,  it looks like the build is going nowhere.......until all of the sub assemblies are added     now it looks like something!   I still have a few tiny parts to add yet,  along with the rest of the sub assemblies.....the mast,  life boats,  and of course the helicopters.   now that the work week is over......as well as that nasty wind and rain storm we had last night {caused a lot of headaches 'round here},  I can get back to work on her.   I should have more on her soon     thanks for the likes as well folks!

[Piet]

Great progress Denis, she's beginning to look really nice.

 

Cheers,

[mobbsie]

Hi Denis

 

Your making some really good progress my friend, I like the cam on the choppers, sets them off a treat.

 

Good work on the radars mate, bit of a shame you arn't able to use both though.

 

I'm interested to see just what your going to do about the windows on the choppers and the bridge, always a difficult area I think to get them looking credible.

 

Be Good

 

mobbsie

[popeye the sailor]

thanks Mobbsie    your too kind.   I didn't do a whole lot yesterday.......suffered from a bit of work-lag.  but I did manage to get the bulwark railings along the superstructure on,  as well as a few more bits on the fore deck,  and the antenna on the funnel.   the depth charges are painted and almost ready to be added to the deck.....that had to wait due to the railings.   I should get a few more of the smaller decals on,  before I add something that's gonna make them harder to do.  the other thing I forgot about actually....was the windows in the superstructure.   if I do them,  I'll need to be very careful...especially since I haven't done windows like these for quite a while now.   I planned on doing the 'chopper windows...they should prove to be a challenge enough,  but perhaps I can use them for practice    I have pictures........I'll include them with the update I'll be posting soon.    thanks again and thanks for the likes.......you're ALL too kind   

[popeye the sailor]

I'm not happy..........the afternoon didn't go as well as I had hoped.  what I feared has come to pass.   no.......the model didn't end up hitting the wall,  but I do have some fixing to do.   anyway......yesterday had a lot more optimism with the ship.   I got the railings along side the superstructure done,  the funnel antenna on,  and the couple of pieces on the fore deck.

you can see where I need to fix the number decal.......these decals are really delicate.   nothing sharp can be used to position the decal.....I'm having to use a soaked toothpick.   soaking it makes the tip soft....tried a Q-tip, but the decal wants to stick to it.

I picked back up on the model by adding more of the decals,  along with the life boats and depth charge racks.   I had sprayed the decal sheet I printed up with bonder...it should be pretty dry about now.....I can also start on the 'choppers. 

[popeye the sailor]

the life boats were added first........

then the depth charge racks and the decals that are near to them........

the clock decal crapped out.......I ended painting the clock on there {white}.   the decal on the starboard side suffered a tiny bit of damage,  but not enough to matter.

the ship's boats along the railings will have a davit over them.....painted the parts at this time.  it took some time to cut the decal out,  but I got one on one of the 'choppers......I like the way it looks.

the next pair of decals to go on,  were the name along the stern....port and starboard.

then.........the decal I dreaded the most........the one that goes lengthwise on the helipad.   as I thought it would,  it broke into segments........I did them the best way I knew how.

then the second segment........which went as well as the first.   it wasn't until the last segment....somehow,  it became stuck to the underside of my hand......near my little finger!   I don't know how..........perhaps during my fidgeting with the second segment,  my hand rested on the decal.  pulling it off,  I had wet the decal paper in order to make it easier to straighten out the crumpled decal.........the damage was done      I managed to lay most of it.......I'm hoping that either paint,  or cut up decal can fix it.

yea........I was not happy.  I'll do what I can     meanwhile,  back at the 'choppers,  I got the other side done on the first 'chopper,  and started the second one.

     having to cut out these decals is going to be a pain......but the other decals I'm going to use will be a lot more user friendly.......they're from a Revell kit.

for now,  I'll continue with the helicopters..............OH WOW!!!!!   I found it!       I had lost one of the French markings I cut out earlier.......I just found it....it was tucked under the cardboard I have here on my desk {the box top....I took the sides off of it}.   it doesn't take much to make me happy.....good thing   

 

 

[Old Collingwood]

Well done rescusing the decal situation  "boy do I remember those annoying situations with decals"  they just always seem to break up - fix where you dont want them or leave a silvering edge around them.

 

She is coming on really well  (dont foreget she is an old model not the same as modern kits)  so you are deffo doing a grand job.

 

OC.

[lmagna]

Hey Denis

I for one have full faith that you will be able to overcome and correct the decal issue. Looking forward to see what it takes, as OC says it's an old kit and decals are the first to go.

 

Lou

[popeye the sailor]

that's the thing about this kit........it's not an old kit.   the condensed information that they say about the model {found at the beginning of the first page},  includes her decommission dates........if this was an older kit,  this info wouldn't have been there {it hadn't happened yet}.   I estimated the kit was produced sometime after 2010.......2011,  or 2012 perhaps.   I have had maybe a few kits,  that the decals were less than perfect.   they are very thin,  and I believe the use of flat colors {ink},    accounts for them being such a bear.   I have a couple more left to do.

 

here is a question I should have posed earlier.........I'm thinking of using flat black for the helicopter windows.   I do recall other colors being used......light blue,  white,   or even yellow.  what would you think would be the appropriate color?

 

I've run into many problems with decals in the past........the Cutty Sark that I got off E-bay was my classic.   the decal sheet was no good,  so I sent a missing parts request to Revell to get another sheet.  I got one..........went to use it and found that the sheet was too old,  resulting in it breaking up into thousands of micro cracks.   this is when I found out about decal bonder.   I had bought the Testor's decal it decal maker system....sprayed on suspected older decals,  this problem was averted,  and I have been able to use old decals with no fear of it happening again      I had contacted other companies that made decals,  and I either got the run around,  or they couldn't do it,  due to the use of metallic colors {gold}.   I ended up making a passable copy of the decals for the Cutty,  but had to use a paint pen to make the water marks,  since an ink jet printer won't do white.  this was a PITA!   this decal system isn't perfect though........there is a transparency issue with it,  but can be easily worked around.   the plus side,  is that I've been able to make decals that I never thought possible,  so it kind of balances it out.

 

thank you gents for chiming in..........and thanks to all who hit the like button   

Edited November 2, 2017 by popeye the sailor
added text

[yvesvidal]

Knowing Heller and having assembled some of their kits, almost 50 years ago, I believe I can say that the molds and plastic injection sprues are about 50 years of age for the most part. You are simply benefiting from a revised instructions sheets, printed recently. Let's not forget that Heller was purchased by various companies (Airfix, Humbrol) in the recent years and have had to re-print their instructions sheets.

 

Unless the box clearly states that it is a new tooling, there is no way Heller would have spent the time to redo the master molds (which are extremely expensive) for a rather obscure and exotic ship such as Jeanne d'Arc. We are not talking Bismark or Yamato here.

 

This being said, I absolutely admire what you are doing and how you are improving this old kit. Kudos. It is a lot more difficult to assemble such an old kit than it is to put together a recent Tamiya or Trumpeter kit.

 

Yves

[lmagna]

Denis

By your explanation I have to agree that it must be a newer kit of six or less years old. Now the only question is, were the decals just bad to begin with, or did they become bad with poor storage? I have two places where I have to store my kits. The basement of my house, and a large closet on the main floor. The basement is pretty dry year around and unheated but you have to remember that the relative humidity here in the north west runs high pretty much year around. The inside closet on the other hand is mostly room temperature and it seems to be a much better storage location than my basement, at least to me.

 

Still good work on your kit though.

Lou

[popeye the sailor]

considering that there are no dates at all anywhere on the kit.......or even a date stamp on the parts,  that may be the case.  I'm more familiar with Revell and other older companies,  than I am with foreign manufacturers.   I did purchase a couple of kits from ICM at one point in time.......thought the planes were so cool.  they were the only kits I ever threw away.   I enjoy building the older kits....love the nostalgia they bring to the table.  I have a Revell Santa Maria that was produced sometime back in the '60's.  that was back when they were using the odd scales......this one.  I believe is about 1:89 scale.  one day I'll get into it.   

 

thanks for the good word....appreciate you like my feeble attempt    

[popeye the sailor]

very true Lou.  it depends greatly where and how a kit is stored.   the box showed some wear........likely stored in a cellar or attic,  and shuffled around quite a bit.  I keep mine in the closet near my desk.   there are hot water pipes in there that go up to the other apartments.......this keeps it warm in there,  which in turn,  keeps the humidity at bay.  I keep my wood projects in there.  I do take the decal sheets out of them though,  put them in seal-able plastic bags and store them in a drawer at my table.  heat can be a problem...it can make them dry and crack.  unknown how these were kept...they were with the kit,  so they definitely weren't taken out.

 

good thing too!   

[yvesvidal]

I was recently watching a factory tour of Microscale Decals (famous for their Railroads and airplanes decals). They store their decals in darkness and at about 70% humidity. The sunlight and the dry air are what cause the decals to go bad, apparently.

 

Yves

[RGL]

You could try a heavy black wash for the helicopter windows. 

[popeye the sailor]

yes....those two factors will cause yellowing.   decals are like a fine cigar   

 

yes Greg.......that is my first choice.   I've seen other colors done,  and to me, they make them look toyish or fake.   I think a good color would be flat black with a bit of silver mixed in.....reflective shine factor.  not sure if I'm gonna go that far,  but so far my choice will be flat black.  

 

I ended up printing up some more letter and number insignias,  since I found that all I had were too large.   the bonder must need at least a day to become totally dry,  cuz it played hell in putting them on the 'choppers......kept wanting to transfer to the blotter...grrrrrrrr.   I also wanted to add a red ring around the tail section.

    that didn't work out too well,  so I just painted a ring around them.   I painted the wheels too,  while I was at it.

while I was looking through my decals,  I found one that would serve well as a clock face on the flight deck.

not a good picture........and then the tedious task of adding the rest of the decals to the 'choppers

next will be to paint the windows and intakes.......then finish off the rotors.   still weighing my options for the deck repairs.

 

thanks for the kind comments and looking in   

Edited November 3, 2017 by popeye the sailor

[donrobinson]

the details on these plastic models are incredible. Great work!

[popeye the sailor]

thanks Don  

[src]

Wow Dennis! I go away for a "couple" of days (months) and a have whole new build to catch up on! I would not be surprised if I go scrolling down the kit forum I'll find a few others of yours, I can never keep up with you.

Enjoying watching her come together, brake-en-dectomys, tab-endectomys,  stealth parts and all. Looking forward to the finished product.

Any idea why they would have considered a mortar?(!!) ASW maybe?

Sam

 

[popeye the sailor]

hello Sam...glad to have ya aboard     I'd love to have the fervor I had when I first came to MSW.......I seemed to have slowed down in recent years.   I think that once I can finally retire {pipe dream},  I'll have more time to quicken the pace     it seems this ship went through some stalled ideas in the past.   I tend to think that they had a hard time in deciding what role she was to play.  originally,  she was slated to have a quadruple 305 mm ASW mortar at the fore deck.  for some reason,  they changed their minds on this.  the next thought,  she was to have the Masurca SAM missile launcher on the fore deck and six 100 mm guns {two more on the stern,  but they settled on the triple MM38 exocet  anti-ship launchers and never fitted the aft pair of guns.   for reasons unknown,  the kit sports the Masurca SAM launcher,  but not the extra pair of guns.

 

the original Jeanne D'Arc was a cruiser built back in the 30's.  she didn't have the capability to carry helicopters or planes........I have a picture,  but it says it's copy righted.  it can be seen here:

http://navalanalyses.blogspot.com/2016/02/warships-of-past-jeanne-darc-helicopter.html

 

I haven't done much with her......yesterday was a run-around day {well worth it too!}      we'll see what can be done today. 

[popeye the sailor]

I have a minor update to this project.......I've been busy putting the finish on a couple of non related projects.   after disastrous affair with the decals,  I worked up the courage to try and finish the deck.  I still need to repair the center line......but the caution stripe around the elevator needs to be in place to do it.  as I figured,  the decal broke into five segments......unfortunately,  I was only able to utilize four of them {shoulda used the decal bonder}.  live and learn.

I might have a way out though......I might be able to fix this using HO train decals.....but only if they don't come out glossy.   I'll see how it goes   

[popeye the sailor]

once I started with it,  I was compelled to go further.   to move on my idea would be futile....the bonder I use is glossy.  so,  I started to cut up those insignia decals I got from a Fokker kit.  I also added the last two yellow lines that run off of the caution stripe.

I added the two stripes along the two walls...just though t they needed to be there.

I used a paper punch to cut the rounded part of the #5 circle.  I'll just park a helicopter over it and hopefully it won't show.

the gap in the caution stripe was filled in.  perhaps I'll try an archive pen to draw in the lines.......whatever will work,  I guess.   I noticed that one of the antennas was knocked off the funnel mast....so I fixed that.   then I added the main mast.  waiting for it to dry...it's OK though,  the admiral and I have to go out for an errand.   depending on how you look at it......the repairs look either ok......to 'sticks out like a sore thumb'.

I'm glad the decal work is done.  there are only a small handful of parts left.   for the folks who celebrate it,  I haven't had the chance,  but I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.  ours was very nice.......a great dinner and the traditional snooze in the afternoon    the admiral wasn't complaining.......I did the after dinner dishes  

[Jim Lad]

Just catching up, mate.  She's really looking the part.

 

John

[mtaylor]

You're overcoming obstacles and making her look good, Denis.  

[Piet]

Nice going Denis. I.m also not very fond of decals but look great on the finished model.

 

Cheers,

[rghensley]

You have done a superb job on this little seen kit/ship.  I love Heller kits, but they are not a easy build.  If one takes many pains with one, a very nice rendition can come out of it.  Keep'er up and looking forward to more.

Rick

[popeye the sailor]

I have to apologize gents.......just ditsy 'ole me for not hitting the submit button 

 

thanks for the good word gents......I'm so glad I was able to get to the table work.   for the other project,  I've been stuck at my desk......to be honest,  this small crane lamp I've been working under........is by far......under par      I have Jeanne at the table......that's why I mention this.    the decals may be just a little off....but once I populate the deck,  I think it will look OK.   still have a bit more to go on her.

 

decals can make or break a model Piet..........an incorrect insignia,  and all you have is a model with a lot of colors on it      it's hard to tell if the decals your supplied with are intact and OK to use......my dealings with the old Revell kit taught me a lot.  it's good if there are insignificant decals that you can test,  before you use the ones you need.   with the program I have,  I can make decals that are not supplied in the kit.  there aren't too many decals  for some of the ships we build of wood......perhaps that's one aspect that sets the two mediums apart.   I've tried to bridge that gap   

 

thanks John and Mark........and thanks for all the likes      appreciate ya'll following along    

 

thanks RG.....I've built a few Heller kits in the past......totally agree with you.   appreciate the good word   

[popeye the sailor]

I finally finished those non ship kits.....three drag racing cars.....I toyed with them here and there.  thought it time to get them done.   if anyone is interested in seeing them,  you can see them here:

 

http://wenzelsautobody.wordpress.com/

 

anyway......now that I'm done with those,  I can get back to Jeanne and hopefully finish her........it's all the goal to clear the main table.   basically,  I did  bunch of prep painting and minor assembly to the last few parts.  I had cemented together the davits earlier last week.

they need painting.....   the props were painted about the same timeline....

today.......in between decorating the tree.......I did some painting and minor assembly.   the flags were painted....I was relieved to see I had all three flat colors for them.

might be hard to see......but I did the windows on the Helicopters.

then the tail rotors were cut from their sprues,  and tipped with flat yellow

hopefully tomorrow,  I can have more time to go further.

[popeye the sailor]

I got busy first thing........I progressed further on the Helicopters.   the tail rotors are tipped and in place.

the main rotors were tipped at this time.....even the folded ones.

I did a dry fit of the finished 'chopper

then with the folded rotors....

the flags were added to the stands......then paint.

the missiles were added to the launcher....waiting for touch ups

almost to the point where these parts can be added to the ship......just a bit more work  

[rafine]

It's looking great Denis. I'm very jealous of your ability to work at such a small scale. Those days are long behind me. 

 

Bob