Perls

Hi Adam,
 
What you're doing is great!
 
I certainly don't want to add to your huge backlog of work, but one thought came to mind after spending some time on your site. Would it be very difficult to add a link to build logs on MSW? That way potential builders could not only get an idea of the parameters you provide but gain an insight to the "guts" of the kits.
 
Best,
Steve
 
ps. Though I love your site, I'm a bit less than keen on your avatar. Go JETS! S.

Hi Adam,
 
What you're doing is great!
 
I certainly don't want to add to your huge backlog of work, but one thought came to mind after spending some time on your site. Would it be very difficult to add a link to build logs on MSW? That way potential builders could not only get an idea of the parameters you provide but gain an insight to the "guts" of the kits.
 
Best,
Steve
 
ps. Though I love your site, I'm a bit less than keen on your avatar. Go JETS! S.

Hi Alfons,
 
I want to take advantage of your offer to post a couple of pics. of my Smuggler. I don't think I can hold a candle to you or Nils, but it's my first build and I've given it my best best shot so far. You guys have really inspired me to take my craftsmanship up to the next level going forward.
 
None of the deck furniture is attached. And, as I mentioned I'm reworking the color scheme. I'll use these photos as a starting point and put together my own build log in the very near future. Thanks again for your inspiration.
 
Best,
Steve
 

 

Hi Alfons,
 
I want to take advantage of your offer to post a couple of pics. of my Smuggler. I don't think I can hold a candle to you or Nils, but it's my first build and I've given it my best best shot so far. You guys have really inspired me to take my craftsmanship up to the next level going forward.
 
None of the deck furniture is attached. And, as I mentioned I'm reworking the color scheme. I'll use these photos as a starting point and put together my own build log in the very near future. Thanks again for your inspiration.
 
Best,
Steve
 

 

Purchase of the Trumpeter 1:200 MISSOURI kit took place the last week of Nov. 2013. I received the kit today, Dec. 05, and began to access what was needed to turn this into a model of USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) in her 1967-69 configuration.
 
As for reference materials, I will be using various sources in order to obtain the best information possible for this project. They include, but are not limited to:
 
USS MISSOURI Plan Book – 1945 - The Floating Drydock
Battleship NEW JERSEY – Paul Stillwell
IOWA Class Battleships - Robert Sumrall
United States Battleships, 1935-1992 - W.H. Garzke, Jr. & R.O. Dulin, Jr.
Photoetching for the Plastic Ship Modeler - Loren Perry
Dreadnaught Returns & Dreadnaught Farewell –  Neil Leifer
Dreadnaught 68-69 - 1968-69 USS NEW JERSEY Cruise Book – LTJG J.T. Vernallis, Editor
USS NEW JERSEY – The Navy’s Big Guns – Neil Leifer
Warship Data – USS MISSOURI (BB-63)
Warship Data – USS IOWA (BB-61)
The IOWA Class Battleships – Malcolm Muir
U.S. Battleships – An Illustrated Design History – Norman Friedman
 
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) Plans –
Floating Drydock – Deck Plan/Sheer Elevation – 1967 – Tom Walkowiak
Floating Drydock – G Series, from U.S. Navy Plan Book
 
In addition to the plans/publications listed above, I will be referencing photos taken by myself aboard NEW JERSEY and those of Tom Fally in visits to MISSOURI (BB-63) in Pearl Harbor, HI.
 
The model will be bashed as necessary to achieve the 1967 renovations made to NEW JERSEY at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Those include: removal of all 40mm AA batteries, removal of various HVAC ventilators and repositioning; the addition of the UHF antenna on the bow of the ship, addition of the 4 ABM Chaff Launchers (modified Zuni Rocket pods), modification to the forward fire control tower with addition of the ECM suite, modifications to the forward/aft masts and radars, addition of the helo pad on the fantail and supporting equipment, and various other minor changes made to the ship at that time.
In addition to the basic kit, Teak Decking will be installed over the kit deck on the main deck and 01-04 levels as well as photoetched details will be utilized in place of plastic parts from the kit. These are or will be provided from a third party vendor.
 
Vendors under consideration are:
 
Pontos – Basic PE Detail Up Set w/o Deck (purchased)
Scaledecks – Uncut Teak Deck sections as necessary
Nautilus Models – Uncut Teak Deck sections as necessary
Toms Modelworks – PE Doors & Hatches (purchased), Upright Stairs & Ladders, and various other PE deck equipment and fittings
Gold Medal Models – 1:200 scale U.S. Navy Decals (purchased)
 
At this point I've done an initial assessment of the kit and have a couple observations to make:
 
    1) The PE provided in the kit has been evaluated for it's strength (thickness) and may be used where appropriate. In addition, the Pontos Teak Deck Detail Set may be purchased for the 01-04 Level decks and PE equipment - the main deck is not suitable for this build. Under consideration is the uncut Teak Decking from Scaledecks which will be fashioned for the main deck of the model.
    2) Kit provided decals are deemed not suitable for this build - GMM decals were purchased and will be incorporated throughout.
 
I am still looking over choices for solvent based paints to be used (Haze Grey/Deck Grey). I've decided on Gundam Mr. Color #29 – Hull Red (Bottle) and GSI Creos Mr. Color Hull Red (Spray) for used on the models bottom (paint purchased).
 
So, for the initial "eyes-on" of the kit, I'm fairly satisfied with what I've seen so far. There has been some discontent by other modelers as to the hull of this model and whether or not it's underside faring aft of the skege keels down towards the inboard shaft skegs is correct. I am not going to get into this argument at this time - there's a lot of other decisions to make before deciding that the hull needs revamping - a major task to be sure.
 
Once my shop area has been policed, inspected, Field Day held, and all scallywags, drifties, slackers, and any other riff-raff taken to the brig, construction will commence.
 
Hank

Kevin,
 
I only have one word - WOW!!!!!!!!!!.
 
Best,
Steve

Hi,
 
I'm definitely a newbie and have been scouring every possible source of information on ship modeling. I'm about halfway through my fist build, BJ Smuggler and have been especially focused on building the masts, gaffs, booms etc., and rigging. I too was concerned about rat lines when I found and excellent YouTube video of doing them. The technique he uses for tying the ratlines using clove hitches was so fast and easy I wouldn't consider doing them any other way. Just Google " model ship ratlines you tube" and you"ll see the link..
 
Best,
Steve

that would be something Popjack......since I've started a holiday themed build    the ropes would be a cool idea,  but I think they would  'clash'  with the lights! :D
 
your doing very well on the structures,  they look great!   keep going on Woody......he has the making's of a fine sailor