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RGL

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Everything posted by RGL

  1. So, I’ve etched these plates into the hull, they’ll need an overspray
  2. As discussed, the hull of the Trumpeter kit is smooth as a baby's bum. This photo of the USS Yorktown in 1943 shows the hull plate details of this class. There is also the catapult that Essex does not have and includes catwalk details Ill need to add.
  3. Starting on the hull plates. Nearly a whole roll of masking tape. You can see from this shot of Essex in dry dock in 1945 it’s very subtle and you can hardly see them. There are some attractions or ribs visible but I imagine this would be from the previous 3 years of war service. As I’m doing this early in her service the US Navy dark blue will hardly make it visible.
  4. Even without the flight deck it’s longer than the Graf Zeppelin. It’s going to suck up a lot of detail.
  5. Hangar deck goes. Lots of putty now needed, then I can start on the hull pleated. Once that is done I can superdetail the hangar deck.
  6. So, nothing really fit well so there’s lots of gaps on this level that need fixing. The Pontos set has not arrived yet from Korea but I got extra doors (it appears there are not in the upgrade).
  7. Hangar deck. Several hours worth of cutting out all the roller doors. The South Pacific is bloody hot, I imagine at sea the doors would be open as much as possible. I intend on detailing the inside as much as is sensible and park some planes inside.i have to get this level done before I can overspray and etch in the hull plates
  8. The bow, I’m going to have to replace a fair bit(this is under cover anyways and hard to see) the gap is huge and you can see from the real thing there are two large holes MISSING from the bow that even have the chafing plates running to them. the kit and Pontos don’t include cable reels
  9. So the middle deck joined up and it’s actually flush when you break out the centre struts. hangar deck dry fitted and there’s going to be some big gaps. two bollards have snapped off (it’s a second hand kit so meh, I’ll replace the bollards anyway.
  10. And it starts. Some fairly prominent mold lines that needed a lot of sanding, offcuts used to hold the pedestals. the next level which goes from the waterline to the hangar deck, the centre support struts needed to be broken off to make sure it fits flush with the base. Only a few portholes to drill.
  11. https://www.flightjournal.com/fixin-the-boat-of-splinters-and-tail-hooks/ Tail hook damage and an interesting article. I also read that the decks were the dark blue Color to make it harder for dive bombers, and by 1945 they reverted from the dazzle to blue as it just made the ships easier to see from the air for Kamikaze. By then the submarine threat has ‘mostly’ subsided.
  12. The Pontos instructions 35004f1-page7.pdf 35004f1-page3.pdf 35006f1-page1.pdf 35006f1-page5.pdf
  13. Harley, it appears to be pretty standard, no great details, smooth hull unfortunately, lots of potential though. Not many aircraft but I’m not sure yet if I’ll fill the flight deck, I think I’ll cut out all of the roller shutters and park planes inside. The Pontos update is only really available via the Korean site Hobbydecal which I’ll post photos of. Like most of these big sets, they’re expensive but replace a lot of the kit parts. @CDW has built this as well so I can go back to his build for lessons learned
  14. Just ordered the Pontos set, I’ve also ordered some life rafts plus paravanes. as usual there is no hull Plate details from Trumpeter so I’ll be painting over and scribing some in.
  15. I got this second hand quite cheaply in the suburb next to mine via an online seller. I’ve yet to purchase the Pontos upgrade set which I’ll order this week. The reason I’ve nominated Feb 1944 is that it was just before it’s only WW2 upgrade where it recieved it’s dazzle camo and a few other alterations, such as catapults which I can’t replicate and I want to weather her heavily (Sorry). it’s going to be quite the build as I want to do the interior hangar deck.
  16. Nice Dazzle. I’ll be following you soon with a bird farm. There are a few Color or colourised photos of carrier decks, and I’m looking forward to weathering one.
  17. Thanks mate, unfortunately I’m not very good at aircraft but the only way to get better is to do more. I just bought a Essex for $90 (US$60) and now will start storing up an inordinate amount of money on upgrades. @CDW did the same kit a few years ago and I’ve been torn, Infini is bringing out an Exter upgrade, but I just can’t get excited about it. the Langley should be good but needs a few years for upgrades. Why the fascination for upgrades?; the modern kits are just designed for multimedia; if that’s what it takes to keep it going that’s OK with me. im thinking of having aircraft landing instead of a bird park......
  18. I’m now torn, I’m awaiting Trumpeter to release the USS Langley and Whilst I’ll buy it I’ll then probably wait for an aftermarket set. so, in the interim, a Kirov class cruiser, a Essex class Carrier, a York Class cruiser? A Soviet Cold War destroyer? Suggestions? What would you like to see?
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