Melissa T.
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Everything posted by Melissa T.
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This is on my radar screen as a future project, though I don’t think my skills are quite up to this level just yet. This Victory looks to me like a three to five year project - I’m in once I have a bit more experience! -
best SECOND model ship kit recommendations
Melissa T. replied to palmerit's topic in Wood ship model kits
See my general (not specific) thoughts on this topic at: -
Where did you get this? Is she a kit of some sort? I want one!
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Thank you everyone for your very kind comments! Taking a short break before starting my next project - the Corel Half Moon kit.
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Thank you, Jim and Valeriy!
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Life got busy these past few months, and I got away from posting on my build log. Progress on the boat however has been slow but steady and I’m about 90-95% finished at this point. Mostly some detailed deck fittings remain. Question to any of you who may know something about these boats - What are the two structures on the picture of the actual boat from 1945 that I have pointed at with red arrows? The one on top of the crows nest looks like it might be some kind of antenna, but nothing I’m familiar with. I also have no idea what the cylindrical object on the starboard side of the pilot house is. No closer up photos exist (and of course neither object is on the plans). Any ideas appreciated.
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Work proceeds steadily, albeit very slowly. Hull and deck painting are complete, for which I did a lot of research on paint colors used in the CBI. Can’t say I enjoy using an airbrush, but it’s necessary for this kind of project. The superstructure is next, which will be extremely challenging (for me, at least) due to its many angles and curved surfaces. Working on the .50 cal gun tubs now, for which I used a couple of PVC couplings in the right size as a mold to bend 1/64” plywood around. I have found it is difficult for me to envision the two dimensional plans and photos as a three dimensional object, so I have adopted as a best practice making everything in card stock first to see how it looks and fits before cutting any wood. Onward!
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Thank you!
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Traveling quite a bit last month, so not too much progress though the hull is now complete with rub strakes, rudders, etc. Turning attention now to deck and pilot house.
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Thanks, John!
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Thanks Roger, and thanks for the recommendation of Durham’s putty. I had never heard of the stuff. I like that I can apply it with my fingertips and that the excess sands off easily.
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Interesting, and I may try that! Here’s where I am right now, after four coats of Rust-oleum automotive primer and a lot of sanding. I used the Durham’s water putty to fill cracks, etc, which was an excellent suggestion. Have also drilled a few holes for exhaust and bilge. Traveling for the next couple of weeks, so I won’t get back to it until late in the month.
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Thank you Roger!
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Basic hull is mostly complete, minus some more sanding down to 600 grit and the rub strakes that I still have to make. Amazingly, it actually matches when I lay it on top of the plans, so I’m happy with it! Someone in previous posts mentioned using shellac, and I wanted to ask about that. What shellac, or other product, could I use to seal this hull and fill any remaining cracks in the wood grain? I would want to be able to sand again after applying this product, and then ultimately airbrush with an acrylic primer and then paint. Thanks in advance! Melissa
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Thank you, Bob for a lot of useful information! I'm very familiar with the crash boats website, and have been in contact with the gentleman who runs it. That's where I found the operator's manual for the 85' ASR, learned about the mahogany planking, etc. I will definitely check out the Flickr site And thanks to everyone for your kind comments and good advice on airbrushes - much to review and think about! Melissa
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Roger - Thanks! My Philadelphia model is at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs. I do some volunteer work there, so I offered up the model for the exhibit and they were happy to take me up on it. Thanks for the insights on airbrush painting. I just want to apply primer when the time comes, and then the appropriate paints for this WWII vessel in the CBI theater. Melissa
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Thank you, Rich!
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Despite an illness followed immediately by the holidays, I’ve been able to make some progress on this boat and have now completed the planking below the chine. I was able to find and download the 1944 operator’s manual, which is proving to be an invaluable resource. From it, I learned that the planking on the actual boats was mahogany, and installed completely longitudinally - no diagonal planking. So that’s how I’m building my model. Though I know they surely used a different species of mahogany on the actual boats, I still like the idea of making it as authentic as reasonably possible. I will be working on this hull for quite some time, building up the sides and a considerable amount of filling cracks, sanding and smoothing are all yet to come. Looking ahead though, I do have a couple of questions: - I have never used an airbrush, but would like to do so for this model. Can anyone recommend a good one for this project, preferably something under $500? - Can anyone recommend a good primer to apply to this hull when the time comes? Thank you and Happy New Year to all!
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Thanks Keith - Definitely not easy, but I learned that going super slow is (for me) the trick to staying on the line I had drawn on the wood.
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After a lot of consideration and reviewing the various suggestions, I decided to go with 1/8” model aircraft plywood for the keel and bulkheads. I wanted the simplicity of working with only one kind of wood for this phase of the project, and I’m not worried about splitting on the edges as I won’t be using any nails. I’m glad I invested in the ginormous DeWalt scroll saw, as I don’t think I could have cut this wood with anything else! Next step will be to begin gluing in the bulkheads one by one at (hopefully) perfectly right angles to the keel. Then lots and lots of fairing. So far so good!
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Al - Yes, the plans have your signature, dated 1986. Also, your depiction of P-564 that you did for us last year hangs proudly on a wall in our office 😊 Are the Sea Blue and Deck Blue paints you mention available commercially for modeling?
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Thank you, Roger!
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Thank you, Phil. Follow-on question - where does one procure this model aircraft plywood? I'm not familiar with it and have never used it.
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Roger - Thank you. This is extremely helpful. I ordered a Dewalt scroll saw today and will take your advice on the wood. I also like the idea of diagonal planking on the bottom, below the chine. All things I would not have thought of on my own!
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