USS Arizona by popeye the sailor - Revell - 1:426 scale - PLASTIC

[ESF]

great job on the PE Denis.  Very delicate work.  Wish you all the best on the rest of the journey.  Looks like you have a lot of support for a worthy build.

 

Steve

[rwiederrich]

I noticed that the model of the Arizona doesn't have the addition of the armor belt as is seen on the Pennsylvania.  I wonder if the modernization of these capital ships did not include this mod at that time and so therefor the model doesn't depict it?

I have some amazing pics of the Arizona when she was being dismantled where she lay after the attack.  Not sure if they will help.

It is also amazing that the 12 14" guns in their triple turrets did not move independently of one another...all three guns moved as one unit.

 

Great subject Dennis and you're doing a magnificent job....love the Arizona.  I built her several times myself.

 

Rob 

[popeye the sailor]

thanks Rob for the added pictures.........you can post the pictures of her after Pearl,  but I likely won't need them.   between all the sites I've got bookmarked,  I have enough    in all the pictures I've seen so far,  very few actually show her with blast bags.  there are a few pictures though that show here with bags on turret 2.   this may be because in the 30's,  during one of her gun practices,  combustion gasses blew back into the turret injuring one sailor.  a fire started a short time later,  due to water getting into the electricals.  they had turned on the sprinklers to keep the black powder from igniting.   the armor belt only covered the important areas of the hull...................Krupp armor,  about 13.5 inches thick.  when the modernization at Norfolk took place,  more was added,  and the deck was beefed up too.   yes......the three guns worked simultaneously......likely didn't have the technology back then  

 

interesting site Lou.......yea....I'll need to sift through it     I haven't got the decals yet,  but I think there is a color scheme listing in it as well.

[popeye the sailor]

thanks Steve  

[popeye the sailor]

a little more progress..........the hull is completely painted now

as mentioned,  the paint I mixed was junk,  so I just did her up in battleship gray........fitting,  I think     as can be seen,  I also started to paint the details on deck.   the casements were first for the super structure,,,the barbettes will be next.

..on a brighter note.........I received the decals for the planes today.   they look really good!

[CDW]

Nice decal sheet! Paint looks good, too.

[lmagna]

If I am seeing the decal sheet properly, it looks like you have three sizes of 1941 stars and at least two sizes of letters. Should be able to come up with a workable solution out of that. 

[popeye the sailor]

using the seagulls Lou,  I have to stay before 41........the Kingfishers were used at that time.   there are about four different scales on the sheet.....letters and numbers too........and they are dated which makes it a lot easier { you can hardly read it,  but it is noticeable}.   the gent who I got the idea from,  did his planes with white tail {stabilizers and rudder} and black cowl.  I believe the Arizona was red........the Pennsylvania was blue.  full cowl with a line around the fuselage was SON 1........top half of the cowl was SON 2,  and bottom half of the cowl was SON 3...these other two did not have the line around the fuselage.  if I had gotten the other decal sheet {might have come with a resin plane too},  it would have had all these other decal bits.....but I'll settle for the insignias.......stress in moderation is good     perhaps I can fudge something up for them.

 

   I did the repaint on that one turret.......it's good........I'm happy    that was the last vestige of the paint I mixed.   I've painted the tops red.......I said the heck with it and painted turret #3 too.  haven't done much more with her.....I'll update again when I can get some quality time in on her.   thanks for look'in in every one....I appreciate the interest   

[Piet]

Caught up with you Denis.  Interesting build of a great ship.  Thanks for all the added informoation.

 

Cheers,

[lmagna]

On 7/6/2019 at 6:26 PM, popeye the sailor said:

using the seagulls

I knew that Denis but I think the Seagulls were not replaced until mid or late 1940 on the battleships at Pearl Even though they had pretty bright paintjobs they would still have has the red spot star on the wings.

 

"The Curtiss SOC floatplanes show how colorful the aircraft could be. The red empennage identifies the plane as belonging to Observation Squadron One (VO-1B) assigned to Battleship Division One of the Battle Fleet. The white engine cowls and chevron on the top of the upper wing show they are the second section of the squadron which was based on board the Nevada (the second ship in the division). The first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections were to be identified with the colors red,blue, black, green, and yellow. The ship's name is also applied to the rear of the fuselage. The colored band around the fuselage identifies the section leader, as does the fully painted engine cowl. Number two wingman has the top half of the cowl painted, while number three has the bottom half painted. The squadron number, type, and aircraft number are shown on the side of the fuselage, as is the squadron insignia. In the event a plane was forced down, the yellow top surface of the wing was an aid in locating the aircraft. Introduced in 1934, these SOC floatplanes served into the early days of World War II, and were the last combat biplanes in the Navy to serve with the fleet."

Edited July 8, 2019 by lmagna

[popeye the sailor]

 this photo was likely taken in 1938.  kinda gives you an idea of their markings.   another picture,  shows that the insignias were on both wing undersides,  as well as on the top wing......the instruction directs that a 'navy' decal goes on the wings.

this was taken in 1941.......

note the name on the fuselage     that's why I ordered the decals.....the American insignia went through  many changes through the years.  I wanted to get the right one.  I could have made them with the decal maker,  but so many decal sets are coming with a bluish background to the paper they use.  another thing to notice here is that there are no red markings.........I suspect this is when the Navy  stopped identifying the battle ships with the turret markings {painted tops}.

[popeye the sailor]

I did some mess'in 'round with the model today........started off,  I just felt destructive     so I removed the railings from a few parts.

I began with the big part...guess you could call it the third level ........I only removed the front part of the casements.  it's a weird shape......and they just had to mold those two guns on deck.    ....could have upped the parts count by two! 

now......I have information that there was another building on the second level deck.......in between the two existing structures.    I was going to add it,  but then I changed my mind,  since it would hardly be seen.  I changed my mind yet again........

yup! ...........added PE doors on it too,  I did.  the third level was painted......and cemented in place.  depending on the light........yea,  it's hard to see.

you can barely make out the door.........it can be seen a bit better in this shot.....

as mentioned,  I did paint the turrets

I painted the other smaller guns and the search lights too.   I'm going to check to see if I can use the part of the original catapult,  that has the locator pins.  it doesn't say so in the directions I got with the PE,  but it makes sense  

I'll see if I can get more done  

[popeye the sailor]

made some more progress on her to report.   I'm still play'in with the PE........a bit of a funny.   I dropped one of the pieces and got down with the flashlight to look for it.   lo and behold,  I found the part that I had lost earlier.   I'll put it on the deck catapult later on.   railings were added to one of the mast platforms.

then I did the platform that sits on the funnel.  there is more to go on the funnel,  but the part is in place.

I'll be filling the windows in with window maker.   I also worked on the two mast structures,  trying to square up all the windows on them........that's a lost cause.  I did notice some PE on the Hood sheets.......perhaps I can dress them up if I have enough.  the idea with the turret catapult.........I dug out the catapult and cut the bottom part out of it........I started to cut it out here.

it is a little bit narrower than the PE catapult.......at least I can use it as a guide.   I did manage to move the sled for the plane......thanks to Lou for mentioning that to me.   the instructions are wrong.

the next level for the main structure was railed off at this time.

I also added ladders to the funnel.  I didn't bother to file them out........they make them stand out better.

in the background there......I played around with some of the other PE from the Hood set.   whatever I can use off the set........I'm hoping it's a lot  

 

thanks for the likes and look'in in!

[Old Collingwood]

Thats great work denis  - boy  is that pe a real pain sometimes  -  especially the railings  - have you sworn yet.....

 

OC.

[Jim Lad]

Coming along very nicely, mate!

 

John

[popeye the sailor]

thanks John  

 

swear?!?!.....me..............nawwwwwwww!  there are no bibles around    now.......if you were referring to cuss or curse.........well then.........I guess I'm gonna burn for it    

[Javlin]

Your PE railing is coming along nicely Dennis I am fighting one section on my build had to call it quits and look at it later, Kevin

[rwiederrich]

1 hour ago, popeye the sailor said:

thanks John  

 

swear?!?!.....me..............nawwwwwwww!  there are no bibles around    now.......if you were referring to cuss or curse.........well then.........I guess I'm gonna burn for it    

You're doing a fabulous job with the PE Popeye....  All those micro bends and stuff....... Your Arizona is looking smart....  Luv it.

No one burns for uttering curses....my friend...just for rejecting J.C.  That's all together another subject for another forum.

 

Rob

[popeye the sailor]

thanks Kevin........I'm only doing some of the railings.   I've seen models that have different degrees of modification.  I want to make sure I have enough for the hull,  so I'm being selective.  

[popeye the sailor]

thanks Rob    I'm getting better.........it's practice.  the more one does...thanks for the good word  

[cog]

You found the missing piece from Vendetta!? She's growing steadily ... the bling does her well, she does need it at this scale, plastic is far to course ... but then ... coarse suits you, just as much as fine does. Details are getting better an' better ... You really are "a man of all trades" 

[popeye the sailor]

hi there Carl      no,  the part was for the deck catapult......I think I subbed in another part,  but if I still need it,  at least now I have it!   I haven't given up on the Vendetta.......she still resides on the table.  I'm using the Arizona to give me a little more practice with PE,  before I continue on her.   

 

  I went a little further.......after painting the funnel,  I filled the windows in with the window maker.

there's still more to go before the funnel is finished.  the third level was added to the structure.

I touched up the red on the turret tops.......here's a cheeky picture of one on deck.

the part for the turret catapult and the catapult itself were painted.   gotta get this in place........handling it,  I already had to repair it once.

the planes were painted with light ghost gray.

the catapult bar was cemented on the turret...........the catapult will be next.

I've been painting other parts as well........gotta get back to the deck though.  I need to do the railings,  so I can see if I have enough to continue with the structure.  painted the top wings on the planes.......needs another coat  

they got the second coat.......they look much better  

 

[CDW]

That is coming along SO nice. It's the best I've ever seen anyone do the old Revell Arizona. 

[Old Collingwood]

Have to agree  - you are doing a  sterling  job on her.

 

OC.

[SigEp Ziggy]

First off, you are doing a stellar job on this build!  And secondly, if you need any parts off this kit, let me know.  I'm planing on using my kit to build her as she is now.  This only requires the hull, main decks, the second deck, and two turrets.  The rest is up for grabs.  I have been watching your build only recently and have enjoyed your hurdle jumping.  Keep up the good work, and like the frog choking the crane, 'never give up'.

[ESF]

Super job!  The knife blade and clothes pin make me appreciate just how small this is and what you are accomplishing with it.

 

Steve

[Jim Lad]

Looking good, mate!

 

John

[Piet]

Great going Denis, you'll do her justice I'm sure.

 

Cheers.

[popeye the sailor]

thanks for the continued interest.......I know I haven't been flowing with the updates.  this week {end} of mine has been busy........I've finally found a bit of time to devote to her.   these past few days though,  I've noticed that I crushed some of the railings on the second level from all the handling,  and I've worked to fix them.  now that I have them repaired,  I need to get this on the deck,  so I don't have to handle it any more.  this puts the squeeze play on getting the deck straightened out and painted.  so I guess I need to get my fanny perpendicular,  and get busy with it  

 

admirable Ziggy that your going to do the memorial........probably should have switched gears on mine {I was almost there}    no.....I won't give up.  I think with the mods I'm doing,  it might end up an interesting model.   a major part of me says sure......send 'em my way,  but I would post them in the buy / sell forum to see if anyone else needs them.  I'm not too sure who else is building this kit.   thanks for the offer....I think your going to fit right in with everyone here........welcome to MSW 

[SigEp Ziggy]

Thanks for the welcome and advise. I once visited Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial back in the '70's when I was 12. I bought the book 'Tora, tora, tora' and the Revell model kit as souvenirs back then. I still remember the huge scale model of her at the memorial. But then I saw online a large scale model of the memorial and the Arizona as she is now. That's what I want to model. Model Shipways makes a 426/429 scale version of the memorial and is on my wish list. I have a kit of the Arizona in my stash, just waiting!