USS Alaska CB-1 by S.A.A. - HobbyBoss - 1:350 - PLASTIC

[S.A.A.]

After many years of building planes and AFVs I understood that I want something new.
So I decided to try myself at fleet.
My very first ship is gonna be a beautiful kit from Hobby Boss which is USS Alaska in 1/350 scale.
I've chosen this one because a couple of reasons:

1. It looks great 🙂

2. It is a new kit (2017) so everything should go together well

3. The kit has 4 big plates with PE parts and it's not necessary to by extra PE (at least it's enough for my level😀)

4. The deck on this ship was painted dark blue and I decided not to buy an extra wooden deck.

 

The only aftermarket that I've bought for this model is a set of 305 and 127 mm metal barrels.

 

I would be appreciate for all the comments and tips, but I'm totally new in fleet, so please don't be strict)))

Let's go...

[RGL]

Welcome, good to see another big ship here 

[S.A.A.]

As I've started building this kit a couple of weeks ago, I have some progress now - it's about 60% assembled.
But I'd like to go through several stages and show you some photos.

So the first couple of hours I've spent by sanding the lower hull. It had some noticeable seams.
For better understanding of the size, I've put the bottle of glue. The ship is over 70cm lenght.

[S.A.A.]

13 minutes ago, RGL said:

Welcome, good to see another big ship here 

Thanks!)

[S.A.A.]

I've glued the front and rear parts of the deck and attached some smaller details which will be easy to paint.

[S.A.A.]

The kit has a big amount of small details and PE parts. Here are only some of them...

[S.A.A.]

As I've started a couple of weeks ago, I've partly assembled the front and the rear superstructures. 
It's the front

[yvesvidal]

Very nice work with the PEs. Very clean and precise. What glue do you use?

 

Yves

[S.A.A.]

And pats of the rear one

[S.A.A.]

Here's my progress for today. Most of these parts are not glued to each other.

Probably, Alaska was not the best choice as the first ship to build.

But no regrets🙂
P.S. I was going to start with Yamato🤪

Edited November 2, 2020 by S.A.A.

[S.A.A.]

15 minutes ago, yvesvidal said:

Very nice work with the PEs. Very clean and precise. What glue do you use?

 

Yves

Thanks a lot!
I've tried a dozen of different glues and found out that the best one for me is one of the cheapest, which is called "Premia". It's an own brand of one Ukrainian supermarket.
In fact they have two CA glues. On dries faster and another is thicker and gives you more time to place the detail. I use both of them.
To apply it I use a scalpel blade and a toothpick.

[Canute]

Your work with the kit PE is nicely done. Looking forward to seeing some more of your work.

[Egilman]

That kit is probably one of the better ones to start with if your an experienced modeler that hasn't done 1/350 ships before, like you said, a modern molding so the parts are well fitting and the included PE isn't that involved.... Certainly better than starting with a Yamato.... It's big enough to be interesting, yet not so complicated with details that it becomes a long drawn out build....

 

Nice PE skills as well..... 

 

I hope you don't mind if I sit in?.....

[lmagna]

Nice work in a relatively short time.

 

I am glad you chose the American CB instead of the Yamato. It has been done so often and the CBs were such hansom ships. (In my opinion) Didn't really have much of a career compared to other US ships but unique designs none the less.

[S.A.A.]

6 hours ago, Egilman said:

Nice PE skills as well..... 

 

I hope you don't mind if I sit in?.....

Thank you!
I would be happy if you join))

[Egilman]

Ah, Suggestion....

 

Your SK2 & SG radars, (that square bedspring looking thing on the top of the mast and the small oval curved dish on the short mast behind it) should be pointed in the other direction.... The supporting frame of the SK is on the rear of the radar, the flat surface of the SK should face the bow of the ship as well as the curved inner surface of the SG antenna.....

 

 

Just a minor quibble, the rest looks on the money....

Not that it would never be seen in that position, (it rotated at 5 rpm when in operation) usually facing forward or at a slight angle to forward is the photogenic position for radars....

 

EG

Edited November 3, 2020 by Egilman

[S.A.A.]

While building Alaska I've bought a few more boxes.

I guess I got crazy about ships🤪

[yvesvidal]

Yes, you need some medications. I suggest Tamiya and Ambroid liquid glue, inhaled with moderation.

Do not forget an ointment of Tamiya anti-fouling red paint on your forehead, before going to bed.

 

Great display. I cannot wait to see them built in the Forum.

 

Yves

[Egilman]

On 11/5/2020 at 6:07 AM, S.A.A. said:

I guess I got crazy about ships

Getting crazy about ships is a good thing, especially around these parts brother..... 

Edited November 8, 2020 by Egilman

[S.A.A.]

Recently my friend has dropped a box with small parts of both superstructures. Some parts were broken.

So now I have minus one friend 😄

Just kidding.

I've spent a couple of hours by fixing the damaged parts. 

For now I have a small progress with the rear superstructure.

[Lt. Biggles]

Looking great mate!

[S.A.A.]

16 hours ago, Lt. Biggles said:

Looking great mate!

Thanks!)

[S.A.A.]

A minor progress today. 

Don't have much time for modeling(((

[S.A.A.]

Guys, does anyone have good photos of USS Alaska's cranes? 

I want to know, how cables are placed on the crane.

[Egilman]

4hours and no responses?

 

There are a couple off Navsource...

There is also Steve Wipers book from Classic Warships publishing- Warship Pictorial #43 Alaska Class Cruisers (reviewed on that site) Available on Amazon and Evilbay....

 

Pretty much a straight forward US naval tower crane....

 

Hope it helps....

 

EG

 

 

Edited January 19, 2021 by Egilman

[S.A.A.]

@Egilmanmany thanks! 🙂

[popeye the sailor]

superb looking build so far........the PE work is very well done    also,  a fine selection of ships for the stash.......you have the Yamato....I have the Shokaku  

[S.A.A.]

1 hour ago, popeye the sailor said:

superb looking build so far........the PE work is very well done    also,  a fine selection of ships for the stash.......you have the Yamato....I have the Shokaku  

Thanks a lot!)
Shokaku in 1/350 scale? Fujimi?

[thibaultron]

Shokaku. Gazuntite!

[GuntherMT]

Beautiful and precise PE work.  I think I'll stick to wood though.. lol.. Thanks and will continue to follow along on this, I've always thought these ships were lookers.