USS Arizona by HumphreyG - Revell - 1/426 - PLASTIC

[HumphreyG]

This is my first build log. It has been several years since I built a model kit.  I have had this kit on a shelf for the last 15 years. I decided to finish it up. I figured it would be good practice for painting before I start something more expensive. 

 

[yvesvidal]

Humpfrey,

 

If you manage to paint and finish these crude Revell kits from the 70's, then a modern kit will be a piece of cake in comparison.

 

Yves

[rudybob]

I like it already

[HumphreyG]

My progress is quite slow. The next kit I am planning is a resin kit, so I'm not sure it will be much cleaner then this one. 

This week I put a base coat on the decks. I also started using milliput to fill in the blast bags. For my first time working with milliput I think it turned out alright. 

 

I have lost a few pieces of the kit, so I decided to use it as an opportunity to practice casting some parts. I used oymaru to make the molds. It will soften in hot water. I then put the milliput into the molds. There is a lot of flash, but with a little cleaning the parts seem to turn out ok. 

[HumphreyG]

I found the white milliput to be very crumbly, even when dry. I tried the standard and that seems to be much more durable. I had to remake the 2 propellers.

With a but more experimentation, I found a makeup applicator worked well for forming the blast bags. I have a bunch for applying flux for solder. They were nice and small, daily stuff and held a little water. 

The capstan with the kit were very poorly molded, so I decided to make a new one. 

I use my freedom to turn down a styrene rod. I used a hacksaw and files for tools.