USS Alaska by Boeing774 - Hobby Boss - 1:350 - PLASTIC

[Boeing774]

A tad bit of work but extremely tedious and fiddly:

Another 6 hours on these brings the total to 53.

 

School starts again tomorrow and I’ll content myself to a couple of oerlikons a day I suppose.

Edited December 2, 2024 by Boeing774

[Coyote_6]

Not sure how accurate, but I am pleased with Tamiya XF-50 as the Deck Blue, and the Tamiya AS-8 rattle can for 5-N.  (These are 1/700 scale)

 

[Boeing774]

Only 5 hrs of work today, but well spent time: I’m thoroughly happy with how it turned out compared to the other one:

Also spent some of the week making some oerlikons. Here one:

Total work: 58 hrs

[ddp]

look at your model's 20mm ammo magazine with the 1 in this picture. http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_2cm-70_mk234_Iowa_pic.jpg

you might want to thicken those magazines.

[Boeing774]

Huh, I just realized that. I'm pretty sure the maker intended for it to be another gunsight for some reason because it has a gun sight etched in it I'm pretty sure. I might let it go though...

[Boeing774]

A bit late to say this but Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 

[ddp]

same to you & happy new year.

[Boeing774]

It’s been…a while. Schools finally over so work resumes. Very happy with the PE railings:

Some fiddly bits as well:

Overall:

Work times: 65 hrs

[Boeing774]

More photoetch today. The kits photoetch isn’t great, there are so many pieces that are too long and so I ended up cutting the railings into different segments. Annoying, but it worked:

As for the catapult, how does the cradle fold? There are four little foldable tabs:

Work hours: 73 hrs

 

Edited June 19 by Boeing774

[Boeing774]

Some more work on the railings, this time the 5 in mounts:

Work also begins on one of the cranes:

Work hours: 77 hrs

[king derelict]

The PE is really neat and well done. Congratulations 

alan

[Boeing774]

Thanks, I really do think taking my time with PE is helpful. It takes like an hour for each bit, but they turn out pretty nice and anyways I can listen to Drachinifel for bit as well

[Boeing774]

During the break from Jan to Jun I managed to get my hands on after market sets for not only a wooden deck but also PE gun tubs. Here’s the first half of the deck and tubs installed:

At the same time I’ve been experimenting with weathering on my Sullivans, which I’ve been building along side Alaska. I like the results and although the salt streaks are hidden by the light, rest assured, they exist:

Your thoughts?

Lastly, a photo from a couple days ago of most of the main subassemblies stacked together:

Edited June 26 by Boeing774

[Landlubber Mike]

Really nice job - your work on the PE is exceptional.

[Boeing774]

Some more progress, the wood deck has finally been fitted and the hull primed. I used Mr Aqueous Surfacer, but in a spray can, which I used since it was much easier to cover larger areas, but also because I didn’t have the glass jar ones. I also skipped completely priming the gun tubs because I didn’t want to lose out the wooden deck detail. I might skip priming the superstructure because spray canning it might make me lose detail. I heard that not using a primer makes the paint flake off the PE, does varnish help seal the paint?

Some blemishes from dust and paint sticking, to be dealt with:

Work hours: 144 hrs

Edited July 7 by Boeing774

[Boeing774]

It’s been a while but I’ve been working throughout. I thought I’d paint the hull and then show you guys but I got carried away and decided to paint most of the ship:

Unfortunately I’ll be away for a month but am stopping by Tokyo, which means…models!

 

Cheers!

[Boeing774]

When I was unwrapping the model, there was still the "sticky residue" on the ship, which I want to get rid of. Any ideas?

[ddp]

warm water with dish detergent, rubbing alcohol or both then sun light for 30 plus minutes.

[Amphibious0311]

I love this. This is some clean work. 

[Boeing774]

Finally back, grabbed a couple models from the Tamiya store in Tokyo.

 

On 8/3/2025 at 8:34 PM, ddp said:

warm water with dish detergent, rubbing alcohol or both then sun light for 30 plus minutes.

I'm assuming using a towel soaked in the warm water works so that I don't have to soak the model in it?

 

On 8/30/2025 at 1:15 AM, Amphibious0311 said:

I love this. This is some clean work. 

Thanks I've also been following along with your Missouri build, since I have the Veryfire Iowa kit stashed away.

[ddp]

if it is concerning the Alaska then is to late as it should have been wash, dried & sun baked before starting the model.

[Boeing774]

About the tape residue on the model, can I use a towel soaked in the warm water to wipe off the tape stuff?

[ddp]

is the paint oil based or water based? can try the warm water but doubt it will work. could use another piece of tape sticky side down to try to remove the tape residue.

[Boeing774]

I used Tamiya paints. I'll try both methods later today

[Amphibious0311]

What glue are you using for your PE? And how are you managing to do it so cleanly? 
 

im using a 26 gauge needle and I feel like even with good control I’m getting some excess CA glue.

[Boeing774]

I use Zap-a-gap glues, the green and purple versions.

 

I think the way I try to reduce the amount of excess is by sanding it down afterwards. For instance, with some PE ladders on my ship, I'll first set them in place with tape, use the thin, purple version (which will naturally run along the entire length of the ladder), and then sand down whatever excess there is. I think this works for most things, but I've seen some models where the ladders stick out and have tiny contact points, so the glue won't stick as well. Here I think sanding would be trickier since you'd have to sand under the ladders. I haven't encountered these, but maybe an accelerator would work.

 

As for control, something I find works very well for me is "stabilizing" my hand with other things. I'll put be ring and pinky fingers on the table or rest it on my other hand hold the model. It may or may not work well for you, but have a go with it I suppose .

[mikegr]

On 9/5/2025 at 7:58 AM, Amphibious0311 said:

What glue are you using for your PE? And how are you managing to do it so cleanly? 
 

im using a 26 gauge needle and I feel like even with good control I’m getting some excess CA glue.

You can different materials for apply glue, like a pin or a single fiber from a paintbrush. If its gel type it can be applied easily

Sometimes if excess glue is allied i lightly burn the part with a lighter. The CA vanishes and re joining the parts is required

[Canute]

You can use small bits of paper towels or tissues to blot up excess CA, Keep a small supply nearby and use your tweezers to hold the bits of paper. Discard after use. 

[Boeing774]

Sounds interesting, how big should they be?

[Canute]

1/4" or so.You're just trying yo blot up a little excess CA, not remove it all. Practice.