USS Lexington CV16 by scottrc - FINISHED with UPDATES!, - Renwall - plastic

[ScottRC]

Back in November I posted in the Plastic Kits section about the re-release of the Renwal USS Shangi La and the Revell USS Hornet.  These kits, other then a couple of resin short run releases, are the only representation of the Essex Class carrier in its modernized configuration.

 

Both my brother and I built these as kids, but for the past twenty years these kits had been out of production.  My father was on the Lexington for her first cruise after she was modernized, and in 1990 I kit bashed for him a model of the Lex in 1/700.

 

The Renwal kit was a big surprise, because it matched the Lex to a Tee as she looked when she left the yard for shakedown in 1956, so I had to purchase it and try to make a larger model of the Lex for my father.  Unfortunately, he passed away over Christmas and would never be able to see it.  I decided to continue the build because my brother is building a shadow box to display his service medals, certificates, and burial flag and he wanted to put the ship in the shadow box.

 

So, bear with me, I already started and do not have a lot of pictures as of yet, but will try to post as I go. 

 

Here is the kit

 

[ScottRC]

Here was the progress up to last week.  The kit was typical "toy scale" and had gaps that needed filling.  It also lack detail and I am still contemplating how much Photo Etch and other details to add.  I built the Oriskany a few years ago and I went overboard with the detailing to the extent it was no longer enjoyable to build.  So this build I am just relaxing and having fun and will only go as far a I feel with the details.

 

[ScottRC]

The one area that is lacking scale detail is the elevator.  I scratch built these before and I'd rather tie ratlines all day then build another one.  There is PE for these, but its out of my price range, so I may just leave it up and out of site and pray my OCD doesn't force me to make it right.

 

Edited November 2, 2017 by ScottRC

[ScottRC]

The planes that came with the kit are all Cougars, which were perfect except the canopies will need a little work.  I also got Banshees and AD's from Starfighter along with the correct squadron markings.  The only planes I will be lacking will be the Cutlass.

 

Edited November 2, 2017 by ScottRC

[ScottRC]

I have now started the painting process.  First was the overall gray with the black boot stripe.  when this kit was released, it was common to have them with flat bottoms.  The explanation was that it was part due to Defense Department censoring and part for the ease for children to sail across the living room floor.  I plan to build up the base and put the hull in a sea of Gesso, like my Oriskany.

 

Edited November 2, 2017 by ScottRC

[ScottRC]

Picture of the side of the hull

 

Edited November 2, 2017 by ScottRC

[ScottRC]

And at present I have added the base coat to the flight deck.  The flight deck color for this period is unique in that the ship left the yard with the flight deck only stained.  It was later painted with a non-skid dark gray.  So, like the Oriskany, I will be doing the painting starting with a base coat followed with washes of blue, gray, and black. 

Edited November 2, 2017 by ScottRC

[ScottRC]

started round two of color washes on the flight deck.  The goal is to get a look of gray stained weathered pine soaked with salt, oil, and aviation fuel.  Round one was light washes of light uniform blue, burnt sienna, and lamp black mixed.

 

 

Edited November 2, 2017 by ScottRC

[ScottRC]

I would first spread the mixture with the grain across the flight deck with a very soft, thik brush.  Covering the entire flight deck.

 

 

 

Edited January 18, 2014 by ScottRC

[ScottRC]

Then wipe with a lint free cloth, keeping with the grain of the wood.  Just like staining eh?  Well, same principle, except we just make a plasitc base simulate wood and now we are doing the staining and weathering process.

 

 

[ScottRC]

And now its time to dry for awhile.  There is still some blending to do then round three will be adding the gray wash to lighten things up.  Then the fun begins in adding the details.

 

[ScottRC]

This is the goal.   Front page from the Cruise Book.

[ScottRC]

Had some time this morning while waiting for someone to get ready for school, so I put on the first wash of dove gray.  Went on pretty light and I also noticed my camera flash setting was not correct.  A few more coats and then some weathering.  I also added the bridle catchers to the bow.  Unlike the Revel kit, the Renwal kit didn't have them molded in.

 

[JerryTodd]

I have now started the painting process.  First was the overall gray with the black boot stripe.  when this kit was released, it was common to have them with flat bottoms.  The explanation was that it was part due to Defense Department censoring and part for the ease for children to sail across the living room floor.  I plan to build up the base and put the hull in a sea of Gesso, like my Oriskany.

 

Very nice.  My dad was on the Lake Champlain from 56-61.  She retained the straight deck to the end.  After mom and dad split up, mom still liked sailors, and was dating a fellow from the Lex while the ship was based at Quonset with the Essex.  I got a ride in the back seat of a Skyhawk around that time.

[ScottRC]

Hi Jerry,

 

Thanks for posting, I have followed your builds both here and I think on RCU and have been inspired to someday try an RC square rigger.

 

Scott

[vintage modeler]

Thanks for the Build Log. I have been waiting a long time to do the Lex and hoping a 350 kit would be available. I served on her very briefly in 58 or 59 during carrier quals, working on the flight deck. When I saw the Renwal kit I snapped it up along with a decal set for the Lex. Where did you get the PE in 1/500 scale?

[ScottRC]

Great to hear from you Vintage Modeler.  The Starfighter Decals will work for 59 onwards.  I have the same set, but in 56 there was a large 16 on the stern and a smaller one on the bow, both were yellow, so like the Oriskany, I will be making my own decals, or stenciles and paint the numbers on, I haven't decided yet.

 

Gold Medal Models makes a PE set for the Revell kits that will also work on this kit.  I broke down and ordered one last night becasue I couldn't stand not having accurate radar and also wanted to spuce up the elevators.  Once you start using PE on one model, it is hard to not use it again. 

 

I got my PE set through VCS Hobbies part # gmm540-6/18515 PE Set 1/500 Revell Essex Class and Forrestal Class Carrier.

 

Scott

Edited January 26, 2014 by ScottRC

[ScottRC]

A final coat on the flight deck and now ready to start detailing.

 

[ScottRC]

While waiting for the PE to arrive, I plan to start masking out the flightdeck for all the details that need to be painted.  I also have all the planes to start painting and building.  So a lot to keep me busy.

[vintage modeler]

Thanks for the lead on the PE. Interesting you did the Oriskany  as I was also on her. I was in VA126 a training squadron that took pilots aboard ships for weeks at a time for carrier training, so I have spent a few weeks on each. The Lexington. Bennington, and Oriskany. What are you using for reference?

[ScottRC]

My references vary.  In addtion to the Squadron and Detail in Scale publications,  I have a photo set from NAVSOURCE of the ships commissioning in 56 along with a number of photos my father took.

[ScottRC]

Finished painting in the catapults and the center of the deck that was reinforced with steel.

Today I masked up all the deck details and also the flight deck numbers.  These, as usual, are a challenge.

Edited January 26, 2014 by ScottRC

[ScottRC]

After a few hours this afternoon, the deck is ready for another layer of weathering.

 

[ScottRC]

I like this cold spell we are having, for it is giving me time to work on this build.  I received my photo etch yesterday and painted it last night. I prefer to apply it painted then trying to worry about covering all that shiney brass later.

Edited January 29, 2014 by ScottRC

[ScottRC]

Its funny, when I started building this kit, I thought I was just going to slap it together over a weekend like I did when I was a kid and then put it on the shelf (no, really play with it    But the more I build on it, the more I am having fun adding all the extra details.  Many of these added details I wish I thought of before I glued the deck to the hull and glued the island together.  But oh well, I'll try to do what I can.  The Gold Medal photo etch has so many cool details.

 

The pry fly and bridge windows looked really strange not having glass in them, so I filled them with Liquitex Gesso, the same stuff I make my water with.  It dries clear and in a few hours I will have windows.

 

 

[ScottRC]

While waiting for my windows to dry, the flight deck needed some final weathering.  So I crunched up some black pastels and rubbed it into the deck to enhance the wood texture and to give it the look of accumulation of soot, exhaust, oil, and rubber. 

[ScottRC]

Now that I am done with the flight deck, and since I used acrylics and pastels, I need to seal it.  To do this I used Krylon Artists Matte Finish.  This stuff is great because not only it protects the finish, but it gives everything a nice, uniform, scale appearance and is super easy to use.

[ScottRC]

Well, I guess I did enough damage for tonight in that I got all the railings on the Island added.  That was easy.  The radars are where the meat will added to pot.  I am taking the rest of the evening and maping out a plan of what order to build and install the radars and the details to the mast.

 

[ScottRC]

This mast is hard to do for this was where my dad claimed spent most of his time on the Lex.  He was an ET and had a lot of stories of being up on the mast, in the island, or the excitment of servicing the arials that are off the side of the flight deck during air ops or during a typhoon.  I wish he was here now to help me with the radar configuration.  He could name everything off like it was yesterday as well as tell how each each radar and antenna worked and when it didn't work.  Although he had 20 years in, all he talked about was his time on the Lex.  The build is helping me with his loss.

[ScottRC]

Its been a busy couple of weeks so I hadn't had much time to work on the Lex.  However, I do have the mast finished with a complete radar suite and added a bunch more details.  I hope to add pictures tonight.