1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

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Expand view Topic review: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Tue May 06, 2025 9:54 pm

Good evening everyone, I know it's been a long time since I posted an update. Well first thing I had to do was redo the slip way, I got a new work desk, a couple of 5 drawer rolling cabinets, and as we all know packing up everythingisn't fun but it's been taking a lot longer to get everything the way I want and having to integrate new products and tools, figuring out the best and logical placement for my tools and materials. Big time PITA.
However I have been working on several ships and yard craft, as well as growing the inventory of ships for the diorama. It's going to take a LONG TIME to build all the ships but it's worth it to see this all coming together.
Currently I have the following ships in the works:
USS PENNSYLVANIA BB-38
USS SAN FRANCISCO CA-38
USS WARD DD-139
YFD-2 "Old New Orleans "
USS AVOCET AVP-4
USS NAVAJO AT-64
(12) PT BOATS PT-20 - 30 & 42
YG-15, 17, 21
YO-20, 21, 23, 24, 30, 43, 44
YR-20, 22
USS NOKOMIS YT-142
YF-240, 241
YC-429, 470, 473, 477, 651, 699
YSP-11 - 20
The best count of the ship's and yard craft is approximately 175Registered vessels. I now have 118models in my inventory. It's been a total nightmare getting the ships that are needed for the diorama, and now the trade tariffs and shipping is now ridiculous and out of control. But, we have the technology and we can build them. I'm hoping to get a bunch of progress pictures and post them soon.
Take care and God bless everyone.
Attachments
20250416_074153.jpg

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by MartinJQuinn » Sat Jun 08, 2024 9:45 am

Inspiring work, but I'd need to buy a bigger house to try something like this! :heh:

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:24 pm

Good evening everyone, I hope you're doing well and you are having a ton of progress with your projects.

As for myself, well I have to say that I've been kinda slacking on the project, but it's still being worked on, or work with other things for the the diorama. As many of you have seen other dioramas I have done in the past, I'm pretty obsessed with details and getting them as close to perfect as I can. Anyway I will be posting a new update in next month with pictures. I'm still focusing on the Navy Yard and doing a lot of planning, sorting out and mapping out the road's and railroad tracks aside from plotting the crane tracks as well. This is really monotonous and at times aggravating, having to check multiple references and compare them to each other, lots of back and forth looking through my magnifying visor and then grabbing magnifying glass just to make sure it is correct, then transfer it to the layout of the base. But I knew what I was getting into when the CNC (Wife) green lit the project. Trying to be historically correct is easier said than done and referencing photos that don't always give the best detail it's just a daunting task. But as we all know if it's not accurate and correct to history in the trash talking begins very rapidly but working in this scale the rivet counters can count away. Well that's about all for this evening I truly hope everyone is having much success with their projects and I look forward to seeing progress on those and I hope everyone has a great weekend and remember get kids involved with learning how to build models regardless of the subject and teach them the love of the hoppy just as I tried to teach mine. Everyone have a good night and will catch you on the next one.

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Sat May 04, 2024 10:51 pm

FFG-7 wrote:I presume 1 of the 2 Nevada kits will be Oklahoma?
Actually it's the Oklahoma, the vendor said that the Oklahoma box was torn or something to that effect and asked if they could use a NEVADA box in place of it. So it is the OKLAHOMA in camouflage as a Nevada clone.

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by FFG-7 » Sat May 04, 2024 9:12 pm

I presume 1 of the 2 Nevada kits will be Oklahoma?

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Sat May 04, 2024 8:22 pm

Part #2 of PEARL HARBOR the entire harbor
Attachments
Expanded view of the tables, only 2 can fit in the picture, but I have 4 tables currently under design and they are designed to be separated without destroying the layout.
Expanded view of the tables, only 2 can fit in the picture, but I have 4 tables currently under design and they are designed to be separated without destroying the layout.
These are the other 2 tables awaiting attention. This area is where Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field join together.
These are the other 2 tables awaiting attention. This area is where Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field join together.
These are some 3-D printed buildings that I purchased for the diorama, currently I have 5 different types, I plan to make RTV molds and cast them in order to use them for "filler pieces in the shipyard.
These are some 3-D printed buildings that I purchased for the diorama, currently I have 5 different types, I plan to make RTV molds and cast them in order to use them for "filler pieces in the shipyard.
IMG_20240504_193430126.jpg
IMG_20240504_193441721.jpg
IMG_20240504_193448418.jpg
IMG_20240504_193505691.jpg
Now this is what I have to get busy with, and this is only a small amount of kits I have to build, I have several dozen resin casting of some ship's already made but I was waiting on materials to arrive so I could move forward with the builds. Right now I have I believe the last count of ships was 78, not counting the yard craft and such as that.
Now this is what I have to get busy with, and this is only a small amount of kits I have to build, I have several dozen resin casting of some ship's already made but I was waiting on materials to arrive so I could move forward with the builds. Right now I have I believe the last count of ships was 78, not counting the yard craft and such as that.

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Sat May 04, 2024 7:51 pm

Ok I'll do my best posting all of the pictures from today and hope you like the progress so far.
Attachments
This is the primary rendering I am referencing, it's from the Life magazine Pearl Harbor 80 years later addition.
This is the primary rendering I am referencing, it's from the Life magazine Pearl Harbor 80 years later addition.
Same rendering from the Life magazine
Same rendering from the Life magazine
Area of shipyard near Hospital Point and main channel
Area of shipyard near Hospital Point and main channel
Shipyard drydocks 1 & 2, both are completely scratch built and are ready for detail work.
Shipyard drydocks 1 & 2, both are completely scratch built and are ready for detail work.
Over all view of drydocks and the beginning of the 1010 pier.
Over all view of drydocks and the beginning of the 1010 pier.
Early stages of YRD-2<br />&quot;Ol' Saint Louis&quot;
Early stages of YRD-2
"Ol' Saint Louis"
Early stages of shipyard area, plotting the main roadway and train tracks along with the iconic 1010 pier.
Early stages of shipyard area, plotting the main roadway and train tracks along with the iconic 1010 pier.
Resin casting piers, all the piers are in multiple sections and are aligned and glued together with CA glue and reinforced at the joints.
Resin casting piers, all the piers are in multiple sections and are aligned and glued together with CA glue and reinforced at the joints.
This is the future sections adjoining the piers and keeping tracks for the yard cranes and railroad
This is the future sections adjoining the piers and keeping tracks for the yard cranes and railroad
Further expansion to the yard piers 1 &amp; 2 then towards the Southeast lock aka &quot;Merry Point&quot;
Further expansion to the yard piers 1 & 2 then towards the Southeast lock aka "Merry Point"

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Sat May 04, 2024 9:44 am

Hey everyone, I'm sorry I was not able to get the most recent update done, life kinda took a toll on me the past couple months and I'm still recovering from my latest surgery, but I have been working on the diorama as much as possible, on the good days. I have several new things ordered and I have been casting different types of yard craft, as well as scratch building other things like YFD-2. I'll be working on some of things that need to be addressed on the tables (layout stuff) and then I WILL be posting this evening once I get some progress made. Take care and press on.

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by TF17Greg » Sun Mar 10, 2024 3:20 pm

Can't wait to see more :woo_hoo:

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Wed Feb 28, 2024 11:35 am

Just wanted everyone to know that I will be posting an update this evening and hope you have a great day.

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by Hen » Mon Feb 19, 2024 2:13 pm

Really good to see you back on the forum! I've been patiently waiting for updates on this project :woo_hoo:

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Mon Feb 19, 2024 8:56 am

Thank you for the kind words Greg, and yes it is a different kind of crazy but it's still crazy.

Well I have been working diligently over the past few days on the diorama and I have been focused on the (2) drydocks, DD#1 & DD#2, I have nearly completed DD#1, well it's done except for the "fine tuning" and the other is about 80% done. I hope to have them both 100% in the next day or so. But I think after I completed them I would like to see a ship or two completed. Switch back and forth to keep from getting burned out on one or the other.
It's going to be a long, long, long time before the end of my project but I have been getting more and more excited to see how it goes and challenging myself as well as one of my son's. Some of you might remember my son Chris, well he is now grown up, married and has a little boy that is Papa buddy, and he and his wife are expecting a little girl to the late summer.
Chris is going to be helping me with a lot of the more tedious work but it's good to have him to help with the project.

Well everyone I hope to have some pictures of the progress by the end of the week. Until next time, have a great day and see you soon.

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by TF17Greg » Wed Feb 14, 2024 2:21 pm

It's really starting to take shape...and your task is monumental...but l'm sure you will make it, love for history, passion, patience and craziness are what drives us to make those tiny ships...
Keep on doing this outstanding job

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Sun Feb 11, 2024 1:42 pm

Good afternoon everyone I trust that you're doing well and I want to say Thank You for following this journey and I appreciate you. I tried to post this update last night but my phone was being retarded, but not much done with the ship's......yet but I'm going to be switching back and forth with this project, work a few days on the diorama, then work a few days on the ships.

Now let's get into the update, first order of business was cutting out the primary shapes for the shipyard and wards,it was a bit challenging but I pressed on and got it done, then I painted the water areas and did a massive amount of blending to get it close to central Pacific, lots of blue's and greens with a few more colors for depth. I did however choose not to "muddy up" the water but chose to be a little more bright than dark.

I have cut out the (2) battleship drydocks, drydock #1 & #2, since at the time drydock #3 was not completed until '42 I've replicated that in n my diorama. Well here's some pictures of the progress that has taken place..... enjoy.

Comments and questions are welcome but please be respectful.
Attachments
Maintenance pier area, to the left of the 1010 pier.
Maintenance pier area, to the left of the 1010 pier.
Piers temporarily placed
Piers temporarily placed
Just wanted to play and see how it looks with ship's in place
Just wanted to play and see how it looks with ship's in place
Checking out the basic layout of the crane tracks
Checking out the basic layout of the crane tracks
Drydocks and future expansion area
Drydocks and future expansion area
The drydocks cut out and prep work for me to build them
The drydocks cut out and prep work for me to build them
This is how it looks right now but it's got a LONGGGGGGGG way to go
This is how it looks right now but it's got a LONGGGGGGGG way to go
Right now I have 3 tables, (2) that are 2' x 4' and (1) that is 3' x 3' I am going to have a couple little ones to build and install them.
Right now I have 3 tables, (2) that are 2' x 4' and (1) that is 3' x 3' I am going to have a couple little ones to build and install them.
Lots of work ahead
Lots of work ahead

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Sat Feb 10, 2024 11:30 pm

Hey David,
I know the photo you are referring to, I have it already downloaded and it's ready to be used once I get to the UTAH AG-16, But thank you for letting me know.

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Tue Feb 06, 2024 4:29 pm

Good afternoon everyone, I just wanted to let y'all know that I am going to be making some BIG progress on the diorama, I have some more 5.2mm laminate to get the land and water differences and I have made some pier castings for the shipyard area, basically the 1010 dock and the bravo piers, can't remember the actual numbers for the piers. I'm sure someone will let me know, I do have them written down but not in my face at the moment.
Anyway, I got the first order from Shapeways and I must say I was a bit disappointed that the details are not good, but it's not a complete loss, I'm just going to have to modify them and get rid of the huge thick mast and cranes and scratch build them for the best details I can.
Today I received:
USS DOBBINS AD-3
USS UTAH AG-16
USS VESTEL AR-4
USS DOLPHIN SS-169
USS YO-43 Fuel Barge

The first three are the challenge for me but I can handle the modifications that are needed for a more detailed product. The latter two are going to be good for just upgrading them with some nice PE sets I have, there's not a dedicated PE set for them that I'm aware of but I do have plenty of general detail sets that I have massed over the past few years.
Well I'm going to get to work and I'll post an update very soon.
Take care everyone and have a great time at your work bench.

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by ABH2USN Varnell » Fri Feb 02, 2024 8:54 pm

MartinJQuinn wrote:
Iceman 29 wrote:It's always a compromise with our wives on this subject. Failure to negotiate would be followed by an affair worse than Pearl Harbor. Image
LOL! You are a wise man! :heh:

Yes sir I have played this one GOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!
Well I'm happy to report that I have been making a little bit of progress on the diorama, I'm currently working out the layout of the train rail system and the basic layout of the roads, this is the most aggravating part of the diorama but it is a very necessary part, I have figured out I have that I have to go ahead and add another 2' x 4' table to get the right layout and then double check the measurement for the infrastructure. Something is throwing me off and I am positive it's the 1010 pier, it's scaled out correctly but it's not looking right, I think I have it too short, at least it looks like it to me. But I will get it right, after all with this project I have to, because the rivet counters will definitely lose their mind :argue: :bash_2: if I am 1/64th's of a nats butt off.
Attachments
No I have not painted the blue area it's masking tape, but I will be painting it soon.
No I have not painted the blue area it's masking tape, but I will be painting it soon.
IMG_20240202_194458696.jpg
You can see that I am using these &quot;non-scaled&quot; reference pictures and having to look at them with a magnifying visor it's a bit challenging
You can see that I am using these "non-scaled" reference pictures and having to look at them with a magnifying visor it's a bit challenging

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by MartinJQuinn » Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:59 pm

Iceman 29 wrote:It's always a compromise with our wives on this subject. Failure to negotiate would be followed by an affair worse than Pearl Harbor. Image
LOL! You are a wise man! :heh:

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by TF17Greg » Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:19 pm

A lot of stuff you have to buy...and organize...
Can't wait to see the first pictures

Re: 1/700 Scale Pearl Harbor Dec.7th, 1941 Full base diorama

by Dan K » Fri Feb 02, 2024 8:14 am

Great to see this project again.

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