The Ship Model Forum

On to the aircraft (a-c)!!!

As far as the a-c on both Liaoning CV-16 and Shandong CV-17......Both have the same type of planes => J-17s !!

Though I COULD go into how the planes are doing on their respective A/C, the results are nearly the same.......they are under-powered.

But as of 1/700 scale a-c....well. The two (2) 'Trumpeter' kits are nearly identical, but there are differences, and the First noticeable one was the scaled planes....

On the Liaoning kit, the planes were numerous and most J-17s with few helos, but those a-c were.........TRANSPARENT ( da Clear ones )!! While the Shandong a-c were of the gray plastic ones.

But as I was working on both ships and getting ready to build CVWs I ... kinda......... LIKED the Transparent / Clear a-c!!!

Both ships got those Clear a-c and since there were Only six (6) planes used on Liaoning, there were plenty to use on Shandong!!

So, I have MANY transparent / CLEAR Canopy a-c on Shandong.....though my mind was Racing on "how do I prop-up the canopy showing it open", so I haven't gone to that part on opening the canopy, but I Sure Would Like to KNOW How!!


In this pic, the forward a-c are the ones where decals are being placed......the two (2) behind each other, on the left, being used for decal placement (from CV-16). While the ones on the right are the newer Shandong.


Here are a couple of Shandong a-c.... NOTE: Fixing those wings AND horizontal stabilizers were a REAL Bear and since they were of the 'Brittle' Clear plastic, GREAT CARE was needed in "scoring" the plastic to fold! It should Also be noted that I scored each "wing" at Least twice ( wings three [3] times ).


Here I Have N O T secured the decals with "Decal Set" nor "coat" the a-c, so decals seem a bit "lifted".



The decals were from a Chinese company from a Seller I TOTALLY Trust....that 'person(s)' have had GREAT Comms and understands what I need, EVEN with the language problems ( and Yes, it is an E-bay site ).


In the background you can see Which decal sheet I got that shows the tail marking ( AND Y E S .... pay attention to the direction of the 'Shark' ). Most of the decals are on individual decals, but there was one sheet that was printed on ONE (1) sheet)!!


On the folded a-c there are Eighteen (18) Individual decals, while the 'launch' a-c has Sixteen (16).............ALL Individual !! So trimming them to minimal decal backing was T O U G H !!!! After doing three planes, my eyes were getting strained and the planned "Full Deck" was Cancelled


BUT, now that I'm close to finishing the CVW....I Glad I choose to upgrade the landing gear, weaps pylons, and Now the decals.......... I think the choice was a




Even the tail pipes were painted...just need to paint the wheels.


Here are the a-c on the FD....


...and these are the ones I plan on placing in the hanger deck. The PE that is primed are from the deck vehicles came with sailors and LADDERS...those will be place later.

Whew!!

M

DISASTER.....

Well, after working at 'Fleet Week' for USS IOWA, and working on Other Education Depart. stuff, I finally was able to get back on Shandong, CV-17. I Was VERY Surprised as I finished (and posted) CV-17 a-c that I was photographing and posting the a-c that the island was NOT finished!!

I don't have any pics of it yet, but did Mostly finished the railings and domes on the island......SO...... I needed to get onto working on the railings around the ship FD and galleries After I finished painting the decks of those area ( and the reason why the island wasn't finished ). Anyways the FD starboard side was finished around the FD, but not the gallery section, since the 'BigBlueBoy' PE set is Quite Extensive, the rails are on different PE sections. So looking at 'BBB' instructions I picked up the section for railings, primed the rails, and was going to start painting them the next day....

But, here is the DISASTROUS part...

I was out with wife, kinda celebrating her going on "summer Vaca" .... And....... had a bit too much, (ehem) celebrating. Going back to the workbench I pick up the PE railings that were primed, and started to paint. Paint didn't stick, seemed watery (Prob 1), fresh painted rails seemed covered with Too Much Paint (Prob 2), tried to blow excess paint off with air, BUT Noticed that the airbrush CAP was still O N !!! (Prob 3). Set airbrush aside and it fell off the 'rest' and fell Right On IT NOSE bending the needle 90* when it hit the ground (PROB 4!!)....frustrated wanted to remove the paint, S O .... using lacquer thinner and using (PROB 5!!!!) a hard plastic tray, proceeded to remove paint....Oh Paint came off as well as primer (no worries) B U T ...plastic started melting onto the rails......................my 1/700 'BBB' ... fine.... rails.......

So, I'm stepping back away from CV-17 for the moment, until I have purchased (which I did) 'extra' PE Modern Chinese rails, fortunately, I have a set and they match well (as on Liaoning carrier doesn't have the PE), but don't have that much spare.....

so, I have to wait, the good news, if any, the island and starboard FD are finished and will try to post later,

--- BOTTOM LINE --- Don't Drink and (stab yourselves with a knife) Try to Build a model........... lesson learned, da hard way......

M

W O W ..... almost a month has passed since my last posting.....

Since, my last posting (and my immediate stupor), I was able to purchase a generic set of rails, since purchasing another set of 'BigBlueBoy' PE for the Shandong CV-17, would not be feasible. In doing that purchase I had to wait for a couple of weeks And There was Work. In the meantime there is the hangar bay that I found a very interesting set of pictures about PLAN carriers.

As with the PLAN the pictures are difficult to get, but here are a couple of hanger/near hangar bay pictures...especially at the elevator....


This is a very likely a picture of Liaoning, since we have a yellow 'trial a-c'. BUT, that is not what I want to focus on, it is the white circles on the hangar


Here is another 'test article' a-c, again, probably on Liaoning. I would assume...that Shandong, although similar, PROBABLY has the same set up being nearly the same dimensions.

So, I made the attempt of replicating the same....this is Just a test run, dry-fitting cut out concentric circles.






I have used a compass to draw out the larger circles, but the smaller ones where made by cutting out decals that had logos with wht circles. I have purchased a white decal sheet....JUST in case I need to do a better looking job.

AND...here are a couple of pictures of the rail replacements around the starboard side of the FD with a few additional ladders (unpainted brass)





Getting close Now to closing out this 'blog' ........ I Just can't wait until I install the electrical lights for the hanger, nothing too fancy just a short string, mounting to a stand, and FINAL Touches (adding the hull numbers and some weathering).

M

Just a Quick update on the hangar bay....

I set down the decals (white circles) in the hanger...it came out okay. First, cutting out those " thin " circle-lines was a bit tough, 2) Removing them from the decal paper was ALSO, just as tough, as the decal CURL Big Time once it was removed [ NOTE: Unlike the 'Trumpeter' decals had their helo decals with out the most of the carrier film....I wish I could have that ]. The cutting out those circles, cut into the decals, shredding some of the white decal, but MayBe when I glue down the planes, it might not be That noticeable. 3) A LOT of Teasing the decal into place, so IF You are doing this, I would cut a part of the decal to make it a "noddle", BUT use tweezers VERY Carefully!! 4) Loop around, make a circle, while laying down the decal, and of Course 5) Use Plenty of 'Decal Sol'. And another thing.....IF you have a fan brush....it could be helpful "grabbing" the diameter/ a part of the circle decal.

Whew!!!



Electrical system should be the Next Major hurtle....but I have confidence in that part!!

M

As you say, it may not be that noticeable from the hangar doors, but a solution would be to avoid the decals altogether and use a circle cutter to make a tape mask. To keep the circles concentric, the mask can be covered with extra tape before removing it from the cutting mat. It can also be reused.

'StevenVD'....Of Course!!

I THINK I have one laying around, I should look at it and make Masks. The only thing I need to see if I can make rings that are around a 1mm wide, just to make all the rings the same thickness.

But, Thanks for the Idea!

M

Well.

After being missing here for TOO Long, I'm now at the end of PLAN Shandong CV-17!! With 90% complete ( that includes the model and a Lighted stand that I need to build ... otherwise the model is 98% complete with just the hull number needing to be added ). I FINALLY installed the lights and getting ready to install a-c in the hanger deck.

Here is what I have done, Nearing da End!!!


Evan Designs 'Z-chip' LEDs, 4-strand 'Bright White' lights.


With room lights and working desk lights off..... LIGHTS!!


FD placed, but Not attached let!


A bit of light bleed....I'll fix that with some foil around the upper-UPPER half of the hull.


Some folded PE that I need to fix on the FD, but the lights are looking good!! This is the forward elevator


Rear elevator, with some hatches opened to the rear of the elevator door.

But, I have to ADMIT...... I Will NOT build two (2) builds of similar kits, for Obvious reasons (which I will explain when this kit is (Nearing) complete)!

M

More progress...towards Completion!!!

These are pics of the completed hanger deck, WITH a-c handlers....

...I know, these are the '(in)famous Flat Men', but until I see 3D-prints of a-c handlers and MODERN Sailors....then this would have to suffice.

There are a few PE sailors sets out there, like 'Flyhawk, 'Eduards', even a few in 'Gold Medal Models....but I found, on E-bay, 'Dream Model' ( the Same company that I got the Liaoning island from!! ), BUT.....


...if you see them, the Colors are Not bad, and they seem pretty Colorful of the actual PLAN a-c handlers ( they Must Wash those uniform/vests OFTEN!! ), but looking closer you'll see something a little bit ....... shocking...


As I focus on One (1) of the PE-men, you can see some sort of "halo", a Protective Film (???). As I speak/write to you, I've been trying to remove that film (as one might expect see that double-coating on say 'F-Star' PE and others), but that "halo" seems to be a part of a decal film that I was able to scratch off with a thumb nail ( AS Small As They WERE ), it WAS quite a challenge.

Could I have Used my 'Eduard' sets, they DO Have 'FD crews' and In TWO (2) scales [800 and 700 scale]...... Well, I Just want to give 'Dream Model' a shot with their PE crews. AND their accessories detail sets are Not That Bad...with a little clean up.


In This pic...you can see my ... crews set up and SOME Xtras!! I THINK ' Youfeng ', (also on E-bay) deserves a bit of a SHOUT OUT!!

I was able to buy a few of their deck vehicles that come with " LITTLE " PE parts to complete their FD vehicles...Including Nice looking tow bars and bomb carts!!


Here are a couple of pics with the a plane on the elevator...




...and here without the J-20 being towed in-out. EVEN an access ladder for the plane itself, ( that Also came with the 'YouFeng' "Chinese Navy Carrier carrier [??] ). It is 'Youfng' No. TA2170040, if Anybody wants to look them up.




Here is the forward elevator, again with 'DM' PE (ehh...)

So, I'll be closing the hanger deck up with the FD above...I F You Noticed.... I had to place some tin-foil around the Very Upper portion of the hanger deck due to fit problem of the FD onto the upper hull, to prevent "light bleed".





Hope You are ALL Doing well on your builds, and I look forward towards your comments.

M

Hi Moe,

Seems I missed several of your updates. Love what you did with the planes.

Why did you prefer the transparent ones over the grey ones? Any other reason apart from that canopy?
Opening the canopy in this scale could cost you a plane I guess? I'd scrape off 1 canopy(focusing on a clean cut/edge) on one plane and then sacrifice one fuselage to cut off a canopy, cutting into the fuselage and cleaning up the canopy edge afterwards.
Will be very hard to do it nicely in this scale though.

In any case, love your results so far, great job

_________________
The merchant shipyard

'Neptune'....Thanks for the comment!!

Yeah, Strangely, I kinda LIKE those clear a-c At least with this Project!! When I started this Project ( a YEAR Ago!! ), one kit, Liaoning, had gray plastic planes, but the other Shandong kit, had ALL Clear planes!! I thought about pulling off and cutting off a few of the canopies, but I tried that once with the gray ones...no joy. It seems that it can be done better in 350 scale, (though I THINK John Leyland has pulled that off on his 700 scale ships!!).

I'm not sure if I am one of those that LIKE Clear a-c, but the results I have done on both Chinese A/C looks Pretty Dang Good...if I say so myself!!

I just getting back into finishing this Project...I'll be working on a stand for the electrical system...a Smaller one than the ones I have done before. I'll try to post a few pics of that work!

Mario

Well "HELLO ... EVERYBODY!!!"

It has been F A R TOO Long, since I last posted here....and after MANY Months in the making.....CV-17 (Type 002) Shandong is Nearly Completed!!!

After many family and professional commitments (and even getting a Promotion onboard IOWA, past Nov '23). I was able to work on not one (1) But TWO (2) models... the Shandong and a Leopard 2 AVLB kit! [ in fact I took a break from Shandong and then work caught up with me...so I was working madly, due to the promotion ] Got excited building that tank kit, that I set CV-17 aside. But NOW, I can say that I'm at 95% complete.

With a Lot of PE that Still needed to be installed (going to work on getting picts for you all) and laying down "little men" on the FD. I think I can show you my work...

So, Stay Tuned...I'll try to post stuff this weekend.

GAWD...I Missed ya Guys/Gals!! !