Hi all,
I actually completed one model this year, started on New Year´s Eve last year and done in mid December.
The venerable Revell kit of the Burton Island was the base; I decided to show the ship during the earlier years of her service with the US Coast Guard, unarmed and painted white. That entailed some modifications to the kit version, namely in the bridge and flight deck area, including the telescopic hangar.
Given the modifications, the tailor-made GMM PE parts I had stashed many moons ago helped only partially. So I added generic PE by German manufacturer Saemann. I rebuilt the mast from brass for enhanced stability, too. Quite some refinements were added in the process.
The helo, a HH-52 / S-62 single engined aircraft, was converted from a 1:350 Airfix item. Luckily, the S-62 used the same rotors as the S-55 which is the one provided with the kit, so I was happy it fit.
The decals both for the helo and the ship were designed and printed by my friend, master modeler Frank Ilse. Lars Scharff aka maxim helped with reference images and his 1:700 build of a Wind Class. Thanks a lot for your help!
The base is made from two layers of foam board, the ice floes from plaster as breaking it leaves the desired structure.
After visiting the nearest zoo and watching their penguins, I made some from styrene stock and dental casting wax.
Here´s the completed model:
I had a lot of fun modifying this old kit and finding my individual solutions.
All the best from
Frank
(WAGB) is especially nice!