1/144 Scale USS STODDARD (DD-566) - Kitbash, Revell FLETCHER

[Fliger747]

Th same set of security not allowing border photos? Looks good Hank! As you are discovering there are endless rabbit holes we can run down and not run out of shipboard subjects!

Tom

[BB62vet]

Thanks, Tom!! Yes, just perusing the plans of the ship and you can find all sorts of things that need to be designed and made

The same set of security not allowing border photos?

- uh.....maybe...maybe not...who wants to know What's your clearance level??? Mine's 5'10" on a dry day!!!

I need to get back to several "in progress" parts which I'll need soon enough - more handrails, bridge windscreen, tripod mast, etc. Plus BT Winch & Shield, can't forget that - haven't any info on that piece of equipment yet.

Hank

[BB62vet]

Today I finished designing (and printing!) the Nav Bridge Windscreen. Here is the design of it:

I printed two - one @ scale and the 2nd one at 1.05% - both need some further work as there were some printing distortions in the frameworks. Could also simply be that printing it flat has a known tendency to do this. I will, however, look over and see where I can beef up (Vegans chill out!!!) some of the framework.

Once I have a suitable print, I will then size for the canopy and add it to the windscreen design.

Hank

[BB62vet]

So, a total of 3 sets were printed with the last one having satisfactory results - one shown here:

Since both are identical in looks, I've only shown one. Once it's cured, I'll paint it and then apply the clear "glass" and install on the front lip of the Nav. Bridge. The canopy from the windscreen back to the pilot house had 6 pole supports and I'll design those next with the canopy over the supports. It's so nice being able to make the parts as I need them

This is one of several items I began before Christmas and have now completed and can move on to finish another part in the queue.

Hank

[Fliger747]

Hank:

I suppose that considerable structural integrity could be achieved by producing the solid (not fabric) cover for this portion of the bridge as one piece? As you are aware, considerable precision is required to get these type of pieces to fit an existing model structure. It will be quite nice to see these units assembled when finished, the bridge area always a focal point of any model.

Regards: Tom

[BB62vet]

Hank:

I suppose that considerable structural integrity could be achieved by producing the solid (not fabric) cover for this portion of the bridge as one piece? As you are aware, considerable precision is required to get these type of pieces to fit an existing model structure. It will be quite nice to see these units assembled when finished, the bridge area always a focal point of any model.
Regards: Tom

Tom,
Yes, I intend to make the fwd canopy one piece, maybe even add the side canopies as well. May take some finageling, but I think it could be done. I'm now printing the 4th set of windscreens - the last one (and previous ones) turned out to be a mite small, so I scaled up the design and then redid the printing file - 2 more due out in another hour or so. At your comment re. the glass - I have used one of the rejects for a test run on the clear Testors cement method - a bit tricky, but once it's dry, it should look pretty real.

Hank

[Fliger747]

Hank:

Were the side canopy's ever rigged aside? The reason I ask is the bridge work, grate, Captain's chair and whatnot would be more visible?

Cheers: Tom

[Fliger747]

Hank:

Were the side canopy's ever rigged aside? The reason I ask is the bridge work, grate, Captain's chair and whatnot would be more visible?

Cheers: Tom

[BB62vet]

Hank:
Were the side canopy's ever rigged aside? The reason I ask is the bridge work, grate, Captain's chair and whatnot would be more visible?
Cheers: Tom

Tom,
Well actually I can't recall those side canopies ever being taken down except for when we were in the yards during overhaul. They are rather small, however, and I don't think will distract from the rest of the bridge.

After discovering the size of my windscreen was incorrect, I ended up completely redrawing it yesterday afternoon - I have the printing file ready to do for a run this morning. If it works, then I can use it and go ahead and install the pilot house on the nav bridge and then begin working on designing the forward canopy & supports and also the two side canopies.

Hank

[BB62vet]

As mentioned in an earlier post, I began work on 3D part design/print of a dual 3"/50 R.F. gun mount - after about 2 months of work, I now have the finished item in hand. Well, not IN HAND, but currently sitting in it's proper place in the gun tub.

This has gone thru 3 different versions and 6 printings to get to this point. Each mount consists of 16 separate pieces and 17 if you include the Mk. 34 RADAR dish which only is installed on top of the inside gun on the amidships mounts (31/32). So, here are two shots of this mount:

This mount took me approx. 4 hours to assemble and touch up where needed. Tomorrow I hope to assemble Mts. 31/32 and add the Mk. 34 RADAR to each mount.

In addition to working on this gun mount, I've also designed/printed the following other 3D parts for the model:
Nav Bridge Windscreen
01 Level After Deckhouse Handrails/Stanchions
Small Bulkhead/Rail Mtd. Toolbox
Secondary Conn. Control Board
Exterior Speaking Tubes
and.....probably 4 or 5 more items that I can't think of at the moment

Currently I'm working on the Amidships Replenishment at Sea Kingpost & Deck - it will replace a handmade one I did back several months ago. I hope to get this finished and into the printer tomorrow a.m. The Main Mast/Service Platforms are in progress and I need to get back on that design, as well. Sometimes when you get bogged down in designing one thing you end up thinking about other simpler items that can be made and divert to those for a short while.

Hank

[Fliger747]

Hank:

Most excellent, I don't think from your photos one can easily appreciate how tiny all this stuff is!

Good luck with the assembly off these remaining "little guys" .

Regards: Tom

[BB62vet]

Thanks, Tom!!! Always good to know someone else appreciates the efforts!

Yes, as you well know, this 3D stuff can make a sane man cry

But, it keeps me off the streets and out of the alleys. (bowling, that is!!! )

Hank

[Fliger747]

To quote the standup comedians; "Looks like tough crowd". On the way to become a "journeyman" hobbyist we acquire many new skills. After all the goal really is to build the model, not to have it. For those that have not entered the fray of learning a new method such as 3 D printing they may not realize what a significant bar one must grasp and surpass for entry into this world. Being able to accomplish something that wasn't even on the horizon at the beginning is a significant accomplishment. As I remember you got into this to do some bulkhead vents and covers plus some bitts and chocks.

Keep up the good work! Tom

[BB62vet]

Thanks again, Tom! At least one person takes the time to make a comment - always appreciate the support.

Currently printing the R.A.S. Kingpost & deck:

After the last redo of the anchor chains have cured, I'll tint them with the black dye and they're ready to go. This edition is spot on for scale. Now, to get back to the 3" gun mount assemblies.....

Hank

[Fliger747]

Han:

What is the supporting "sled" with the "Eye" beams?

Tom

[BB62vet]

Han:
What is the supporting "sled" with the "Eye" beams?
Tom

That is actually the 01 Level decking between the after deck house and the amidships deckhouse. It covered the "Quarterdeck" area in the center of the ship. Some FLETCHERs had the passageway on the starboard side rather than a central location.

Printing a 2nd edition (separately this time) as the 1st run wasn't a complete usable item. Yardbirds will harvest the kingpost and probably sell it to the scrap dealers in Shanghai.

Hank

[Iceman 29]

Great progress around here! All good.

Don't forget to change the oil of the printer, Hank, the air filter and to lubricate it! Considering the number of hours of operation of this brave beast.

[BB62vet]

Pascal,

Thank you so much!! Always appreciate your comments. Oh yes - I re-lubed the vertical shaft threads Sunday night before starting the weekday printing. I'll do that again tomorrow after the morning item "goes to press". I'd not thought of it, but it has seen some long hours of operation this winter.

Hank

[BB62vet]

Well, the earlier print of the post & deck didn't come out to well. The post printed fine, but not the deck. So, I separated the two items and reprinted both - again the deck had major problems, while the posts (2) printed perfectly. So, Plan B (Nuclear Option )

I've redesigned the I Beams under the deck (now "Tee" shapes), thickened the deck a mite, and also added the handrails/stanchions which hopefully will add to the structural strength of the part overall:

So, tomorrow a.m. the printer will be humming away on this for 3 hours (printing 2 just in case )

Hank

[BB62vet]

Still having problems with the R.A.S. deck printing out correctly. I've redone the design and have another printing in progress. Here is a photo of the R.A.S. Kingpost just after printing with the supports removed:

I've also added a couple more of these to my current printing session just to have a couple extras if needed.

Last night I got to thinking about the difficulties I've had assembling the various parts to the 3"/50 R.F. gun mounts. So, this morning I created a new file and am going to attempt (ATTEMPT is the key word here ) to actually assemble the mount in the file and then print a complete (or nearly complete mount in one piece. I mean, if the Iceman and the Fligerman can do it, why not MWah!!!, Right???? At this point I have about 75% of if all put into the one file, I just haven't properly located the gun assemblies (rt./left) - and, I won't add the Mk. 34 RADAR as this will need to be added later depending on location. So, we'll see what happens - it's always a crap shoot with the 3D stuff at this stage of development.

Hank