The Ship Model Forum

i take it you dont like wine cheese?

I normally dont have wine layign around

well thats understandable, considering your age... however i wouldn't normally suspect someone who just doesn't have it laying around to photoshop a picture just to hide it...

Hello again all! Bet you all thought I dropped off the planet!.... Not so, I am here. Been a while and I am doing better. Time for a new update on the Indiana build. I am behind schedule and I will try to be done by the end of the year, but I don't know. Lot's of "stuff" on a BB! I am in the process of installing the main deck and all it's related components before moving on to the main center superstructure, which is a model in itself. Let's take a look..................

Here's where I left off a while ago. This is the fwd deck. Note I am installing all the fittings right now. Still more to be added like the railings, 20mm guns, anchor chains, etc. I'll do all that after the major work is done on the fittings, gun tubs, etc.

Here's another view of the fwd. deck. Note I have added the bow hauses.

Here's a close up of the main deck planked area. This is .040 walnut venner with the plank lines cut in by a laser. The entire main deck planked area is in one piece. Note I have added the small bulwark, too, which continues around the entire perimeter of the ship. L- shaped styrene used here.

Another shot of the planked area of the main deck. Note the grain pattern in the wood venner will not be visible once the deck is stained 20B,the deck blue color. #2 turrent shown here.

Another view of the planking on the main deck areas. Very forward and aft areas are done in .040 styrene to represent the steel decking in those areas, and are butted against this wood planked area. A tricky affair to line up correctly!

This photo shows the aft 40mm quad gun tub mounts. These are very difficult to reproduce as there are many compound curves on the sponsons which support the tub. The sponsons were the difficult part. Gun director tubs are the trusty toilet paper tubes, detailed out with styrene shapes.

Another view of the aft 40mm mounts. These don't look that complicated, but believe me, I spent many hours getting these correct. A balsa master was made then the sponsons were vac-u-formed and attached after the tubs were installed in their correct positions, overhanging the deck. Note the boot topping line is a bit out of whack!! I'll fix that later....don't sweat the small stuff now!

In this photo the upper part is the rough cut sponson, and the lower the finished master part to be vac-u-formed. Balsa block used here. First rough cut with a scroll saw, then shaped with sandpaper. The master is then sealed with white latex paint before vac-u-forming.

Another view of the aft 40mm tubs. Again note the director tubs and that small bulwark I spoke of earlier. This is all styrene. Ladders from Plastruct. Note I have laid out locations for other stuff. I'll do this along the entire main deck, using a template I made from the plans of the ship.

Here's the fwd. portion of the main deck template I mentioned. Note the cut outs for all the locations of deck hardware, gun tubs, etc. I cut the main deck pattern right from the plans. Being it's paper. it does not trace very well so I back the paper with posterboard first before cutting it out, using spray contact adhesive.#1 and #2 turrents here. #2 turrent mounts on top of the first level of the center superstructure. which I have not built yet. It is placed here only for reference. I'll trace out all the cutouts with a fine line marker pen, final alignment will come when I start to install all the fittings and things. This is a rough in, if you will.

Here's an aft view of the template. Note #3 turrent not detail painted yet. You can see the small bulwark I spoke of a little better here.

Here you can see the template has been removed leaving all the relative locations for all the "stuff"! Note the tight joint between styrene and wood. This method is an easy way to lay out everything, I find.

OK!!! Last but not least, all three turrents now completed. I think they look pretty good. Turrents will be movable. Note the far left turrent not detail painted yet, and needs it 40mm mount! Even though the turrent's themselves are a rather simple structure, it took much time to add all the detail work to them. Again note the blast bags. I was real happy the way these turned out. Would you agree??

One last look at the turrents.I tried to do these as accuratly as possible. They make a big difference in the overall look of the replica if done correctly. I feel I have accomplished this...........

Well, there you go. Hope you enjoy the pics. As I said, I am doing OK. For those of you that have been following this saga, thank's for your support! I must apologize for not posting. Just wanted to show some progress. It's getting there. Stay tuned......More to come..... God Bless you All!!
Bill W.

OOOP's !! That was me, not logged on!!

WOW, she is looking great Bill. It's nice to see you back.Greg W

Looks excellent, good to see you

It's good to see your work again, Bill =)

Great to see you back Bill, beautiful work as always.

John

The masters back, good to see you Bill, the build looks better than ever,

ARH wrote: The masters back, good to see you Bill, the build looks better than ever

Ditto

God bless you too , Bill ...

Regards ,

Laurent

Great to see that you and your work, are back....

.

What to say but, that it is a master-piece!!!

Welcome back!!!!

Excellent work!!!

Bill it's good to see you posting and what a post .
Dave Wooley

Really glad to hear from you again Bill!. Looks like you have been busy building that marvel!.

Espectacular! (read in Spanish)

Cheers.
Pachi.

Great to see you back, and what amazing work! Keep us updated

Good to see you back Bill, splendid work like always!!

WOW, WOW and WOW !!!!!!
Nice to have you back, Bill.
Brgds,

Willie.

Wow that is some fantastic detailing work there and looks like it is coming together nicely. I'll be watching this one more..

Simon