The Ship Model Forum

I recently start Trumpeter�s Sangamon Class scale 1/350 kit. I build it as CVE-29 USS Santee in here 1942 configuration wearing a Ms17 camouflage.
There is an informative review here on Modelwarships which also depicts the mistakes made by Trumpeter in the kit design. Most of them are easily to modify, except the point that the hull openings does not follow the sheer. To keep the building time on a normal level and not to put hours and hours to correct it, I decide to keep it as it is and to focus on other details like lowered elevators and hangar details around them.
Eduard PE, YZM and Black Cat airwing, Swordfish Naval Accessories and Black Cat Models accessories will replace present and missing kit parts.
Meanwhile there is a good progress in adding details to the bow and hangar, as well to the weather deck, like new flight deck supports to replace the simple kit parts, thinner struts below the flight deck, new positioned hawse pipe, anchor equipment, new AA gun plattform, etc.

Happy Modelling, Christian

welcome back--again--!

with a splendid start on your new model!


JIM B

A good thing I didn't buy the Sangamon kit then, I imagine having to cut out and rotate all hull openings. I read about these in Friedman's US Aircraft Carriers, the sheer gave some trouble in moving planes in the hangar. Seems you will make a terrific model with all these upgrades.

Great work so far. Will be following closely.

Thank you Jim, Steven and Martin for you kind comments

Latest progress at the weather deck and stern. I have added chocks and bollards and reels at the weather deck and additional structures, vents and deck equiment at the stern. I use the Eduard PE sets, very fine details, but the ammo racks for the 40mm AA gun tubes are to small in diameter. Anyhow, once painted and with the tiwn Bofors in place it will be not in focus.

Excellent work so far.

Very nice start. Love those aircraft.

Thank you Devin and Pieter for your kind comments

During the last two weeks I start working on the seabase and had a focus on additional details and correct some more inaccuracies that comes with the kit, like to cut of the moulded doors and add oval openings instead. I also seperated the AA gun tubs and the catwalks to rplace the later with Eduard PE.

Really good work.

Have popcorn in hand.

Thank you Steve

I was a bit busy with real work during the last weeks, so I did not found much time to make any progress on USS Santee.

Meanwhile I got some 3D printed details from Swordfish Naval Accessories, like navigation lights and tractors, and I started to add the photo etched catwalks from the Eduard PE set.

Fantastic, flawless work! A pleasure to follow

SG1 wrote:Fantastic, flawless work! A pleasure to follow

Thank you very much for your kind comment

It has been a while since my latest post, because I was to busy with real work.
Anyhow, I start working on the island. I rebuilt the island to make it fit to Santees outfit in late 1942. The modifications are all done using styrene. The mast is out of the Eduard set and for the bridge equipment I use Swordfish Naval Models Accessories.

Happy Modelling, Christian

Very very clean and sharp work Christian! Beautiful!

marijn van gils wrote:Very very clean and sharp work Christian! Beautiful!

Thank you very much Marijn

Hi All,

I made some progress during the last week scratchbuilding the derrick, it's supports and a rangefinder. I also start adding details along the starbord site of the hull, like support structure below the island and mounts for both antenna masts.

Excellent, clean work.

Yes, what Dan said. Really impressive work.

Thank you Dan and Martin for your kind comments

Hi All,

the progress on USS Santee was a bit slow during the last weeks, due to a visit on the first scale model show for this year, and at least the weather gets warmer to spend some time in the garden.
But here we go again, the details along the hull are meanwhile added, some 3D printed accessories, PE and scratch built parts. The cradled for the boats and supports below the platforms were all made of polystyrene.

I also got a set of 3D printed Avengers from 3D Wild, amazing details with open hatches, engines etc.

Finally I replaced the kits exhaust stacks with scratch built parts.
Next step is to add more details along the catwalks and a few more details on the island. That seems to be all to build before I can start the paintwork.