SPA Modeler

Thank you Stick, I've been wanting to try the newer 1/700 with PE. I have some AM PE sets for some of the older 1/700 kits, Alabama, Scharnhorst, Graf Spee etc. as well.

Here's the main mast. It took me a while but I got it together. There's one brace I'll install when I attach it to the superstructure.



Steve

amazing!

- Kari

Wow! Talk about some micro work. That x-acto blade provides a perfect scale reference. I presume that this mast was not just one piece with some folding involved...

Thanks Kari and Stick, yes it was a flat piece.

Some more work on the Kirishima. I started the fore superstructure and it’s starting to look like a Arleigh Burke now.
I feel like a micro biologist working on gene splitting project.
I found a error in the molding. The aft of the fore superstructure locating tabs have a little tab that prevents the bulkheads from moving forward to fit the rest of the assembly. These tabs needs to be removed to allow the bulkheads to move forward to the rear locating ridge. You can see where I had the bulkheads glued down but the assembly would not fit right. I cut these little tabs off and was able to relocate the bulkheads forward to fit the rest of the assembly. I hope that makes sense.





I need to clean the Mr Dissolved Putty from the seams. No problem, denatured alcohol works great for that.
Steve

You’re description of the tabs and their needing to be removed makes perfect sense to me. I really do not like when such engineering flaws in a kit happen. Sometimes I wonder if model companies have folks who do test builds before the kits are finalized and released. And if those folks give accurate feedback of corrections needed. Something like that is a very basic error on their part.

Now, back to your build, the forward superstructure looks good. It is definitely getting that Burke Class look now.

Stick, I was thinking.
This is a rebox of the Kongo "Supper Detail" kit with more PE. The Kirishima may have a slightly longer superstructure than the Kongo and QA may have overlooked those tabs.
Thank you

I have a correction to make. After attaching all the superstructure and while attaching the railing, I found that the section I moved forward was in the correct place after all. The rear locating ridge was off about 1mm, not the little tabs. There's not a lot I can do about it now but the correction must be noted. I was able to work around my mistake.
I am back on it now after a PE platform had fallen off my workbench and I found it after 2 days of searching. I usually spread a white sheet under me to find such wayward parts but this time I didn't and payed for it.
I attached the main mast and several rails and ladders. I still have quit a few small items to attach but now it mostly looks like it will before painting.

Looking good so far MC. So things were not amiss regarding the locating tabs after all? Ah well, live and learn. I know test fitting with PE is not much of an option.
Looks like your all ready for the primer coat now...

Just about Stick, I have a few more parts to install but getting there.