SPA Modeler

Hello all,

this might be a tiny, microscopic step to mankind, but a giant leap for me... to build a Ship !

Indeed, this is my more or a less second military ship build ever.
My first was this one pictured below, I guess closer to 1980 or so...
I found it (or what was left of it) some years ago in my parents cellar along with some other stuff in the background.
I guess it is a US battleship ?!



So, some disclaimers...

I will not put my entire soul in this build.. In other words, I will more focus to build it, paintwork will mostly be with a brush, I will focus on the technics how to build a ship, practice without stressing that it must be a perfect job.
Nope, this is a "learn to build" project...

If I get a taste of this, then who knows I might try on a more serious build in future.

So this is the one...



A quick view into the sprues shows me that this kit is old.. From Scalemates I can see, that the original tooling is from 1963, this particular box re-released in 1984. So 35 / 55 years old...

Test fitting the hull parts are so and so, will need some clamps for sure..



But I thought this scale would be more or of a smaller one (compared to 1/350 scales etc), but it is actually pretty big.

The lenght of the hull is more than 42 cm / 16,5 inches.

Let's see what next!

- Kari

Exciting News!



1944 camo! Yes! Photo is very low resolution sorry, but still, wow!



1944 camo! A model, yes, but hopefully useful!



Also!!

http://www.bismarck-class.dk/tirpitz/tirpitz_menu.html

The Arado!!

Many thanks Bruce, inspiring pics? Oh yes!

And here the Arado a la Revell ( directly and freshly cut from the sprue), will need some work for sure to get it look a little bit more like an... airplane...



- Kari

I am sure you will turn that into a proper seaplane, Kari! However if you do want to consider an option... (I read online the Revell scaling is 1:590) here is 1:600, in resin:

https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/p/WEM ... +623/5761/

Wood deck:

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AW20014

... which is designed for the kit! I also realize by making the above suggestions that these perhaps move away from your intended goal of building out of box. I understand and applaud your integrity as well. This build, and the car were to an extant approached for the pure pleasure of building the kit, and truly that is to be admired greatly, especially now, with so many aftermarket options as well as research information available at our fingertips!!

I do believe that is the "Mighty Mo" from Revell!



Original molds of the Missouri...



Wait, maybe this is the Arizona...

Thanks Bruce for the tips!

But this build will be an out of the box build, a practicing object.

I must though admit, there is that something to build a ship... I have not figured out precisely what it could be, but there is definitely something!

Perhaps Modelcrazy can tell us what precisely is that "feeling" you get when working with a ship ...

* * *

Work continued last night with the superstructures and some of the impressive 38 cm / 15 inch main guns.

Pretty much clean-up work needed with every piece..

- Kari

You can't tell from his face, but Alfred clearly agrees to this build.

source: http://www.dhm.de

My worthlessness also does!

I grew up in areas where river traffic was common both for travel as well as hauling. On one of the childhood adventures alone with my dad we saw the superstructure of a paddlewheeler through the trees. As last light floated down, we crawled through the heavy brush to reach her. What a sight! Perhaps it is this feeling? When I look at photos of the massive Tirpitz moving with deadly grace towards its objective, I remember the ghost ship of my childhood!

As the Irish say, Kari: “When a ghost appears, RUN TOWARDS THE GHOST. Don’t run from the ghost.”

Must have been an amazing sight and an amazing adventure to see the remains of a paddlewheeler...

Looking at the picture you shared and imaging the history of it... getting almost goosebumps....

- Kari

This'll be fun to watch Kari. I've always admired ship models. I'd loose my mind building one but I can look at stuff like this for hours. Looking forward to the progress buddy.