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It's been a very profitable time for the little ships. I've built the Buckley into an Edsal DER - not at all difficult. Just add to the superstructure some evergreen, cut down bridge, sand, remove updates on stack and add 20 mm guns from a Lindberg Cleveland for 3 inch guns. Add brass masts and there you go.
In comparing the Renwal Cleveland to drawings, I just had to add a little to the back superstructure, add 5" turrets from a Lindberg Cleveland, add .020 to each side and finally am temporarily using 6" guns from a Pyro Yamato kit.
The parts were from ships I scrapped a long time ago, but saved the parts.
Also repaired 2 C2, former (L)AKA to civilian service. They were damaged and now lead a new life.
I think the 2 difficult ones will be: USS Little Rock CG and backdating the CG1 class to a standard Baltimore - but that's the fun of hobbies. Previous Message
Just finished upgrades to Barry and Dalhgren (Farragut was an original 1963 remodeled first). Modified the Barry to the ASW version with ASROC, and tripod masts. Dalhgren has tripod and quad masts with heavily modified and expanded superstructure. Guns, missiles and other equipment will be added after painting.
I took photos, but they are not clear, need better light.
I have to say that the Renwals with A LOT OF WORK, come out nice.
I am going to make my carriers Intrepid and Shangra-La. Intrepid is going to need alot of work as the starboard elevator was moved during reconstruction. Well, at least it keeps me busy. Previous Message
I used my Dremel to waterline the Corgi QE carriers. For this job I secured the model between short lengths of wood and clamped it in my 'Workmate'. I find the use of a Dremel slightly nerve wracking - one slip and it's either finger tip or half a hull that goes! So far so good though!
I've strengthened both of the Renwalls with internal bulkheads and packing pieces. It doesn't show on the Hornet, but I messed up the flight deck and got a small hump in it towards the stern. After some radical surgery I corrected this and I didn't do the same thing on another Hornet that, so far, is unfinished.
Yers ago I learned the hard way not to use epoxy filler to bulk out the hulls and give them some weight. This kind of filler gets quite hot when it cures and I hade a warped hull on a Heller model because of that. Previous Message
Jeff,
I like your method and was thinking of doing that way. I've been using a dremel and leaving in the hull, which makes some hulls high and some low.
I also glue .020 plastic to the bottoms, then white glue labels with name, class etc on the sticker. Finally cover the entire bottom with white glue (Elmer's). Previous Message
Thanks. I have found the best way to waterline models like this is to both stick on the deck(s) to give some rigidity to the model. Before you do that though, check if any other stiffening might be needed eg bulkheads. Then use a razor saw to detatch the lower hull. Leave a margin for error and clenup to the waterline by sanding.
I have found this shot that shows some mods to the port elevator fittings.
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Jeff,
I like your work. I can't tell if you waterlined them. It is a terrible job no matter how you do it.
I've got 9 of the 10 I'm keeping done. (L)AKA is next and last for the first batch. Previous Message
Here's a photo of 2 of mine.
I upgraded both kits substantially. Some of the Hornet mods involved the elevator brackets that can't be seen here. Rankin had davits made from mini-staples and boats added, as well as a funnel 'pipe'.
All of these mouldings are very much 'of their time' and in a few cases they are 'dogs'. They were first issued when I was around 10-12 years old and I would have loved them then! Only a handful of the 1/500 kits made it to the UK under the 'FROG De Lux' The boxes were the same but the Renwall name had been removed. Previous Message
I recently purchased 2 Renwall Task Forces to add to the survivors I had from 1963. I've already waterlined the old ships and upgraded them with plans from 1966 Janes.
I started waterlining the new ships (much easier as the plastic is not brittle). I've decided to back date one of the Baltimores and Clevelands to a gun versions. The others 2, I will correct to 66 Janes drawings.
The diorama is taking much longer to build then I anticipated, but is looking much more accurate.
If I can post from Flickr, I will do so when everythings is in a presentable form. Previous Message
I have 2 Renwall North Carolinas and 2 SSBN's for sale. Any interest?
FSerratore@verizon.net
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