Know exactly what you mean, buddy!

I was up on the roof myself the other week (a terrifying experience, as always) to do the last of the hurricane repairs: pulling out, laying down replacements and pounding in about a dozen shingles that Hurricane Irma had either ripped in half or tore off completely. And of course I left it for this time of year - the only (roughly 3) months the roof isn't hot as a Friggin' Furnace - and/or wet and dangerous, after the overnight rains or pre-dawn dewfall, before the sun gets too high. You just can't win. Plus, of course, when it gets warm and raining again comes all the never-ending Yard Work - Oiy!

So I guess the following that I can show you, has been something of a Minor Miracle:


Click Image for FULL-RESMassive progress over the last several weeks, on Sims APD-50 from the RevellOgram Buckley. And as you can see, virtually every square inch of the superstructure and main deck had to be monkeyed-with - most of it, majorly - indeed even the gray plastic all over the bridge so extensively modified it would've been no more difficult to scratch it into a Rudderow-type APD. About the only things still basically OOB are the funnel and hull itself.

And even the funnel, above, being from the ancient Revell mold of course needs detailing. Indeed, I have to upgrade virtually all the OOB detail parts, especially the guns: replacing them wholesale - plus of course all the APD-specific landing craft and their davitts, etc. (not all shown):


Click Image to EnlargeThese masters have already been molded and cast, though - so actually The Light at the End of the Tunnel is in sight for all these, too. Finally, also thrown in above: the depth charge track is a tiny taste of the numerous PE improvements likewise already lined up to go on.

So, despite endless delays it's been quite a satisfying build - and I'm excited that it will end up being (which I always try to do) one of my best-ever.

Would love to see your Arizona progress when ready, David. (I had always thought the blisters were one thing which that Revell mold had gotten right.) Happy Holidays to you too (and everyone), buddy!


Cheers,

- Matty in FL