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USS Illinois (BB-7), 1907

a photo feature by Martin J. Quinn
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Martin J.Quinn shares his excellent build of the USS Illinois (BB-7), 1907, with a fine gallery of images!



USS Illinois (BB-7), by 1/350 Iron Shipwrights. The model represents the Illinois in 1907, just before the cruise of the Great White Fleet. It was built "out of the box", with the addition of the following items:

*Brass gun barrels for the 12 inch main armament.
*Brass gun barrels for the 6 inch secondary armament – these are cut down 5.9 inch BMK barrels meant for German ships.
*The 6lb guns are made from plastic rod, strip and left over PE from a YMW Johnston kit.
*Semaphore on the bridge wings scratch built from plastic bits.
*Added thwarts to most the ships boats.
*Masts made from brass rod.
*Rigging is mostly .004 nylon quilting thread. Funnel stays are ceramic thread.
*The “canvas dodgers” on the railings are made from white glue.

The model is painted above the waterline with a Humbrol white , while WEM paints were used for the buff, the deck and the lower hull color, which is Norfolk Anti-Fouling Red. The boot topping is Testors gloss black.
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About the Author

About Martin J Quinn (MartinJQuinn)
FROM: NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES

Living in Northern New Jersey, USA. I have a 19 year old son and a forever 9 year old daughter in heaven. I've been modeling since I was about 6 years old - my father and I put together my first model. After several builds, he had enough, while I never stopped building. I build ships,...


Comments

wildspear
Hey all, Great build, you can't go wrong with the pre-war battle wagons.....plus Mr. Quinn picked the best scale 1/350!!!!!!
OCT 11, 2007 - 10:40 AM
gator
Beautiful work Martin! Gator
OCT 11, 2007 - 12:06 PM
PFulgoney
Masterful work, Martin, and great choice of subject. Good to see your work on tis site. Peter F
OCT 11, 2007 - 11:09 PM
Halfyank
Very nice work. The two things I like about pre WW1 US ships are the colors, and the fact that most are fairly unique. I couldn't remember if Illinois was the one with the double deck turrets, or the side by side stacks. Martin's job on this one is his usual excellent work.
OCT 12, 2007 - 02:18 AM
MartinJQuinn
Thanks for the nice words, guys! Appreciate it. The Illinois had the side by side stacks, the Keasarge & Kentucky had the later Virginia class had two story turrets (of different designs).
OCT 12, 2007 - 06:32 AM
skipper
Well, The quality of Martin's work is the usual: excellent! And it's one of those subjects that ity is always nice to see, a very uncommnon one! Congrats Martin Keep up the good work and enjoying us with very good moments watching your models photos Skipper
OCT 12, 2007 - 06:39 AM
jba
I know nothing about American pre-dreads but it seems that country also had got some pretty ships from that era Outsanding build! Museum quality like they say. well, that must be lost in translation for me but what's "ceramic thread" and what you call / where are those "canvas dodgers" on your railings if you don't mind me asking?
OCT 12, 2007 - 09:52 PM
bobcicconi
I had the pleasure of seeing Martin's Illinois in person! Martin's a good guy and excellent builder. The only thing is- if he thinks he's old- that must make me ancient!!
OCT 13, 2007 - 12:35 AM
MartinJQuinn
The ceramic thread is just that....thin 'thread" (or line) made from ceramic. It's "springy" but stays stiff, so it's great for funnel stays - you don't have to stretch it make it tight. I picked it up at a model show many years ago, based on the recommendation of another ship modeler. I have no idea who makes it or where I can get more...when it runs out I guess I'll start searching for something similar. The "canvas dogers" are the railings painted white. I used white glue, spread over the railings with the flat end of a toothpick. Once it dries, I paint it to represent a canvas covering so commonly seen as a wind break over railings. I hope that explains it - feel free to contact me directly with any other questions. Oh, and Bobby C, you are ancient!
OCT 16, 2007 - 04:24 AM
jba
thanks for telling Martin -i didn't know that existed such thing as ceramic thread brilliant trick, the white glue one..
OCT 17, 2007 - 01:27 AM
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Copyright ©2021 by Martin J. Quinn. _OPINIONS Model Shipwrights, KitMaker Network, or Silver Star Enterrpises. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Model Shipwrights. All rights reserved. Originally published on: 2007-10-10 00:00:00. Unique Reads: 6570