Hello again fellas, I've made a start on my choice of first ship kit.



Not much work so far, just the hull and the first 3 of the 11 twin AA guns....

Don't mind that so much, its all that masking around the superstructure that's scaring me....



All comments, constructive criticism, advice and encouragement gratefully accepted!

Hi Neil

So far the only suggestion I could make is for you to take care of some sink holes, near the bow, on the AA monts.
This can be easily corrected with some diluted putty.

Regarding the painting scheme... are you going to paintbrush or airbrush?
In any case, you should contact Gator or see his website GatorMasks.com I am sure he has some vinil masks for this scheme and for this particular ship.
If this is not the case, it can be achieved with some masking - the straight lines scheme looks easyer to make and it will look terrific!
Also another suggestion is to make the painting in subassemblies - the hull, the superstuctures and so on, and in the end put evrything in place

Hope this helps, if you need anything please ask
Skipper

My 350 scale NOrth Carolina had a similar scheme. I used the gator masks for it and it turned out fantastic. I used the method that Skipper recomended to you which was build and paint the superstructure pieces separate from the hull and add them in the end.

Interesting choice, Neil...I too agree with me mates, do build the sub assemblies, paint apart from the main hull assembly, them put her all together later...take a look HERE at Gators Mask website...I've used his mask as well, and the outcome is fantastic (and quite reasonable, too).

Keep us posted, mate!
Keep Modeling,
~Gunny

Thanks guys - Gators masks, is there a UK importer?

Also, there are no detailed colour call-outs in the instructions, just the main camo. Is *everything* on the outside of a ship painted grey? Should those AA guns be gunmetal? Anything else?

Here is a great site for all things US naval cammo. http://www.shipcamouflage.com/measures.htm If you look for the "return to USN ship data base" it will show you the camo scheme for the major, and most of the minor USN ships in various years in the war. Find what scheme Pittsburgh was wearing, then look up that scheme and it will show you what colors to use, and what to paint.

No, the guns weren't gun metal, they were painted like most everything else.

Roger, you misunderstand me - I know what the camoflage scheme and pattern is, its the detail painting. Is *everything* painted camo? Even the anchor chains for example?

Ahoy Neil!
Sorry for the delay...been under the weather. I do ship to the UK. As far as your camo question, everything on the deck was painted deck blue. The anchor chains would best be done rust color.

Gator

color pix of warships that I have seen have the anchor chains in black. interior sections of the ship where the cammo doesn't show tend to be painted a medium grey example:

the cammo is light grey on that section of the superstructure but there is a shielded walkway on the outside which would be painted that color. The covered interior area would probably remain the original medium type grey that the ship as originaly painted. It is kind of hard to explain ths without actually showing what I am referring to. In 700 scale it is more of a moot point as not as much of this shows up, in larger scales it does.

Well that site does say "Paint all exposed vertical surfaces a pattern of:" and "Paint all decks and horizontal surfaces a pattern of: " Later on it says "The camouflage painting need not be exact or carried into corners. Small gear, wires, rigging, and areas permanently in shadow, as under boats, etc., need not be painted with the camouflage colors. There is no objection to exact or careful painting which may be desired for the sake of good appearance at close range.

All bright or shiny objects, no matter how insignificant, shall be painted, covered, or removed.

Glass windows shall be covered or removed, especially during the day in sunny weather, and at night when anticipating searchlight discovery. Insofar as conditions permit, similar precautions shall be taken on airport lenses."

I take that to mean that most everything is going to be painted in the camo colors. Knowing ship Captains I'd say they'd probably focus on "There is no objection to exact or careful painting which may be desired for the sake of good appearance." What is it they say, "if it moves salute it, if it doesn't, paint it?"

I have to very respectfully disagree with Gator, I don't think there would be much rust on a USN heavy cruiser. I agree with Steve, every color shot I've seen has them black.

Anchor chains are color coded so the deck gang and the bridge can tell how much chain is veered out. (I'm in a bit of a hurry now, so I can't dig around to find the color codes).

In general, each 15 fathom length (called a "shot") of chain is painted black and connected with a series of color-coded links, so that you can tell where you are. And the final shot is all red and the next-to-last shot is yellow. The smart guys on the fo'c'sle will tell you to scatter if you ever see the yellow chain coming up out of the chainpipe. Very soon will come the red one and then the shackle that connected it to the bulkhead in the chain locker, and it will be flailing around and anybody in range will have upper torso separated from lower torso.

Bottom line, the color of the chain links is more important than camouflage, so the part that is normally on deck when the ship is underway would be black.

Good luck on your Pittsburgh - beautiful ship.

Rick Heinbaugh, CDR, USNR, Ret
First LT, USS Jouett (CG-29) 1981-82

Well, work has been progressing on this ship - and man alive I never realised how much work goes into building these things, so many small parts! So fiddly!

Here is how I am now - everything cut off the sprues, gun turrets etc made up and primed



And a close up of the 20mm guns - all 29 of 'em! There should be 30 but the behind the stash monster took one. These were *really* fiddly, every one had a seam that was more like a step, not very easy to remove on such a small and fragile part



A view that looks rather like a naval scrapyard...



Last one, a couple of the quad 40mm mounts before I decided I would be better off leaving them off to ease painting



The priming has revealed a few areas that need a bit more PSR before I can get onto the complex task of painting this sucker....

Progress, progress, progress...
Looking good, Neil, Thanks for the update!
Keep Modeling,
~Gunny

Ahoy Neil

Great work thus far. Keep it up mate.

Yip I think 1/700 is very challenging indeed.

Hard on the old eyes thats for sure.

As regards the small parts make sure you have an excellent set of tweezers. Pure chance I have a set which have a grip to them and they are great.


Cheers



Sean