Hi, Frank. I hope you're well and haven't dropped your boat on the floor or overdone it with the blowtorch. I miss your build pix and comments. I'm back into it after 50 yrs. and now have all the good tools I never thought I'd have for the job. Plus piles of itty-bitty parts that weren't even a twinkle in god's eye back then. Intimidating as all get out, but I'm dipping into it - and learning a lot from what you're posting here. Plz keep it up, much appreciated.

Stephen

Awesome work Frank. I wouldn't know where to start with the masks my friend.

Kenny

Thanks guys,

No,... the Nagato is safe and sound. I'll be updating some progress photos soon.

Frank

Frank, have some great stuff here are going to getting an update soon?


Best Walter

Hi Walter,

Boy, you must have really dredged the archives for this beauty! ...thanks for the kind comment.

I'm up for 3 weeks of vacation starting the 17th of Dec., and aside from the holidays, plan nothing but working on the Nagato and hopefully the Akagi. So keep an eye out, the Portela shipyard is showing signs of activity.

Frank

Frank, I have been following this build from the start and have been checking the progress every week for new updates glad to see you will have some updates for us in the next few weeks. Best Walter

You guys are toying with my emotions, making me think that this awesome log was finally updated! Of course, I have my own build log in the same situation...

Looking forward to the updates, Frank.

One great build. Other than the waterlining and some PE/Barrels is this an OOB build?

Good, Frank!
We need some of your (updated) works here!!


Rui

Well folks, it's been a while but I finally have some free time on my hands,.... and considering just how painfully slow I build, I'll need all two weeks of my vacation to put a dent on my Nagato!

Here's where I left off (6 months ago)

First step I took was to somewhat remedy the "excel spreadsheet" look of the Nagato hull. While not as noticeable on a waterlined hull, it still requires some work to remove the more offending recessed lines. I'll deal only with the anti-torpedo blisters.

I used Plastruct .010"(0.3mm) round rod on the horizontal recessed lines and used multiple passes with Tamiya extra thin cement to soften the plastic rod up into the recesses.










I then added super thin CA glue on the vertical recesses and sanded the lot flush.







Even though this is waterlined, it still was time consuming, you guys with the full hulls should find a less time consuming option!

Frank

Beautiful work Frank.

Kenny

Excellent work and a vast improvement already! Can't wait to see her when she's done. As one of those full-hull guys, this is why I've put this project on hold... indefinitely....

Great idea for filling the gaps. Love the waterlining but can't bear to take a razor saw to the hull of the Akagi. Once the Akagi is done then I'll do a Kongo, Nagato or Kirishima for an escort. Your build and Dade's build will be my build bible.

Thanks for the comments. For a full hull fix, I would consider filling the recesses with thicker CA glue, and once you get to the detailed areas, then switch over to plastic rod and fine CA. Unfortunately I don't think there's an easy or time saving solution.

Next up will be the deck railings...

Frank

Great to see this one go forward.... another good fix idea for the "excel/cad lines" Nagato-thingies when the time comes... cheers

Ever try Aves Sculpt? I've had pretty good results with it in the pass. Nice working time and easier to sand and blend than CA. No shrinkage either.

Frank simply amazing. I did not have time to read the whole lot but what scale and what kit are you using? Your Brass work it simply amazing.

Thanks James (x2),

The kit is Hasegawa's new (year old) 350th Nagato, excellent model with minor fit issues. The 3 PE sets are all dedicated from Hasegawa, QG15 & QG16 and the super set, which includes the turned brass main battery barrels.

Hi Dave,

I've never tried Aves sculpt, but will keep my eyes open. Thanks for the input.

Frank

Had myself some decent modelling time over the holidays and managed to put a dent into the Nagato.

I started off with the deck railings which where simple enough, again kudos to Hasegawa, their dedicated PE sets fit perfectly. The life boat frames where a different story, difficult to adhere to the plastic framing due to the minutest of attachment points, they would eventually stay in place but only after afflicting serious headaches!

First step was to scrape off the paint on the plastic parts to allow a good bond.



Then using Tamiya liquid cement for a temporary bond, set up my railings and then properly glued the parts in place with fine CA glue.







Following the railings, I decided to repaint the linoleum flight deck to match the hand painted linoleum on the bridge. The previous coat seemed too reddish for my liking, compare the following photo with the above one showing the scraping off the plastic. I used Tamiyas linoleum with a touch of white added.



... some more masking...



... and then off to the airbrush booth for some painting, starting off with Polly Scale's Steam Power black...



... then preshading with P.S. SP Lettering Gray...



... and completing the process with P.S. Guilford Gray...







... while more post shading will be done, the model is mostly painted. The remainder of PE parts will now be hand painted, as masking at this stage will only damage the attached fragile PE.

this is how she currently sits, begining to look the part...















I'll be away (again) for the next week and a half, but look forward to continuing work on the Nagato. The casemate guns are next followed by the remainder of the PE. Once this is completed, I'll tackle the AA guns and the life boats. At some point I'll do my water effects which will be done with sand and white glue all painted with oil paints.

thanks for taking the time to look, all comments welcomed.

Frank

Beautiful work Frank! Very nice indeed.

Kenny

Thanks Kenny,

I'm really learning quite a bit on this model, what to do,.. what not to do!..

I'm not too fond of the overall colour, too dark in my opinion, noticeably between the turrets and the hull, I'll definitely have to give the turrets another pass with the airbrush to dark them up to the rest of the ship,... not my plan to paint her so dark, lesson learned for my next ship. Some weathering might lighten the overall look,.. time will tell.

Frank

Frank,

I think the model looks very good, but I do think that the deck could use some shading since it looks a bit too light (to my taste).

I am guessing you painted the turrets separately from the hull? There is less gray paint applied on the turrets... something I've done before as well.

Excellent work otherwise.

She looks most excellent coming down to the finish line. Very good way to break up the monotony of all that gray. Looking forwards to more as you complete this one.

Beautiful work.....