Ahoy mates!

I took some much needed bench time today to work on my 1/700 USS Ward dio for the Pearl Harbor Campaign. I'm using the wonderful Midship Models Ward kit that includes the small IJN midget submarine. Using Tracy White's USS Ward site as a reference, the layout will fit nicely in a 8" x 10" frame.



Here's my progress so far.



I guess I'm a glutton for punishment as I replaced the kit's barrels with hypodermic needles cut to size. In all the moving around of stuff, I can't find all of the instructions. Fortunately I have the nice 1/400 Mirage kit and used those instructions for placement.

Comments welcome!
Kenny

Aaargh!!!!!
I have thought of using the same model for this dio - well... you were faster!!

Don't forget that the H-19 Ko-hyoteki conning tower was shot from Starboard side

Keep us posted, please

PS: If you need the instructions, can send a copy to you - just call!

Rui

Another update.







The only trouble spot is that my railings are taller than my gun mounts. Suggestions on possible fixes?

Comments welcome.
Kenny

Hi Kenny,

Nice work so far on the Ward, I too have this one, so if a set of instructions would help you out, just say the word and I can fire off copies to you, no problem. Have scanner, will copy.

As to the railings being too tall, about the only suggestion I could make would be to roll the top and bottom rail runs over one time to shrink them down a level if it wouldn't make them look too funky. Either that or take off the bottom rung, drill out the mounting locations for the stanchions and set them in that way. It would allow you to keep the spacing of the upper rails while letting you drop the height a bit.

Looking forward to your progress as you go.

Hey Jay. Thanks for the suggestion. I think I may need to raise the mounts. To do this, I'll add a base to the mount like in this photo.



Kenny

Hi Kenny,

I thought about that after I had hit the "Yes" button but am far too lazy to edit it.

But, it sounds like you are the man with the plan, full steam ahead.

Very nice little dio you have going there.

Also that Ward looks pretty nice!

Gorgeous work--and such a tiny subject, too!

Is there an official Pearl Harbor build campaign? If so, what are the dates?

--Karl

Don't forget the depth charge run--you can still model that part of the story!

--Karl

Hey Karl.

You can sign up for it on the Aeroscale website. It's a Kitmaker wide build, armor, aircraft, ships...

It runs until Dec. 7th.

Pearl Harbor GB

Kenny

Many thanks. This will produce excellent models for so rich a topic.

--Karl

I found some scrap material at work that looks like it will work perfect for my base.



It's acoustic ceiling tile that had been damaged and hey were tossing it. One of the supervisors started setting some aside for me.

Kenny

That is REALLY nice.... great build, thanks for sharing!

Hi Kenny!

Are there many other ship modelers working on the Pearl Harbor campaign? There appear to be quite a few folks churning away in the aircraft site, which is appropriate since they started this GB, but it would be outstanding to see some more ships.

--Karl

I'm not sure Karl.

Kenny

That's okay...we'll hold down our end!

--Karl

Ahoy mates! Trying to finish up the Ward dio for the Pearl build. I've got the Ward and the pe rails prime and ready for paint. I figured out the problem with the rails being to high or the deck guns to low. After doing some calculations, the height of the rail will be less than a 1/16". I'll measure the rails and cut them down to fit.

I'm going to try to get some paint on the Ward in between house projects this weekend.


Kenny

Hey Kenny!

That's great news on the Ward dio. I crafted my base for "Steer 230", poured the water, and imbedded the Arizona the last few days. Boy, Gatorboard sure cuts down on the working time!

The sub-assemblies for the Nevada are now painted and installed on the hull, so now the drawn-out process of detailing the ship begins (usually the longest part of my construction work).

Hopefully, by the weekend I can turn to the pyro and smoke effects for the Arizona and have pics ready for the anniversary.

--Karl

Update time.







Sorry for the flash. It's the only way to take photos on the make shift workbench.

Go Kenny Go!

Your project is really taking shape now. Almost makes me want to take my kit out, the operative word being "almost". Got too many irons in the fire already, but you make that little kit look great. Nice touch with your base and the sub about to get its' just desserts. Looking forwards to watching it come along.

That water came out really nice - cute little scene

Hi Kenny!

Looks great - nice Hawaiian blue ocean and nice wave pattern!!
I think that the Ko-Hyoteki is a little too high on the water, but it's your call

Any tips for the USS Ward?
Cheers,


Rui

Hi Kenny!

Looks like that acoustic tile is really working out at 1:700.

Will you put the base in a frame, or is it stable enough to leave by itself?

--Karl

Rui, it the angle of the photo. The top of the hull is level with the water. Once I get the waves on top of her, she'll blend in more. I've tried so many times to get her set properly that I ended up badly damaging the metal one that came with the kit. This one is scratch built.



Karl, I had to ditch the tile. All those little holes wouldn't go away.
There will be a black frame with an engraved plate on it.

Kenny

Hi Kenny!

Too bad about the tile, but that's better news for the quality of your waterworking!

--Karl