Rui,

You had asked for progress reports on this build of mine.

Here is my progress, so far, on my USCG 311' Cutter conversion of the ISW 1/350 USS Mackinac AVP-13 small seaplane tender.

Hi Carl!

You caught my attention with this tread title
It looks darn good, but somethings caught my eye, and you should/still are in time to do (or to ignore me!):
- Funnel: are you willing to drill the pipes/tubes (just six holes, but will add some depth)
- Ships boats: those black lines on top, need some touch ups. Also you could add some propellers/screws (it will also add some color interest).
- Coast Guard decal on funnel: try applying a coat of future, all around, so that the decal film don't show up. After the future, apply a coat of matt varnish.
- Fire hoses (on 01 deck): the black wash turn the red into a red brown... try dry-brushing the hose with red (it could be tricky!)

Good things:
Flawless PE application
Excellent extra detailing
Built (no seams, no glue points)
Painting also looks very good (from what I can see).

Question:
Are the anti skid areas painted or decal?

Hint:
If you're going to include crew members, try using L'arsenal or Goffy 1/350 resin figurines
Thank you so much for the update... I appreciated it a LOT!

Keep up the Excellent work


Rui

Rui,

Once again, your eye for detail and great suggestions are right on the mark!

I hadn't considered drilling out the stack openings. I had thought about painting the insides a flat black. The top of the stack and aft mast are "Grimy Black" right now. The flat black stands out from the grimy black add can add a little more depth to the openings. But I think now I'll try the drill method.

I plan to re-do the stack's decal. Trim the clear film closer. I'll apply it over a gloss clear coat and seal it afterwards.

I've already taken care of the edges around the whale boats. I've painted the edges gray, instead. Big improvement! They are L'Arsenal boats and I plan to put the PE props on when its time to mount the boats to the ship.

The fire hoses, proper, are tan and the holding bracket is red. Its actually the look that I was going for.

The non-skid areas are decals from the DRAGON USS Buchanan kit. As well as the twin bitts. I'll use the chocks from the Buchanan kit after the railings are on. There's a nice winch in the kit, too, that I'll use.

The davits for the boats are special. Different from most USN ships. Jon at ISW is sending me some from the USCGC Campbell kit. They'll do much better.

As far as figures..............I'd hate to have to paint them. I have Eduard PE painted figures, but haven't used them on anything yet.

I am most grateful for your interest in my build!

Thanks, Rui!

Carl

Well, when I point out "bad things", I try to give a solution to solve that issue...
otherwise I would be just a adding nothing to the discussion... just gas and matches

On the funnel, the decal film maybe showing because you have used the flash...
It's strange that it shows, since you applied it over a gloss surface.
Question:
Did you apply the matt coat without sealing the decal with another gloss coat? This could be the reason...

Still on the funnel, the drilling is not that time consuming or hard, and it will pay back (please check the funnel on my JMSDF Icebreaker Shirase AGB-5002 )

Extra points for teaching me the hose color

Regarding Eduard's PE figurines for this scale... I would say: No-no!
If in 1/700 they are already Flat, in 1/350 they would look very very unreal.
If the option is using 1/350 Eduard figurines or none, than none - but I know you would make a good show with proper figurines (I know (and you also know), I can be a pest!!!!)

Have a good weekend, Carl - hope you're not freezing there!


Rui

I know what you mean about the 1/350 flat PE figures.

What I meant about the stack is that I intend to replace the decal and do it the way that I mentioned. When I put it on, I was jumping the gun and just for looks. There is another similar decal that is more clear and without the white in it so I was experimenting when I put it on. I have plenty more of those decals, so no big deal.

Rui,
Upon your suggest, I have drilled out the stack openings. Is the large one deep enough?

I've removed the experimental decal from the stack (I will apply another one, later) and added railings atop the stack and an air whistle and the steam whistle and an outrigger yardarm to the platform. I've also painted the foremast.

Hi Carl

Excellent work! You have made it very good.
The funnel holes are ok, but it wouldn't hurt if the bigger one is deeper... it really makes a difference, doesn't it?

The rest of the work you made looks very good (as usual)!

Keep up


Rui

PS to the Crew: Although this appear to be a one-to-one tread you are welcome to comment Carl's work!!!!!!!!!!

I´m still in chock

Very nice work!

Great work Carl! Very interesting subject too.. thanks for sharing!

Thank you Jan and James!

Rui,

I drilled the large hole in the stack even deeper. It really does make a huge difference!! I use this tip on my next three AVP models, too.

Here, I have ready two 81mm Mortar Launchers from ISW and a scratch built mortar shell locker and the completed 5" turret and the boot top black has been applied.

Nice work Carl, your cutter is taking shape in a grand manner. You could almost shave with that boot line.

Thanks for noticing the boot top line, Jay!

I held my breath from the time that I put the mask on 'til the time I pealed it off. I'm usually really terrible with masking and painting. I incorporated about every tip and technique that I have learned from so, many online modelers and that I could remember.

There is just one little spot under the fantail that will need touch up after I mask and paint the anti-fouling red.

Great update Carl!

The black for the boot top is perfect! Very clean!
Also the extra details are coming great... You have to love all those extra PE doors
The 5'' gun also looks very good.
Just a quick note for touch up: The aft tripod starboard side needs a little touch on the black (to make it leveled).

Keep up! and thanks for the update


Rui

Thanks, Rui!

Yes, that tripod mast looks like it might fall over because of the uneven black-gray line. I'll be sure to fix that. Or maybe I'll just tilt the photo a little.

I had to relocate all of the aft WTDs on the port and stbd sides to match the plans. A lot of the portholes in the same areas, as well.

I think that I'll work on some vertical ladders, later today.

Here is the intended display layout that I have in mind.

Hi Carl

Definitely, this is museum class display!
Keep up (and don't just tilt the photo... go for it!)
;)

Rui

It is not finished, yet, but I thought that I'd take and post some "pretty pictures".

I have some custom white hull "COAST GUARD" hull number decals on the way from Hawk Graphics and some special boat davits from ISW.

That is going to be one sharp display.

--Karl

Excellent Carl!

This is one of your best models - although the fact that it is in 1/350 helps to have more details and accuracy
(with no pun intended!).
Looking forward for the finish photos, and in advance, I am already asking for a MOD or Feature!
Keep up, you're almost there


Rui

Well, it has been about eight months since my last post about this build. I was in a model building slump for about three of those months, having not worked on or or completed any models, at all.

With renewed motivation, I have finally finished my USCGC Bering Strait WHEC-382, fomer USS Bering Strait AVP-34, small seaplane tender.

Carl,

Beautiful work!

Check your PM's.

Ahoy there Carl!

After my absence, I have been catching up some reading... For the late (very) reply, I am sorry.
Now to the point:
- You have made an excellent built, with a Museum like display, as usual with your 350th productions.
It is one of those "odd" ships, in this case, also with a unusual color for CG ships (at least for me and those that I have seen live).
A top notch display!

You should be proud (very much)
BZ
Cheers,
Rui

That really is a very nice, neat build Carl.

Excellent work mate!!!

Thank you, very much, Gentlemen!

I am rather proud of this one, Rui. It is a vision that has turned into a reality, for me. Your tips and words of wisdom still ring in my ears. I am working on another Barnegat AVP version, but this time its a PT Boat Tender (AGP). It has the same smoke stack as the Bering Strait and I have remember your guidance about drilling the holes deeper in the top of the stack.

Here is my USS Oyster Bay, so far........



put italicized text here

Very very nice pieces of work Those are WEM kits for those PT boats?