That looks like a great kit, Simon, and a good scale to exploit the detail. I recommend to you Big Gun Monitors by Ian Buxton as a very good reference and background reading.

OK, so, General Woolfe is a great idea, but, a new kit, just come out is "Fort Drum" from Retrokit (Retrowaves). I bought this a couple of weeks ago and I have reviewed it - take a look at "What's new" of today's date, and, here we go!

Peter F

And, I've started.

I've fixed in all the vents first, and the main guns, swapping off the resin 14 inch barrels with brass versions.

I've put in the secondary armament, and the concrete overhang to the rear entrance.








Following this I have painted and prepared the base, and started painting the concrete on the model. I've used a WEM colour for this, one that looks most like concrte but it doesn't matter so long as it's a light buff. I say this because I will cover the whole with various washes, and powders to weather and age the look of it - some good fun to be had.









Finally, I can't quite make out the colour of the gun turrets, they are dark so I'e used a very dark grey which should work once blended into the overall scheme.



Peter F

Looks like I will finally get a start in a week or so. The nightmare that is akagi has finally hit the shelf in completed status. Working a couple of clean the taste bud kits right now before i jump back into the ship fray. I am sure this Trumpeter kit will be a lot easier and less nerve wracking than the Akagi (photss in my gallery if curious)

Cage fighting :

They said it wouldn't be easy, and Fort drum does not disappoint with it's 3 x cage structures. What I've found is that if it's treated with total respect, and not rushed, then you stand a chance of getting it right.






I've fixed the seam in place with pva, and left it for the weekend to dry.




In the meantime I've started to add coloured powders, and filters - I guess this will take some time before I think I've got the overall look of weathered concrete.

I continue...........

Peter F

Thanks Peter, it is a really nice kit.

It is the biggest lump of resin I have tackled to date, so the intention is to build pretty much out of the box, with some added detail.

I hope to find some time to progress a bit further over the weekend, will psot some more pics Monday If I acheive anything that might be of interest.

The Fort Drum looks an interesting project. look forward to seeing progress on it.

Si

Some progress on HMS Roberts over the weekend.

The splinter sheilds for the 4" guns have been folded, which was quite an exercise, the most complex folding job I have done to date the curved sections have ended up slightly faceted but I would rather live with that than risk ruining them, also the components for the after sheilds do not match the drawings in the instruction sheet.



however by dry fitting the superstructure parts, there was only one way round they fitted, and I have gone with that.

I have also fitted the barbette for the main turret and the quad pom pom tubs, and started on the camoflage.





I had hoped to get the main superstucture components preped, however I found that my WEM RN doors / hatches fret was almost bare, so have had to order anther one.

More when I get a bit further.

Si.

After last weekend, the bond on the cages was good, and I continued by finishing the construction of this part of the kit, and putting the cranes assembly together.






In the meantime, I carried on with the "concrete look" and added more washes, and powders. I think it should go even lighter than shown but I was pleased how the almost black gun turrets have now been scaled down and are less of a contrast with the concrete "hull"...




Next.............

Peter F

Very interesting subjects, guys!

Of course Fort Drum and HMS Roberts catch my eye (scale)
Keep up!

Rui

The Fort Drum is coming nicely Peter, the cage masts are looking really good.

Rui, HMS Roberts is 1/350th, the White Ensign Kit.

made som progress over the weekend, A delivery from WEM included a replenishment of my stock of RN Watertight doors & hatches, so the superstructure was fitted out.



I sprayed these light grey



The main superstructure units have been added to the hull & work has progressed a bit with the camoflage,





The Camoflage still has the AP507c to be added and needs tidying up in places. Next job, the funnel, and the gun & director tubs.

Included in the above mentioned delivery bfrom WEM were some Master single 20mm and some 2pdr barrels, which I intend to try out on this baby.

A bit more after next weekend, time permitting

Si

Some great progress there, Si, and you have delivered a very sharp camo scheme which is difficult to do. Come and see us at Lancing Parish Hall if you get the chance on 22nd of this month. Rob K will be there with his Trafalgar dio.

And, the beat goes on, more work done on Fort Drum this weekend, painting the cage mast, and building and painting the crane. This also now includes the railings which are Eduard IJN rails which I've had for some time, and need to use.










The concrete look is getting there and I've added some more white powder to the sides. Perhaps a bit more, and something at waterline to do before I can say this is finished.

Also, I bought "Fort Drum - The Concrete Battleship" which is a great source of pictures, and ideas. From this I will eventually include some of the buildings, and the water container. Perhaps the swimming pool would be good, and the "deck" is marked up for some ballgame? I guess nothing that loses the ball overboard every ten seconds, so, any suggestions?????

Also if you have this book, there are options for a camo version of the kit, and Fort Drum present day, a great idea for the imaginative artist!

So, far, a great kit from Retrokit/Retrowaves.

And, nearly finished!

Peter F

Great progress on Fort Drum Peter, the concrete effect is looking really good.

Will see if I can get a "chit" from the Management for Lancing, but, but as I am at Hendon on the 23rd for the Barnet show, will have to see.

looking forward to the next installment, and have fun at Lancing

Si

I got started a few days ago on my Trumpeter Graf Spee. One of the goodies I got for it is the wooden deck set by MK1. The fit is incredible for it. It also includes brass sheets for the metal decks and anchor chain. Make sure you get the correct version as there are 2 types for the Academy and Trumpeter version. This year I have had a stack of tough kits to do. Funally, one that goes together well and won't require tons of filler. It's nice having fun instead of aggravation.

How are the ejector pin holes on on this kit? Not as bad as on the San Fransisco and USS England (on the underside of decks or inside of bulwarks?

But a good fitting kit is indeed a treat!

Cheers,

Harm

Greetings!

May I ask a question regarding the given time-frame of "the last 100 years or so"? I am considering joining this group with a build of one the US big gun monitors, either Amphitrite, Puritan, or Monterey. They were all in commission in the last 100 years, but I just wanted to be sure I wasn't stepping outside the boundaries of this group.

Thank you in advance!

Daniel Chavez

A bit of progress on the Roberts over the weekend, marred by one small setback. I dropped one of the tubs for the fire control radar on the workroom floor, carefully checking nothing directly under my feet, I got off the stool, and there was a crunch underfoot. I had found the dropped tub.

After a bit of bad language, I noticed there were two tubs on the etched fret, marked as gun tubs for the main turret on the Abercrombie. These were about the same size, so I cleaned of all the supporting parts and used both of these, so the tubs don't look mismatched, and will scratchbuilt the mounts.

Will post some pics within the next few days.

Si

managed to get the pics off the camera and on to the computer.

The main Camoflage is now just needs a few minor touch ups, but i will do that at the same as touching up slips from maskinf & painting the boot topping, which is going to be fun on that hull, with it's shape and all its lumps & bumps.

Anyway, here is the tubs fitted

.



after the boot topping has been added, and tidied up then it will be start adding deck details & light AA, working from fwd to aft.

Si

Count me in on this. My girlfriend bought me a 1/700 USS Arizona on the weekend that fits the bill nicely.
Are multiple models allowed? I've also got an Indianapolis needing building for some time. I did read that the minimum is 8inch guns and the Indy carries 9 of those. If not then I'll just do the Arizona.
Some good builds here already.

Greetings Stephen!

I'm new to this board, so it's definitely not my place to say whether or not you can add the USS Indianapolis to the build. I think, however, they are looking for ships with larger than 8" guns.

If that's the case, and again, it's not my call, you can always join the "Cruisin' for a Bruisin'" Campaign. Indianapolis, most unfortunately, definitely belongs there! Th Campaign begins on July 1 and ends on Dec. 31.

Daniel Chavez

Welcome to the campaign. The guns must be bigger than 8 inches to qualify so I am afraid the Indianapolis doesn't qualify, but the Arizona fits perfectly.

Thats fine, the Indy was really a second choice. Arizona it is then.
I might check out the other cruiser group build as well.
Been a while since I've built a ship so this should be fun.

Got some shots of the box and parts today.
Its the Hobbyboss kit, not in the same league as the Dragon kit but about as good as a Tamiya. There are some rough areas that will need some sanding and carving but nothing major. It can be built either full-hull or waterline. I thought the colour painting instructions were a nice touch, although I'm not sure about the dark blue hull (apparently the final colour scheme of the Arizona is open to debate so any thoughts and theorys are welcome). The little decal sheet even has all the markings for the two Kingfishers.

Its nice to see this kit, I have had my eyes on it for a little while now. I have been rather impressed with HobbyBoss's subs and thought that their surface ships looked worth checking out.

Great progress, Simon, and a great advert for White Ensign and the HMS Roberts kit - the quality shines through.

Finally, and before the guns fall silent at Ft. Drum, here is the final selection of phototgraphs. I'm very happy with the concrete look which I have done as a harbour hard standing and wall in th epast but this has been more of a challenge to get it right.








The cage mast has turned out well although a bit of a big seam shows through but its hardly noticeable.

Overall, and quick and relatively easy build, and what you really want, a good presence on the model shelf, and fine talking point. If you build this one, its good to have the book as well but short of that, just follow the instructions, and you'll be there.

Signing off.

Peter F

Very nice, I really like the coloring of the water nearest the fort

That Fort is incredible! Never seen anything like that done before, what scale is it?