Comong along and nice photos, too. Was I right about the helipad? Is it moulded raised like I had read elsewhere?

You are 100% correct Dave, and I do not think it will be too hard to replicate with the Tamiya kit using styrene sheet. I am tempted to build the Tamiya one as USS Wisconsin, BB-64, using the marvellous Pontos set.. but that is a fair way down the build list at the second.
Thanks for pointing the raised deck out. I wonder if all four ships had the same modification? I think they just built the helipad over the existing structure.
Cheers
Warren

Thanks heaps Thomas.
One very good thing about this build is that I have collected quite a bit of info for when I build my Tamiya New Jersey.
Cheers
Warren

Hi Everyone.
The struggle is over and I finally beat the kit into submission.. This one is totally OOB EXCEPT for the little bit of rigging I did. See if you can spot it..










I used fine copper wire for the two wires btween the aerials on the masts. Got 400m of it for about $10 I think and it is just the right thickness for 1/350. I used the finest piano wire I could find for the aerials and eight elements on that unusual aerial on the bow. Next one I will use even finer stainless steel wire I hope, but that is a few years off yet.
And as Porky Pig used to stutter in the classics, "Bd, bd , bd, That's all folks!"
Next up is a submarine for the Dive campaign and then, who knows.. Hood, Ticonderoga, Richelieu, Akagi, Graf Spee.. The list goes on and on and....
I made one of the Revell helicopters for the one in the photos, but I discovered I had a set of Trumpeter S-60Bs and I decided to make one of those for the ship. The fit in that tiny helicopter is 900% better than the New Jersey. Just to prove I am a sucker for punishment my Trumpeter 1/350 USS Enterprise, CVN-65, got here yesterday. Cost me a whole $38 from a store in China for a brand new kit over 1m long and it comes with all the gear necessary to motorize it if you want, including a gearbox to drive all four props together! I couldn't resist...

Excellent work on this Warren...congrats on the finish!! Love these!! Got the Mighty Mo on the shelf waiting to be beat up someday!! I keep seing buils like this, I just might have to dust her off!! Curious to the lcoation you nabbed the E from...got a friend looking to buy that baby and the price, like you said, you can't resist!!

Wwwooooowww very good and very rapid. I do not like The uss battleship but this one I remain a very sexy . A question?? Do not railings ??

Regards Daniel

Nice one Warren,
according to your banner the next build will be a Chinese warship but you state that you are going for a sub for the dive build. You are a very busy Aussie.....................
Julian

Hi there Todd.
Thanks for that.
I got the Big E from Hobby-Space.com, http://hobby-space.com/Trumpeter-1350-80502-Aircraft-Carrier-US-Enterprise-P2406125.aspx. He packs all his kits with foam sheeting and then the cardboard box. Never had any damage with his kits.
I think it is one of the bargains of the century personally.. Hope it doesn't turn around and bit me on the butt!!!
Cheers mate
Warren

Hi Daniel.
There is an old saying here, you can polish a poo all you want but it is still a poo..
This is not a very accurate kit in many regards and I decided to build it totally OOB and not put any more money or effort into it. It will also be a good example of a kit with no enhancements to compare to the USS New Jersey and Missouri I build with all the enhancements.
The Flyhawk deluxe upgrade kit arrived the other day to build a WW2 Missouri from the Tamiya kit. Over 30 sheets of PE in it and lots of brass.
Then I plan to build the Wisconsin using the Pontos set and the Iowa later on. Basically I love the lines of these ships.

So as to your question Sir, no railings for this one.

Have a great day mate
Warren

There, is that better??
Yes you got me Mr Sallows. I just whipped that one up.
The sub should take only a few days then it will be on to the next project.
Cheers mate
Warren

"Keep the bastards honest".

It's your banner Warren so knock yourself out,
No skin off my nose.
cheers mate,
Julian

Great work Warren! You sure have made a silk purse out of a sow's ear so to speak! That's a well earned beer before cracking on with some of those massive PE detailing challenges you've got planned. Looking forward to seeing them be built!

Thanks heaps for that Russell.But first a little break for a submarine.. literally a little break as the U-Boat is already awaiting painting!

Not sure which one will be next mate but I am pretty sure it will be a bit better kit than that one!

Cheers mate
Warren

Considering what you had to work with Warren you have done a top notch Job on her.....Cheers mark

Thanks Mark. The less said about the Revell kit the better..