Hello at all... and welcome to my new big project.

I will do the USS Hornet (CV-8) in 1/200 scale by Merit International. Additionally I will use the big detail set by Tetra Model Works, consisting of lot of photo etched parts, brass parts for the guns and masts, chain and a hose. Furthermore the woode deck from Nautilus Models will be used as well.

For the beginning I started with the display for the ship. I drilled two holes in the fuselage for screws which go into the aluminium pipes. The pipes are screwed on a wooden plate which will get some dark wooden color, glossy clear coat as next steps. The two screws in the fuselage of the ship get glued in position and will be used to hold the ship already during the working on it....





The first steps are made..... let's move on with the painting of the display plate ...

BR
Micha

1/200 - that thing must be huge. How long is the finished model?

EJ

Hi EJ,
the final model is about 122cm long .... a really huge thing The wooden base is 150cm ....
BR
Michael

Hi Michael,
Good luck with this. It looks like a big challenge. I would love to see some pictures of the Tetra set and the Nautlius deck to see what you get for your money.

cheers
Michael

Hi Michael,
check this out: ADD ON PARTS

Scroll a little bit down, there you find pictures of the Tetra Model Works detail set, and the wooden deck

BR
Michael

Hi Michael,
nice to see your build has started up online. I am very curious how much difference the PE will make. The base looks good already.

Nice start Michael,

All that etch looks very interesting, looking forward to seeing it tackled.

Si

Hello,

thanks a lot for your interest!

The first steps on the hull were the portholes. I have opened each one with the small hand drill.... what an ugly work.... but it is done... and much better then before. After the painting I will give each porthole a "glass" made of Mirco Crystal Clear.
The display is also painted already.... clear coat still missing on it.











Next step... sanding.... sanding .... sanding .... then next parts on the hull ....

Cheers...... Micha

Nice work on a tedious job Micha,

I think in that scale it will be noticeable and worth the effort.

Following with interest.

Si

Looking good Michael, the oval details with the raised edge around them would appear to fairleads. Are you going to open them as well?

Hi Julian,
yes, these will be opened as well.... and the two big "holes" ar the rear left / right too...
Actually I am waiting for the pe-parts for the portholes.... all portholes will receive framed of PE-parts.... don't like the molded frames on the hull....
BR
Michael

Hello,
does anybody know, if this marked "opening" was open at the original one?



Thank you!

Micha

Yes, those are supposed to be open too Michael,

Now lot of photoetched eyebowes on each porthole... funny job... very funny job ... One side done, one side left to go ...









... and the Hornet in it's fully size... my desk is too small ...


BR
Michael

The PE eyebrows are a big improvement Michael.
"Desk too small" ? Yeah, tell me about it......

Good luck with the PE eyebrows Michael, they are most definitely worth the effort.

Coming on really well, following with interest.

Si

Hello ...

now the biggest parts on the hull were mounted, the floor of the hangar, the parts for the elevators - all the bigger parts of the hull.

Then I have closed some gaps with putty (see the pictures), then later I will sand everything before adding the first photo etched parts to the hull...

















Now the next step is sanding everything before the first PE parts will follow...

BR
Micha

Hi Micha,

Looking good, following with interest.

Si

Hi Michael,
It's looking very good with the extras already. I admire your patience to replace all the moulded on parts for the portholes but the effect looks much better. Looking forward to the next update.
Cheers
Michael

After the sanding of everything I have started with the first PE parts of the Tetra Model Works Detail-Set. The parts are highest quality, top fitting and an ingredible look. I love the parts already now and makes lot of fun working with it. Good work by Tetra!








Micha

Nice to see the etch going on,

Keep up the good work

Si

Hello,
time for the next update.
The PE parts from the Tetra Model set are fantastic. 100% fitting, great details, absolutly wonderful.

At the front I have added mostly of the parts now, the missing ones follow after the painting. On the rope drums I have added some rope which will receive painting later. The railing and some other PE parts follow after the painting of the hull.

















At the rear the 2nd floor received a new brass floor, and also some rope drums as at the front.




The next steps are the side walls of the hangar. The biggest part received some new catwalk, ladder and doors...



The front part (left side) received new plattforms with rails, doors, and later one long catwalk on the top and several stairways. The upper catwalk and the stairway will be painted separately and mounted later when the big side walls were mounted on the hull.

All the hangar gates will stay open so that you could see the inside of the hangar later.





That's it for now ....

Micha

Nice progress Michael,
The storage reels on the focsle were a big ommission by Merit/Trumpeter. I still had some spares lying around so I used those. The PE watertight doors are a big improvement on the OOB offering. Looking good

Looking really good. And ships d
on't have "floors". lol

I nearly got lynched for calling the "overhead" the ceiling Darrell, can happen to the best of us