Main structure of the lattice mast complete.



The topmast out of the box.




Trimmed, etched added and fitted.



Si

Si,

As always your PE work is outstanding. Those parts look like they are extremely fragile.

Cant wait to see it mounted.

Dave

Nice work Si and looking very fragile.

On a side note just remembered that this should have been Leyte Gulf II as a few (8) years back we did a Leyte Gulf campaign and this was my entry in that campaign



Unfortunately the Tama which was my first ship build in a very long time didn't survive and got damaged during a house move a few years ago.

Thanks Dave & Luciano,

It was a tricky little piece of kit to get together, a couple more little sub assemblies and I will get the crane and mast sprayed and mounted.

Nice Tama Luciano, house moves, and shows unfortunately take a toll on our builds.

Thanks again guys

Si

A bit of boring stuff,

Liferafts given a wash to bring out the detail.



Another numbering error with the island supports.



The Island supports and liferafts in place.



etched details on the bridge.



The mast and crane in place,



Radars and aerials and that will be that will be the ship done, then just the airwing and the deck gear.

Si

Si,

Incredible work. It is amazing how something such as the tower brings the whole island into being. Great work and fast too. I didn't realize you were that close to being complete.

Great work. Are you looking to build another submission for the campaign?

Dave

H Dave,

Thank you, the mast is actually a lot simpler construction than it looks, certainly it us more straight forward than the kit structure.

I know it doesn't sound much to do, but there are eight aircraft, at last, plus deck vehicles, some deck crew. The radars a re little kits in themselves, and I have to work out how to fit the kit pole aerials to the catwalks, something White Ensign models did not take into account in the design of their catwalks, or their instructions

I should have a bit of slack I getting this finished, but I doubt time enough for anything else.

The game plan is to have Indy out of the shipyard by 1st August so I can lay the Scharnhorst's keel for the opening of the cruiser campaign.

cheers

Si

On with the radars.

The SP radar on the foremast. I will admit I am not 100% sure if this was fitted at the time of Leyte Gulf, but my best guess from my research is that it was,

The radar mount assembled. the pedestal is a spare l'Arsenal 20mm pedestal.




Completed and fitted.



The base of the SK Radar, The kit platform is removed and replaced with WEM brass.



Building the SK Antenna from the WEM set.

The back panel bent to shape and fitted.



and the dipoles fitted to the front.



I didn't realise one was of them was crooked until I enlarged the picture.

And fitted in place.



Si

On with the ship.

One of the fun pats of building a ship not in the fit provided for in the kit is all bits you need source for yourself.

Fitted in (I think) in the mid 1944 refit was a YG aerial, to a pole mast attached just in front of no.4 funnel.

The Mast and its wave guide bent from a section of brass rod.



Scanner and yard arm made from spares on the WEM fret fitted and painted.



Four folding aerials fitted to the pot side. The WEM fre had some strange looking spreaders for these, but I could not see them in any pics so I have not used them.



The YG mast fitted.




Bow and stern and elevator railings fitted.





And an overview, that is apart from the rigging, the ship done.



Si

Si

Absolutely outstanding work. The modifications and improvised parts work well in the overall scheme. Hoping the Yorktown Pontos kit arrives soon so I can get started

Thanks for the inspiration

Dave

Si,

somehow I missed this wonderful work of yours lately looks great!! Your etch work is really amazing on all the radars and platforms, and a very successful recovery from the little mishap with the dry transfer decals - that was during this build, wasn't it?!?

Congratulations on your 'Almost-commissioning'!!

Cheers,

Jan

Thanks Dave,

Glad to have been of assistance, just the rigging on the ship to go, but next job will the eight remaining Aircraft, and some deck vehicles and crew.

Hi Jan,

It was this one I had all the issues with the rub downs.

I learned some good lessons on that subject, which would involve mist gloss coat before the rub downs go on, and matt coat straight after they are on. Oh and getting them down very early on, certainly before I add anything to the deck, (except the paint and the wood) and before I add the deck to the hull.

Cheers,

Si

Finally found an on online retailer with some Trumpy hellcats and TBDs so Indy will have a decently full flight deck.

Cheers

Si

Looking good Si! Looks like you are on the home stretch!

Thanks Joseph,

The ship only needs rigging, I have four Hellcats and Four TBFs from the kit to add to the deck, plus vehicles and figures from the kit, and some deck accessories from the WEM airwing fret.

Just waiting then for the additional aircraft to turn up.

Si

One thing I forget, I was missing two Mk51 directors, found the sprue whilst turning my workroom upside down looking for the missing Borodino turret.

Built, just need painting and fitting.



microscopic parts for the deck gear and crew,



working on the tractors and jeeps.



one nearly completed tractor, just needs a driver and steering wheel to go.



Cheers

Si

Si,

Great work. The "wee" tractor will look good with the "wee" people on the deck. Wish I had known you were looking for trumpie aircraft. I have a source that is very inexpensive

Dave

Another one closing in on the finish line quickly....Nice work in the mini-tractor Si!!

Thanks guys,

I am really impressed with the wee tractor, looks a bit of a (very small) lump on the sprue, paint and wash really brings out the detail.

Apologies to USN builders if the engine should be painted, but I thought that would steel with a black wash would bring the engine out.

Si

si- its been great to watch you knock off one element after another- thanks so much for all the pics- really helps to understand the build process- and really highlights your abilities- absolutely fine and outstanding work!
I've been swamped at work but hope to return to my project in the next week or so, the poor girl has been sitting and waiting in the paint shop for weeks- such sweet agony watching you near completion- i am jealous!
looking forward to joining the ranks of the ribbon achievers soon
kirk

Cheers Kirk,

This build is real journey, lots of interesting engineering from DML, wayward instructions (both DML and WEM) and lots of very small stuff.

Looking forward to seeing some more progress on the Yamashiro,

Thanks for your support.

Si

Onward with the deck vehicles.

One Jeep build, even including the separate spare wheel, and the driver for the tractor painted.



The three torpedo trolleys from the WEM Airwing set folded ready for painting.



Torpedo provided on the Aircraft sprue, painted and ready for use.



Torpedo trolleys painted and loaded up, driver in his tractor, shown along with the jeep an a 20p piece for scale.



and sat on the deck for safe keeping.



Finally, paint going on the airwing, the interior's wheel bays and wing folds all given a coat of interior green.



Cheers

Si

Si,

The torpedo carts and torpedoes look great. Really brings the ship to life. Very impressive with something so small.

Look forward to seeing the airwing take shape.

Dave

Cheers Dave,

Must admit I like a busy deck on a carrier.

Hope to get some work done on the air wing over the weekend.

Si

On with the airwing.

Assembled two Avengers and a Hellcat.



The clear plastic is not exactly friendly to work with, especially with quite a number of very small parts on the aircraft.

Base coated white, a couple of the Avengers will their weapons bay doors open.




Intermedate blue on the first three, and two more under way.



More soon.

Si