Whoa, those tramways were unexpected.

The PE and color going on here are just amazing.
I find myself checking on the hour for the next scintillating update.

Im loving this,
Bryan

First class PE work Tim,

That sort of detail really adds so much depth.

superb build following with much interest.

Si

Hi there Tim.

Just tuned in on this build and you are doing an amazing job.

I am doing the Akagi at the moment as well and have just reached the point of no return with the under-deck stuff. I am still in two minds as to whether to do all that detail or to leave it for my next Akagi. I used the Eduard and Hasegawa PE sets but find that I have only used one or two pieces from the Hasegawa set so far.

But after seeing how it looks after it is PE'd I believe I will take the plunge sometime later today and hit the under-deck stuff.

Cheers
Warren

Thanks for your comments Todd, Bryan and Simon!
Warren, glad to hear you are going to use the frameworks! I think it'll add much to your model...btw: have you got a buildlog of your's? I would be very interested if you do!

This evenings small update....

The 8 towers for the stern deck piece (the one with the trams installed) are now painted:


And I also got the middle deck frameworks installed:




Next to be done will be the bow deck, so please check back! Cheers, Tim

More amazing addition Tim! Heck, I want to build one now but only for the underside frame work alone...LOL!! Thanks for sharing your process!! This is great stuff!

Thanks Todd!

I added the columns to the stern deck part:

Tim

Incredible work. You continue to amaze with your abilities. The trams, girders, and pillars look exceptional. Looking go read to seeing the deck mounted to the hull

Dave

Thanks Dave!

hehe... gotta love this...even the support columns have support columns!!

Forgot about these until the end, which was a mistake as they were difficult to install after the bigger columns were installed. But here they are:

unpainted:


painted:


extreme closeup, installed:

Just sitting here drooling on the keyboard Tim!! Keep it coming brotha, outstanding stuff!!

Hi Tim!

I've just found your thread of this build and have read it through a couple of times now and I am still gob-smacked at the scope of this build!

My hat off to you, sir, on the speed and quality of your work!

I have to say, that, my primary love of modelling is of ships, but this kit is beyond anything I would consider attempting-let along that it would probably take me 10 years to complete and leave me burnt out!

Well done for tackling such a large project and I look forward to seeing more of your work

Russ

Thanks again Todd...your support is consistant, generous and appreciated!

Russ...thanks for your comment as well! Its a big project and I'm into my 16th month with this thing. Should be done in 2 months I estimate.

So...got alot done this weekend, the weather is terrible, blizzard...but as long as the power doesn't go off, thats fine with me.

guess I left these parts sitting around too long...a spider decided to have a look around



Bow deck photoetch installed:




Just have to add 4 pillars into this part, and then ready (I think) to install the 3 deck pieces onto the hull.


Thanks for looking and comments are always welcome! -Tim

Posts added to the bow deck, just about ready to install the decks on the hull. I have some work within the hull to complete first (mounting nuts to be attached) and I wanted to test the LED lighting as well. The spars extending to posts have not been glued in place yet as I wanted to leave a little wiggle room for the time when the bottom of the posts are attached to the hull.. and they may be moved slightly. Once the posts are in, both top and bottom ends, then I'll glue those spar extentions in place.

Awe........ Still enthralled with this build!!

Tim -

real life keeps me very busy these days, away from the workbench to finish my REPULSE and away from following and posting here to some extend as well. But I still save a couple of minutes each day to watch your progress and the simply magnificent constructions you did.
This is about the most inspiring build I've ever seen!!

Be assured I follow your blog, even if I'm silent for a few more days!

Cheers,

Jan

Tim,

Truely amazing work. Looking forward to seeing the flight deck mounted on the hull.

I had an opportunity to acquire the Akagi at a very good price and I blew it. Now I will have to wait until another such opportunity arises.

Dave

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, this is by far the best WWII carrier build I have ever seen and I have been to the first blogs in the work in progress forums of model shipwrights, britmodeller and shipmodels.

No words, just screaming, to much fun, breath...

Bryan

Tim this is soooo amazing and your tip on using a sheet of black acrylic for the pe work has been taken. A A5 sized sheet and a A4 sized of 5mm thick black acrylic both been ordered.

I'm now in both sheer terror and excitement at the same time at the prospect of starting the Fujimi 1/350 Zuikaku just waiting for the pe to catch up with the kit.

Great stuff Tim,

The amount of etch is outstanding.

Si

Tim,

I was going through the pictures again and had a question. What did you use for the life boat retainer straps?

thanks

Dave

Thx Todd and Si!

Jan, thx for your kind words and we wish you the best for sure. Looking foreward to seeing your Repulse, all in good time, right?

Dave - timing is everything isn't it? I think there are quite a few sitting around in stashs that maybe you could get a good deal on..thats how I got this package.

Thx Bryan! Awesome!

Lucianno: I think you will like working on the black acrylic, and so will your blades!




Anyway, for a small update...I have the middle deck (first pic) permanently installed now(2nd pic):



Misc pic of the superstructure:


[size=150]Props, shafts and rudders installed also:[/size]


I will have better pics tomorrow from a lower angle so you can see the photoetch as installed.
Also up next is the bow deck, so be sure to check back! thx-Tim

Nice to see the decks going together!! So much excellent detail!! Really great to follow along with this!

Great to see it all coming together Tim!

I might've mentioned on another thread that with all these excellent IJN builds going on, that i might just fall victim to temptation and add some IJN to the stash... must resist, must resist!

Russ

Tim,

are so right, timing is everything. Glad to see that the flight deck is coming together. Can't wait to see the rest. Beautiful work.


Dave

Thanks for your comments guys!

Here' some shots of the decks that are permantently installed now. The pics look a little strange because I placed the model upside down on its deck, took the pics, and turned the pics 180 degrees. But I will have more pics tomorrow in a regular orientation.





Thats it for now...but be sure to check back! Thx for viewing, Tim

Impressive, the etch under the flight deck is superb.

great job Tim.

Si