Here's some images of my finished Arizona and Bismarck under construction.

Good going Mike! Is that the Banner Arizona kit? It sure turned out nice. And another question, what pe set(or sets) are you useing on your Bismarck?

Nice!

Garry

Banner-yup,

Decks, details and light AA from WEM. Build article on the net soon?..........Mike

I've never seen the casement guns on the 'zona painted light grey before. Something I missed or is this pre-Pearl scheme? On the Bismarck, you have either done an absolutely stunning paint job on your decks or used wood. so 'fess up? I want to mimic

Everyone does the Arizona with the steel shutters over the guns. I wanted to do mine with the weather canvases in place. By 12/7/41 they may have been darkened but I like the contrast. They were made with foil and are slightly wrinkled but I couldn't capture it in the photos.

The bismarck decks are painted then planks are painted with variations of the base color.............Mike

Wow, how much did that set you back? Those PE sets aren' cheap.

I believe the going price for the 3 sets is around $140

Wow Mike they both look fantastic! I am attempting an Arizona for the campaign. Any tips on the PE? Did you use any? Its my first ship since I was 10 LOL so if the PE is to much to deal with I will pass on it. Thanks in advance

Very nice Mike, I especially like the Arizona. Is that real wood decking, or just shades of paint?

Scott I useg GMM's set and Toms Modelworks srt for the boat cradles. I recommend the later only for people that are nuts-it was very "fiddily"

Martin that deck is painted as well. My other technique. Paint a base color. Cut out a billion tiny strips of masking tape and mask 1/4 deck randomly. respray with a very slightly different shade of the base color and repeat 3 more times. That tech. takes a good day-day and a half. The bismarck deck took an afternoon


Mike T

Mike,
First, I must say it's impressive. After looking yours over, it has really put the spurs to the idea of mine to build one to go along with the flag that flew over the Arizona Memorial my father in law received when he retired from the Navy.

I know you plan to write an article over the build, but I was wondering how were the fitting of parts and ease of construction. Basing this of course if I were to build it essentially out of box with the addition of a PE set like yours?

Thanks to Garry and the boys over in the DDD campaign I've have a new found love for naval subjects...this is a good thing...right?

Take care

Thanks for the info Mike. I think I am going to do it OOB for the campaign.

Sounds like I'll be spending a day or so doing the strip too. If I can get an effect like that. I used the Tom's PE set for my Arizona and it was no more difficult than any other PE naval sets I have used. You can usually pick one of those up in the $20-25 range and it is WELL WORTH IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doing the Arizona OOB just don't cut it with me. You need to have the deck railings and the wings off the front observation (or whatever they call it) tower top

I was only commentating on the Tom's set for the boats. The cradles are very intricate and delicate once built. The Gold Medal Models set was very comprehensive and as usual, easy to work with. Fit, overall is generally good. The decks however are split with half the bulkhead attached. Meaning when you fit the decks together there's a seam along the center of the bulkhead that either needs to be filled and sanded or, as I did, make a facade from sheet plastic to cover the bulkhead and drill the portholes. There's a nice article on rollmodels.net by Charles Landrum. I'll be doing the article on the Bismarck not the Arizona-sorry for any confusion...........Mike

great job thanks for sharing!!
Ron

cool, I cant wait to see the article Mike.

The rigging is ceramic fiber. I bought just about a lifetime supply from Precision Enterprises in New Hampshire about 10 years ago.

Hey Hoovie thanks for ordering the warship prints calander. I hope you like it......Mike [




TMM Gift Shop

Hi Mike!

I only catch your pics of the Arizona and Bismark today!
Very impressive and excellent detail on those battleships!!

You have done a very good job with them!!!!

How long do you take to make one of those beautyes?

Skipper (who is more a sub guy!!!)

Thanks Rui,

Usually a week and a half~ 2 weeks. It depends on other projects and what's happening with business. I burned out during the Arizona and it sat for about 6 months wairing for me to get back to it. The Bismarck's waiting for a second kit to arrive. I need some parts and I think I may need the instructions at this point just to make sure everything's going allright. I'm on a roll and have started the Grosser Kurfurst this weekend. See this is why I can't do campaigns.



Here's a sub for ya


Revell Lionfish with Nautilus Icefish set

Thanks for the Icefish picture - it sure looks great!

I have a couple of Nautilus Models resin sets in box (Icefish and Gato) in the stack!
My USS Bluefish took me longer than that to finish... and I didn't make the water

Mike, you work very well and fast!
To me, I have to be in the mood, or else I just sit and wait for the mood to arrive - otherwise I am only trowing plastic/resin to the trash bin!!!
But then it is a hobby to me.... maybe some day it will turn into something more

Thanks for sharing (The battleships and the Icefish - specially)!!

Skipper

Hey Mike...verrrry cooool.

Nice touch with the water and foam rolling off the ballast tanks (did you use gel medium for that?)...lots of movement in this piece...

I thought about the Nautilus set for mine as well after I read an article regarding its use.

Maybe I'll do another with that set some day. I enjoyed this one so far...hate some aspects of it though.

Here's a scan of the ICM Grosser Kurfurst I started last Saturday. Photos probably wont be for another 2 weeks or so