Despite the fact I'm way behind on my DDD build, I'm starting to get really excited about the upcoming Dreadnaught campaign. I've been gathering up all the AM stuff I wanted to do the Tamiya Missouri (and I've got a BUNCH of stuff!). But what came in yesterday is really awesome! I got the set of 16" and all 20 5"38 barrels from Steve Nuttall. They are a true work of art! I hope my build workmanship is equal to it. What a great addition those are going to be.

Thanks Steve!!

Tom

We are only four months away of the start, Tom!!
Collecting and gathering info, models and AM parts is just the right thing you should do to calm you down

Also looking forward Dreadnoughts and Flattops
(just got my DML USS Essex Model in 1/700)
My subs still have the Premium Space in the house

Skipper

I would really love to do another flat top as well, but I'm going to settle for the Missouri accompanied by a late war square bridge Fletcher.

As much as I'd love to join my fellow VMI alums blaster and desertmole in doing a pre-war Lexington, I gotta stick to building the huge stash I already have!!

Besides, I ALWAYS take way too long doing my builds, and I'd never finish it the way I like in the time frame.

Tom

Hi mate,

I feel just the same. I can't really decide which ship to build though, I love the Missouri, Yamato and Tripitz.....maybe I'm gonna build two battleships then, not sure.

This is gonna be such a fun campaign! Never new warships were that cool to build :-)

A few weeks ago, I did the two quad 40mm mounts for the Fletcher. Man are those things detailed. Thinking about having to do 20 of those for the Missouri, NOT to mention the 56 or so 20 mm!!

No doubt I'm gonna love the way it looks compared with the OOB, but that's what always takes me so long! At least it has not yet occured to me to make all the watertight doors actually open and close. :-)


Yet. :-) :-) :-)

Tom

Decisions, decisions. Airfix HMS HOOD in 1/600, Revell USS ARIZONA, in 1/720, or pick up a new kit? What to do? :-)

All of the above???? :-)

Tom

I've got the Bismarck scheduled. Have the Toms PE and the WEM deck PE as well as several 4 foot long poster sized depictions of a sideview and topview in various paint schemes. Sure wish I could afford Steve Nuttals gun tubes but that comes to $140 for the Bismarck. Gonna have to settle for a pin drill and a very steady hand. :-)

I don't know Steve. While I will admit to a fair amount of skill using the pin vise to put good hole in things (I make a lot of hinges!), there is no way I can match the subtle dimensional changes along the taper of the barrel, even on the 5". I ain't about to try cutting brass, and I can't imagine trying to get plastic do hold that shape.

I can't wait to get started.

Tom

I'm only going to bore into the 15" on Bismarck. I would have loved to get the 105mm in brass from Steve but that was $42 for the set. Then you had $40 for the main guns and another $38 for the 6". I'm scrapping pennies now and with the North Carolina dropping and a Brass set for her, and still needing a brass set for the Lex. along with the Buffaloes and Vindicators The late model 3 in 1 Tiger from Dragon due out any day, and that gorgeous Panzer IVd due out from somebody. Hell I'm going to have to rob a bank.

I got out my IronShipwrights resin 1/350 North Carolina the other day & did a series of photos on the kit parts -- I expect to post them by the end of the month.

Gave me a chance to look closer at the work I'll have to do & man, did I bite off a big chunk !!! I see a bit too much clean-up & straightening. The under hull is a mess & will need major sanding & filling.

On the other hand, it really looks like a great kit & if I can do it justice, I'll have a nice model. Since I'll be working in the summer, I can take much of that resin out on the deck to cut & sand in the fresh air.

I have several reference books & plans, but still have to make a photo-run to Wilmington -- might do that coming back from the IPMS Nats.

I have not yet started to look for A/M & probably will wait till I get hull cleaned up successfully before I invest more money in this.

Of course an option is to get the Trumpeter NC & combine best features of both ?!?!?!

John

Hey Jonathan, C'mon!!!
You could make a 1/700 Tirpitz - smaller and nice and still participate in this Campaign!!

And specially after all your knowledge that you acquire (still are, aren't you?) with your DKM Bismark, it would be a great loss - Any chance of reconsidering???

Skipper

Tom:

Dreadnoughts is for battleships.

Fortunately, there is a Carrier Campaign also forming - check out the Campaign section for details.

John

The "Beebe Flat-top" Campaign officially starts on Jan 1 2006. You can sign up now for it. So far we have 28 participants. The Dreadnaught campaign kicks off on 1 August and there are 38 partici[pants so far for it. Why not do both?

OK, getting pumped !!!

Just finished "Castles of Steel" by Massie. Truly an outstanding book, easy to read, very well done. Emphasis is more on personalities & events than ships, but that is OK. My only complaint is the lack of maps which makes it really hard to follow the action & understand the key maneuvers & mistakes. A lesser shortfall is pictures. But, IMHO, a must read book -- this tops the authors "Dreadnought" ....

I also got the Trumpeter NC & am seriously considering building both the TR & the ISW resin kit in parallel. I got the WEM PE set for the TR kit & may do some cross-over with the ISW kit.

I have seen the Tom's PE for the NC & the WEM set has it beat hands down, IMHO. Don't know about the YMW or GMM sets, haven't seen them yet ...

John

I think the YMW set has the gun shields you have to buy a second WEM set to get. I generally go for GMM. They may have the gunshields as well. OF course, first I have to get the NC and the way things are going may have to talk to little sister again...she got me the Nimitz last Christmas.