Here's a photo of the Delphis Aquila all spread out. I just realised I had this Tamiya 1/700 LST 4002 Shimokita started (looks like a carrier to me) and I'll throw that as well as a Trumpeter Essex (near Future build) in as well

Now that is a pretty flat top. Who does that ship belong to? Give me some details about the resin kit. Looks interesting. I kind of like that one piece deck / hull thing. No seam or spacing problems

"Now that is a pretty flat top. Who does that ship belong to? "

Shimokita= JMSDF=Japan

"I kind of like that one piece deck / hull thing. No seam or spacing problems"

Ya aint too familiar with resin ships are ya? There's pleant of voids, gaps and mis matched seams for everyone

Mike T

Hi Mike,
Welcome to Model Shipwrights!
Very interesting subject, mate...does qualify as a Flattop, no doubt...keep us updated with your progress, and keep modeling!

~Gunny

Steve,

The Aquila is from Delphis Models from Italy
Check it here:
http://www.delphismodels.it/pages/e_dettaglio.asp?ID_prodotto=22

It looks good on their website

Skipper

Began the process of replacing damaged splinter shields. Lots to do mainly due to the large number of platforms around the hull and the way the parts are packaged-all packaged loosely in a ziplock.

Mike,

In respects to your comments on the gaps and voids and in looking at you last photo, I noticed that the island has lots of pits in the surface. What do you use to fill those? Automotive putty? Just curioous, but how much does that puppy weigh?

Well the only thing I'm mulling over is the split where the splintershielding has broken away from the bridge in places. For pitting you can swipe some putty of your choice over the area-a "skim coat" if you will and sand lightly-not too hard or you'd just be taking the putty out and possibly exposing more pinholes. For the spit in the shielding I'll probably skim some superglue over and sand it smooth. At this point the island isn't glued in place yet-just sat there for photos.

Shimokita and port's finished. I know it's supposed to be an LST but the deck is flat and it looks like a carrier. As I've shown I also have the Delphis aquila going with a Trumpeter 1/700 Ticonderoga coming in the not too distant future.

Mike

What scale is that diorama? Looks too big and well detailed to be 700, or it may j ust be the perspective of your photography. Do all the little trucks, tanks, and helicopters come with it or are those aftermarket?

1/700. All the vehicles came with the Shimokita as well as the oft sought after LCAC's-2 in motion 2 with ramps lowered-these did not fit in the dio. A feature of the Shimokita is flight deck, well deck walls and various other internal parts molded in clear plastic if you'd like a see through deck with LCAC's laoded inside and vehicles.

Hi Mike!
A very clean and good looking work, mate, like it alot!
Two very interesting kit subjects, and the way that you have set them up in port with the loading/unloading of stowage is really cool...What did you use for the dio base and crane? Scratch or kit?...thanks for sharing!
~Gunny

The crane and building are from a Tamiya port set. It includes 1 building but I cut it and made two building ends from it. t also includes mooring bouys and an oil tank that weren't used. For the dock sections I used pain stir stick By no means my best work but as usual time was the key factor.

So with that port finished work continues on the Aquila. The sponsons have all been added and work's begun on the 2 Driade escorts

Put some paint on the escorts



Only 2-I flipped them around and took 2 photos

Mike T

D'oh man Mike,

That's is looking sweet!
What do you use for the water?

Liquitex gloss acrylic varnish

http://www.misterart.com/store/view/001/group_id/876/LIQUITEX-Acrylic-Gloss-Medium--Varnish.htm

-of course you could read my features and get a lot more information

And a VERY GOOD feature, I might add, and if you haven't seen it or navigated the new site yet, check out some great work HERE

Keep up the fine job, Mike, and thanks for the updates!
~Gunny

1/700 Driade escorts finished

Thanks for the update, Mike...
They look really good, mate! Any chance of a couple closeups?
~Gunny

Hi Mike

The escorts look good - although I find the red a little to dark (could be the photo)
Are you going to weather them (a little bit)?

Skipper

No time for weathering this client (7years) want every project NOW and he's willing to sacrifice for speed. I've had a head cold for the past few days so work's slowed almost to a stop. (have to learn that even though it's 70 during the day 50 at night you need a jacket if the tops down and you go for a drive!)

Love the camo - brush painted? Looks great...

Thanks Martin. At 3.75" long, and with the superstructure cast in place it's just easier to paint with a brush. The Aquila is finished and the base has been masked and painted dark sea blue with a bit of true blue and white dusted over randomly.