Hi Kenny,

Hull sides, deck and waterline bottom glued together. Took photo before I started and will post soon. Now to order the replacement armament and find out what colours Ariadne was in at the time of Leyte.

Ciao
Luciano

Sounds like we have a winner for first to glue plastic!
Can't wait to some photos Luciano. I'll get a gallery up and going here soon.

Later...Gator

Hey guys,

The Leyte Gulf Campaign gallery is open. Here's the link.

http://photos.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php/cat/17813

Later...Gator

Yai-eee, mates,
Here's to the launch of another FANTASTIC Models Shipwrights campaign!!
Let's kick this one off with a great start, have lots of interesting discussion, show lot's of pictures of our work, and most importantly, Have FUN!
Cheers!!

~Gunny

Yes, I have assembled the stand to hold the ship and the hull is now sitting on it. Is that considered 'laying the keel'? But seriously, I'll need to do more research first. First to find out what the USS Sproston was wearing during her Phillippines tour, and then to find out what she was carrying on the trip, what kind of radars exactly, and what kind of AA, and whether she had canvas railings or not.

I should have some answers soon... let me have a stab at this on my own first, and when I realise how incapable I am, I will return and grovel in front of you guys.

Too funny Lim. :-) We're her if you need us. Good luck and I hope you don't.

Later...Gator

Hi guys first photo as promised. on the slipway.



Any ideas on the colours anyone?

Ciao
Luciano

I won't be gluin' for a while, but I did start cuttin' on Sunday. Hacked the rear deck piece in half and used the dremel to start cutting out the forecastle / superstructure frame. Probably have the superstructure and the rear mount for the triple 6" cut loose within the next 24, then i"ll have to final trim and smooth those down before I can start replacing sides with the styrene. Still waiting on my casts from Keith for the side triple 6"s.

He missed the club meeting again so I may have a month or so to wait. I've got a bunch of rail cars and that big steam loco to keep me occupied if I fall in a rut.

Luciano, try this web site.
Link

Steve, no worries. We got a year. I did figure you would be cutting on the Yamato, though.

Later...Gator

I need to come up with a boat.

You know, I didn't realize that I had even signed up for this campaign..that is, until I was checking the dates of it...I cant remember even doing it..

Hey Dave, remember your saying something about us being old enough to remember ink erasers? What does it mean when you can't remember joining a campaign??????

Let this be a lesson to you young'ns...mixing a mis-spent youth, alcohol, and the military is baaaad ...you'll grow up to be Steve!

Steven, didn't you see the signs in Holly Beach that said "Don't Drink the Water"? We tried to warn you that it would cause senior moments down the road. :-)

Later...Gator

Well I wasn't the first to lay down glue, but it looks like I am the first to post a progress picture. Actually, this will be the only one I 'll do as after this the kit will be pretty much assembling and gluing from here on out

Hey, you're further along than some of us!. Keep us posted.

Later...Gator

It did? I thought it said "Swim at Your Own Risk!" and "Don't Feed The Fish" :-) :-)

And in my own defense...I was a Kansas farm kid, I was easily impressed by a large body of water and sand...you could have told me it was just like (insert your favorite beach here) and I wouldn't have been any the wiser. :-)

Hey guys,

How are the builds going? Prgress reports? It's been quiet this week. What are you guys up too?

Later...Gator

Ok. We lead by example. I'm cracking open the USS San Diego today. Wifey has the camera, so I'll post some photos tonight. C'mon guys, I know we have a whole year, but isn't anybody doing anything?

Later...Worried Gator

Don't worry Kenny....

Just finishing off some other builds (show season of late) and waiting for the replacement armament I've ordered. Also trying to sort the camo as the info I have found/been given gives the camo for 1943 but she should have been in Admirlity Standard by Letye, but no pictures or info to confirm.

So.......

Ciao
Luciano

I’m still hoping to get started on mine early next year. Sorry it can’t be any sooner as I still need to order the kit along with some other things.

OK OK >>>>>I've managed to get the complete deck on the hull. It took several days of careful shaving and fitting to get that replacement piece on. I've cut out some areas to be replaced by PE and filling in the holes that were for the 2 dozen 20 mm single mount guns. I figure by the end of the weekend I'll be starting work on the turrets. Going to have to remove AA mounts off 2 of them, and then start adding all the PE for the special Lionroar main gun detail set.

Here's my progress on the San Diego.

The 40mm mini kits


the hull with subassemblies not glued


did the hull actually have this profile?


Later...Gator

Aoshima's 1/700 IJN MAYA thus far. It is painted with MM Acryl and I am using GMM IJN Cruiser/Destroyer Photoetch set. The water is Liquitex Acrylic Gel, but has not yet finished. Rich

Looks very good Rich. Keep up the good work!

later...Gator

Here's my layout for the Hornet and the San Diego.




I've got the San Diego's hull primed and ready to camouflage.

later...Gator

Kenny
I think you might have them a wee bit too close to each other unless you are going to have them in a supply /mail mode. I'ld move them further apart so they would each have the ability to utilize more of their AA in case of an air attack.

Ola, mates!
had a real hard time with free time to for modeling this weekend, getting ready for the Pennsylvania winter, cutting lots of firewood. . .did manage to crack the seal and take a look at my kit though.
Gator, I just may be making an order real soon for your 1/700 Independance mask, mate, not quite sure what I want to do yet, but your mask is calling to me!
~Gunny