November 2024 Ship Club Meeting Recap

 Hi all,

Thanks everyone for a great turnout and discussion Saturday.  Here's a recap of the meeting and yes, we have video!  

Here's the LINK for the video recording.  

We started the meeting discussing the new Yellow Pine decking on the USS Texas.  I think we all expected she would get a teak deck.  However after doing some research and confirmation from David Angelo, we find that pine is what she was originally fitted with.  She was last replanked in 1990.  In fact you can buy different wood items made from that 1990's decking.  Teak decking wasn't available until the time the Iowa's came around.  

Next month on our meeting date, the library will be holding their annual book sale.  They have reserved all their meeting rooms except the theatre, which we have reserved for that day.  We should be able to get our normal meeting in before the next group shows up.  If you're interested in buying some books, this could be your day!

L'Arsenal is back in business.  Melaine posted this back at the end of August?  I think they have a lot of back orders.  Hopefully they can resume normal operations now.

The last of the Pearl Harbor IJN attack crew passed away recently.  Here's a story about him and his luck in surviving the war.  What would he say? 

We followed up on Operation Sandy which was the USN launching a V-2 rocket off the deck of the USS Midway.  As Tim pointed out, in 1/350 scale this rocket is about 1.6 inches tall.  Unusual addition for your 1/350 USS Midway model!  It's available for pre-order for $37.59

We did a review of Deluxe's Photo Etch Glue.  This is a PVA glue but very thin.  It has a thin steel tube applicator.  The rod with the circle on the end is meant to be a cleaning tool.  They suggest that you keep it nose down in a cup filled with water and a sponge.  I found the metal cleaning tool pretty useless.  I think part of the problem is that when you slide the rod into the tube it creates pressure in the container and it doesn't want to go in.  Also you have to wet it to get it in there and it's difficult to remove.  Leaving it in a water filled glass and sponge is also not convenient.  It dries glossy and I don't see any advantage of using it over Gator's Grip.  This is a big yawn for me.

Another follow up, this time on the metal etching primer that I reported on a couple of weeks ago.  This time I used it on some of Tom's very fine photo etch parts.  I found that it clogged a lot of the areas and pretty much ruined the fret.  I picked up a hint on the next topic which is to try putting the Mr. Hobby Metal Primer in Mr. Surfacer.  I've ordered a replacement fret from Richard and will give that a try.  

I shared some interesting videos from Hobby Artisan which contained some interesting tips.  He has four videos out now.  Here are some of his ideas that I'm going to have to try...

Using Mr. Hobby Leveling Thinner to clean up around Mr. Hobby filler.  Sort of like you can do with water based fillers and water.  I’m going to give this a try.

Using a very fine cut file.  He recommends Mr. Hobby Creos MF06 file.  Yea, I ordered one today and will share with you when it arrives 

Mixing different CA viscosities to get the desired viscosity.   

Adding Mr. Metal Primer to Mr. Hobby Surfacer or Primer for priming gun barrels and other metal parts 

Using stretched sprue or acupuncture needles for applying CA glue.  I ordered some that I will share with the group.  They’re pretty cheap as it turns out. 

Techniques for using wood decks and securing them to the model. 

Pre-shading, focusing on darker areas 

Paint in layers.  Start with a base coat and then add several subsequent lighter shades of the base coat to create variation in color. 

In this photo he uses clay to mask his boats.  Martin pointed out that something like Panzer Putty might work well for this application.  White tack as well, but avoid the blue tack as it leaves an oily substance behind sometimes.

 

If you watch them I would suggest pausing the video and reading the text before proceeding as he's a fast talker.

We then looked at what everyone was working on.  Rob completed Hugh's USS Panay in 1/700 scale.  Rob reported it was a nice little kit.

Here's a photo of the actual boat.  If you have seen the movie The San Pebbles, or it's been a while, it's worth going back and looking at it again.  In the middle it even has an intermission!

Rob completed the Loose Cannon 1/700 ATO-28 USS Sunnadin sporting her camouflage pattern.

Rob is also using his USS Bogue in 1/700 scale.  The kit is from Tamiya and Rob is adding the FStar Models photo etch set.  Rob told us he uses 3M spray contact cement to secure the deck for the plastic.  I'm looking forward to seeing this one come together!

Rob also advised that Kraken Hobbies was shipping again.  He shared some kits he's recently received from Kraken.  First up is the USS Shaw in 1/700 scale.  These kits are all 3D printed and contain no photo etch.  So if you want to add railing you'll have to get some. 

The second Kraken kit Rob shared was the USS Patterson, also in 1/700 scale.  This is actually an upgrade, but you can buy a 3D printed hull separately.

David Angelo was able to give us a run down on his Victory project.  

I'm diverting from my other builds (and there are many) to focus on our December 7th, Pearl Harbor builds.  I'm working on a couple of things.  First up the 1/72 Fine Molds A-Target Mini Submarine.  I can't leave well enough alone.  I've printed some small resin turnbuckles that are needed for rigging.  Doing some research I've made some minor adjustments to the kit include 3D rivet decals, interior structure to the conning tower, and ceramic wire supports to the tail fins.

I'm thinking about scratch building a transport cradle to mount it to.  Then possibly including the famous painting of all those who died in these subs on the side of a wood base.  

I'm also doing a 1/700 Tamiya I-16 with mini sub.  It will have a water base.

Okay, so what are we seeing that's new on the market...

First up is Trumpeter's 1/200 Olympic in wartime configuration.  I don't think Victor is biting!  It has some nice detail and some photo etch improvements.  

What we noticed was that there was no wood decking pattern.  It's like they left it off anticipating a wood deck addition?  

AFV Club is finally releasing a much needed detail set for the Perry and Knox Class Frigates.  The kits can be done waterline or full hull.  They also are available in several different countries and configurations.  

Tetra Models has also released a photo etch update for the Independence Class kit from Dragon.  The LCS ships are the most controversial in the US Navy.  This would be worth a topic at one of our upcoming meetings.

Bunker Studios is doing a massive 3D printed upgrade for the Hobby Boss 1/700 Titanic

This kit, however has a wood deck pattern.  I'm not sure with the upgrades how an existing wood deck upgrade might work.

The last new kit I came across is from Starling Models in the UK.  They took an existing kit and upgraded the entire kit with 3D printed parts and hull.  Looks like an impressive model!

And finally, models of note that I sent a virtual challenge coin to.  This one is done by Kirk Brust which is a scratch built model of the Geo C. Howe.  No, I didn't forget to spell out "George".  It's Geo.  It's a beautiful model in a storm on Lake Superior.  Very nice work!

That's it for this month.  We'll see you in December!  

 October 2024 Ship Club Meeting

Thanks to everyone for attending today.  You all are what makes our meetings enjoyable.  Here's this month's recap...

Thanks to our late friend, Capt. John "Deacon" DuGene USN (ret), for leaving our club $2000.  Once the legal requirements are met and we receive the funds John left us I will set up a high yield savings account for safe keeping.  We can pay our Zoom fees for a very long time with these funds!  Thank you, Deacon!  Bravo Zulu.  

I mentioned to a few people before the meeting started that I was notified by Zoom that they had implemented an update.  No details.  However everything operated very smoothly during the meeting so I didn't think anything of it.  However I discovered that our meeting didn't record.  Disappointing in that we had two very excellent presentations today.  

The first was from Sam Bartlett with his presentation on "Carrier Curiosities."  I'm going to add in the slides with as much as I can remember...  

This title slide depicts a USN float plane in the foreground, with the same airplane taking off the carrier in the background configured for carrier operations.

This was the British idea of how an arresting system would look for recovering aircraft onboard the aircraft carrier.  The idea didn't stick.

Before helicopters there were gyrocopters.  Here we see the USS Langley experimenting with Gyrocopters.

Here we see the US Navy experimenting with landing a dirigible onboard a carrier.  

The dirigible pilots needed to learn how to work with LSO's.  And I suppose the LSO's needed to learn how dirigible's were different than landing planes.

Weather balloon launched from the USS Valley Forge.

USS Lexington providing emergency power to the city of Tacoma, WA

And who could forget the Doolittle Raid!

The USS Wasp was placed on loan to the British for the purpose of transporting Spitfires to Malta.  Two waves were launched.  This was a one way trip for all, save one.   A first time Spitfire pilot made his first carrier takeoff, lost his fuel tank so he couldn't make the trip to Malta, and made his first successful carrier landing.  

A torpedo plane also made the trip.

A ship load of P-40's transported by carrier.

Here's something you don't see every day.  A P-47 Razorback launched by catapult from an Escort Carrier!

A carrier full of late model P-47's being transported, along with what are likely F4U Corsairs.

A P-51 doing carrier qualifications.  Note the tail hook.  This was a program called Operation Seahorse to test the viability of P-51's flying from carriers.

Testing jet operations from the deck of the USS Franklin D Roosevelt.  Note the non-standard fuel truck for carrier ops.

Converting an LST for L-4 Grasshopper operations.

The Brodie system which was used on an LST for launching and recovering L-4 Grasshoppers.  

Here's a video of how the system worked.  

Launch of V-2 Rockets from the USS Midway.  There's a model kit!  More on this at the next meeting

The Navy worked on a naval option for delivering nuclear weapons.  Here we see a P-2 Neptune bomber taking off from a carrier assisted by JATO bottles.

And how about a C-47 with JATO!  Note the skis on the wheels.  

Then the largest aircraft ever to take off of a US Carrier.  Note the dashed center line on the carrier deck.  This program was designed to test the feasibility of using the Herc for carrier replenishment.

Last but not least the recovery of Apollo 17 space capsule being picked up with an SH-3G Sea King.  Note the carrier in the background.  USS Ticonderoga, home to our late friend, Jerry Beasley.

Harvey Low was able to join us today and give a presentation on how he went about building his S-Class Submarine, S-44.  This model started as a Combat Models vac-u-form kit which was horribly inaccurate.  Harvey used his skills to design his own core and vac-u-formed his own hull.  Harvey went on to explain the construction and challenges of building this boat from scratch.  

We've shown enough rusty Burke destroyers and decided to show a new modification coming out of dry dock with a clean paint job.  

There's a "new" photo etch glue on the market from Deluxe.  This is water based and features a long needle applicator.  I ordered some just to see what it was all about.  I'm still a Gator's Grip fan, and we'll see how this compares.  Here's a video from Deluxe on how it works.  I've sent a link to some places that carry, or will carry this product.

Tim shared with us his trip to San Francisco for the RC Sub regata.  Tim's type XXI U-Boat is 1/32 scale.  It took the entire length of the mini van he rented to transport it to meet.

Rob Weilacher missed us last month, but we caught up with his build of the 1/700 Trumpeter USS Texas.  Rob reported that this was a very good model that went together well.

Rob's latest completion is the Loose Cannon East, USS Vulcan AR-5.  Nice work, Rob!

We then discussed David Angelo's adventure, HMS Victory.  I think David had to go back to sleep but the group was highly impressed with David's latest work.  We'll look forward to the next updates!

Getting closer!  You can see the yard arm in place.

Then there's my latest rabbit hole.  I threatened replacing the stern of the USS Gato with the aft section of the AFV Club model.... and I did it.  The fit was excellent with little cleanup required.  More to come..

We looked at some new kits coming to market.  The first is a 3D printed 1/700 HMS Victory model which comes in two versions.  One with and one without photo etch.  I purchased the deluxe version just to see what it was all about.  There are some obvious problems.  First the davits are huge!  That's probably an easy fix.  But then there's the recessed copper plating... suggestion... on the bottom of the hull.  So far this is looking like a candidate for a water based diorama.  

Some interesting aspects to this kit!

Both versions are on pre-order from Squadron.  The deluxe for $21.74 and the basic (without photo etch) for $13.94.  Pretty cheap so we'll see how it works out.

Dragon Models has dropped another previously released kit.  This one not yet announced from Squadron.  It's the USS Arkansas.  It's currently on order stop, but you can add it to your wishlist and it's likely you'll get one.  If you can find it, Flyhawk makes a nice detail set for it.  

There are some interesting 3D printed kits available on eBay.  They come from a variety of shops.  They look just like SS Models.  Lots of detail, but some areas of concern.  No railings as an example.  The hull prints are not smooth.  In this case the most concerning thing to me was recessed anti-slip walkways.  It just doesn't make sense and would require a ton of filling and work to correct.  And they come with a big price tag.  

We hi-lighted a couple of interesting models on the internet.  The first is from a modeler, Yamaguchi-san.  I shared this build and the initial thoughts I received that at first glance they thought it was real.  Some tremendous attention to detail and creating a natural scene.  I sent this modeler a Virtual Challenge Coin.  

The second model pointed out was a masterful build of the USS Oregon from a Glencoe kit originally molded in 1959.  

As a comparison to the original Glencoe model...

We discussed a few books as well....

Sam brought a book about the USS Langley, "America's First Aircraft Carrier".  Sam could not recommend the book.  He said it was mostly a recap of ships logs and a VERY boring read.  It's available from Amazon and the Naval Institute Press.

The second book is one I'm listening to on Audible.  The title is "Destroyer Captain, The Life of Ernest E. Evans" who was the Captain of the USS Johnston and killed during the battle of Samar.  A fascinating story of a man who won the Medal of Honor.  

This book is also special as it was written by David Hornfischer, the son of legendary author, James Hornfischer.  They started the research together and David wrote the book.  Thanks to Rob Weilacher for recommending this book.

 To finish off the meeting I recommended a movie call "The Arctic Convoy".  You can stream this on your device or TV.  It's a Norwegian film and all subtitles.  So be prepared to read.  It was worth it.