January 2024 Ship Club Meeting

Greetings all,

Thanks to everyone who attended the meeting Saturday, especially those at home who had to put up with my presentation via the phone.  I should have thought ahead on that one.  I purchased the dongle I need going forward.  I'm going to start another conversation with Rockler and see if they have any suggestions for improving our connection.  

Here's the LINK to the meeting recording in case you need a good laugh.  😎

And here's the recap of the meeting...

We caught up to the USS Texas, currently being painted in Texas.  She's looking good again.  it will be interesting to see her in her new home, wherever in the Houston area that may be.

We also discussed the new USS Arizona SSN-803.  This flight V of Virginia class submarines adds four additional launch tubes.  This design adds an 84 ft to her mid section containing what the Navy calls the Virginia Payload Module, tripling her vertical launch capability.  So far no flight V boats have been built.  

We also talked about the US Navy's newest ship, the USS John L Canley.  This is a floating Expeditionary Sea Base.  I wasn't familiar with this class of ship.  Here's the description I pulled from Google...

"The Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ship class is a highly flexible platform used across various military operations.  ESB ships are mobile sea-based assets and are a part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces, equipment, supplies, and warfighting capability."

Named after Medal of Honor winner, Marine Corp Sgt Mgr John L. Canley.  

David brought us up to date on his epic Heller Victory project.  David advises that he's getting the rat lines down now.  

Rob brought us up to date on his Vee Hobbies 1/700 USS Indiana, BB-58.  This is the deluxe version of this release.  Rob reports that it goes together very well and parts like the 20mm Oerlikon's go together easily.  

Rob also built up the USS Nautilus to go along with his USS Argonaut from Tom's Modelworks.  Rob reported that if you follow the instructions for the railings around the gun positions you'll have no issues.  As you can see the stanchions jet out at about a 45 degree angle around the tub.  Excellent design from Richard at Tom's Modelworks.  

Rob also treated us to his one piece kit of the Battle Star Galactica Cylon Raider.  Cylons approove of your good work.  Diversions are good for the soul. 😎

John Widmar shared some old school resin models with us.  The first two, USS Cleveland C-19 and USS Cincinnatti C-7, are from Modelkrak.  The third is from Jim Shirley Productions.  John advises that the kits lack in instructions, and for the Jim Shirley kit he had to rob his parts box to properly fit her out.   

John also told us about his water base.  This is a wavy clear glass used for shower stalls/doors with a colored paper underneath.   Great way to photograph your waterline models.  The sky background was obtained from a model railroad supplier.  

I then shared the tale of my 1/2000 Weymouth Class Cruiser from SS Models.  I got her all finished including painting and rigging, mounted her to the base.  Then when I tried to drill holes to secure the top of the case I bought for her, she launched into my lap, damaging the mast and observation tower parts.  Fortunately I had a second kit which I practiced on and was able to salvage the parts from that.  I'm adding a photo etch masts to more accurately reflect the real ships, something that SS Models wasn't able to do.  More on that at the next meeting.  

This month on Tool Time I shared an excellent waterline marker that is available at Home Depot or Amazon.  This tool is excellent for marking waterlines on ships.  Or for transferring points on a model. As Jerry pointed out it can also be used as a big compass.  The bottom of this one is not true flat.  I took a sanding block and sanded it down flat.   Here are links to both....

Amazon ($9.49):  https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-8407-ScribeTec-Scribing-Compass/dp/B083N2WSX1/ref=sr_1_62?crid=3JEX86L9FGAPK&keywords=Milescraft&qid=1704817716&sprefix=milescraft%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-62

Home Depot ($11.97):  https://www.homedepot.com/p/ScribeTec-84070003/313290673

As it turns out the Amazon price is a few dollars less than the Home Depot option.  Home Depot went up in price and before you ask I'm sure it had nothing to do with me.  😎   Amazon also has a more expensive version of this with brass knobs.  Can't speak for it's bottom though.  

I led a discussion on the various ways of cutting photo etch from frets.  I discussed using scissors and the limitations it has in tight spaces.  We also talked about using a hobby knife and some sort of holding device like that from The Small Shop.  The down side of this is that you go through a lot of blades quickly.  Then the revelation.  The Wondercutter ultrasonic knife!  Jerry asked me if I've tried using it on photo etch.  I had not, so I gave it a go.  Wow!  This just changed my method for removing photo etch from frets.  The process is simple.  1). Hold the photo etch piece flat to the cutting surface, preferably a self healing cutting mat.  2). Place the knife blade (without activating it) exactly where you want to make the cut.  3). A quick press of the activation button and the piece is cut from the fret.  This allows you to move quickly and without damage to the part.  Cleanup of nubs is still needed and I generally do that with a file.  There are some things to be aware of with Wondercutter.  If you cut through thick plastic like a sprue fret, it's more likely to melt the plastic than cut it.  It also struggles with thicker brass.  At 40,000 strokes per second it heats up really fast.  The only down side is the cost of the cutter.  The Wondercutter is only sold at Micromark and is currently at $429.  Several of us got these from Micromark at the Nationals for under $400.  They have a more advance model now and it's $700.  I don't see any advantage with that tool.  

Here's a video I made demonstrating the use of the Wondercutter for removing photo etch parts.

We found some interesting new releases coming...

Flyhawk is set to release their much anticipated Aegis Class Cruiser in 1/700 scale.  Expect to see a basic and advance version of this kit.  Previous to this the only kit available was from Dragon.  Knowing Flyhawk, this one will be over the top.  

Foreart (formerly Fore Hobby) announced the release of the HMS Sheffield in 1/350 scale, along with a sister ship to be announced.  Based on the Schnellboot releases, we expect this to be a highly detailed kit.  The art work indicates that as well.

Magic Factory has released a 1/700 Gerald R Ford.  Squadron now has this kit in stock for $66.49.  It looks like it might need some photo etch, but we'll see what comes in the box.  Yes, I have one on order.

If 1/350 is more to your liking, 3D-Wild has the same subject 3D printed.  This will break your piggy bank at about $500.

A new kit from Black Cat Models is a USCG Sentinel-class Cutter currently in service.  

Here's a color photo of the ship in service.  Lots of nice color in this model and would make an excellent diorama.  Ben at Black Cat advises that the well deck hatch can be molded in the open position as well.

Jerry alerted me about this one.  Gaga models, sold by Globaltoy on eBay, has released a 1/700 3D printed Calypso.  Available for $23.99.  Includes helicopter and submersible saucer.  Did you know Calypso is a wooden boat?  Calypso was a mine sweeper built for the Royal Navy by Ballard Marine Railways Co. in Seattle, Washington.   She is in the process of being restored and looking for donors.

Eduard continues to expand their ship photo etch offerings.  This one for the Trumpeter 1/350 USS Nimitz

Here are some samples of their set.

AJM Models is releasing the WWII version of the HMS Argus.  In 2022 they released the 1918 version.  

Last this month is an update from Aoshima, the Kunikawea/Kimikawa.  Roger advised that this was originally released as a plastic only kit and was very good on its own.  As you can see they've updated it with a ton of brass and wood deck sticker.  

See you all in February!