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!