"The Mother of
all Models!"
For Christmas 1997, I received what I
always wanted - a 1/350th scale model of our Battleship. Here's some pics of the
building, etc. . . .
Who can DO this?? Darn-near
anybody (any experience level in modelbuilding) can build it. I think the most
important factor is NOT experience - but PATIENCE. The more experience you have
- the better it will turn out. I built models during my entire youth (age 8-17).
That experience helped, but the most important thing was the ability to walk
away from the darn thing when I got mad and then to come back later and keep
trying! This is a LARGE model - so you might think - its EASY to put together.
(WRONG!) The smaller 1/700th scale model actually has larger parts and is MUCH
easier to put together! Remember - the larger the model - the more detail there
is. Each 'cleat' on the main deck needs glued on. Each turret has fourteen
parts!
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What you need to start (full
list below) |
The Kit:
Tamiya's 1/350th scale model of the USS NEW JERSEY (they don't make the
modernized IOWA any more??!!) This can be purchased at most crafts and hobby
stores where models are sold. Its usually on the top rack with the other MASSIVE
models. You'll have to look. The cost is about $80-$100. The size of the ship is
about 31" long - 3-1/2" wide and about 9" tall from keel to mast.
The "BB-61" Decal set is available at
various different places on the Internet (mail-order) should you desire - but
the only REAL difference is the hull number - If you have a steady hand, some
white paint, and a toothpick, THAT can be changed!!
(If you know the URL to order the Decal set - Email
JOHN NOW!!!)
There are other "subtle" differences
which I will cover. SO PAY ATTENTION!!!
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Paint:
Tamiya suggests a number of different paints
- as I looked at the model pieces, the most glaring thing I noticed was that the
color of the plastic is NOT the color of the ship!!! I looked at HUNDREDS of
pictures, and tried to match the exact color with no luck. The CLOSEST paint I
found was called "Intermediate Blue". (trust me - it's the color of
IOWA!!) Total cost of all the below is about $20-$30.
Intermediate Blue (Two Spray cans) - paint
ALL the parts (both sides) in addition to the entire hull
with TWO coats!
Flat Red (One Spray can) - For the Hull and
small bottle of same color for other parts that are red.
Intermediate Blue (1 bottle) - this used
for touch-up later (trust me - you'll need it!!)
Tamiya's Deck Tan (1 bottle) - excellent
paint (water-based), but it is NOT
the right color. I didn't realize this until after I started
building - so if you can get a more "Light-Wood"
color - then GO FOR IT!!
Tamiya's Dark Grey (1 bottle) - use for ALL
places where the directions call for non-skid.
Tamiya's Flat Black (1 bottle) - excellent
(water-based). Just the thing you'll need.
Testor's Gloss White (1 bottle)
Testor's Light Grey (1 bottle)
Testor's Gloss Gold (1 bottle)
Testor's Thinner (1 bottle)
"CLICK
HERE" to get started building the model!
If you want to go
forward or back-click on the page# you want!
1 | 2
| 3 | 4 | 5
| 6 | 7
CLICK
HERE to see some much higher resolution pictures of this
model
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