I’m posting on this forum because I pretty much exclusively build 1/48 aircraft. The scale is right, the detail is not too small, and there aren’t a gazillion little parts, so I can finish in a reasonable amount of time.
So one of my friends says he was given a model of an aircraft carrier, it was one he served on, would I build it for him? I say ‘OK, sure’…
So I get the model … its the 1/350th Trumpeter Ticonderoga CV-14.
OMG! IT HAS 750 PARTS!!! Each plane in the airwing (with one inch wing span) has about 15 parts to it. There are TWENTY of them. I don’t even want to start counting how many little AA guns there are.
This thing is overwhelming. It is huge, about 3 feet long. And it needs to be painted in a complex-looking camo scheme, as well.
I hope I didn’t bite off more than I can chew. I hope my modelling skills are up to the task…
DURR is exactly right, don’t look at it as one huge model, but a collection of small model sub assemblies to be put into one large diorama. I’m sure that your skills are more than equal to this task, just don’t let it intimidate you!
Good luck on your project. Spend a little time planning out a sequence of steps and then jump into it. Any model looks daunting at first, but it all comes together somewhere along the line. Keep us posted on the progress.
Don’t take too long building it, but don’t feel as if you have to get it done in two nights. Work at a steady pace, and you’ll do fine. It’s a big 1/48th with a lot of little parts.
Should be a nice build for you. Just take it one step at a time, and don’t sweat all the stuff that needs to be done, if you look at all the parts it can be overwhelming, so just eat it one bite at a time, so to speak. [:)]
We’ll be here to back you up if you get to feeling overwhelmed. [:)]
I felt exactly the same way when I opened up my first model kit in 30-plus years, a 1/700 scale resin Victory ship. I wasn’t even sure what photoetch was, let alone how to fold or bend it. But after the first one, it gets easier, somehow. I am now tacking a 1/720 USS Enterprise for a friend whose daughter is currently serving on her, and I had the OMG moment when I realized the Big E of today is vastly different from the Big E in the Revell box … but after several scratchbuilt sponsons, a rebuilt island and a few tricky hull seams, yeah, it’s starting to look like the real deal.
the key is take your time, build in small areas, like today just build the fighters only, tomarrow just build the attack planes, then the next day just do the masking of the planes, the day after that paint the planes the lightest color, then next day paint the final color, then so on and so forth, it’s not the size of the kit it’s the time you want to spend on it per night or week or even yearly, and if your going to do it for a friend then you’ll make sure it’s done right the first time, this is how I used to do models for clients that I built for and it works, I’ve built collections for museums, friends, unit commanders even just for the unit itself and talk about the compliments you’ll get, don’t be intimidated by the kits size or amounts of parts chew at them slowly and you’ll produce a masterpiece for your friend
Nawww…mate, you’ll be right.
Don’t look at it as ONE model…I mean, look at an automobile…thousands of parts go into one - and every part takes time to complete - but the actual build time of a car is really quite short.
In truth, what you’ll be building is a bunch of sub assemblies, not one great big model.
So take your time - remember - PATIENCE is the key.
It took me nearly 20 years to develop that skill - and once I did, my modelling skills increased massively - and I made much better models.
Just go slowly - don’t rush anything - and enjoy it, because if you DO rush things, you’ll end up dissatisfied with the final result.
I build big, complex 1/32 scale planes all the time. The F-105 I’m finishing up had something like 500 parts in the kit and the owner had also purchased about a dozen aftermarket sets to go along with it. What is most important to remember, as others have pointed out, is to just take your time. You won’t finish it in a week, you probably won’t finish it in a month. It will probably take several months to complete. There is no hurry so just keep plugging away at it and it will come together. Regardless of how many parts there are they still go together one part at a time.
You really should think in terms of subassemblies. 'Cause that is what a ship kit is, essentially.
You can build it. I know you can. I’m a ship modeller at heart. And I dabble with planes and tanks when ships become too daunting. Becouse when after 4 months and you’re still working on the same ship? That’s daunting!!
You can build one ship in your lifetime… You will broaden your skills and may even continue to build more ships in the future. Have fun with it, OK?
One more thing: if you have questions during the course of the build, go to: www.steelnavy.com They have a message board there with lots of helpful and willing participants, which I am regularly one of.
The panic is subsided now, I’m feeling a bit better about the build. The instructions for the kit have it in that crazy ‘Measure 33/10a’ zig-zag camo scheme, with the airwing in three-color camo. That made my head spin.
However, a little Internet research was done. I found that the Tico was in ‘Measure 21’ after an April 1945 refit, which is Deck Blue over Navy Blue sides. And I can do the airwing in overall Gloss Sea Blue for that time period as well… Much easier.
I did, though, read a few reviews about PE sets for the kit. They are gorgeous. I must be nuts…
www.steelnavy.com is great site, I’ll check their forums… I’ll post photos up on the ships forum here, and link to it from this thread, so I’m not cross-posting…
Don’t worry, it will be better when it starts taking shape! I am working on my first 1/32 jet and now that its taken shape and starting to look like a jet, I am much happier and can see where I need to go with it now. I was kinda freaked out about the 900 parts and the HUGE price tag [:D] Just relax, follow your insticnts and you will be ok! Good luck!
You need anything Essex-related, let me know, I have lots of photos, drawings, etc…
Let’s just say I’m “familiar” with the kit.
You should also try (I know it’s tough, but you can do it) to break away from the aircraft forum and wander over to the ship forum. I know, it’s kind of against everything that aircraft modelers stand for, but it is an aircraft carrier, so you’re forgiven!! [;)]
