Howdy, some of you may know me from my plane builds, but I also Love building ships too. This diorama will have the U.S.S Radford (Tamiya) returning downed fighter pilots to the U.S.S. Yorktown (Trumpeter). this build also has another meaning as I live near Radord Va, in the southwast part of the state and Yorktown is in the eastern part of the state, and although the Radford was named for a person not a town, I thought it a good double meaning.
The Tamiya Fletcher kit I used for my Radford left a lot to be desired so I got Tom’s Modelworks Destroyer, and Fly Hawk railings and armament PE sets. For the Yorktown I got Fly Hawks Essex class PE set. For the conversion to the Radford 1944 I had to scratch build the twin bofor tubs and supports at stacks and extend the rear bofor mount upward. She is painted in Dazzle 32/3D.
I haven’t done much more than you see in the photos of the Yorktown as I had been concentrating on the Radford.
More up to date Photos, almost done just some rigging and paint touch up, then onto the U.S.S. Yorktown and base. Over all this kit was not a bad build just a little plain out of the box but she dresses up nice.
Thanks Duster, and yes they do take up a lot less space but man those pennies are hard to come by!
Now the Yorktown build up, started putting the drainage pipes on. Port side firsthas quite a bit more for the lower decks and the starboard side has not as much. also started painting aircraft for hangar deck as there will not be any on Flight deck, so I don’t have to build many as only a few can be seen through open doors.
Building the Air Wing, Changing the bottom to top rows. Most likely no planes will be on flight deck so most of this work will not be seen, but since they will all be below deck all wings have to be folded. What do you think some on deck or not?
Got the Yorktown all dressed up today. Next week going to be a slow week for the build, so I’m working diligently until then. Most of the air wing is done, just got the props to put on. Now for all the PE by Flyhawk and weathering to be done. She’s comin’ right along!
masking
unmasked and temporary flight deck and tower placement.
Before I put on the deck I like to attach hull to base so I no longer touch the ship to move it around, so I have to paint and trim the base. The first photo shows the base just painted with no Gel applied so the white caps are missing, They will be the last thing I do as I need to cover base for final assembly so not to spill anything on it. Instead of going my normal route of natural wood finish I thought it would be cool to use Dazzle to finish of the trim. I used a mix of Battleship, Carrier, and Destroyer dazzle patterns. I think it adds a nice touch. So now here is the base let me know what you think.
Now for the Island. I’ve been working on getting the island done but I will not be putting it on the deck for a while as I don’t want to knock off any of the little parts while I finish the Hull section. On the island I have scratch built the Horn, antennas, added piping and rigging. I still have a few radars to put on but they are very small and I don’t have extra should I lose one to the floor monster.
I have also put the planes on the Hangar deck to cover the openings and some will be on flight deck as well. I have also painted the flight deck with the lines.
In these shoots you can see the location of The U.S.S. Radford in this transfer Dio.
Here are the new photos of the progress, I now have the Island attached and most heavy armament in place, as for the 40s and 20s I have to wait on some more PE as I do want shields and the sets I have used do not fit well and the 20 mm are nonexistent so I must find and order more. Weathering and aging are done for the most part, though some still to do. I have the refueling pipe done and will be putting on some of the water soon, (next day or two).
So without further ADUE Here are the newest shots.
Here you see the rope crew reeling in the pilot (not yet placed)
Here they are together RadFord and Yorktown, Showing their relationship.
Well Guys things are starting to move rather fast in the end, This week I have worked on the transfer parts of the build. I had to scratch build the hose, made of guitar wire painted a dark gray and painted silver attachment points, suspension cable is stainless steel 5-0 suture. All the rigging and arrester wires are also this suture. I have also placed aircraft on the aft flight deck.In some of these photos you will see the transfer basket with a downed pilot being sent back to the Yorktown. This basket id made from tube styrene sanded down in a bevel to give shape. I had to apply and paint some of the textured water between the ships before placing the Hose and basket so you get an idea of how it will turn out, in some photos you see where I have applied the gel medium. This gel medium will dry clear, although it seems white still, and will then be dry brushed with Light Gray to highlight then all will be Futured to shine it all up PERRRDY like.
I always sign my ships by putting my name in the flags, as I have two ships in this setup the date is placed in the flags of the destroyer, 10 12.
I am waiting for the Bofor shields, orlikins, floater baskets and some more crew members, from Free Time Hobbies, I just love those guys. So here you go for some more photos.
Great diorama and and super work on the ships. I also like the turbulent water in between the ships.
I remember being taught about breeches buoy transfers when I was in Navy bootcamp. I was looking forward to the day when I would get my turn to try it. Alas and alack! When my turn to transfer to another ship at sea came, it was by helicopter and a winch and cable. Fun, but no breeches buoy! [prte]
We Folks we have reached the end of our Rainbow with this build. It has been a GREAT deal of fun and learning, mostly that I can work this small but it ain’t easy! I will be reposting some redone and annotated photos to show the scratch built stuff. In these new photos you will fine the scratch built 40mm shields made from styrene. I got two sets of PE for the and nether work so I just made them. sone photos also show the water after all the gel has dried and then more once I have painted Light gray and white to show Highlight and Foam. I hope Y’all Have enjoyed this a much as I have! Remember a few more to come with annotation.
