Hello All, I’m going to make you a promise. When I get around to getting the sample kit that I received from Merit over to my modeler, Stanley Pienkowski, I will ask him if he’d email me updates that will contain his take on the kit as well as photos of the progress on it. But, I am going to ask you for your patience and understanding in that regard because Stan is not that computer savvy and needs to rely on his adult son Allan to take the digital photos … and I’m not that “learned” either in the ways of embedding photos in posts. But, I promise you that you’ll see a build log by a professional and expert modeler. Garth
Looking forward to it Garth.
Jim [cptn]
Can’t wait!!
Great Garth. Will be looking forward to the updates. I have mine and want to jump on it asap.
Bought the kit over to Stan, he likes it - he said the fit looks good - he said the detail level looks good … but he did say the painting guide was confusing with the use of paint names like dark gold, cocoa brown and khaki green.
Yes I did notice the color call outs to be on the odd side.
‘cocoa brown’ - interesting reference to a color.
With the Pacific sun and salt the colors would only be standardized shortly after application. A range from a medium to light, with the modellers ‘artistic license’ for fade and weathering.
The problem with common household items to reference is not everyone has cocoa on hand!
More common modellers food staples would be:
Kraft Dinner yellow or blue, tuna pink, burnt toast, strong coffee brown and of course peanut butter!
Merit Models is included somewhere in the Greater Co-porosperity Sphere of Wasan Moulding Co of China (eg. Banner, Trumpeter, Mini-Hobby Models).
The production values are much the same – packaging, instructions, and color call-outs. Cocoa Brown is a common call out for USN Hull Red (Brown) on Trumpeter color sheets.
Hi All,
Not only is Stan an excellent modeler, but he’s a genuine and good guy:
I will start your model soon. I don’t see any real problem with what you want me to do. I think it will be interesting and fun to evaluate the kit.
Thanks a bunch for the chance to do so. Stan.
P S Have a great day.
More to follow …
Garth
Any further reports on the progress? Thinking about starting this one for a September show.
Hey,
Got an email from Stan the other day, in which he said that he’ll start it “soon” … When I dropped it off with him, I learned that he had surgery on one of his hands the previous Friday … so, I’m assuming that’s a factor in his soon statement …
got it, thanks!
I picked up my boat today. Looking over the instructions, they remind me of Trumpeter’s instructions.
Looking over the parts, I found no flash and the deck and hull fit like a glove. I just might have to sneak this into the queue it looks so good. The color call outs are a bit tough to make out, but since we’re in theater, I am confident that my Boatswain will be able to come up with some compatible colors.
I take it that no one has produced a PE set yet? However, I believe that I will build this out of the box (with the small amount of PE included), and hope that there is a set when Merit comes out with an “older” version of the 80’ Elco.
Steve
Anyone mind if I do an Out of the Box WIP on this?
That’s a good idea, Steve… People will see multiple processes …
Thanks Garth. I just did not want to step on your or Stan’s toes and I would post it on a separate thread. I agree that people could see multiple builds, one from an amazing professional like Stan and one from a fairly new returnee to the hobby.
Steve
Hey, … Noooooooooooooooooooooo problemo Steve, that’s fine.
Garth, I’ve been delaying working on mine pending your evaluation but I’m going to start building mine as I want to enter it in an upcoming model show in Sept. and time is getting short.
docidle, great idea for you to start a wip on this model so I will be watching out for it. I think it builds up really nice right out of the box.
I’ve been dabbling at mine and it’s going together well. Only area I’ve really had to take my time with was the .50 cal gun tubs. Do the deck houses first and place (not glue) them on the deck before you glue the tubs in place - this will allow you to make sure you have the tubs lined up with both the deck house and the deck itself and minimize the need for joint filling. I just had a small gap on one of the tubs that was easy to fill with Mr Surfacer and “sand” away with Mr. Color thinner.
Hi … not a problem. Been trying to find time to email Stan for an update, but I’ve been too busy and too preoccupied with looking for a job and dealing with some personal issues here as well as writing a review of INTO THE DARK WATER …
I will email Stan later …