I just finished the Sacramento!

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Yep! The Prinz is back on the shelf (again) whilst I dive into this little project, Trumpeter’s 1/700 scale AEO-1 USS Sacramento. This is probably my first support vessel - oh boy, something different! - a ship not bristling with firepower! But, viva la difference!! Here’s the kit contents:

Typical split hull, a nifty little display base, two Chinooks molded clear, and a small, but nice P/E fret. But no railings! Here’s the color plan:

Construction started with the hull. I had a problem here as the upper and lower hulls did not fit very well. I inserted some sprue “spreaders” to get a better fit but I still had a nasty step between them:

After going through two sanding sticks I got everything lined up nicely and laid on some paint:

Hull is painted and I moved on to the upper works. More problems here. I assembled the main deck house/bridge on my table- which is level. The main deck is not, so when fitting it one end would pop up. Luckily I use slow setting model cement so I was able to poke, prod, and wiggle thing into position. I locked it down with CA and found the helo hanger assembly would NOT fit on the stern. After some shaving of plastic and dry fitting I got it into place as well, but it was a battle!

I lightly weathered the hull, added the decals, and then began adding some P/E to the bridge:

Next I started on the railings (from my own stash), the fore mast, winches, and various bits of machinery. The deck is lookin’ real busy now:

Well, that’s where I am so far. Still lots to do- the crane assemblies, helos, rigging, etc… Thanks for lookin’ and comments/critiques always welcomed. Happy modeling!

Mark

2

Now, now, we know all Trumpeter ship kits are perfect [6] . On a serious note, looks like you have a very good start on a complex build.

3

The ModelWarships review hasn’t been posted yet but I know that the reviewer had the same hull fit issues on test fit. It’s pretty par for the course with Trumpeter kits, unfortunately…

4

That’s a pretty cool ship, but dang-nabit, I want to see more of the Prinz Eugen. [:D]

5

Should the boot topping really be that thick? Otherwise, nice job so far.

Bill Morrison

6

I wondered about that too but with the pronounced undercut at the stern and the fact that this is a stores ship, and its waterline level will fluctuate drastically depending on its load, I think it"s OK.

7

Sweet. Very precise. I, too, want to see the competed Prinz Eugen!

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Greetings fellow modelers! After a small break for a weekend in NYC the build continues! I added the masts, aerials, and rigging. The loading cranes are done,and I am moving on to the ships boats and various details. Getting close to the end now!

Thanks for lookin’ and comments/critiques always welcomed!

Mark

The Prinz Eugen should be reappearing soon!

9

I can’t help but think that she looks a little naked without the hoses… otherwise looking good!

10

[Y] nice build.

Ron

11

The boot topping looks pretty good to me. I served in her 1982-85. The transom from the waterline down was all black. Also, when she was fully loaded, the boot topping was buried and she trimmed low in the bow, thanks to the weight of the JP-5 (jet fuel) in the forward cargo tanks. thanks for the pictures.

Mike

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Hi , TRACY . I for the life of me would like to know where you folks get your TRUMPETER kits. WHY ? Well most of my present fleet is TRUMPETER with a strong nod to DRAGON. I have never had the fit problems in the deck to hull areas everyone is speaking of . The worst thing I had was a set of stacks on the NORTH CAROLINA that were not going to fit until I preformed surgery on them . Oh , and the grossly incorrect stack vents on TRUMPETERS version of the U.S.S. FLETCHER type ship . All in all most of my TRUMPY,S were pretty fair models . I do expect problems with the 1/200 ARIZONA,S I am building .The hawse holes were a warning I feel . One for a client and one for me . Mine will be outfitted as she was before the last refit when she still had cage masts. I already have the masts built ! Just gotta tease you a little , but , really I have had very few fit issues on TRUMPETER products in the area discussed , Really ! Thanks for your input and keep up the good advice . tankerbuilder

13

Is it true as another modeler mentioned that this kit comes with no hoses at all? If so, that is really pretty lame.

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Woo hoo she’s done! My I present Trumpeter’s 1/700 scale AOE-1 USS Sacramento:

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250451.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250453.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250454.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250455.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250456.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250457.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250458.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250459.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250460.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250461.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250463.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250464.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/mstazz62/P3250465.jpg

All in all not a bad kit - there were fit problems, but they were easily resolved. It’s got good detail but it is missing from the kit the very prominent refueling lines hanging off the gantries - go figure! I added railings from my stash as the kit doesn’t have them either. I had fun building this kit and I would recommend it, but you’ll need to do a lot of extra detailing to bring it up to speed. I had to build it OOTB to show the merits of the kit as it comes, but it’s driving me nuts not adding those hoses!

Thank you all who joined me on my journey. I especially like the critiques! I always thought that with each new model I build I get a little better at it, and the advise I get from you guys helps me on my way. Thanks again and happy modeling!

Mark

P.S. - Back to the Prinz Eugen! Pics soon!

mstazz62

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15

Outstanding build!

I really enjoyed this.

16

Yes… i also had the same question, did a quick google search:

http://www.hullnumber.com/AOE-1

17

… and very niecly done and congrats on the finish! thanks for sharing [B]

Only thing I would add: when you make your “rust” weathering strips down the hull, maybe add another shade or two so the streaks dont look so uniform in color.

and no, no unrep hoses. A cool video of a at sea rep:

http://wn.com/USS_Sacramento_(AOE-1)

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very nice great pics enjoyed folling the build [Y][:D[.

Ron

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“It’s pretty par for the course with Trumpeter kits, unfortunately…”

Not in my experience.

Prinz Eugen? Perfect.

Admiral Hipper? Perfect.

HMS Hood? Perfect.

HMS Repulse? Perfect.

That said, the 1/700 Sacramento kit, although not without it’s problems, coupled with the cost of a couple of sanding sticks, is still cheaper than any equivalent Dragon kit of the same scale, and we are modellers and not assemblers after all…

20

I did a tad of research; AFAIK there is no AM (resin, plastic) for the rep hoses. Someone should come up with that item at some point, specially since it looks like other AOE are in the pipeline.