I am stuck. These damn PE depth charge racks are driving me crazy. Looking for guidance from anyone who had built this boat. I’m talking about the racks on the sides of the ship, not the back. I found some 3-D printed ones that look great, but you can’t get them off the fret without destroying them.
The waist racks in photoetch are rather fiddley. My plan is to build a folding jig from wood or plexiglas around which the PE can be folded, to give some support in the process. Whose 3D were the ones you have found that you are unable to successfully remove from the matrix?
I have tried Midwest Model Shop’s items for the 200 Fletcher. I have just ordered their supplementary set https://themidwestmodelshop.com/products/1-200-trumpeter-fletcher-supplementary-parts-kit . Their MK37, 5-inch and basic gun sets are very nice.
I have on good authority that Squadron will be releasing some 200 Fletcher details, possibly as soon as the IPMS convention in August. I don’t know what the initial list will include, but they are planning a whole conversion series to make a Square-bridge Johnston (as lost) from the basic Fletcher. A la’ carte - buy only what you need. That will get you to any of the 175 ships in the class
Thanks for the input, Ed. I purchased them from Distefan 3D Print. I contacted the manufacturer and explained to them my problems in getting the racks off of the frets. They are going to go back to their engineers to see if they can improve on how the product is printed. I also purchased a 1/200 crane for the Stevens that is beautiful so I know their work is on point. I just hope they get the loader rack issue fixed.
I just finished talking with the people over at Midwest Model Shop about their parts. They don’t currently offer the loader racks unfortunately. I’m tempted to pick up the supplemental parts kits.
I can confirm they are a pain. 2 out of the six came out ok, the others where some variation of glob of CA glue and PE. I used thin masking tape on one side of the fret to support it. Next i used a sharp X-ACTO blade with a fine point to cut it out. When i removed the tape the little piece came with it. Folding wasn’t easy either. If i remember, i’d fold the sides first, and lastly the bottom support.
You’re a more patient man than I am. I’ve about given up on making the PE ones and am holding out hope that a 3D manufacturer starts making them. I’ve talked to one company, and they said they’re under consideration, but it will be a while before they make a decision. So I’m just going to shelve it for now. I have the Fletcher in the stash that will get my attention now.
I would totally go 3D if you can get the support issues fixed. I am using my printer to replace as many PE parts as I can on my USS Hornet build, since I find working with PE parts to be fiddly and they are 2D in nature by definition.
I’m right with you there. There’s a bunch of 1/200 3D stuff for the Fletcher available. I bought some Oerlikon guns, anchors and a 50 piece set that’s in the mail. I absolutely hate PE and will do almost anything to get around using it.
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don’t know if this will help , but I purchased a despiae knife with small blade , buy using it really vertically , with gentle pressure , I have been getting a lot better results with PE .
just my 2 cents worth .
Thanks Steve. Always looking for new and useful tools.
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These are shots from Midwest Model Shops 1/200 Fletcher Supplementary kit. Everything looks great, nothing broken. It looks like the parts will be easier to get off than the racks were. The last picture is of chain I bought from the same place. It is amazing to me how they could make this chain with individual links, so that the whole length is flexible.
