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.
1 Like
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.
1 Like
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.
1 Like
I finally got around to hauling out the calipers and measuring the dimensions of the waist depth charge racks on the 200 Fletcher/Stevens. By my cipherin’ they come out as 0.140 inches wide by 0.180 inches deep (+/-). Height is not a factor. I laminated some Evergreen to those dimensions. I added a toothpick handle for ease of use.
I wrapped the PE around the forming block to achieve the formed DC rack. Closed the edges with some UV glue
I have not been a fan of these etched DC racks, especially compared to the printed items available. I found that Black Cat Models of France (blackcatmodels.eu) has recently expanded their product line from 350 to include some 200 scale items. They have waist DC racks, with either MK6 (early) or MK9 (streamlined) charges. MK6 on order. I’ve dealt with Ben at Black Cat in the past and he was good to work with. Not dealt with him since the tariff kerfuffle but I understand that things are worked out.
Black Cat also offers a printed catapult & crane set. Looks good. I got my PE catapult assembled with minimal problems, have yet to address the crane. If that goes to heck in a handbasket I may need to order that set too (and add a 3D Kingfisher to go with),
1 Like
Ed, I do not have your patience. I wish I did because those racks look pretty good. As far as that crane is concerned, I got one from Distefen 3D print: 1/200 USN Aircraft Crane - distefan 3d print
You may want to check your references. The crane you link from DiStefan
is a battleship/cruiser style crane.
The crane installed on the Stevens, and included in the kit is a fore/aft braced kingpost latticework crane
This configuration is different from that installed on the earlier members of the sub-class; the Pringle and Stanly. They had a centerline mounted, laterally braced beam crane. Stanly shown below. Note the censors caught the radars
1 Like
Ed, I’m not as well versed in shipboard cranes as you are so thank you for the info. I did not know that.
If you have thought about the Black Cat products from France and have not acted – you have missed the boat.
Ben at Black Cat posted this morning that France Post has halted shipments to the States for additional regulations from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding ‘toys’. Yes toys, that is what international trade classifications call models, toys. Ben said that the tariff actions of a year ago damaged his company, this may kill it.
My shipment is currently in customs in New York.
That sucks but doesn’t surprise me. There are other businesses that are now refusing to ship to the US. This government has hurt more than one business over the past year and a half. Hell, I’ve stopped buying from overseas because I don’t want to get hit with a surprise from FedEx for tariff fees.
Received, Black Cat depth charge racks & projectors. My order got out before French Post shipping got shutdown for tariff & customs issues
This is the early war format DC can, the later war streamlined configuration is also available This item is sold as a group of four. The Stevens takes six, to this is an order x2. I’ll have some spares to start the Fletcher or other build. I also got some 12" and 24" searchlights to compliment the Midwest 36" 3D searchlights. Also, a 36’ motor whaleboat to compliment Midwest’s canopy version. Aft deckhouse railings are complete & the structure is ready to attach to the hull. Build up from there.
1 Like
Those look really nice!
Wow, those racks look great. If shipping ever opens back up I’d like to get a set. Until then I’ll just keep hoping a U.S. based company will crank some out.
Ben at Black Cat has announced that shipping to the States is back on. They have changed to a different shipping plan within the French Postal System (think USPS Priority Mail vs Express Mail). It is based on weight plus package volume instead of just weight. It will be slightly more expensive than the prior system, but entirely acceptable.
I need to go back to the blackcatmodels.eu online catalog