Trumpy's 1/350 USS Cole

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Hello everybody,

This project was a challenge. I started it in September, so it’s only been about 3 and a half months. Ships are tough. Trumpeter makes a nicely detailed kit. The fit is pretty good, but not quite perfect.

IMG_2335 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

I had challenges with a large step between the upper and lower hull. There was some filling and sanding. The base was cut from poplar, and the supporting columns are lamp finial extensions. Bolts go up from the bottom of the base, the finial extensions run from the base to the ship, and nuts in the hull mate with the finials. The nuts are held in the hull with milliput.

IMG_2386 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

IMG_2387 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

IMG_2385 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

IMG_2384 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

The main deck fit well,

IMG_2388 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

but there were minor gaps at the aft end of the main deck.

IMG_2390 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

Regardless of their complexity, the superstructures went together well. I used some slower setting cement to give me time to install and align all of the sides of the structure.

IMG_2453 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

It’s starting to look like a boat!

IMG_2456 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

Honestly, basic construction was the easy part. Painting was challenging, so was touch-up painting. Applying PE was challenging, and so was re-applying PE. I’m not good with gluing PE “just once.” I gave everything a black base.

IMG_2462 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

IMG_2463 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

Blackhawk Seahawk (SH-60B from Trumpeter).

IMG_2497 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

The hull is painted with about a 50:50 mix of Tamiya Red (XF-7) and Hull Red (XF-9). Horizontal surfaces were painted with German Grey (XF-63).

IMG_2496 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

There was a whole lot of masking.

IMG_2502 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

The vertical surfaces got Sky Grey (XF-19).

IMG_2504 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

IMG_2505 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

IMG_2506 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

IMG_2507 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

The deck marking were masked and airbrushed with white and red.

IMG_2585 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

Some convincing was needed to make the forward superstructure sit flush on the main deck.

IMG_2608 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

There were still seams to be filled, sanded, and repainted.

IMG_2609 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

I did the multitude of little detail parts in batches. There was the forward deck details, aft deck details, forward superstructure details, and aft superstructure details.

IMG_2625 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

The mast was a fun little assembly, and it benefited greatly from the Gold Medal Models PE.

IMG_2632 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

After painting, EZ Line rigging was installed. I assured I left plenty of extra line. Holes were drilled in the plastic “Flag Bags” to be an anchor point for the rigging. The mast was glued to the superstructure. I ran the forward lines over their appropriate horns with a minimum of tension in the line. An alligator clip tool held the line in place while the CA glue dried.

IMG_2680 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

The aft lines were run through the holes in the “Flag bags.” Again, they were held with a minimum of tension while the glue dried.

IMG_2688 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

IMG_2690 by Christopher Ridle, on Flickr

2

Nicely done on both. Rigging drives me totally nuts. Your Great Uncle is smiling down from above.

3

Chris,

Wow! She looks spectacular! I see you painted the deck markings; did you use a pre-made mask, or did you create your own mask?

4

Thank you Goldhammer, thank you Hogfanfs,

The deck markings were masked with Tamiya masking tape. I have a small circle cutter. It came in handy for the helicopter pad. I did have some underspray which I cleaned up with the paintbrush.

5

Very nice! Really striking visual

6

Very clean, meticulous work! You nailed the PE railings - I usually bend the heck out of some sections and pray they don’t break while I’m trying to glue down a line. I also admire the very subtle weathering/dirt/rust from the scuppers. Looks very real to me.

I need to add that your rigging is top notch as well. I’m not sure if the line you used is correct scale-wise though. Looks a bit large in diameter to me.

7

Hi,

Your build looks great [:O]

Pat

8

Chris, take it from a Navy Vet. Your Great Uncle is very impressed as I am. Only one little jab at ya, all in fun. You referred to it as a “Boat” to us Navy guys, Boats sink, Ships float [:D]

I have this same model in my pile of to do eventually, after several Tall ships and numerous 1/32 warbirds. Your build is an inspiration for me. Dale

9

Thank you keavdog, 1943Mike, PFJN and LIVIT,

1943Mike, you have a point. EZ Line was originally produced to represent electrical and telephone cables for HO train layouts. It was all the rage for ship rigging about 10 years ago. It actually has more of a rectangular cross section as opposed to circular. It seems a bit thick, but its cross section and elasticity make it easy with which to work. I can check out different products for my next ship. I also use it for antenna aerial wire on aircraft. I’ve use a few feet, but there are miles left on the roll. Your constructive criticism is noted, and I will definately keep it in mind for future builds. Thank you.

LIVIT, You know us jarheads. If it’s big, grey, and floats, we’ll stick our thumbs up for a ride. We use to call deployments on gator freighters as going on, “The Boat.” I’ll correct that, the Arleigh-Burkes are beautful Ships.

10

A beautiful build.
Sadly, Trumpy led you astray as to how the rigging works.

In reality, all of the signal halyards go back to the flag bags at the aft end of the bridge.

There are no guy cables or the like supporting the mast at all.

Looks good as is. Just a tad odd if you’ve walked the decks of an OHP.

11

Outstanding job, nicely weathered. Got a couple of ships but won’t even look at them yet.

12

Thank you Templar, Thank you CapnMac,

CapnMac,

I appreciate your constructive criticism. Your eye and knowledge are certainly valuable. You pointed out the missing sonar fairing on the USS Dortch a few months ago. However, I believe you may be mistaken in this case. From the picture you posted, at greatest possible size, I can make out the lines running from the upper yard arms to “horns” just above the bridge windows. It’s difficult to make out because the lines are so thin on the actual ships. I do want to take constructive criticism as a grown up, but I think we are seeing two different things.

Thank you CapnMac, I do appreciate your input.

Chris

13

Wow! She looks great! Beautiful work.

14

Thank you Chemteacher!