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Trumpeter 1:350 USS Saratoga


Shar2

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I realise I'm starting this rather late, but time just hasn't been available. Still I'll give it a go. It's the 1:350 USS Saratoga from Trumpeter, and I've added rather a lot of additional aircraft, Master barrels and Toms Modelworks etch set. She will be built as she was in the 30's with her airwing component in yellow wing schemes.

boxtop.jpg

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Ray, the ship is fairly simple, it's the aircraft that'll take the time. I built my IJNS Fuso in just over a week, so anything is possible. :frantic:

I would like to see that.

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The etch set is quite nice and does indeed give you everything you need for this build, but the instructions are dire. If you haven't used etch before then these will put you off for life.

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Fitted the lower hull to the upper hull, having had to break all the stiffeners within the upper hull as they made it far to wide and wouldn't join up correctly. after some sanding of the joint I then added the boat inserts. front gun sponsons and rear decking with associated gun deck. Four large ejector pin marks on the underside rear decking needed filling, as did parts of the joint between deck and hull. I have also fitted the rudder and propeller shafts. Should be able to get some primer and paint on tomorrow evening.

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Sprayed the boot topping and masked off, then got into building the bridge and funnel. Painted the funnel stripe and cap then masked them off. I've got some more etch to add before the grey can be sprayed, then it's a lot of careful cutting off of the flightdeck netting in prep for the etched parts. Just had to do a quick dry fit to see how big this thing is going to be, Oh yeah, I've also built up the 8" turrets in prep for the fitting of the Master gun barrels.

bridge.jpg

dryfit.jpg

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After much filling and sanding, followed by more filling and sanding I managed to get some primer on the hull. This has got to be the worst fitting ship I have built in a long time, but we're getting there. I've also gut off all the styrene netting in prep for the etched parts to be fitted. The main gun turrets have been fitted with the Master barrels and along with the funnel and bridge dry fitted to give an idea of her overall look..I still need to rescribe some areas of the flight deck either side of the two joints.

primer1.jpg

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primer3.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well, it looks like I've bitten more off than I can chew. This blooming kit has been fighting me all the way. I may get the ship finished by tomorrow night, but it may be asking a bit too much. Still I shall try. Here she is in her fresh paint.

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There's a lot of small parts to add, but at least the worst of the build is over.

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Having just missed out on finishing this for the US Navy GB I'm forced to continue this nightmare build here. Anyway she's about 98% complete, just some touching up and rigging to do.

decalled.jpg

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