CVE-73 USS Gambier Bay, Hasegawa 1/350

[Brad]

I finally managed to finish this kit a couple of years after starting it. It's a complex model with many small parts, however, the fit of the parts is exceptional. I used lifecolor USN paint sets number 1 and 2, which go down very nicely with airbrush or standard brush.  I decided not to use the deck decals, so the guide marks and the '73' at each end were painted on with masks I made myself, although if you want to, there is a commercially available masking set for the deck. I burned through a lot of Tamiya tape and I think my eyes still hurt from all the painting! Weathering was done with dry pigment and washes, cos I like a dirty ship. I did add a little photo etch railings to sections to give it some detail that was missing.

 

Gambier Bay was the only US aircraft carrier sunk by surface naval gunfire in the Pacific. As a part of task force 77.4.3, she was caught by Admiral Kurita's Battleship and Cruiser force during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. It's reported she took hits from the Battleship Yamato, Battleship Kongo and Heavy cruiser Chikuma along with several other warships before sinking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 11, 2020 by Brad

[pacificmustang]

Nice job Brad

 

Every time I see an escort carrier, I am reminded of the final scene in Magnum Force that takes place on two of them

 

 

Bruce

 

[beefy66]

That is looking great Brad the camouflage scheme looks like it was fun to do 👍

 

beefy 

[Bitzer]

Excellent! Fantastic weathering.

[robgizlu]

Great looking model - Very nice paint job

Rob

[Robertone139]

Very nice weathering work, and I know how tough it is to do that Measure 31 as I am working on the same kit.

[Clogged]

Great model, well done!  HaHa my Avatar is the Gambier Bay.  It comes from the book cover off the book about the Gambier Bay!

[GrahamB]

Fabulous model and excellent paintwork. I like the way the the USN stuck with the geometric/perspective style of dazzle introduced largely by them in WW1 (not forgetting Norman Wilkinson's British efforts).

[Nev]

Great model.  Leyte Gulf was such an incredible, fascinating battle with amazing acts of bravery, it deserves to be better known.

[stevej60]

Superb build and finish Brad,those aircraft look excellent too!