Faraway Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 (edited) I thought this would make a nice change to building ships bristling with guns. And it's not something I know much about, so the research has been interesting. Built in just 56 days and launched on the 19th June 1943, she was supposed to cross the Atlantic just once, but actually cross the Atlantic four times. She then crossed the English Channel eleven times, in support of the D-Day landings. She then sailed as far as Calcutta, the Philippines and Australia before returning to San Francisco in 1946. She was mothballed until 1966 when restoration started to bring her back to her original war time condition. She opened to the public in 1980 and still makes day trips around San Francisco Bay. In 1994, the O'Brien was the only ship that had taken part in D-Day that made the trip to Normandy for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. I've ordered a PE set to enhance the detail and some 3D printed guns to replace the kit offering, which aren't very detailed. I won't be doing much for a bit, as finally I'm going on holiday to sunny Cornwall, first holiday for 18 months, since the madness started. So, here I start my project to try to show her as she would have looked on 6th June 1944. Wish me luck. Jon This is my first problem, as you can see the hull is very smooth so I will have to find a way of showing the plates. Another problem is it doesn’t come with a stand, so I’ll have to make something. Edited July 2, 2021 by Faraway 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntPhillips Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 I'll be sure to follow along, my dad was in the Merchant Navy during WW2, he crewed aboard the SS Samoa (most UK Liberty ships names began with Sam.....), I have this kit also along with the L'Arsenal upgrade set and plan to mount her on a nice plinth along with his medals. He had a partcular soft spot for the Liberty ships, and was proud to have crewed one. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 (edited) 8 minutes ago, AntPhillips said: I'll be sure to follow along, my dad was in the Merchant Navy during WW2, he crewed aboard the SS Samoa (most UK Liberty ships names began with Sam.....), I have this kit also along with the L'Arsenal upgrade set and plan to mount her on a nice plinth along with his medals. He had a partcular soft spot for the Liberty ships, and was proud to have crewed one. I like that idea of yours to mount her on a plinth with his medals, lovely idea. I couldn’t get the L’Arsenal upgrade so I’ve settled for the Eduard PE. On a similar theme, my wife’s uncle served on and was lost with HMS Hermione during WW2. When a 1/350 Dido class cruiser is released I might do something similar. Jon Edited July 2, 2021 by Faraway 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 Eduard Photo Etch has arrived, so now I can begin assembling this ship. Jon 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 Good choice beautiful ship visited in 2012 and the hull is far from smooth hope you do not mind but here are a few holiday snaps of her. And some rather nice art work. Give the masking tape method a go to show the hull lines run tape along the sides and prime remove tape and spray over again the already painted areas will stand out having had an extra coat of paint Stay Safe And enjoy your holiday/ Staycation beefy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 (edited) Cheers Beefy. Can’t ever have enough pictures. I’ll try the tape method, I’ve looked at you Portchester build, took me a while to comprehend what I was looking at, but the penny did eventually drop. MickM’s method looks amazing, but way above my skill level. I might try and get vertical plate lines in another way. Jon Edited July 2, 2021 by Faraway 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry L Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 If you are looking for more photos I hope these help. OBRIEN Drawing up the chair and will be following. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 2 hours ago, Jerry L said: If you are looking for more photos I hope these help. OBRIEN Drawing up the chair and will be following. @Jerry Lmost excellent photos. Very many thanks, looking at your location, I guess this ship is a neighbour. These photos show I’m going to have a challenge with the rigging, but then I never was one for an easy life. Thanks. Jon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 2 hours ago, Faraway said: ’ll try the tape method, I’ve looked at you Portchester build, took me a while to comprehend what I was looking at, but the penny did eventually drop. MickM’s method looks amazing, but way above my skill level. I might try and get vertical plate lines in another way. Jon You could also use the tape method but use short lengths set diagonally like a chess board to have a raised and low section of the paint build up still take a bit longer to mask but not as long and pain staking as Mick's build. Stay Safe beefy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 Looking at some of the excellent photos I’m receiving, from all you lovely BM’ers, not only is the rigging going to be a challenge. But I’m going to have to, at least, add some rope to the winches. This build just keeps on giving. (Headaches).🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Jon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 3 minutes ago, beefy66 said: You could also use the tape method but use short lengths set diagonally like a chess board to have a raised and low section of the paint build up still take a bit longer to mask but not as long and pain staking as Mick's build. Stay Safe beefy Sort of what I’m thinking, I will have a play during the weekend. To loosely quote a Time Bandits line.....‘I have a thought forming in me head’. Jon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 Thin twine thread like a tan colour raid the wife's sewing box she will never know if a little bit goes' missing from the roll At least I think mine does not notice. beefy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 Just now, beefy66 said: Thin twine thread like a tan colour raid the wife's sewing box she will never know if a little bit goes' missing from the roll At least I think mine does not notice. beefy I’ve got lots of strange spools of line, from very long past builds, Revell ‘Constitution’ springs to mind and from when I used to shoot bow and arrow and even made me own arrows. I just hadn’t considered all this extra detail I’m uncovering. This is NOT going to be a quick build. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry L Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 Jon, you are welcome, I have other photos not yet posted, let me know if there is a particular item you are looking for. Have an enjoyable weekend. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewbacca Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 (edited) Looks interesting - I don't think I've ever seen one of these kits built so I'm keen to see how it turns out. The Eduard PE set looks very different to the GMM version that I bought for my BULOLO build which is fully of insanely small bits to make rigging blocks. Edited July 3, 2021 by Chewbacca spulling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 10 hours ago, Jerry L said: Jon, you are welcome, I have other photos not yet posted, let me know if there is a particular item you are looking for. Have an enjoyable weekend. There is one thing you might be able to help with. Somewhere onboard is a name plate, but I’ve yet to find out where it is, I know about the one on top of the superstructure that has the name as well as the ships battle honours. However, I will be removing this as it wasn’t fitted until after the war. Also, I will have to paint out the names on the bow and stern, as this was done during her wartime service. The name plate in question was a wooden board painted black with 12” lettering, this board could be flipped over to conceal the name, should the need arise. I’m guessed, it’s on the main deck house, but if you know I’d be very grateful. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 15 hours ago, beefy66 said: You could also use the tape method but use short lengths set diagonally like a chess board to have a raised and low section of the paint build up still take a bit longer to mask but not as long and pain staking as Mick's build. Stay Safe beefy Trying to get this process clear in my head. 1 stick tape to hull 2 paint hull any colour as long as it’s grey 3 remove tape 4 repeat 2 Is that right ? Just got to figure how to get vertical lines. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry L Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 Jon, well you pick the one thing that I do not have a photo of, however, I know what you are 'talking' about. Let me check a few things out and get back to you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 2 hours ago, Faraway said: rying to get this process clear in my head. 1 stick tape to hull 2 paint hull any colour as long as it’s grey 3 remove tape 4 repeat 2 Is that right ? Just got to figure how to get vertical lines. Jon Jon will try and explain with a few photos of the method this was done fairly quick about 15 minutes for one side of the hull using Vallejo primers. 1. two lines of tape mark on lower tape where you want plate lines. 2. Add lower line of tape using 6mm for all this Tamiya tape score line with scalpel on marked lines remove every other piece and move up to create the checked pattern Apply couple of coats of primer I have used a red oxide Remove all the tape this is done rough remember. Apply final coat thinly Lightly sand with soft sanding sponge so the first coat starts to show through this will also start the weathering process. Hope that makes it a bit clearer now. Stay Safe beefy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 39 minutes ago, Jerry L said: Jon, well you pick the one thing that I do not have a photo of, however, I know what you are 'talking' about. Let me check a few things out and get back to you. Jerry. I think it’s on the cabin wall just where you enter the ship Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 6 minutes ago, beefy66 said: Hope that makes it a bit clearer now. That makes perfect sense, now I understand. I really thought my head was going to My sanity owes you a pint. Jon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faraway Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 (edited) Having received comprehensive, illustrated (I do need pictures)instructions from @beefy66 on how to simulate hull plating using masking tape and paint, I've applied said tape and paint and then removed said tape to reveal a new form of maritime camouflage, think I might leave it. Was that a collective gasp from the maritime community I hear ? Ok, just for you, I'll paint it over. After the taping and painting I've added all the PE that is fixed to the hull, a couple of railings and grills over the scuppers. Next will come the grey paint, but I think that'll have to wait until my return from my few days away. The represented plates might be a bit, the wrong size, but I think the plan is for them to almost disappear, so I can probably get away with it. So I'll leave this with you and be back soon. Now, are you sure I can't start a new trend of red and grey checker pattern camo ?????? Jon Edited July 4, 2021 by Faraway 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adm Lord De Univers Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Knight to f3 please Jon. David 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 Nice work Jon - I'm looking forwards to seeing how the hull plating will turn out Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry L Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 Good Morning Jon, the best I can do for you right now is to direct you to: Red Oak Victory The first three (3) photos show where the name board is located on that type of ship. If my memory is correct, I have seen O'brien's name board in the same locations. The name board was oblong not with the corners cut out. The name boards were located on the uppermost deck attached to the railing on the port, starboard, aft, and forward. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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