Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Navy - Military - Battleships: => Topic started by: dlancast on March 28, 2017, 08:46:55 pm
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Ok Folks, I have interrupted my Arizona build to get this project done for a dear friend. He has asked me to build a model of the Wilks class WW2 Destroyer U.S.S. Watters DD-115. I have selected a fine kit from Iron Shipwrights of the U.S.S. Ward DD-139 as a base model. Fortunately, these 4 stackers were all pretty similar, so I won't have to make many changes. I just have pictures to go by at this point. There are line drawings of the Watters available, but I am reluctant to pay the large sums required if I don't have to. The Watters keel was laid July 26, 1917. She honorably served through 3 theaters of war and was scrapped Nov. 21, 1946. The model is resin and PE parts with lots of detail for the scale. It will be a challenging and fun build. Hope you all enjoy it as well. Cheers, Dennis
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In at the start and following Dennis. :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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Dennis,
Not to be too much of a stickler for details, but the USS Watters, was actually the USS Waters. Also the question arises, are you building her a DD-115 early in the war, or as ADP-8 circa 1943? Either way, I look forward to your build. The latter configuration should be a bit of a challenge.
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I stand corrected. I guess I stutter sometimes. Yes, it is U.S.S. Waters DD-115. I will be attempting to render her prior to being modifed to "fast troop carrier". That modification was interesting in that one boiler was removed to make room for cargo and troops, yet I think her speed was still very good. Thanks for making that point.
Regards, Dennis :embarrassed:
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Interesting conversion project.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_transport
Yet another interesting build topic to follow into the spring :-))
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Interesting indeed. Looks like the conversion resulted in a 10 knot loss of speed. 25 knts was not shabby though. I believe she would carry two to four landing craft on deck as well. The request for this build was not of the APD.. .it would be interesting to do.. not sure I've seen a model done that way.
Bottom paint and prop shafts and support struts are done. I'll be installing screws shortly (they are huge and from the pictures I've seen, they were huge for the ship size.. she must have had the horsepower). Dennis
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Ok, screws, shafts, struts installed. Bottom paint is on. Portholes have been drilled. Dennis
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more. Boat stand is temporary.
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This gives you an idea of screw size. Dennis
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More detail. Working on bridge and wanted to get a shot before I put the lid on. For scale, that is a US dime laying on the foredeck. Helm wheel is less than 1/8". Fun, fun fun... Dennis
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Wowsers! Those screws would look proportional on a Cruiser. Knowing the detail you put on the large vesels. you will do great things on this wee model Dennis.
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WOW Dennis, that dime sure puts the sizes in perspective - I don't envy you the work to be done on this one. :o
Regards,
Ray.
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The magic is beginning to happen and details are coming along. I happened to have some 30 links per inch chain that is just about right for scale for anchor chain. Dennis
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I like the cigar shape of the hull, very graceful.
You have made excellent progress, you are definitly getting a lot out of this part of the Model boating hobby :}
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Name is on. Other details mounted as well. Next will be ships boats and davits. Nearing the end of this project. Can't help it, but Bluejacket Shipcrafters has a nice 1/8" scale kit that yields a model almost 40" long (I think) that is of the same 4 stacker DD. Its hopeless, but I'd love to build her. Maybe I can convince my doctor friend to commission the build, then I don't have to worry storage ;) Dennis
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Go on treat yourself Dennis, She will not take up much room as she will be very slim, and think of all the detail you can squidge into her!!
This current model though is looking like a sweetheart.
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Gentlemen, this model is finished. All I have to do is have a name plate made and mount inside the case. It will then be shipped to my friend. Its been a fun project and I kinda like the scale... although a bit on the small side, it may not be too bad for size. Am now moving back to my Arizona build to finish rigging her and complete that build. Regards, Dennis
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How are you shipping her to your frend Dennis? I do hope that the courier (if you are using one) is well insured or offers a reasonable cover for damages etc, as I would hate to hear that your work had been used for sports or even driven over accidently.
She looks splendid Dennis.
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Oh believe me, I am taking cosiderable risk. I have had success shipping a small model in this type of case to my daughter successfully. The case is wood and plexi. the model is secured well with very strong metal pins, plus the rigging helps alot from any jarring. I will wrap the case in several layers of bubble wrap and then pack that in a strong box with styrofoam "peanuts". Then, I will insure the heck out of it. I'm sure the carrier takes great joy in seeing if they can break anything that is fragile. Only other way if for my friend (who is over 80 yrs old) drive 1000 miles to pick the model up. I could be wrong here, but the physics for a small model like this and the over-all light weight, tends to have less enertia dynamics, relative to shearing aspects etc. (I flunked physics in school). Of course, I believe in the power of prayer. Dennis
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Hey Dennis, how did your delivery go? Was your friend pleased with his excellent model that you made for him?
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Model is in transit as we speak. I paid $100 for shipping. The fella that did the packing was used to this kind of thing. He did a double box within a box, with bubble wrap and peanuts. I insured the heck out of it. Should have an answer for you by Tuesday of next week. Dennis
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For those that are curious, the model arrived at its destination (over 1,000 miles away) in perfect condition. New owner is very, very pleased and grateful and so am I. Hats off to FedEx and the local packer for making it all happen. Dennis
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Well, that IS good news Dennis. After all the effort you put into the project it's good to hear of a most satisfactory outcome. So, well done to you and full marks to your courier. :-)) :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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I am so very pleased to hear this Dennis. We have read on this very forum of the heart breaking damage casued to models by their transportation. Your efforts and expense on the packing was well spent.
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Yes indeed.... I was taking a real risk, but it was the only way to go. I think what saved me was the small size and very good packing. Would not recommend it for something in the 3ft range. I sold a model of the Flying Cloud (clipper ship) a number of years ago. I had placed it in an art gallery and it sold for a ton of money. The buyer hired a shipping company who came and crated the model, in its case with specail shock absorbsion, etc. Cost him several thousand dollars as it went from the West coast (US) to East coast (US). Model itself was 4ft long and I had used very fine chain (30 links per inch) for some of the rigging and a couple of those chain had parted during the trip. He had to hire a model maker to come in and repair the damage. That was probably an extreme example, but I do wonder how models are shipped all over the world, all the time. Summer is almost here... I'll be taking my 15ft sailboat I built out for a sail on the lake this weekend. One last time before I sell her.
Dennis
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I was expecting to read that the clipper suffered much worse damage but good to hear the damage was minimal.
To be honest, the fact that most model ships for sale are collection only has saved me many hndreds of pounds!
Enjoy your last sail Dennis and go safe.