Wednesday, November 16, 2016

It's Finished!!!

With construction of this kit commencing on April 21st 2008 and terminating November 16th 2016, I am glad to finally say that the U.S.S. Midway is now complete! It has taken 8 years, 6 months and 26 days to build over a period of 171 hours and 39 minutes which does not take into consideration all the research I performed. I have also built several other kits in between and have had many changes/challenges in my life such as the addition of my second (Terry) and third (Andy) sons as well as having a new house built and a major back injury that put me out of work for six months.

Building the Midway has also taught me that perfection in scale model building can take out a lot of the fun in the hobby and I have learned to seek a more artistic route to better enjoy this past time.

Last Piece of the Puzzle...

Well tonight I finally place the last piece of this puzzle together by installing the Midway decal to the stern. Since the kit did not come with such a decal I used Adobe Photoshop and a font called "Airborne" to print one onto Experts-Choice Decal Clear decal film. I intentionally saved this step for last as I found it to be fitting for a ship build.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Case Decorations

With the build almost complete I removed the protective plastic I had placed on the base of the case several months ago and proceeded in gluing a bronze medallion in an acrylic case on the left side and to the right the USS Midway patch. Both items where purchased on the Midway just like the scale model back when I visited her in San Diego on October 20th 2007.



Friday, November 11, 2016

Flight Deck Crew


Past few days I have been adding flight deck personnel to the flight deck of the Midway. Not sure how many were added but with all the coloured vests it helps add perspective to the scale of the other aircraft and the ship itself. 





Building a Paint Shelf Video


Here is a video explaining how and why I built a paint shelf.



Wednesday, November 9, 2016

"Tilly" Crane


Using photo etched parts I replaced the boom of the "Tilly" crane and added a photo etched pulley. Used the same metal cable for the arresting cables on the deck as a cable between the boom and the base of the crane. Finally using a steady hand and some toothpicks I painted the wheels and windows.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Tow Tractors



Managed to detail the very very tiny tow tractors used to pull the aircraft on the deck of the Midway.