Shipshapes
The Absurdity of Detailing
New Orleans, Pensacola, Atlanta, and Bagley to scale with my hand
Without a doubt, detailing is what gives these models their sense of realism. Without them, they would simply be hulks of wood with a mast or two and funnels. Which wouldn't be very realistic, would they?
Unfortunately, detailing is also the most complex aspect of creating these models; it results in the most precarious creations and the most inaccurate aspects. But it also results in the most excitement in creating models. Here are a few methods and instances to show minute but essential details.
The bridge windows for every ship were created by dipping the tip of a needle into black paint. The needle is then gently pushed into the wood to paint the windows.
One of the most complex aspects of cruisers are their bridge superstructures, especially the bridge wings. The most detailed one by far is that of Northampton, as seen here. The two pairs of bridge wings were created by cutting a thin piece of balsa wood in half, then half again, then shaping them.
The relatively hidden torpedo tubes of Northampton were made through over ten minutes of tedious work and painting. It was made with the very tip of the finest brush I had with grey paint, but on my first trial, I painted over some of the hull. I spent nine more minutes painting and re-painting, fixing and re-doing util I had the desired effect.
Some relatively complex detailing on North Carolina regarding its secondary 5" armament, main anti-aircraft suite, and davit cranes. The cranes are made of toothpick ends and staples, and the guns from bits of balsa and staples as well.
The torpedo tubes on ships are created by snapping off four staples from a larger set. These four are not broken apart and are cut together to the desired length. That segment is then glued on to the ship.
The rear superstructure of New Orleans was also rather difficult to create in terms of its numerous structures and weapons. The catapults were made of balsa scraps and toothpicks and the cranes out of staples.
These little aspects of realism really contribute to the overall appearance of the ships and their parallels to their real-life counterparts. I hope you enjoy learning about these minute details as much as I did making them.
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| New Orleans, Pensacola, Atlanta, and Bagley to scale with my hand |
Unfortunately, detailing is also the most complex aspect of creating these models; it results in the most precarious creations and the most inaccurate aspects. But it also results in the most excitement in creating models. Here are a few methods and instances to show minute but essential details.
The bridge windows for every ship were created by dipping the tip of a needle into black paint. The needle is then gently pushed into the wood to paint the windows.
One of the most complex aspects of cruisers are their bridge superstructures, especially the bridge wings. The most detailed one by far is that of Northampton, as seen here. The two pairs of bridge wings were created by cutting a thin piece of balsa wood in half, then half again, then shaping them.
The relatively hidden torpedo tubes of Northampton were made through over ten minutes of tedious work and painting. It was made with the very tip of the finest brush I had with grey paint, but on my first trial, I painted over some of the hull. I spent nine more minutes painting and re-painting, fixing and re-doing util I had the desired effect.
Some relatively complex detailing on North Carolina regarding its secondary 5" armament, main anti-aircraft suite, and davit cranes. The cranes are made of toothpick ends and staples, and the guns from bits of balsa and staples as well.
The torpedo tubes on ships are created by snapping off four staples from a larger set. These four are not broken apart and are cut together to the desired length. That segment is then glued on to the ship.
The rear superstructure of New Orleans was also rather difficult to create in terms of its numerous structures and weapons. The catapults were made of balsa scraps and toothpicks and the cranes out of staples.
These little aspects of realism really contribute to the overall appearance of the ships and their parallels to their real-life counterparts. I hope you enjoy learning about these minute details as much as I did making them.
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