International Scale Modeller

Hello all....

For everyone following in the "works in Progress" thread, here is the final. As requested and promised, along with the photos, I am listing the products used during the build, identifying the kit shortfalls, corrections for accuracy, and additions or modifications performed.

KIT:

1/350 USS Arizona manufactured by Banner
(also sold under Hobby Boss and Mini Hobby)

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS USED DURING THE BUILD:

- Eduard super detail PE set # EDU53016
- Eduard super detail PE Set # EDU53069
- Eduard USS Arizona Railings # EDU53078
- Tom's Modelworks cranes and catapults PE set #TMW3528
- Tom's Modelworks boat details PE set #TMW3529
- Alliance Modelworks WW2 US Naval vessel wiring, cable, routers #NW35020
- Alliance Modelworks WW2 triangular perforated gussets #NW35032
- machined naval vessel ships bell #CYG011
- machined US Navy bollards and metal anchor chain #CYG007 (Qty=2)
- US Navy upgrade set #CYE012
- Master Models machined brass barrels (22) #350049
- Trumpeter 1/350 OSU-2 Kingfisher float planes #6249
- Blue Ridge Model's VF-5 decal set (for correct OSU-2 insignia) #BRM1109
- Scale Decks wood deck #LCD-42
- China value based wood deck (for small boats)
- AK Interactive US Navy WW2 camouflage paint set 1
- AK Interactive US Navy WW2 camouflage paint set 2
- AK Interactive thinner, brush cleaner
- Tamiya 1/350 Naval crew # 12622
- Minted USS Arizona challenge coins (2)
- Hobby Lobby 5x18 picture frame (for base)
- Hobby Lobby 1/8" premuim mat board
- JTT resin water (blue and clear)
- JTT model railroad snow powder
- Brass, plastic, aluminum rods, sheets, extrusions (various)
- welding solder (.162, .031, .015) various lengths
- Cements (CA glue, Testers clear glue, Loctite gel, debonding agent, insta-set)
- Brushes and applicators (various)
- Hobby knife razor blades (many for PE alone)
- Wet/dry sanding paper (various 320-2000 grit)
- Sew-ology clear nylon rigging thread #1254360

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS:

- The Battleship Arizona (Waldemar Goralski)
- USS Arizona, The enduring Legacy of a Battleship (Ineo Bauernfeind)
- Battleship Arizona, An Illustrated History (Paul Stillwell)
- USS Arizona, Squadron at Sea (David Boyle)
- USS Arizona, Ships Data (Leeward Publications)
- USS Arizona Ships Drawings, Arizona Memorial Museum Assn.
- input from various first hand experts

KIT SHORTFALLS, CORRECTIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS:

- Poor deck fitting and details (corrected with wood deck, PE and scratch components)
- Poor design and seams in superstructure (corrected with PE, plastic, brass, etc.)
- Poorly molded 5" broadside gun stations (modified for soft covers, brass barrels)
- Poorly molded stairs, ladders, doors, vents (removed old, corrected with PE sets)
- Poorly molded aircraft (disgarded, corrected with Eduard, PE and scratch items)
- Poorly molded anchor chain (removed old, corrected with real scale chain)
- Poorly molded hawes pipes and anchor locker holes (reshaped, PE, plastic)
- Poorly molded barrels and design (discarded, scratch build with metal barrels)
- Poorly molded detail on main guns (corrected with scratch and PE parts)
- Poorly molded splinter shields and gun tubs (removed, replaced with PE, scratch work)
- Poorly molded and inaccurate superstructure (removed, replaced with PE and scratch)
- Poorly molded and inaccurate conning tower (removed, replaced with PE)
- Poorly molded and inaccurate signal flag boxes (removed replaced with PE)
- Poorly molded cranes and catapults (discarded, replaced with PE, and scratch items)
- Poor detail under all platforms (removed, replaced with PE and scratch items)
- Boat mounts incorrect and poor mold (removed, replaced with PE and scratch items)
- Rear gun tubs molded wrong (removed, replaced with PE and scratch items)
- Boats and barges lack any detail (corrected with PE and scratch items)
- Incorrect leading edge of hull armor plate (reshaped corrected belt lines)
- Incorrect bilge keels (did not use lower half of hull)
- Incorrect location for main mast tripod legs (modified model and scratch items)
- Incorrect signal platform in kit and Eduard (modified, scratch items, PE)
- Incorrect platforms/stairs by vegetable locker (partial scratch fix)
- Incorrect search light structures on exhaust funnel (removed, fixed with PE)
- Incorrect flag poles (front, rear, main mast) (removed and created from scratch)
- Incorrect masts and antenna array (removed, fixed with PE and scratch items)
- Missing R.D.F. Hut on superstructure (created from scratch)
- Missing Mk#49 platforms/rings superstructure (created from scratch)
- Missing Mk#49 raised platforms stern tubs (created from scratch)
- Missing and incorrect Eduard PE conning tower stairs (scratch built with PE)
- Missing incinerator (created from scratch)
- Missing all open chocks (created from scratch)
- Missing reels, waterproof doors, vents (corrected with PE)
- Missing anchor details (corrected with PE and scratch)
- Missing flags for bow, stern, no signal flags, (corrected from scratch)
- Missing sky top MG Platform for 41 (fixed with PE and scratch items)
- Missing fore mast sky perch for 41 (corrected with PE)
- Missing boat booms on sides of hull (fixed with scratch items)
- Missing hull observation planks (fixed with spare part PE)

After all that, I present my corrected USS Arizona. It is shown as anchored in February 1941 at the Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard prior to its departure to Pearl Harbor. It is painted in the correct period colors.

































A special thanks for all those who provided resources, information, motivation, and encouragement during the build (you know who you are).

Thanks for looking, your feedback is encouraged.

Ben

Absolutely beautiful! And done in 7 months? Insane!

Ben. Just incredible.







- P

This has the makings of a magnum opus. Though, I think you still have greater works in your future. Truly an amazing work of art. This will forever be a work of detail, research and modelling skill that I think everyone should work towards. A magnificent piece!

BigWall... Thank you very much. Also thank you for the encouraging words during the build thread. To be specific it was actually 896 hours labor and $845.86 including taxes and shipping of products (excluding of labor which was free). I have never done anything like this before. Not sure when I will do something like it again either.

Parker, thanks a lot... and thanks for your input throughout the build, it was appreciated.

aur0ra145, much appreciated. Not so sure about all that you said, but I am please with the results. I think I could've kept going on small things but there has to be a time to call something "done". I built this as part of a group build in another modeling site. When I started I had no idea what I was getting into. The research including conflicting information, extra junk to purchase, I could go on, but you understand I'm sure... it was way more than I could ever anticipate. To honor those who served on her and the memorial I felt I had to do something special, I hope I achieved that.

That is an absolutely amazing job!!! The attention to detail is amazing given the smallness of the scale - you have gone further in 1/350 than I would have expected in 1/72. Congratulations on a job exceedingly well done!!!
What will be the next project once you are over this??

Nothing more to say except

That really is quite exceptional work Ben.

The amount of detail you've packed in is breathtaking and the result is just stunning - absolutely awesome

Have no doubt that you have honored those who served aboard her Drums01.

Absolutely sensational. You've done such a great job at this I've been showing my friends!

I thoroughly enjoyed following the build. Well done!

Ranger Neil: Thank you very much, that is exactly what I was after, accuracy and detail. I'm not sure what is next but I'm leaning towards a 1910 Thomas Flyer in 1/16 antique kit molded by Bandai.

Digger303: Thank you, and thanks for sticking with me throughout the build.

Tomcat64: Thanks... I wanted it built to a standard fitting for the ship and its men.

LWWales: Thanks a lot,...and thanks for sharing it with others. I am glad you enjoyed the build thread.


Ben

There are no superlatives good enough.

Bravo Sir. Bravo

Stokesy44: Thank you very much sir! It took far more time and effort than first expected when I opened the box. It was a journey but I am overall satisfied with the results. I'm also glad to see the number of ISM mates like you who also enjoyed the build with me.



Ben

Ben

Amazing work on this kit and photo etch to bring it up to her latest refit in 1941, till her demise!!!!!

I enjoyed each and every tread and looked forward to your next thread on the AZ build all 25+!!!! It felt like in was part of the journey to completion too.

Hope I can build my Hobby Boss 1/350 Uss AZ to look as good as your build of her!! Just started drilling out the portholes on hull.

Eugene

Thanks Eugene for your kind words. I hope my build thread might aide you in building your Banner 1/350 Arizona to the level you desire. That is precisely why I listed all of the products used in the build as well as the corrections performed, in hopes that someone with better skills than I could bring it to even a higher level of professional authenticity.

Good luck with her, I will be watching yours with interest.

Ben

Just beautiful.
Well done on an amazing piece.

I hope to get to Pearl Harbor one day and visit the memorial.

I have the same kit in stock but with only the Big Ed add on ... when i see your AMAZING work to up date this kit ... i can't find my words!



(it's not tomorrow that i will begin the Arizona kit, that's sure!)

newjerseydamo= thanks, I am glad you liked the results. I have never been to the memorial in person either and would love to go some day. One of those who helped validate my corrections was a retired naval veteran who had the honor and privilege to dive on the memorial on several occasions.

ForeverPlasticKits= thank you very much I am glad that many forum subscribers like and appreciate the kit. While the Big Ed updates are massive, there is still a lot of work past that. It is the reason why I listed my resources along with the corrections performed on the kit. I hope the challenges of the build bring you many rewards in the results.

Thank you both once again.....

Ben