1/200 USS IOWA

[kevin]

@kevin I absolutely love the Pontos detail sets. They bring a whole lot to the game, just wish they weren't as expensive as they are. Your Iowa is looking great and at 1/200, you are building a whole lot of models all at once.

Yes, that's the mind set I'm taking with this build......many different models coming together, almost like making a diorama.
The Pontos set cost as much as the model did, and I almost decided against it. I watched a bunch of 1/200 USS MISSOURI with Pontos build videos from Midwest Model shop on yt and that gave the confidence I needed to have a go at this project.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Yes, that's the mind set I'm taking with this build......many different models coming together, almost like making a diorama.
The Pontos set cost as much as the model did, and I almost decided against it. I watched a bunch of 1/200 USS MISSOURI with Pontos build videos from Midwest Model shop on yt and that gave the confidence I needed to have a go at this project.

100% right, my little 1/350 Indy build with the Pontos set works the same way, it's about 20 or so models all in one. I haven't touched a detail set in many years, but I just take my time, measure twice cut once, dry fit, dry fit, dry fit until I'm stupidly sure I am doing it right....lol. I wish I had the space for 1/200 scale warships...

 

[kevin]

I've been working my way through some issues.......
First was the paint I bought for the deck. Squadron Scale Colors 5 - N Navy Blue...... "Water based acrylic paint. For airbrush use only."
Good thing I got four bottles because I used up one just trying to get it to spray through my airbrush mixed with water to no avail, it finally flowed when mixed with Tamiya X - 20 thinner, but looked weird and oily. So I hand brushed it on, there is enough texture on the Pontos "wood" deck that it worked very well. The paint itself is very translucent. It will darken up nicely with multiple coats. So this will work great to let me show a little wear in the high traffic areas.

The next issue was the same paint krinkled over the flat PE plates at the bow. I primed them with Rustoleum 2X from the hardware store. Sanded that down and went over it with Tamiya XF - 17 Sea Blue mixed with a little XF - 19 Sky Grey. That worked better and I'll use that on the rest of the horizontal surfaces that has the PE plates and use the Squadron paint on the wood.
The next issue is the PE! I lost the first round badly. The starboard 40 MM Bofors gun tub has 11 PE parts for the ammo racks..... I got them misaligned and have gobs of dried CA glue showing........ it was so frustrating it got me questioning my life decisions up to this point, "serenity now, serenity now."
I have 18 more to do, so I took a break to re-evaluate the procedure, and the port tub came out much better.

I'm still getting use to working in this small scale, ya I know that sounds funny when working on a kit that is almost five feet long, but all I've done for the last few years is 1/35 and 1/16 armour.
I feel like I'm getting into a groove now and enjoying this

 

[Edbert]

Personal opinion, the deck color looks better with a hand brush than an air brush.

 

[scottrc78]

I think you sold me on building with a Pontos set someday. The hull looks mighty fine. Too bad about the experience with the airbrush ready acrylic. I am skeptical that there is really such thing. I tried the Badger and AV brands and still ended up mixing either more Tamiya, AV, Windex, denatured alcohol, or distilled water with with poor results.

 

[kevin]

I was planning on having more done before the next update, but its been slow going, which is fine.
I'm getting a handle on the PE installation from Pontos. I've also used some PE from Trumpeter instead of Pontos because I liked the look of it better. I also made some hybrid parts from the PE and plastic kit parts when some PE assemblies went sideways or lost to the carpet monster.

My plan is to finish the deck details working my way from the bow to the stern, with the exception of the catapults and crane. Then lay it over on its sides to complete the hull painting. I have some cleanup to do from using a Mig Ammo brown wash, I have since gotten a Grey neutral wash that should look better. I also want to do some light weathering. Then figure out a stand for it, and on to the super structure!........eventually

 

[BarleyBop]

Wow, looking down in the top shot as though from the superstructure, it looks like it goes on forever!

 

[kevin]

It does!

 

[blakeh1]

Deck looks great!

So many details

 

[kevin]

Thanks, the stern area is still a work in progress. I will darken it more as the details are installed. I'll try to get the high traffic areas lighter than the rest of it.

 

[Edbert]

It does!

 

[domer94]

nice. enjoy the journey

 

[BOATMAN]

HI IM ENJOYIN your 1/200 build of this iowa an lookin forward to startin on my 1/200 scale uss horrnet as i want to do the dolittle raid
chrisb

 

[kevin]

I just won a small battle in the PE war.......

Had to bend the five rungs perpendicular and glued in place.
I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact I'm building the largest model I ever made with the smallest parts I've ever used.

 

[Edbert]

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact I'm building the largest model I ever made with the smallest parts I've ever used.

Good point!

 

[domer94]

turned out well. those ammo racks must have been fun. its the small victories that keep you coming back.. like golf !

 

[BarleyBop]

largest model I ever made with the smallest parts I've ever used.

Haha, like fractals, doesn't matter how much you zoom out, or you zoom in, the same level of pattern detail presents itself!

 

[kevin]

turned out well. those ammo racks must have been fun. its the small victories that keep you coming back.. like golf !

Thats just the first of six parts that go in there. Gonna paint each one before installing the next.
Only golf I've played is miniature golf, but I get your point.

 

[domer94]

Thats just the first of six parts that go in there. Gonna paint each one before installing the next.
Only golf I've played is miniature golf, but I get your point.

ive had mixed results with applying already painted parts although thats the only way to go with railings.. seems the only adhesive is that gators grip kind of stuff . the CA is usually a waste of time. BTW , any issues with the wood deck veneer pulling up anywhere?

 

[kevin]

Thanks for the heads up with the CA glue.
I applied a layer of Elmer's glue first, in addition to the adhesive back of the decks. No issues so far.

 

[blakeh1]

that is some fancy bending!

 

[kevin]

I've gone as far as I'm going to on the hull and main deck for now. I'm pretty happy with the results for the most part. There were some tiny PE assemblies that are not up to par......the floater baskets have three tiny stands each that I couldn't get on straight, so I attached them directly to the deck.

There was one total failure....the stern ladder rungs. There are about 25 tiny rungs that need holes drilled for installation. I got 8 on before giving up. They were crooked, gobs of CA glue, broke all my. 3mm drill bits. I got more drill bits ordered and it looks like Pontos supplies extra rungs so I may return for a round two later.

I'm turning my attention to the lower super structure now.

My brother and I toured the USS MASSACHUSETTS BB-59 last weekend in Fall River, Massachusetts. Its a South Dakota class battleship, but alot of similarities to the Iowa class, basically just a shorter version. It was very cool.

 

[domer94]

lol.. i saw a build thread on the Mikasa 1/200 .. same thing with the irons... it looked like the guy had them on their by magic... i was like WTF! any attempt ive made to barely dip the end of PE in CA and attach has almost never succeeded.
spent a night on the MASS when i was young.. talk about great inspiration for your build. i have a trip to the New Jersey on the list when she gets out of the yard

 

[kevin]

spent a night on the MASS when i was young.. talk about great inspiration for your build.

Very much so.....
I was starting to get frustrated with not being able to make the Pontos PE look as perfect as the pictures.
Moving forward I'm going to be happy with doing the best I can and carry on.

 

[kevin]

I started drilling out the potholes and going to glue clear plastic to the interior. I am considering some kind of interior lighting. I haven't done this before, but BOATMAN's work is inspiring.
Even without the lighting I think this will look better than painting the porthole.
Instead of scrapping of the kit fire hose details I glued the Pontos PE fire hose on top of it. It gives it more of a 3D look. I will probably do that with the hatches as well.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

I started drilling out the potholes and going to glue clear plastic to the interior. I am considering some kind of interior lighting. I haven't done this before, but BOATMAN's work is inspiring.
Even without the lighting I think this will look better than painting the porthole.
Instead of scrapping of the kit fire hose details I glued the Pontos PE fire hose on top of it. It gives it more of a 3D look. I will probably do that with the hatches as well.View attachment 145400

I agree the fire hoses look great that way. I'm interested to see how the hatches or watertight doors will look.

 

[blakeh1]

Love all the details you can get at that scale!

 

[domer94]

Love all the details you can get at that scale!

much easier for the eyes... except the climbing irons !

 

[BOATMAN]

HI Kevin yes light her up you will find that the lights will bring the model to life an will be more instreating to look at the ship as im hopein to fit all lightin in my big 1/200 SCALE TRUMPY USS HORNET AS ITS A NICE BIG KIT but ive got to build this big phantom firstly
an i wish you well sir on your build an i'll be followin your build as i love big models an if you want any help on the lighting then i'll be happy to help you if i can
ATB chrisb

 

[plastickjunkie]

The Iowa came to Port Everglades back in late 1988 during Navy Appreciation Week. I went aboard that huge and powerful battle wagon and was extremely impressed. I also bought the ship's hat. Great looking build.