USS Baltimore

[Don Boyer]

Gone Asiatic convinced me to try one of the smaller 1/700 scale ship models after the 1/350 Missouri I just finished. Couple of preliminary photographs. I started with the bow section primarily as it is an open area easy to work with at first. Brass detail kits are a must to bring out the best in these Combrig models. I am modifying some deck cleats from a 1/700 Japanese ship anchor set to use for tie down hooks for the standing and running rigging. They are unobtrusive and work well with the thread I will be using.

The waterline is done with my favorite trick for those...old ChartPak mapping tape which adheres well and is straight and flat to start with.

Not sure yet if my fingers are good enough for this project, but it certainly is a challenge and fun to see "how it turns out". Thanks to Gone Asiatic for the idea!

[Gone Asiatic]

She looks marvelous...and in war paint for Manila Bay!

[Don Boyer]

In regard to "war paint", when Commodore Dewey's fleet was making their approach to Cavite, the Spanish detonated some sea mines a couple of miles in front of the flagship Olympia. Either it was poor timing, or to clear the area for Spanish ships to maneuver, as their report said.

When the mines went off, an old salt on Olympia was heard to comment "They ain't so good at blowing up ships that come with their fightin' clothes on!"

:)

[Don Boyer]

Well, hats off to Going Asiatic if he's built the entire group of Dewey's Asiatic Fleet. He has the patience of the Buddha, obviously! Particularly with some being entirely scratch-built!

My Baltimore is progressing nicely, with a little teeth-grinding here and there, but overall I am happy with what I see so far. For my first try at this scale, I don't feel to bad about how it's turning out, although if I do another in this scale, I think I might upgrade to the Dreadnought or one of the 13.5's just for a bit more size.

I have learned that I should have put the guns on last, as I now have a 6 inch mount to repair, but I discovered I can pare down two small boat davits and use them as new sleeves for the six inch gun I accidentally dis-mounted. Glue and learn ---- :)

That aside, progress to date is pretty good. I have picked the time period for the ship -- her one day stay in Mirs Bay, China prior to departure for the Philippines when she was stripping and fitting for battle. She already has her dark gray war paint applied in Hong Kong and is now in the process of tying down and covering the fit of boats she carried -- she had sent some to the Nanshan to be stored and carried around five with her. One of the steam launches was on board, and I've basically winged the rest. Also working on figuring out what will look like the matting the boats were covered in and tied down.

The small cleats from the 1/700 Japanese anchor set worked great as tie-points for the standing rigging for the stacks. They are small, unobtrusive and can be angled to take advantage of the "hook" without any strain on the line (which is actually fake wig hair). I will anchor the standing and running rigging for the masts in a similar fashion.

Some of the boat cranes have to be rigged, and some stored, and then it's the masts. An interesting and really informative little project, considering I'm writing a book on the ship.

[Gone Asiatic]

Looks totally awesome!;)

[Don Boyer]

While waiting for White Ensign to send me my Atlantic ratlines, I have been slowly adding the rigging to the Baltimore using the fake hair from a Halloween wig -- most appropriate tonight!

My idea of modifying the Japanese 1/700 cleats as tie-downs for the rigging is working well, and I have cut down some 1/350 20 mm guns to work as the six-pounders that aren't in the kit. I can't mount two of them until I'm sure exactly where the mainmast ratlines will fit. Also have to fit one set of boat-handling gear for the steam launch and the two other boats. the others are tied down on deck

Fun piece of work, but more frustrating than the 1/350 I'm used to because my fingers seem to turn into sausages handling the minuscule parts. One little move at a time seems to do it. Walk away if it gets frustrating...:)

Having to repair a shield on one of the 8" guns has taught me I should have saved the guns for last, but lesson learned. Very challenging model I must say.

I have the small piece of wood to mount the Baltimore on diagonally, on an ocean-colored base and I will do a small write-up glued to the base and covered in clear acrylic to accompany the model. I've decided that the period for the model is while she was just departing Mirs Bay China and finishing tying down and covering the ships boats in preparation for the upcoming battle.

Using very light tissue paper, painted and folded just right has worked on an experimental little boat that I didn't use on the model, so it should work well on the model as well. Looks like rolled canvas with coiled ropes at hand. That will be the last fit.

[Don Boyer]

While awaiting the ratlines -- thanks, British postal strike -- some work on the small boats being covered and tied down and a tentative fit of the ship and it's eventual base. Modifications to some of the Japanese "sakura" emblems off the anchor/cleat set works excellently as "coiled rope." A good day for modeling.

[Gone Asiatic]

Lookin` good!;)

[Don Boyer]

As White Ensign Models has informed me my ratlines are on hold for a bit while they go attend a big fat model show in England, a late post with the Baltimore. I've decided these little ships need to be bolstered with a setting, unless there are lots of them, otherwise they become kind of gray lumps on the display shelf. Can't have that!

Gone Asiatic: Thanks for pointing out these little jewels -- this had been a fun build that I would not have tried had you not suggested it. How goes it with the Asiatic Fleet? Down to the Nanshan and Zafiro yet? Looking forward to seeing your fleet in battleline order, headed for the entrance to Manila Bay!

I was plotting my next project as a 1/350 HMS Tiger, and am finding out there is no such animal -- I may have to go 1/700 for that one too! We'll see.

[Don Boyer]

Until I get my ratlines from WEM, I am about done with Baltimore except for touch up and the usual tweaking. Give it a rest for awhile. I like the way it came out, readying for battle and the like. Learned a lot about working with smaller stuff. Gone Asiatic...fun stuff, glad you suggested trying the 1/700. If I do another, it's going to be HMS Tiger or something just a wee bigger!

[Gone Asiatic]

Awesome, but why go to bigger projects in 1/700? Soon I`ll post pics of my Yangtze Patrol gunboats....1/700 of course!

[Don Boyer]

To do really small ships like those, I'd need an electron microscope and one of the repair droids from Star Wars!

I can't wait to see your Asiatic fleet in line of battle when you get that set done. Don't think I"ve ever seen the full group, including Nanshan and Zafiro in any scale anywhere. Next, the pre-WWII Asiatic Fleet? :)

The Baltimore has been fun, and if WEM ever sends me my ratlines I can call it "done." Right now she's sitting in my display case "in reserve" for the time being.

I have completed the Missouri and King George V, and they are awaiting a glass man to do the case. Seems like a lot of people will cut the glass, but none want to put them together...I guess because of the size.

Sincerely,

[mabmanu]

Hello .
Excuse me for my bad english ( I'm French )

Beautiful .

patrice

[Don Boyer]

Mabmanu:

"Beautiful" needs no translation. Thanks much for the compliment and Happy Holidays!

For everybody else, the ratlines finally came in. After the holidays I will get them in and post new photos. Thanks for all the support!

Regards

[Don Boyer]

Well, Gone Asiatic, I finally got enough time to sit down and finish the last details on the Baltimore...the ratlines are in. The lines are done, I think...

Some photos of the end product. A fun build, but I need better magnification if I am going to try another of these!!

Regards,

[steve roberts]

Hi Don.Fantastic model.I particularly like the in water shot.Looks pretty cool.How long in total do you estimate it took you to complete to your satisfaction?...Regards Steve.

[Don Boyer]

Thanks for the comments Steve. Was a fun project, but I get the feeling 1/700 is a bit small for me in the realm of comfort. There's tiny, then there's really irritatingly small :). I see from the photos a small bit of paint touch up is needed.

If I was thinking in terms of 8 hour days working on it, I'd say it took three weeks worth. It really was a start and stop job though.

Glad Gone Asiatic suggested it as a project. Might include some photos of it in the book I am working on regarding Baltimore just for fun.

Regards,