SPA Modeler

I decided to build the old box scale Revell USS Arizona 1/426 model with a twist. I will build her as she is today complete with Shapeway's 1/426:1/429 Memorial.

I want to follow photos of the Memorial and drawings of the wreckage.



I will use this image as my blueprint.

More to follow.

This will be a lot of fun to watch!

Interesting project, I don't think I've ever seen that memorial. Is it for those that died during the attack on Pearl Harbour?

Yes that is the USS Arizona Memorial. It spans the sunken hull of Arizona. It is primarily a tribute to her crew, which had the highest amount of casualties, but also for all the others who died in the attack.


https://www.nps.gov/valr/index.htm

I've been there several times. It's a very solemn place, mostly whispering in the crowd besides the occasional youngling. After giving your respects, just jog on over the the Missouri right in front of her. The size difference is spectacular.
I've been wanting to build the Arizona like she was a few weeks after the attack, before the yard started to dismantle her. I'll get around to it eventually.

Thanks for all the comments and showing interest.

The Japanese launched a surprise attack on a Sunday, thinking that most of the service men would be sleeping in or on shore leave, they were right. December 7th, 1941 the first wave attacked at 07:55. A high level bomber dropped an armor piercing bomb which set off the main powder magazine on the USS Arizona.



The forward deck lost 22 feet in height and eleven hundred men!



The model will look something like this, I will order the three pieces from Shapeway 3D printing.



I am shooting the the detail on this scale model in the museum at Pearl Harbour, only a heck of a lot smaller.

Lots of good photos here of Arizona during and after the attack.

https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collec ... ttack.html

Thanks for the link, Stikpusher

I found a better picture of the model in Hawaii.



I only need a few of the parts from the kit.



I need to correct the size of the drawings. I traced the outline of the Arizona and took the drawing to the UPS store and had them match the size.




You can see how much damage was done, the forward hull is bowed out and I hash marked the hull halves that need to be removed.

This is an awesome project! I am going to love following along.

Thanks Stikpusher, it means a lot.

It is a big project for me because I have to build the model of the wreck, the Memorial, the piers and the base complete with mud and water.

The drawings match up pretty good, I will use them as a blueprint for the damage done to the
Arizona.



The first thing I need to do is remove the molded-on railings.



Here I have a general mock-up of the extent of the damage.



More to follow.