Trumpeter 1/350 Jeremiah O’Brien Liberty Ship

[LyleW]

Yesterday, I finally got enough stuff dragged upstairs to start on this. Still need better light, but, I’m making do (I hope not do do)! A lot of small parts, small assemblies with 3-4 parts, but I think that is common for Trumpeter.

The parts count seems to be roughly equal to an Eduard 1/48 109.

I have two PE frets as well. Mostly for the railings and ladders, but I think there will be plenty I can use. As you would expect, there are some PE pieces that require an electro microscope, and, wouldn’t you know it, mine is in the shop!

I got the hull parts primed, the deck pieces attached and starting to add the parts from the bow aftwards.

I’m sitting in Pam’s room watching her sleep.

No pics yer. I’ll try to take sone this evening. Really no much to see.

[speedgraflex]

I’m following along, Lyle. Something that may be useful to remember is something I read from the founders of Wingnut Wings. I think it’s one of the same fellas who started Kotare next and are doing kits again. It was about rigging but I believe it applies to photo etch too, and it was simple plain Kiwi advice about model building: if you’re not comfortable with adding rigging then build it without; what’s most important is to make the model.

Sounds good, right? But I personally never follow it and always try to build all the bloody details and as a consequence lose sight of the fun and ultimately I don’t reach the finish line.

I always admire that you fearlessly build old and new kits based on subject! My opinion is that choice is always the right choice. However I see so many modelers particularly online ones showboating their builds stuffed with detail work and bloodlessly beautiful. This reminds me that my grandmother the professional singer told me that greatest classical music composition was done in an era where pro musicians were few and far between. This blew my mind because how is it possible, really? But I’d like to stretch this overstretched analogy towards model building. Our hobby doesn’t date to the introduction of injection molding. It goes back, way back, to carving wood into the forms of ships—and I’d like to try to keep my work that simple despite all the new wonderful tools we now have to make things.

[LyleW]

Well put, Bruce. I bought the PE sets I did because most of what I wanted doesn’t seem to need too much fiddling’ around with. I will give the things a try and see how it goes.

These kits, save the Tamiya M3 Lee, represent a big step away from what I’ve become too comfortable with. I hope it is not too big of a step. I’m looking at YouTube videos on building thing fine boat, watching for different techniques and methods. And I’m taking my time. It will look fine, okay enough, with little or no PE. Honestly, my bigger concern is weathering. Mr. O’Brien begs to be shown is a weathered state. Again, Yourube is my friend. I’m learning that where I would have stopped before is really just the beginning. So, this won’t be a weekend build.

It was a bit strange being downstairs at the bench yesterday. It has been 4,On-The-Go or more. It felt as though I’d never been there…a foreign place. Not sure how I feel about that. It may make me rethink a lot of what I was doing, clean up the room, get rid of the detritus and have a proper workspace. That remains to be seen.

[speedgraflex]

I would advise against too much weathering particularly if you’re showing an active service version!

[LyleW]

Great pictures.

Not talking “Tammy Faye Baker” weathering. But, you are correct

[Stikpusher]

Well you could beat it up too. Plodding across the North Atlantic or Pacific could get pretty rough during the stormy seasons.

[LyleW]

My problem is I have no good idea what I’m doing. That served me pretty well in flying and my working days. Watching some the videos I’ve watched, I don’t keep after a spot until there is just enough of a hint to suggest rust, fading or what have you. I’m determine.d this will be fun, a way to unwind after being up at the hospital.

[speedgraflex]

caption: "W.O. #2193, Neg. #1615. 1 June 1945. 1. View showing port side of Freighter N.O. #420. Archibald Mansfield. 2. Photograph taken at Army Wharf, Berth #5, N.O.P.E., New Orleans, La., for Port history. Arrived: 5/29/45. Left: 6/8/45--for Manila. Photographer Pvt. Roy Chelgren.

[speedgraflex]

Well you could beat it up too. Plodding across the North Atlantic or Pacific could get pretty rough during the stormy seasons.

My problem is I have no good idea what I’m doing. That served me pretty well in flying and my working days. Watching some the videos I’ve watched, I don’t keep after a spot until there is just enough of a hint to suggest rust, fading or what have you. I’m determine.d this will be fun, a way to unwind after being up at the hospital.

Crush red pastels to add a bit of color but not too much. This in my opinion is too much but the streak on the far left looks good.




Use thinned glossy paint to create a wet looking surface streak!

[LyleW]

Okay, here are a few pics. Please, hold your applause until the end.

The box top



My auxiliary work space. It is wife approved…for now.





progress so far…



What I’m working on now



There are ten of these to be made. I shall be quite mad by then.there are 4 parts to each.