Army_Air_Force Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Here's an interesting little work project I've got on at present. I've been commissioned to build a large N scale railway set during World War 2. Part of the layout will be a quayside with a Destroyer in dry dock and a Liberty Ship unloading goods. Since no suitable Liberty ship kits were available, I decided to kit bash the Revell Fletcher class Destroyer. The customer was happy so long as it looked the part, it didn't need to be millimetre accurate. Using the kit allowed me to use the hull, props, anchors, guns, railings and funnel, saving me a huge amount of time by not having to scratch build them. I've also added a 'Hurricat' on the bow for added interest, using the Sweet Hurricane kit. My thread title says it was all done in two easy steps. They were:- Leave off everything that wasn't Liberty Ship shaped, and make all the bits that I needed to make it Liberty Ship shaped! Here's how it all began, with the Destroyer kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 Since Destroyers are fairly narrow, the hull needed bulking out a bit, so a 1 1/4 inch strip was added along the centre line, and the bow and stern pulled in. The remaining triangle space was then filled with styrene. The sides of the ship were also raised in height by 3/4 of an inch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 The holds were separated to help support the deck. and the hull primed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 Most of the basic structure done. All painted except for the bridge and superstructure. I was waiting for the second Destroyer kit to pinch the life boats, davits and a few other small parts which would be fitted to the superstructure before painting. That kit arrived this morning, so I'll be able to finish it off now. The second kit won't need these parts as it is in dry dock undergoing repairs for battle damage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 A couple of close up pictures of the Hurricat and launch ramp. The railway will also have part of an airfield, with a number of B-17's, a C-47 and PBY5a, plus a crash landed Lancaster. I'll post up some pics in a few months time once I get around to that section of the layout. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Stephen VERY NICE ..good work !!! :P Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Now that is a project you don't seen done too often. Very nice (and creative) solution. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 (edited) Thanks guys. It's been an enjoyable conversion. The guy in the model shop said I'd be better scratch building the whole thing, but there were so many small kit parts I've used, it made it worth while, plus I got the kit cheap too. Edited January 15, 2011 by Army_Air_Force Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 Here's an interesting comparison picture, the converted ship together with the original Destroyer Hull from the next kit, plus a couple of closer overall views. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fustercluck Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I'm not a ship guy, but it looks good to me. Well done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 Finished! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quailane Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Wow, very creative and well executed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 It's been a while since I posted anything in this thread, but I haven't been idle. The first section of railway is almost complete, with the Liberty Ship at the quay, a Destroyer in Drydock, and lots of activity on the quay itself. Here's a few recent photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Stop it. Us mortals cannot contend with your ability. Get back to your 17! lol That's going to be a heck of a railway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnS Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Wow! Awesome! Fantastic! Terrific! Beautiful! What a great diorama. :blink: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted April 6, 2011 Author Share Posted April 6, 2011 Thanks guys, and just think, this is just one of about 13 layout sections! Here's the track plan, 11 feet x 30 feet, in N scale!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted April 16, 2011 Author Share Posted April 16, 2011 Try as I might, I couldn't find a 1940's fire engine, so this 1950's model had to do. I tried a number of different places for the fire engine, but with the Morris truck towing the bofors gun, it would have blocked the route the Morris would have just driven along. The only option was to move the Morris and Bofors to make way for the fire engine. Canvas fire hoses were made from thin copper wire sprayed, and glued down. One end passes from the water in the dock to the fire truck, then from the other side of the fire truck to the two firemen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted April 16, 2011 Author Share Posted April 16, 2011 I made a B&Q trip yesterday, mainly for some Conti board to make a dam around the area of water. The board was drilled for screws to hold it to the sides of the quayside section, then waxed with mould release wax to prevent the resin from sticking to it ( hopefully!!!! ). The board was then screwed to the side and end of the quay. While there are a number of cheap polyester resins that can be used for water, I was concerned about the styrene dissolved in the resin attacking the hull of the Liberty Ship. As a result, I had to go for the more expensive epoxy resin. This was to be poured in several layers, with the bottom layers having quite a bit of brown paint mixed in to hide the baseboard. Here we go, the first pour. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted April 16, 2011 Author Share Posted April 16, 2011 The last of the water was poured this morning. There was only 250gms left, so it only forms a thin layer, but enough to add the final detail to the surface. After the majority had been poured in and spread around, I mixed in some fibre glass 'Micro Fibres' into the resin that was left. This thickened up up a little, and gave it more of a white colour. A tiny bit of brown paint was added to take the edge off the white and it was carefully poured in behind the tug and landing craft. With the handle end of a paint brush, I dragged the white mix and swirled it into the clear resin, creating the froth generated by the props of both vessels. I'm quite pleased with the result. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted April 16, 2011 Author Share Posted April 16, 2011 Here's the landing craft which was placed into the last wet coat of resin since it was a flat bottomed model. This still needs a few troops gluing in. The very last of the resin had some green paint mixed in, and this was applied around the edge of the quay as weeds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 WOW !!!!!!! EXTRAORDINARY work Stephen.. Love it !!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richter111 Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Very well executed, both the model and the diorama Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Been a while since I added anything to this thread, so here's the latest progress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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