Okay Project X has now "officially" begun. Let's here some chatter, how's it going, what went well, what didn't, what's your progress? Hell Flitzer's done.

Pictures, pictures, pictures.

I just spent an hour scatch building a ladder, Braille scale 2 x 4's are a pain in the *** to work with.

How-dee Chuck!
Well, I've got my donor kit, & thanks to thekind offices of Merlin (Thanx Rowan!!!!!) I've got my references to commence my scratchbuilding. The only thing I haven't got is time, with my 1 mo. old taking a large chunk of that! (Not complaining, mind you...) Hopefully I'll get some plastic glued up this weekend, what with Labor day & all- then again, Frances could just screw that plan all to H
RobH

Hi Chuck

Yes, we're officially underway!

I'm hoping to make a proper start on my Shinden this weekend. I've done a little bit of re-scribing to re-place the raised detail, but I need to get stuck in now and finish the job.

All the best

Rowan

Just tried to upload a little photo .jpg within Kb requirements into my journal but would not upload, so a text description will substitute there:

Finished the two forward roadwheels with the holes and fins. I tried to use acetate for their perfect thickness and paintability but it had too much static to manipulate with tiny tweezers. I used paper empregnated with cyano instead.



The completed project will be an IDF Merkava ARV 1:72

"...The new vehicle [Merkava ARV] is currently at a concept phase, it is undergoing operational field testing with the first Merkava Mk4 unit. ..."

Defense Update news

No pics to speak of but my M8 Buford is pretty much shelled out, with the turret and hull ready for detailing. With school started though, I'm unsure as to when more will be accomplished.
Kyle

Query (sorry, didn't want to start another thread): this Project X campaign - it mentions 'sci-fi', does this include, say, military-fiction, e.g. Dale Brown's 'Megafortress', and the like?

Well...one is completed, more or less.

But prompted by Merlin and the fact that I don't get to many opportunities to build Luft 46 stuff for campaigns, I'm in the middle of my second.

Come on....lol...keep up.... :-)
This is a joke...do not rush your entry...better to take your time unlike me...

Cheers
Peter
:-)

Hi there GIBeregovoy

Without knowing what 'Megafortress' is, I'd say "yes". So long as you have some sort of "reference" for a Sci-Fi / Alternative History subject- it can be a film, book, comic or game - it will count for Project X just as well a real-life prototype or paper-project.

All the best

Rowan

Hi...the Megafortress?
I think a similar aircraft was the hero in Dale Brown books...??? So it qualifies. :-)

Cheers
Peter
:-)

Merlin:

Thanks. Me thinks me join this campaign.

Fitzer:

Yup - the Megafortress I mentioned in my previous posts is one and the same as that in Dale Brown. Nope, this isn't what I'm going to build for this campaign (if I join this).

Update on progress----

Well, unfortunately, I've been pretty busy. Finally today I managed to settle down and start sanding the resin hull for the Imperial Hobby Productions kit of the USS Lexington. I'm using parts of the DML Arizona to upgrade certain parts of the IHP kit. I'm also using Skywave 1/700 scale upgrade parts to replace some of the poorly molded white metal 5" open gun mounts and the ships launches. I've got the Toms Model Works photo-etch upgrade for the Arizona as well, I see some parts I can definitely use there and I'll find a use for the rest.

I've managed to find a few drawings of the final design for the ship, but I may deviate and build her as she may have appeared after an upgrade. I'm considering tripod masts in place of the cage masts and possibly a stronger AA fit (nice assortment of 20mm/40mm or maybe some of the quad 1.1" mounts).

-A little background on the subject of my kit-

The Lexington class battlecruiser design was initiated around 1913, with the US Navy showing little real interest until around 1916 with the naval actions at Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank and The Falklands demonstarting to the US Navy the apprent usefullness of a battlecruiser design. In a twist of irony, it was three months after the Battle of Jutland, which discredited and demonstrated the flaws in the battlecruiser theory, that the Lexington/Constellation class of six battlecruisers was authorized. Initial designs called for ten 14 inch guns, a speed of 35 knots, and a displacement of approx. 35,000+ tons, as well as 24 boilers and seven funnels. None had been laid down by the close of WWI, and further re-design was undertaken to incorporate new recent wartime experience. A new design, put forth in 1920 (the subject of the IHP kit) was to have mounted eight 16" guns in twin mount turrets. Evolution in the design of boilers permitted the reduction to 16, which were trunked into two large funnels. Over 8,000 tons of additional armor protection was also worked into the 1920 desgin, resulting in an estimate of over 44,000 tons displacement for the ships. Trials conducted with models suggested a speed of 34 knots in the final design. The six ships were all laid down in 1920-21. Progress continued on the hulls until they were halted as a result of the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty. Under the terms of the treaty, the two most advanced hulls (Lexington and Saratoga) were permitted to be finished as aircraft carriers.

Hi there

I'm going to put my Shinden on the back burner for a while and work on an alternative entry:



The reason's simple... I want a nice, simple subject to try the new Xtracrylix paints out on. Sadly, Hannants aren't including any Japanese colours yet, but I bought a bunch of Luftwaffe stuff so it's a great excuse for a Luft '46 subject! I'm sure Peter will approve!

All the best

Rowan

Finished the two forward roadwheels with the holes and fins. I tried to use acetate for their perfect thickness and paintability but it had too much static to manipulate with tiny tweezers. I used paper empregnated with cyano instead.



Extended the lower hull for proper spacing between roadwheels.



Upper hull has been raised with styrene to proper height.

Hi Rowan...



Oh...I do...I do....lol.
Is the trolley included in the kit?

I've got a resin version around somewhere...1/72nd of course.
No trolley but the Heller Me 163 may be a good donor.

Cheers
Peter
:-)