Portfolio of Gulliver’s Gate Work

Posted April 24th, 2022 by Devin and filed in Modeling, Photography, Professional

These are images of some of the work I did for Gulliver’s Gate, from 2016 through 2018. I had a special gallery plugin installed to showcase them, but it’s become problematic, so this simple grid layout will have to do for now.

Model Kit Review: USS Choctaw in 1/192nd Scale by Flagship Models

Posted June 24th, 2021 by Devin and filed in Civil War, History, Ironclads and Gunboats, Modeling, Review

Over on ModelWarships.com, I review the new resin kit of the Civil War ironclad USS Choctaw.

Check it out HERE.

HMS Lively in 1/700, Part 2 (Electric Boogaloo*)

Posted June 14th, 2020 by Devin and filed in HMS Lively, Modeling

I assembled the forward bridge as the first major bit of construction. Lots of paint touch-up, using Lifecolor paint, which of course is a slightly different shade than the Tamiya mix I made for airbrushing. I went back over everything with light mists and dry-brushing of the Lifecolor to blend it all, resulting in a quite-nice weathered effect.

While the kit goes together very well, the size of the parts are a hindrance. Most of the small bits, such as cranes, depth charge mounts, bridge equipment, and nearly everything else, are smaller than the injection gates that attach them to the sprue. Removing and cleaning parts takes considerable time and concentration. Still, the end result looks decent.

I used an older Gold Medal Models 1/700 scale Cruiser and Destroyer photo etch set for the railings. Etched in stainless steel, it’s a real chore to cut. Fortunately I have a set of Xuron metal shears that make short work of it, as the X-Acto and scalpel blades weren’t cutting it. Literally.

Other third-party bits are leftover 1/350th scale ladders from a previous resin DD build, which I used to replace the oversized and short-shot lifeboat mounts. I also replaced the plastic mast with a Master Models turned brass mast and yard arm, soldered together.

At this point I need to do final small bits, such as anchors, boat booms, and figures. I can then gloss coat, apply washes and weathering, then figure out the sea base and rigging.

*I have to say “Electric Boogaloo” after every “part two”, as it drives my wife nuts.

 

 

HMS Lively in 1/700

Posted May 17th, 2020 by Devin and filed in HMS Lively, Modeling

Decided to jump-in with a build of the HMS Lively kit that I reviewed for the Model Warships main site back in October of 2019 (which seems much longer ago than it should considering the past couple of months in quarantine). I’m working on this on conjunction with the USS Chickasaw build, as Chickasaw is fighting me every step of the way, but I suppose that’s to be expected of a scratch-build that was started well before I knew what I was doing.

Not long after completing the review, I picked up the Flyhawk pre-cut desk mask set for the kit. I immediately picked out the kit parts that used the masks, and mounted them for prime and paint. And there they sat for months, until I pulled them off the Shelf of Doom last week. I’m ramping up to start a build of USS Yorktown (CV-5) in 1/700, and since I’ve only built one 1/700 scale kit in the past 30 years, my USS Luzon, I want to practice some things first.

As stated in the review, the kit is beautiful and precise. It’s not Bandai snap-together fit, but it’s not far from it. Some of the pieces are tiny; too much so for my enjoyment. The main armament guns come with barrels in styrene, all one piece, and very delicate. But, if you want, there are also brass turned barrel replacements. I thought of shaving off the existing barrels, drilling locator holes, and applying the brass, but I have a zero-percent chance of getting them all lining up parallel and looking as clean as the styrene, so I’ll skip those. Also, doing all of that just is no where near fun for me.

This build has already taught me a bit for future reference.

1.The instructions call out for Tamiya paint mixes, which likely match full-scale colors, and as such, the hull especially is WAY too dark. I’ll be able to pull it back with glazes and weathering, but in the future I’ll remember to lighten for scale effect out of the bottle.

2. Also, I’m realizing that in this scale a lot of fine detail painting has to be done by brush; it’s simply insane to try to mask and spray absolutely everything. So, when making custom paint mixes, don’t thin all of it for airbrushing; set some aside, unthinned, for brush touch up.

3. I wish I had built her full hull, instead of using the waterline plate, even though I’m going to put her in a water setting. There’s more leeway on where to set your waterline if you have the whole hull to work with.

USS Chickasaw Part 10: The Resurrection

Posted April 21st, 2020 by Devin and filed in Civil War, Ironclads and Gunboats, Modeling, USS Chickasaw

It’s been a while, just over 7 years since the last update. With more free time as of late (furloughed due to the Covid-19 crisis), I’ve been tackling some shelved projects. USS Chickasaw was put aside those years ago because… hell, I don’t remember why. But now, with CAD experience, and an in-house 3D printer, I have everything I need to finish her.

So far, the major work has been on body work, repairing seams that have cracked over the years, and prepping the hull for paint. I’ve been drawing all of the other components in CAD, using Rhinoceros v6, as I don’t have the original files for the turret, stack, screw, etc., and the prints of those items that I purchased from Shapeways years ago have degraded significantly.

Here are a few photos of Chickasaw as she stands today.

Model Completed: USS Keokuk

Posted March 9th, 2020 by Devin and filed in Civil War, Ironclads and Gunboats, Modeling

I’ve added the finished photos, and a few from the build, of my USS Keokuk.  A 1/200 scale resin kit, it depicts the Union ironclad as she appeared during her short career in 1863.

This was a simple, yet fun kit. It’s a shame that Verlinden isn’t around anymore, especially since these 1/200 scale American Civil War kits were quite nice for what they are.

Added to the Model Making page, and can be accessed directly HERE.

Model Completed: USS Sentinel

Posted July 28th, 2019 by Devin and filed in Modeling

I completed this one late last year. A fun build of a decent kit. More on the USS Sentinel page.

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WonderFest 2019

Posted June 9th, 2019 by Devin and filed in Modeling

Last weekend I attended the annual WonderFest sci-fi model show, in Louisville, KY. For those that have attended JerseyFest here during the fall, this is a somewhat similar show, yet much larger, and the break-down between ships/hardware and figures is about an even split (whereas the JerseyFest show is predominately figures). WonderFest set a record this year, it’s 30th, with over 800 models entered in the contest. The quality of work is amazing, and I was quite stunned to take away a bronze award for my USS Sentinel kit build. This year I also took part in a group build display, with the theme of Star Wars Concept Models. Each of us picked a Joe Johnston concept drawing and built a model based on it. My B-Wing wasn’t finished, but that didn’t stop me from taking it to the show as an in-progress.

The show’s dealer’s room is quite impressive as well, with at least 125 individual dealers, according to the show’s flyers, as well as personalities taking photos and signing autographs. The two conference rooms taken up by the dealers is easily 1.5 or 2 times the size of our usual MosquitoCon.

If anyone’s looking for an excuse to visit Louisville the weekend after Memorial Day, I highly recommend WonderFest. They have the date set for May 30-31st, 2020, with more information on their website: https://wonderfest.com/

I took photos, per my usual of not trying to get everything, just the stuff that really catches my eye, all of which have been posted HERE.

Model Completed: F4F-4 Wildcat F-21

Posted May 5th, 2019 by Devin and filed in Modeling

This one has been done and photographed for some time. As usual, it took me a while to get around to editing said photos and doing the write-up. Tamiya 1/48th scale kit, in the markings of Scott McCuskey’s (no, not McCluskey) mount onboard USS Yorktown (CV-5) at Midway. Yes, I do have a bit of a Yorktown obsession.

Photos and words HERE.

Model Completed: Air Racer “Thunderbird”

Posted September 2nd, 2018 by Devin and filed in Modeling

This is one of those builds that went rather quickly, in two parts. I did almost all of the initial construction several years ago, then chucked it in a box on a shelf. After using a lot of Draw Decals’ amazing markings for the airliners at Gulliver’s Gate, I was inspired to order their decal set for this airplane. While the model itself ins’t a show-stopper, the decals are great, resulting in something that looks good sitting in the display cabinet. It’s nice to have a splash of color every now and then.

Added to the model gallery HERE.