TGarthConnelly

Kyle just sent me an update, and this is what he said, “Some progress photos. The mast and ladder went on as well as the spotlight platform. I built the spotlights from styrene, they'll get painted white, black for the lens side and a drop of clear glue to simulate curved glass. Tonight, I plan to respray the flat clear, mount it on the base and start working on signal flags.” Here are some photos: http://i.imgur.com/fGRh6on.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/VryXg4P.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/UrFdtmP.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/aNecBfn.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/p2RU2Np.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/DapHYNJ.jpg[/img] Tim

Earlier today, Kyle sent me another update on my USS SAUCY, PG-65. This is what he said, “I went to paint the kit supplied anchor chain only to find that it was fragile and was already broken in a few places. I went to hobby lobby and got the smallest chain necklace I could find and used that as anchor chain. I also picked up some silver sewing thread to use for railing cables. I'm hoping today to remake the decals, get some work done on the bases and start some scratch building.” He also said that he’ll deliver both, the SAUCY and my G-5 MTB next Sunday. Here are the photos he sent today: http://i.imgur.com/edorexJ.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/p4TGvD9.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/VUK3J8f.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/unP9Gxu.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/9U58ccc.jpg[/img] Tim

Kyle sent me an update on my USS SAUCY today, this is what he said; “Some details added, anchors are on, oars and masts for the boats, and the flag staffs on the bow and stern. I also have fixed the rockets, I'll have to touch up where they were glued in. Next up will be the railing post and replacing the gun shield which broke off during the decal repair.” Here are six photos: http://i.imgur.com/9K10n70.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/zcZmfTB.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/088VPmO.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/vSvCQ1e.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/vQpHAEL.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/EpsgqMw.jpg[/img] Tim

All, Got a slightly OT question for y'all. Although, ... it is naval related. For the past few months, I've been playing WAR THUNDER via STEAM ... and, it's a really fun game. Then, in late November, I learned that WAR THUNDER was going to be adding a naval component to its air and ground components, specifically coastal forces (US, Britain, Germany and Russia). BUT - In order to be allowed to play in that component, you NEED to own a boat. My brother was kind enough to buy John F. Kennedy's PT-109 for $44.95 for my birthday (this month). All fine and good. That naval component of WAR THUNDER isn't active yet. And - I haven't seen the boat in my inventory (but, I figured that once it became active - it'd show up) ... and kept playing the air war component of the game for about a month. Then, three days ago, I went to sign in to play and got a message saying my account was frozen. I then clicked on the link to ask them a question about the message and waited the 24-hour limit for them to reply. They did. The longer explanation was that my account was because of that purchase - which they deemed to be a fraud because there has been a request for a charge back on it. The thing is; neither my brother nor I have requested a refund. I tried to sign in to reply to the ticket. It didn't accept my user name or password. So, I reset my password and attempted to sign-in and, again - wouldn't accept it - or the captcha ... two more times - I changed my password and still it failed. I gave up. Have any of you had this issue? And, how can I contact Gajin WITHOUT needing to sign in? I'm angry. Tim

Kyle has finished my G-5, save for a few odds and ends … here are some photos. http://i.imgur.com/HWiHlgv.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/3G3C9xS.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/pANBpUs.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/7lq27fE.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/Rh3Qla9.jpg[/img] Tim

Kyle sent me an update. He has painted the guns for the G-5. Here’s a picture: http://i.imgur.com/mSz5z6Z.jpg[/img] Tim

Kyle, sent me another update today, this is what he said, “Last night I affixed the propellers and rigged the mast. I used small dabs of flat clear to cement the knots in place. I'm letting it dry and tonight I'll snip the excess. I'm priming the torpedoes now, hopefully I can get some gray on them tonight, if not I will tomorrow.” Here are some photos: http://i.imgur.com/RP069BP.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/BmpSsm1.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/Mp534RN.jpg[/img] Tim

Kyle sent me an update this morning: This is what he said; “I got the rudders and supports on last night. I have to touch up a few little spots because I painted the parts on the sprues, they are so fragile. I'll be painting the props at lunch today. I'll send some photos later on in the day. I printed the Saucy logo onto frisket paper in Saturday. Now that I see how small the letters are I'm considering getting some decal paper to print them in. The Insignia comes in slightly over 1/2". Here are three photos: http://i.imgur.com/tvhwRwS.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/ol6gHky.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/JU0Fonn.jpg[/img] Tim

Kyle sent me an update this morning, he put the clear plastic parts in, what he referred to as the glazing. This is what he said; “I also got the glazing in on the merit. I use small dots of gloss clear to try to keep marring down, and it holds almost the way silicon would.” Here are some photos. http://i.imgur.com/dkcRy9Z.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/QIScGME.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/VuGifnr.jpg[/img] Tim

Kyle sent me another update this morning, on the G-5, it’s getting there. Here are some photos: http://i.imgur.com/HuJ8Fs9.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/JK4iUxp.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/tHPqNhe.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/bqGxI0y.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/IjwSbyq.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/1G3fPJz.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/J3Kxw6l.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/n02dPfs.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/c6bTb5s.jpg[/img] Tim

Kyle just sent me an update on my Merit 1:35 Soviet G-5 MTB. He’s making incredible headway on it … he has painted the model. He said the white boot stripe needs some touch-up … Here are four photos: http://i.imgur.com/4jmMiVW.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/q9heA8K.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/rgKZc1w.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/OJjoAMV.jpg[/img] Tim

Thanks, WildBill.

Kyle sent me an update on Christmas Eve; the USS SAUCY is nearing completion and the G-5 is ready to be painted. He said he is going to be scratch-building a crow’s nest on the SAUCY and put the guns on her too. Here are two photos: http://i.imgur.com/uWC1dLc.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/7wqWCPW.jpg[/img] Tim

Thanks Wild Bill, Kyle just sent me an update … and, here it is: “Major milestone last night, the mounting blocks were drilled and tapped then the hull was glued on. I'm going to work on making a sacrificial stand to hold it for painting then I'll be hopping back to the Saucy.” Here are two photos: http://i.imgur.com/ushBXLt.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/eSZYNf5.jpg[/img] Tim

Dr. Ross has answered my questions on STEELNAVY. He was extremely helpful ...

Kyle sent me a quick update just now. He is close to the point where he’ll paint the model. Here are two photos. http://i.imgur.com/riDe3V1.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/KqvTJN3.jpg[/img] Tim

Hello Everyone, I hope you can help me with a project which I am gathering the materials I'll need to give my modeler (in this case, Kyle Lord) in order for him to build it for me. I have a hull from Christian Sheppard, a 20mm on a Mark X mount, two ready-service lockers and I'm waiting for some depth charges and Mark XVII mounts for the twin .50s - all from SHAPEWAYS. OK, a FaceBook Friend told me that these PTCs built by MIAMI SHIPBUILDING for the USSR and other navies in WW2, and based on their 63' AVRs, were called the Type 293. What I need to know now is, did the Type 293 and the normal AVR share the same cockpit/charthouse/turret structure? If they did? Could I have Kyle use plans for the AVR variant of that hull to scratch build that structure? With that in mind, I would like to, and humbly so, ask Dr. Ross if he has clear drawings of that structure (which he emailed me a few years ago)... I've tried to print them out and I don't think they are clear enough for use by Kyle. If Dr. Ross can't help me, do any of you know where I can find these plans/drawings? Thank you, Tim

Hi Guys: This morning, Kyle sent me an update. This is what he said, “The props for the torpedoes went onto their hubs and were bent into a screw shape. Then the two torpedoes were seamed together. Last night I assembled the exhaust. This is comprised of 6 tubes and many junction points. I also glued the photo etch sights onto the guns. They are very small as you can see compared to my fingers.” You know what, Guys? There is something which impresses me about this kit and, that is the ammunition box(es) for the machine gun(s) has/have the Soviet star on the front of the box(-es). Here are the photos he sent along with the update: <a href="http://imgur.com/iaRNSQx"><imgsrc="http://i.imgur.com/iaRNSQx.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="http://imgur.com/j0OEHAf"><imgsrc="http://i.imgur.com/j0OEHAf.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="http://imgur.com/lLqefxn"><imgsrc="http://i.imgur.com/lLqefxn.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="http://imgur.com/A1m6xys"><imgsrc="http://i.imgur.com/A1m6xys.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="http://imgur.com/Gil4P2o"><imgsrc="http://i.imgur.com/Gil4P2o.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> Tim

Kyle sent me a number of photos this morning of my G-5. He’s definitely making headway on it. Here are the photos: http://i.imgur.com/2M1Z2Gg.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/MBvxR9F.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/FyzVsip.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/W44ko2b.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/vl2MNVI.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/TELXTse.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/ipi9l83.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/X4z3RGW.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/tfc6vya.jpg[/img] Tim

Kyle Lord has started my Merit 1:35 Soviet Navy G-5 MTB. This morning, Kyle sent me an update, this is what he said this morning, “The parts are taped on and Tamiya thin wicked in to attach them.” Here are some photos of the build. http://i.imgur.com/opE3vMQ.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/PXMHNrO.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/A927pgb.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/sJF8P6Z.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/5Y6LdIx.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/L1hNt33.jpg[/img] http://i.imgur.com/LNkkNht.jpg[/img] Tim

Over the weekend and yesterday, Kyle sent an update; this is what he said, “The brass pedestals got the end turned down and threaded 10-24 to match the threaded holes in the hull. They were then shortened approximately 3/16". I also painted and attached the port and starboard lights. I have one more run of white and primer left to do, but it really feels like I'm in the home stretch now.” He also started my Merit 1:35 Soviet G-5 MTB. Whereas the SAUCY build is basically an OOB build but with a different name, the G-5 is strictly an OOB build, right down to using the kit’s decals. Here are some photos: Tim

Thanks, Guys, sorry for the delay in responding ... was on Cape Cod for Thanksgiving and my internet there is, shall we say, floopy. I'm very pleased with the model.

I have an idea for a project (a 1:72 MIAMI SHIPBUILDING TYPE 293 - the PTC variant of their 63-foot ASRC, built for the USSR)... I got the fiberglass 1:72 hull from a nice man from Gibraltar, but that's all he supplies. The cockpit/charthouse/turret tubs area all need to be scratchbuilt. I know I can get the 1:72 20mm, the 1:72 depth charges and the 1:72 ready service lockers from SHAPEWAYS and I THINK I've seen vendors there who have the MARK 17 mountings for the twin 50s in PTs' turrets and I'm hoping they'd do them in 1:72 ... I need to get drawings of the cockpit area ... and I need to find out if the two variants had the same cockpit/charthouse and turret tubs - or were there slight differences? Can anyone help me find that out, please? I'm drawing a blank in GOOGLE, YAHOO and BING.

Thank you, Mark.

Today, I went to Stan’s to pick up my model of PT-191. I am very impressed with the finished model. Stan truly did an excellent job on it. I feel that it is one of his best efforts. To give me what I wanted; a PT-191 as she appeared in 1944/45, when RON 12 was station in the Philippines, Stan took the following from 1:48 Merit’s late-war Elco 80-footer PT kit: The 40mm, M3 Bofors gun Two 20mm Oerlikon guns on Mark XIV mounts Four ready-service lockers The cradle for the SO-radar And the following parts ordered from www.shapeways.com: A 37mm M4 on a Mark XIV mount A twin .50-cal machine gun (which the 191 had field-mounted forward of her starboard forward torpedo rack) A SO-radar mast and dome The Depth charges The mufflers And, combined them with Merit’s early-war Elco 80-footer PT kit. The model is depicted in Measure 31/5P. The paints came from AK INTERACTIVE, via Merit (and Tony Chin). The 48-star flag is from AMP and the decals were especially-created for me by Mark from STARFIGHTER DECALS. Here are some photos: Tim