Guest PetrolGator Posted February 7, 2013 Report Posted February 7, 2013 OK. Builder's burnout sucks. I still, however, love me some ships and need some motivation, badly. This is my Big Ambitious Project that I've been throwing around in my head for a little while. Help and advice would be awesome. Here's the project: 1/700 IHP CC-1 USS Lexington, as designed without a big, ugly flat top. Options: As launched 1941 fit, sitting at harbor on Sunday morning... Insane 1944 Tennessee-like rebuild utilizing an old, beat up Trumpy SoDak that's suffered severe damage Speculative, Maryland-like refit for 1942 sporting snazzy dazzle cammo. I've got some old Pit-Road weapons spures on the way and plan on using Richard's new cage masts, if I don't go for the crazy rebuild. I've also got a number of single and double 5 in mounts from Dragon that'll work just fine if I go that route. I've got all the radar and aircraft facility bits I'd need, but I'm 99% sure that the hull will require MAJOR rebuilding to incorporate a Tenn-like bulge. Additionally, her superstructure will have to be heavily rebuilt to accommodate the dual 5" battery and heavy AA coverage. I envision a Lexington as a carrier escort, given her speed and armor protection. In summary, as built will be easy and boring, but can be done quickly. The 1941 edition will require a little scratching (possibly) and some beefing of her AA and aircraft facilities. I can do this. A 1944 or 1942 edition WILL take some serious scratching that I've never done but could be a totally unique and interesting piece that NO ONE else has. I could also do the 1941 now, buy a second IHP hull, and build the 1944 edition later. Opinions?
mquan Posted February 7, 2013 Report Posted February 7, 2013 I say that your builder's burnout could be overcome by the incentive of building something no one else has done. Why not go all out and shoot for the 1943 dazzle camo job? That's my opinion!
Mark Aldrich Posted February 7, 2013 Report Posted February 7, 2013 I am confused. If I understand correctly, the Lexington has never been anything but a "big, ugly flat top". So, no matter how you built and paint her, you will finish with something that no one else has seen or built.
Guest PetrolGator Posted February 7, 2013 Report Posted February 7, 2013 Oh, people have built the IHP (Imperial Hobby Productions) Lexington before: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/ships/cb/cc-1/700-ihp-mq/Building_the_lexington.htm Thing is, you just don't find 'em very much. With all the aftermarket stuff you need, yeah, it's always a unique build, though. The 1944 edition would be insane kitbashing, though.
Mark Aldrich Posted February 7, 2013 Report Posted February 7, 2013 Want Exotic? Do something like this! http://www.ipmsusa3.org/gallery/v/monthly_theme/2011/December2011/Hybridized+New+JerseyRustyWhite.jpg.html
Guest PetrolGator Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 Um. Wow. Just wow. Get your nasty flight deck off my Iowa! But seriously, that's effin amazing. Who did that?
Mark Aldrich Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 That would be Rusty White of IPMS fame!
Ron Bell Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 When I get burned out, I go in the opposite direction than you are going. You've got a big, ambitious project taking lots of work, intensity and time. If I were you, and of course I'm not and you've got to do it your own way, I'd go out and get something simple. Maybe even completely different like a car or tank. Then, just using basic modeling techniques and minimal worry about research and accuracy, I'd do it up as best as I could right out of the box. The benefit of choosing something other than your normal "specialty' is that if it doesn't turn out so great, you won't fuss over it nearly so much or you may not even know it! In other words, I'd just have fun. Works for me, anyway.
Guest PetrolGator Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 (edited) When I get burned out, I go in the opposite direction than you are going. You've got a big, ambitious project taking lots of work, intensity and time. If I were you, and of course I'm not and you've got to do it your own way, I'd go out and get something simple. Maybe even completely different like a car or tank. Then, just using basic modeling techniques and minimal worry about research and accuracy, I'd do it up as best as I could right out of the box. The benefit of choosing something other than your normal "specialty' is that if it doesn't turn out so great, you won't fuss over it nearly so much or you may not even know it! In other words, I'd just have fun. Works for me, anyway. I'm trying to do this with my USS England. Then I looked at the 1.1 in Chicago piano and 20 mm's and just felt underwhelmed. Some PE later, I felt my detail nazi coming out. I added some brass wire to the 1.1. Now, it looks OK but lacks a place for the gunner to sit. Now, I'm adding TONS of bits. Sigh. It's an addiction, I swear. Last time I went "small" I built a 1/700 Monssen with the dazzle cammo and covered it in brass! Honestly? I might build one of my float planes or something. I even have the resin motor for my Rufe. Wait. That's going overboard again, isn't it? Bah. I'll go Chris of ten years, buy a Revell Bismarck in 1/1200, slap it together and blow it up with firecrackers. That'll work. On the Lexington: I love "never were" designs. The research itself is kind of therapeutic. I honestly don't even have the IHP hull yet. Additionally, Richard at Tom's is still working on some rumored awesome new cage masts I'm definitely going to have to snatch up. I doubt I'll start this beast for another month or so, earliest. Edited February 8, 2013 by PetrolGator
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