Flight-19 Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary Tribute Group Build: Witness Artifacts
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Hi All,
My contributions to the “FL-19, Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary Tribute, Group Build” are based on two existing artifacts that were, so-called, “eyewitnesses” to the attack:
FIRST BUILD:
An icon to the attack on Pearl Harbor known throughout the world, the USS ARIZONA, BB-39.
When Dec 7, 1941 is mentioned two subjects will immediately come to mind. First, the overall Japanese attack on US bases located in Hawaii. Second, the sinking of the battleship USS Arizona.
If one wants a deeper, more detailed, history about the USS Arizona “countless” books and documentaries have been produced about this historic ship. Here are a few highlights.
USS Arizona, BB-39, is the second of two Pennsylvania class super dread naught battleships built.
Laid down: March 1914
Launched: June 1915
Commissioned: October 1916
Sunk: December 7, 1941. (1,177 of the 1,512 crew aboard were killed. Approximately half of the lives lost during the entire attack)
Stricken: December 1942
Current Status: National Park Service Memorial, Legislated by President Eisenhower, in 1958. Dedicated and opened in 1962. (the US Navy still retains the title and though not commissioned she still proudly fly's the US Flag)
The USS Arizona is on my list of ships I build, I will visit.
THE BUILD:
KIT: Dragon, 1/700, USS Arizona BB-39, 1941 with the addition of Tom's Model Works photo-etched set, Wood Hunter wood deck and EZ-Line for rigging and aerials.
Much speculation surrounds the paint scheme at the time of the attack but right or wrong I settled on the following colors:
Primer: Mr. Color 1500 Gray
Main Hull color: AK Real Colors, RC235, Sea Blue
Upper ships components: Various shades of AK Real Colors, RC235 Sea Blue and RC258, Dark Sea Blue mix
Observation stations and Booms: AK Real Colors, RC004, Flat White
Main Gun Turrets 1, 2 and 4 tops: AK Real Colors, RC006, Red
Lightly weathered with oil washes and dry brushing
Base:
Plywood base with this wood sidings.
Water was shaped with toilet paper/white glue and then painted with combination of blues and green. Once dry Liquitex gloss medium was applied to build up the wakes and give it a nice clear wet look. The wakes were built up with layers of clear construction adhesive, highlighted with white paint and finished with Liquitex gloss medium. Finally, a coat of thinned clear construction adhesive was added to give a nice clear top layer.
SECOND BUILD:
The SIKORSKY JRS-1 “BABY CLIPPER” BuNo. 4346, Code 1-J-1
Sikorsky JRS-1, BuNo. 4346 was one of ten Baby Clippers based at NAS Ford Island during the Dec 7th, 1941 attack. Soon after the attack this aircraft set out, unarmed, to find the Japanese fleet but returned to Pearl, unsuccessful. Continuing service at Pearl/NAS Ford Island the aircraft was used for patrol missions until September 1942 when the aircraft was shipped to California for overhaul. #4346 remained in California, with Commander Fleet Airship Wing 31, until August 1944. After the war the aircraft was stored at various facilities throughout the USA until 2011 when it was transported to the NASM/Steven Udvar-Hazy museum and is now undergoing restoration.
My first exposure to this aircraft was on a visit to NASM museum and I have included some photos I took that day. I hope to see her fully restored someday.
If interested check out the links for more information:
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/s-43/4346.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXzHXKaANKQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRdBaoF_lCs&t=3s&ab_channel=SmithsonianNationalAirandSpaceMuseum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN2J_eBP8OQ
THE BUILD:
KIT: Sword, 1/72 Sikorsky S-43/JRS-1
Modifications:
Added crew figures and Eduard decals (graciously provided by fellow iModeler Erik Gjorup. Thanks, Erik)
Paints:
Primer: Mr. Color 1500 Gray
Floquil's Old Silver
Mr. Color #113, Yellow
AK Real Colors RC006, Red
Tamiya X-28, Park Green
Mr. Color 1500 Black Primer
Lightly weathered with oil washes and dry brushing
Base:
Wood oval base.
Water was shaped with toilet paper/white glue and then painted with combination of blues and green. Once dry Liquitex gloss medium was applied to build up the wakes and give it a nice clear wet look.
The takeoff wakes were built up with layers of clear construction adhesive, highlighted with white paint and finished with Liquitex gloss medium. Finally, a coat of thinned clear construction adhesive was added to give a nice clear top layer.
Thanks for checking these out. I hope you like these builds but more importantly I hope my builds bring honor to those who served and sacrificed their lives on that infamous day. SALUTE!
It's just a hobby, KEEP IT FUN!
Both fantastic builds. I'd never heard of the Baby Clipper - I may need to build one of those - most likely the blue scheme, as I like the more subtle military schemes. Looking for a kit now... well - update - almost $100 for a kit on ebay - will have to wait a while...
Thanks, Greg. I was really lucky to find the Sword kit on a online hobby store for well under $100. I know the Eduard reboxing also includes photo-etch and different decals. Good luck with your hunt!
Lost of words for both results, Gary!
Congratulations!
Thanks, Spiros!
Great looking builds. You really have the seawater wakes dialed in Gary. Thanks for all these links,history and your museum photos too. I think I need to schedule another visit to NASM as it's been 8 years since my last. Especially if this Sikorsky is on display. Unfortunately, Udvar Hazy is not exactly right around the corner.
Thank you, Eric. For some reason I gravitate to water displays...maybe it's the challenge of reproducing water but I always enjoy it.
If you ever have the museum on your radar let me know.
Thanks, again!
Nice work, Gary. Two great subjects.
Thank you, John
Gary, both builds look great! I too had never heard of the Baby Clipper, but the name is perfectly fitting. You've made great work of that Dragon Arizona, which is the best offering in 1/700 that I am aware of (it totally makes my HB Arizona go cry in a corner)... I like the details added, and the water base is excellent. I agree with your color choice too! 😉
Thanks, Andrew. I read today in the Eduard monthly news that they are supposed to be releasing their rebox, with extras, of the 1/350 Trumpeter Arizona in Feb 2022. That could be popular.
Thanks for the comments in regards to the colors...I thought it looked okay.
Two absolute amazing builds, Gary @gwskat
At first I thought it was a Catalina, but a few seconds later it was clear that it was a Sikorsky.
They look quite similar at first sight.
Thanks, John!
Nice work on both - I am always impressed by an old guy with old guy's eyes who can do something as nice as your Arizona in 1/700. The Baby Clipper is really nice, too.
Thank you, Tom. I have three sets of "old guy" spectacles on the bench...LOL
Gary, @gwskat
My friend, these look fantastic ! I commend you, and I am amazed at how realistic the water looks. These two builds would look right at home in any museum.
Those are some wonderful pictures of the Clipper. You are fortunate to have seen this in person. I know what I'm adding to my bucket list... at trip to the NASM, and I want to see the Arizona some day.
Thanks again for participating. 🙂 I can't believe the details you have done with the Arizona. It would easily pass for 1/350...and "Yellow Wings" planes are SO cool.
I definitely pressed the "like" button.
Thanks, Louis! Your comments are always appreciated and uplifting. Yellow wings...a love, hate relationship! Can be a paint to paint but sure look nice when completed.
If you ever make it north let me know and we'll do the NASM and Gettysburg together. And we'll hit Tom up for Dayton.
Thanks, again my Friend!
Gary, @gwskat
Now that sounds like a plan. One of these days... 🙂
Then Tom, you and I can go to the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson...
Perfect subjects, Gary! The Clipper is a real beauty, you are really owning the yellow wings are planes and now the water too. Very impressive work to put both of them in those bases! The Arizona looks phenomenal too - beautiful work - the red turrets look brilliant.
Well done, Gary - I think you kept this build alive for our little group at times - I am very grateful to share these builds with you and the guys!
Thanks, Paul! I really appreciate your comments and encouraging words. I enjoyed your carrier build as well.
Hope all is well!
What they said, great work!
Thanks, Robert.