Cap San Diego 1/160

[mikegr]

It was about time to do what I avoided to do lately. To paint the hull.
Body was prepared by sanding it with 400,600 and 1500 grit sandpaper.

For this size of hull an air compressor with a medium pistol would be ideal. Spray cans are far away from appropriate. The museum models are painted with colors from automobile industry therefore looks so impressive even bit unnatural.
Then I layered tape strips and start spraying. The curved rear area was troublesome to tape. This hull also requires 3 colors, white, red and brown.

After finishing the layers it took me another week working on evenings to get the desired outcome. Finally a medium gloss varnish was used.

 

[mikegr]

As it was expected with so much paintwork a mesh was causes plus I had left some detailed job unfinished. I started with the stem section

Now I will focus on bow part

 

[mikegr]

Last 2023 update.
I was looking for a way to make the cargo masts. I opted for a durable material so I skipped plastic over brass. The ends were a bit thinner and these were designed and 3d printed.
The 2.5mm brass tubes had thick walls and proved to heavy for the resin base tip. So I took some 2.5 mm plastic tubes and reinforced them by putting a 1.5 brass piece inside them. Then resin edges were glued. Therefore a desirable stiff part was created without being extra heavy.
Finally I printed a pair of life boats and started the paint job

 

[mikegr]

I made the rest of the cranes. All were put in place except those based on the rear sides of the funnels. The model almost has taken its shape except some radar masts and smaller details like winches etc. I ended up with the most messed workbench in the world but in return I got a model of a fine looking vessel

 

[mikegr]

3d printing parts doesn't mean that are ready always there is work to be done in many cases
Model boats were from an old era with planking effects on sides. So I had to sand them down to give the desirable plastic look. Ropes added as well as bilge keels