Kit review USS Missouri (BB-63) in scale 1:350 by JoyYard

tigerdvr said:
I think you have done a very complete and comprehensive review of the Joy-Yard kit. I built this kit last year. When I built it the Joy-Yard Master wasn't available.
I would have had the same overall impression of this kit if I had the same information you based your review on.
I don't wish to cause any friction here but having completed the Missouri and in all fairness to those who are contemplating purchasing it, I feel I must comment on what appears to be a great kit.
I previously commented on some of the problems that became evident as I worked on the model.

The instructions, including the Joy-Yard website updated version, are a jungle of miss identified pieces. Even their sample model varies from what the instructions show. I'm assuming their instructions have not been redone since the original batch of kits.
The details included in the kit provide the basis for an experienced modeler to produce a great end product but, IMHO, this kit is not for a beginner.
A number of PE parts that identified as being on a particular fret are, in fact, on a different fret so you have to hunt for them.
The advanced methods used by Joy-Yard allows them to create plastic parts much smaller than I would expect. While should be a positive trait it makes it difficult to dress the part.
Rather than dragging this out, let me just say that this kit has great potential for a skilled model builder. With quality of 3D options, I know of a number of folks that chose to go that route on the AA batteries. The kit 20mm Orlikons, for instance, have 8 pieces times 49 units. The choice is up to the builder.

Because I wanted to show Missouri at sea a converted the hull to a waterline configuration.
View attachment 331757View attachment 331758
Enjoy
Click to expand...
Thank you for chiming in! Feedback from a modeler who already built this kit is most valuable, time is more valuable than the review itself. I have to agree with you, the kit shouldn't be built as the first ever kit. It is not as difficult as it is complex with many very small parts as well as PE parts.
As for your comments on the manual, I cannot verify if my copy was updated or not, but I know that the online copy of the manual (pdf) is older than the one in my kit. I am sure Joy Yard can address those discrepancies in future releases.
Your model looks awesome and being said this, I would like to ask you to present a build log, if possible. I am confident, it should help other members who might consider this kit as the next build with your comments and how-to. Also, we would appreciate it if you will provide links to optional 3D parts for further consideration.

thanks for your honest feedback,
 
HPeterB said:
I’m currently working on an Elco PT Boat in 1:48 scale from I❤️Hobby. It’s a nice size for me and my shaky hands but the PE parts are still a bit of a challenge and require those wonderful bending tools and a whole lotta patience! I’ve actually learned a bit from my previous build using CA glue and … toothpicks! Who said you can’t teach this dog new tricks (I’m not old…just numerically wisened).

The Elco boats are a bit of nostalgia for me. They were built in my hometown of Bayonne, NJ. During WW2 my Dad worked next door to Elco in a warplant called General Cable and he would tell me stories about Elco and working in the plant. In the 1950’s there was an horrific train accident on the RR bridge that went from Bayonne to Elizabeth. The bridge was of the lift bridge style, the span was up and it was tragic error, the train went off the bridge, engine first followed by several passenger cars, multiple fatalities. When we heard about the disaster my father and I went to see the scene and the only place that had a view was Elco. So…they let us go on their property to see the wreckage. I’ve never forgotten that.

Bayonne had a few firsts to it’s credit: longest single span bridge, Bayonne to Staten Island, ultimately replaced in the record books by the Harbor Bridge in Sydney, Australia. More appropriately for this site, Bayonne had the largest dry dock on the east coast at the Bayonne Naval Base, also home of the WW2 Mothball fleet until they were moved to Kearny, NJ for breakup or up the Hudson River an anchorage. The third thing that Bayonne was noted for was the largest hub of petroleum refineries in the country. That record was broken by Houston, Tx after the big companies like Standard Oil, Flying A, etc…found better tax breaks in Texas. Just a bit of history from a kid from Joisey. View attachment 331766

View attachment 331767
Click to expand...
would you like me to move your posts as the beginning of your own build log?
 
Jimsky said:
...continue from the previous post
Kit in review: USS Missouri (BB-63)
Injection molded, with PE and CNC parts
by JoyYard

The Manual

To assemble the model, you will need to follow the sequence of steps designed by the manufacturer. The Joy Yard Missouri kit is no exception. Provided as a booklet, color printed on a total of 12 pages, it will guide your assembly hours to a successful build. In my opinion, it is very intuitive, the images are crystal clear with notations in English and Chinese. all instructions provided symbols of how parts should be handled. What I like most about this manual, is the accompanying photos of the pilot model to help further identify the parts placement. Take a look at the sample images.

View attachment 331517View attachment 331516
View attachment 331518

The content of the kit with labeled sprues parts, and PE plates
View attachment 331519
View attachment 331520
View attachment 331521
View attachment 331522
View attachment 331523
View attachment 331524
View attachment 331525
View attachment 331526

Also, along with the manual, the kit supplied a very interesting part, laser-cut maskin sheets. Those will provide a cover prof for accidental paint on adjacent parts.

View attachment 331510
View attachment 331511

View attachment 331512

The last piece of this puzzle is the sheet with a painting diagram and paint guide, as the gift provided by Joy Yard is a spool with a microwire so you can complete the rigging.

View attachment 331513View attachment 331514

Alright, folks. I have presented you with the entire kit and its contents. I must admit, it was quite a pleasant journey by itself. It took full 5 posts as there were a lot of parts and my goal was to show you all of them as they are. In my personal experience it is a great kit, with very crisp molded plastic parts, a unique hull design, and packed with 10 Photo Etched plates (!) and CNC gun barrels. I have never seen so many PE parts supplied by the kit manufacturers. The kit should provide many hours of fun building the HSS Missouri BB 63 legendary ship.

View attachment 331515
Please note: pedestals are optional, and not included in the kit​

But...don't go away for too long. Recall I promised to show the kit, and much more. Joy Yard designed an optional Master Package to enhance the model to an even more impressive look with an additional 3 plates of PE parts(brass and steel), as well as CNC Oerlicone and Bofors gun barrels alone with CNC masts\spars and many more other tiny parts. Stay tuned...

I hope this was informative to you and help you make a decision. The link for the Joy Yard website

http://www.joy-yard.com/

The kit can be purchased here

drydockmodelsandparts.com

Joy Yard Hobby Kits - US NAVY BATTLESHIP MISSOURI BB-63

Dry - Dock Models & Parts is providing high quality ship model fittings and parts
drydockmodelsandparts.com drydockmodelsandparts.com

To be continued with the Master Package kit and Wooden decks (optional). See you soon and Thank you all!
Click to expand...
Jim, I am going to thank you for your write up on the Mighty Mo. Now in the back of my mind I am calling you names because now seeing it I have to get it and that means trying to hide the money from the misses. I have just gotten the 200 scale Arizona and she is nice but not nothing like the Mo. Once I figure out how to put pictures up I am selling some of the kits that I got when I went on a buying spree. I tried to get stationed on her when they refitted her.
 
Jimsky, very impressive review of Mighty Mo. I think I would have at least a year-long project. The manual seems to be really comprehensive and inspires confidence in building this model. I think the quality of the instruction book probably accounts for part of the price. Tons of research went into this. @Jim Conacher , if you have some tips on how to make this kit magically appear in my mailbox without raising eyebrows from my CFO please share!
 
A truly excellent review for a very impressive model Jim. This kit will require a whole new skill set and be a real test for a modellers painting and airbrush skills.

Working with those PE parts will need a white sheet covering the floor for when they decide to “fly”, as they tend to when you least expect it ROTF.
 
RogerD said:
A truly excellent review for a very impressive model Jim. This kit will require a whole new skill set and be a real test for a modellers painting and airbrush skills.

Working with those PE parts will need a white sheet covering the floor for when they decide to “fly”, as they tend to when you least expect it ROTF.
Click to expand...
Oh yes, you will need a good set of tweezers for sure. I found parts 'jumpy' once you try to grab them. Then...it is a kneeling event...and if lucky, you find it! :pApart from jokes, The kit will make a very nice model with patience and painting skills (as you said above). I am wondering who is the first one to show the assembly in a build log. ;)
 
RogerD said:
A truly excellent review for a very impressive model Jim. This kit will require a whole new skill set and be a real test for a modellers painting and airbrush skills.

Working with those PE parts will need a white sheet covering the floor for when they decide to “fly”, as they tend to when you least expect it ROTF.
Click to expand...
I’ll second that. The I ❤️ Hobby 80’ Elco PT boat that I’m currently working on sandwIch the teeny tiny PE parts between two sheets of low tack tape. That helps to keep the parts in place while they are being removed from the spru. Big help. I would imagine that I could do that myself before cutting the part off the tree.
 
Hey Jim, I might have missed it in your extensive review but are you going to build this kit and if so are you going to do a build log?
Thanks.

(Good grief, I sound like Uwe ROTFROTF).
 
Last edited:
RogerD said:
Hey Jim, I might have missed it in your extensive review but are you going to build this kit and if so are you going to do a build log?
Thanks.

(Good grief, I sound like Uwe ROTFROTF).
Click to expand...
Not at the very moment. sorry if I disappointed you. :p I have a few ongoing projects to complete first. But let me assure you, once I will assemble this kit, I will have a build log here.
 
Model Monkey said:
Excellent review, thank you!

Obviously, not a kit for beginners.

The presence of names for all commissioned ships in the class on the decal sheet and the presence of both "square-back" and "angle-back" Mk.37 directors suggests that Joy Yard may release a USS Iowa BB-61 or USS New Jersey BB-62 kit in the future. Iowa and New Jersey were originally fit with "angle-back" Mk.37 directors. Missouri and Wisconsin were fit with "square backs".

Here's a "square-back" Mk.37 director on USS Missouri BB-63:

And an "angle-back" Mk.37 director on USS Iowa BB-61:
Click to expand...
Hallo @Model Monkey
we wish you all the BEST and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Birthday-Cake
 
A bit of a follow up. As some of you have found, I made one of the earlier JY Missouri models between May 2020-August 2021. Mine is a waterline model in a seascape.
I have been watching Jim's very thorough review and comments by others. While I can't speak for the current instruction manual, the kit upgrades and Master kits appear to be very good and should make for a great model. It looks like some of the details that were PE on early versions are replaced by 3D. That should be time saving and a smart move on JY's part. These upgrades will probably save some nerves and eyes too.
Enjoy your Missouri adventure.

Jim, I just finished my 200 Arizona other than putting the crew aboard. My first 200 scale. Enjoy
 
Hi Jim,

Thank you for a great review. This looks like an amazing kit and detail set. Has anyone done a build log yet? I haven't been able to find one.

Cheers,

Chris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top