Ship Modeling

Building the USS Vincennes CA 44

As I mentioned at last month’s IPMS Seattle meeting, I want to pass on several observations and notes about the 1/350th scale model of the USS Vincennes. Even though not yet complete, I want to pass on my observations, based on my initial efforts over several months time.

It is also important to note, that while I’ve been model building for several years now, this is one of only a few ship models I’ve attempted. Yes, like others I built the Revell ships in the 50s and 60s, but have only undertaken one other ship model in recent years. I built the DML 1/350 Los Angeles class submarine (while working toward our 1992 National Convention) and was surprised to learn that it took 2nd place in its category. Only later did I learn that I was apparently the only entry in that category. Oh well.

My desire (for many years) has been to build a model of the USS Vincennes as a method of remembering a fine young man (and the other young sailors and Marines) who lost their lives aboard this very attractive cruiser. When I first read a few years ago about the availability of the 1/350th scale kit of a New Orleans class cruiser, I knew I had to tackle the project and began to gather references. It is also significant that this coming August 9, 2002, is the 60th anniversary of loss of the USS Vincennes, along with her sister ships the USS Astoria and USS Quincy, the RAN Canberra, and several smaller ships. Losses aboard the USS Vincennes alone were approximately 337 officers and men lost (or 32%) and approximately 730 survivors of the 1144 men aboard her that night. The Vincennes Association hopes that 90 of the approximately 120 survivors thought to be alive will attend this year’s reunion. That terrible night was later widely reported as one in which “heroism was commonplace.”

As I mentioned my Uncle, Ray Cosgrove (for whom my web site is dedicated), served aboard the USS Vincennes during World War II and was lost aboard her she was suddenly sunk off Guadalcanal on the night of August 9, 1942. This battle, which cost the allies four cruisers and a destroyer, is generally known as the Battle of Savo Island. It was the first of several major naval engagements in what has become known as “iron bottom sound” and that night’s sea battle is often referred to as the U.S. Navy’s worst loss during any armed conflict.

There isn’t a wealth of information about this gallant ship and the others lost that night; if interested, I can gladly supply you with some references and the names of several books and articles covering this engagement and our naval losses that night. Like many other military losses, that action was plagued by a series of misunderstandings, errors in judgment and generally held perceptions (“truths” of the time) by all hands and the command structures of the time. One example, if you’ll permit me; the commonly held notion that there was little to fear from the Imperial Japanese Navy because as we “all know” the Japanese suffer from very poor eyesight and would never be able to attack and fight under nighttime conditions. This stereotype was illustrated in virtually every Hollywood movie, in which the Japanese were portrayed with very heavy glass lenses. This very shortsighted perception about an entire nation literally guided our country at a time when we were at war with another country.

To my knowledge there is only one 1/350th scale kit that even represents the New Orleans class of cruiser, and that’s this kit, Classic Warship’s USS Quincy. There simply isn’t another model available in this scale. Classic Warship does however advertise a USS Vincennes in 1/700th scale, which I chose not to even attempt, since that scale is just too small even with my Optivisor guided Mk I’s. At approximately 21 inches long, this model allows sufficient detail to be seen, while the smaller 1/700th scale doesn’t, in my opinion (and vision).

I believe this is what we hear referred to as a “mixed media” kit. I was very reticent about building this kit primarily because of my limited ship modeling experience. I have since learned that my fear was well founded, though based on ignorance alone. Now that I’ve completed most of this task, my fear is real and based on fact! With my apologies to the memory of President Roosevelt, sometimes fear is a healthy thing and we should recognize its validity. The basic components are a resin cast hull (in two pieces) and superstructure, accompanied by a sizeable sheet of photo etched brass and a bag of lead castings. That’s the good news.

This USS Quincy kit (according to Classic Warship’s web site) sells for $180 (kit # CW050, USS Quincy CA-39 (1942) waterline w/photo-etch @ $150 and # CW051, Lower hull kit @ $30). I anticipated a really great kit for that money. I was and continue to be very disappointed from the cost and value standpoints. Why? This kit, especially for that kind of money, doesn’t hold a candle to anything you’ll find among the many fine and highly detailed plastic kits we commonly see and purchase today.

I began to see problems right away. While I continually call this a kit, it isn’t in the sense that we normally view our plastic kits. It is similar to calling one of those vacuform “thingies” a kit. Possibly more demanding than vacs. I just don’t know what else to call it, but a kit. Even the basic hull and superstructure displays numerous small air bubble holes and flaws which require immediately attention (filling and sanding) before the basic structure can even be primed.

The instructions (and that phrase really is a stretch when you see what you get in this kit) are very vague, amateurish, sometimes almost non-existent, poorly organized, drawn, and presented. I recognized from the beginning that since my model is of the Vincennes, a sister ship in the New Orleans class, that there would be some structural differences from those shown on the Quincy. There are aspects and areas of the drawings that do not reflect the kit’s actual contents, items which are not shown in their correct orientation in the “instructions.” There are several steps and parts provided in the kit and brass photo etchings which are not even mentioned or shown at all. At the same time there are details called out in the drawings (usually for PE parts) which don’t appear to be on the PE sheet. I think the best bet is to use these instructions as a very basic “guide” and they may also serve to keep sprayed paint or sandwich droppings off your modeling desk.

The color reference drawings are very questionable. While there are but a few actual period photos of the “Vinney Maru” (as she was affectionately known to her crew at the time), they tend to contradict the one given for the Quincy and almost certainly don’t accurately represent the Vincennes. She was painted in a USN Measure 12 – Modified scheme (often called a “dapple” finish) and certainly appeared to differ significantly from both her sister ships the Quincy and Astoria.

I am most impressed with the photo-etched sheet and it contains many of the things you’ll need to build the New Orleans class cruiser. Some of you will quickly notice, I use the phrase “many.” This is because there are also many other detail aspects of the Quincy cruiser can only be imagined unless you invest in more photo-etched brass. I found that an additional order of approximately $45 in Gold Medal Models PE sheets (from Loren Perry, who recently transported himself and his cottage industry onto Lopez Island) were extremely helpful and necessary.
[URL ref: http://www.goldmm.com/products.htm]

Sheets of special importance include those with railing sections, ladders, hatches, and gun mount details for the 20mm guns. Without these photo etched details, you’ll have to go with what’s provided in the kits and in many instances, I believe you’ll be disappointed. I should also hasten to mention that most, if not all of the level of detail and finish I am talking about is totally invisible to the casual observer, those who stay at least three to five feet from the model or those with vision restrictions.

Another area of concern in my opinion is that of the cast lead “details.” These include the gun barrels, small gun mounts, small boats and a number of other items. I can’t mention some of them by name, because whatever these tiny lead “droppings” might represent are unknown to me. The only way I have been able to identify most of the lead “things” is by going over the listed lead inventory and trying to slowly eliminate the more identifiable items. I still have several items that were either just by-products of the casting process or which I can’t identify at all. For me to now mention that the level of detail on these lead parts is poor at best is probably a redundancy, right? Suffice it to say, the plastic modeling industry certainly has it “hands down” over what one gets here for the price of this $180 kit.

This is not a kit for those who like to quickly turn out a completed model. It can be built into a nice representation of the desired New Orleans class cruiser. I am pleased with my completed effort (again, remembering that I’m not more than 60% finished). If worked on and completed by one of our more accomplished modelers, I suspect one could obtain a competition quality model or one worthy of museum display. Realizing one of our intrepid builders is still working on his 1/350th scale kit of the USS Fletcher after almost four years (and he isn’t through yet….!), which is only about half the size and complexity of these cruisers, you can just guess at the effort such a completed model would require. I suspect I could have completed five or six aircraft models in the time I’ve invested in this model.

By the way, for those of you who may wonder about the colors and camoflage scheme I've finished my model in. I want to acknowledge the artful and knowledgable assistance of a long time friend (and outstanding modeler...), Mike Quan. Mike provided me with the basic Measure 12, Modified ("dapple") scheme I used. I attempted to use a few photos of the Vincennes to see other details, such as the turret top markings. However, much of this scheme is "interpretive" on my part. I have spoken with three survivors of the Vincennes and none have been able to provide me with any definative information about her actual markings. I hope my modeling representation doesn't offend any of my readers who may be better informed or more knowledgable about the subject.

For those of us who actually enjoy the thrill and self-satisfaction of actually completing a model, this kit is a daunting and demoralizing project. I suspect that I have will have from 200-250 hours into this little critter when completed and it is definitely not “ready for prime time.” At the same time, it was personally a rewarding experience. I certainly learned about using PE parts, applying small amounts of cyanoacrylates glue (CA), and working with resin. I am pleased with the model’s overall appearance to this point (again, remembering to stand back away from it a bit). I painted almost the entire project using Floquil’s Polly Scale water based paints. They are a pleasure to use, supply the necessary WW II Naval colors and allow for good coverage and finishing when hand brushed.

For a sizeable chunk of capital, one gets a very amateurish kit, almost certainly has to purchase added aftermarket parts, and then invest a large amount of time and effort to complete the kit. I am sure I would be hesitant to recommend it to another modeler and will most certainly never attempt a second kit of this type. It is definitely not a kit for a novice or less experienced modeler. I should also warn you that I recently read another modeler’s review of a similar kit and he was extremely pleased. I may just be me that’s lacking? Look it over and if you’re ready, lots of luck to you.