Here it is, from start to finish.
The Ultimate USS Wasp Construction Post
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Tag Archives: USS Wasp
Finally A Display Case for the USS Wasp
The USS Wasp has been on a shelf out in the shop for about a year, it’s been sitting out there covered in plastic and nearly forgotten. The main reason I built this model was so that I would have a way of displaying my GHQ helicopters, aircraft and other miniatures.
So yesterday, I finally built a display case for the model. This is nowhere near the nicest display case I’ve ever built, especially the base which is more of a temporary base and is made from 1/2 inch MDF. I will replace the base someday with something nicer. But for now, at least the model is inside my office and on display where I can see it. I’m sure now I will be far more tempted to open the case every once in a while and add a few more details to the model whereas before when it was buried in the shop I never would’ve thought about it.
MH-53 For the Deck of the USS Wasp
USS Wasp – Getting close to the end of this project
Really Making Some Progress
Putting together to pieces of the superstructure and adding lots of details.
More Progress on the USS Wasp Superstructure
Added all the doors, ladders and some vent thingies on the outside of the stacks. Also began construction of the antenna/radar/sensor towers.
I’m actually beginning to feel like the end of this project is near. There is virtually no end to the level of detail I can add to this model … but the bottom line is that it’s a gaming piece, not a museum quality model. There is plenty of detail yet to be applied but I’m not going to go nuts with tiny details that will make the model too fragile to use for it’s intended purpose.
USS Wasp Progress Today
Added some more graphics to the deck (numbers) and worked a bit on the interior bay, finalized the lighting and added a few details to the exterior of the hull.
Really starting to look like something
Adding a few external hull details
Really starting to come together
Lighting finalized and side bumper panels installed
Added more graphics to the deck
Opps
Quite often when you make a fiberglass mold there will be damage to the master, especially if the master is a bit fragile. Removing a rigid master from a rigid mold can be a little tricky since neither one likes to bend. Luckily the bow broke off nice and clean and was a piece of cake to replace again.
The poor girl got a broken nose
Easy repair
Just like new again
USS Wasp Bow Mold Prep
I had intended this USS Wasp to be a one of a kind scratchbuilt model … but a few people nave inquired about commissioning me to build one for them too. So I decided to make a mold of the bow section to ensure future models were as accurate as this one.
Bow prepped and ready for mold making process
Bow prepped and ready for mold making process
USS Wasp Progress – Windows
Started adding the windows to the superstructure tonight. These photos are very early progress photos, much fine tuning will be required.
Allens Micro Armor Blog 