USS New York LPD-21
Project Seascape

Next build in Project Seascape - Trumpeter USS New York Amphibious Transport Dock incl landing/hover craft and a host of helicopters (1:350).
Hull converted to a waterline model to suit the seabase.

The 'Waterline Cut'!....
The internal dock/landing deck, bow deck and mid-ships bulkheads were fixed in place to give max rigidity to the hull.
Waterline was masked with tape then sprayed cut line with white primer; removed tape and applied HIQ Craving tape (HD scribing tape); started to carefully scribe the cut line with my Tamiya scriber - after a good number of passes, the cut was quite deep and I switched to the EMK saw, which neatly finished the cut. Finally, the lower part of the bulkheads were removed with the Zona saw and sanded flush with the cut line. The hull plastic turned out to be 2mm thick with the scriber cutting thro about 70% before resorting to the mini saw.

The 'Cruise Liner Effect'!....
These modern ships are so featureless due to their smooth profiles!...so added some depth to the finishes...
Decks were given an anti-slip finish pattern depicting walkways, etc (6 hrs masking!) and the hull/superstructure was profiled to show the main horizontal weld lines and vertical panel lines....all effects based on actual photos (ref www.seaforces.org).
Photo etch grilles and ladders fixed to vertical superstructure.
The bridge and heli deck windows were spray painted and the deck masked prior to applying the mist/blend coats with the final colours.

Final filter (Ammo shader Navy Grey) weathering applied by air brush to hull/superstr and towers; more robust details added before clear coat for decals and detail weathering; final pe to be prepped, mainly railings, heli deck nets, inclined ladders and life raft racks...which were tricky!

Heli deck markings applied ready for operations....good quality kit decals.

Panel highlights with Tamiya panel liner followed by streaking effects to vertical faces and washes to decks both with Ammo Oilbrushers.

Airwing comprising 4no MV-22 Osprey and 2no CH-53E Sea Stallion with heli-deck service vehicles and Marines Armoured Vehicles onboard 2no LCAC Hovercraft. Crew figures by Eduard.

Making the seabase...
a) 750 x 280 x 10mm MDF base covered in 3 layers of tissue paper alternately placed with watered down pva glue and then stippled to form wave effects...
b) Making an impression with the ship and hovercraft to allow bow wave effects to be shaped...
c) Main sea colouration complete - Liquitex acrylic paints laid down neat then blended....
d) Final highlights added for the bow waves and sea churn at stern; wave crests highlighted by dry brushing.
e) Gloss varnish coat added and then coat of watered down pva glue and final gloss varnish coats to give depth.

USS New York….somewhere in the Black Sea….NATO counter-invasion of Crimea…
Never forget.