Takom 1:72 USS Missouri 16" Gun Turret

[LSP_K2]

Well here she is, folks, the 1:72 Takom USS Missouri Battleship turret. I'm hoping this will snap me out of my modeling doldrums.

 

 

 

 

 

[Alex]

If you really get inspired maybe you can buy three more of them and then scratchbuild the rest of the Missouri around them...

[LSP_K2]

7 hours ago, Alex said:

If you really get inspired maybe you can buy three more of them and then scratchbuild the rest of the Missouri around them...

 

Great idea, though only two additional turrets would be required for the Iowa class. The Montana class would have had four 16" triple turrets though.

 

 

[LSP_K2]

First order of business will be to scrape/sand off all these raised lines, and re-scribe them all. (I have no idea why Takom did this, as good Iowa class references are all over the place.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LSP_K2]

Also, all these rivet looking gizmos, were actually large pan head screws, but I’ll be making no attempt to correct them.

 

 

[LSP_K2]

As I look at the provided base, it appears they made the deck planks roughly 12“ wide, which is acceptable. I’ll use the molded turret ring itself but order some scribed sheet for the base this will ultimately be mounted on, since I’ll be depicting the adjacent deck section full width. There’s little doubt that the single biggest challenge here, will be to scratch build the breakwater, but it really needs to be done, as they're under the barrels of the guns themselves.

 

[JeepsGunsTanks]

I've been thinking about picking one of these up, so this will be fun to watch!

 

@LSP_K2 You don't think you could find a little screw to replace those rivets? 

[LSP_Ron]

I have a ton of pics of turret 1 as well as the break water if you need reference.

[Smokey]

Kevin will be following along with your build.  Been thinking of picking one of these up. Dan  

[LSP_K2]

1 hour ago, JeepsGunsTanks said:

I've been thinking about picking one of these up, so this will be fun to watch!

 

@LSP_K2 You don't think you could find a little screw to replace those rivets? 

 

Nope, way too much work, even if they were available.

 

53 minutes ago, LSP_Ron said:

I have a ton of pics of turret 1 as well as the break water if you need reference.

 

Awesome. I'll send you a PM about them, Ron, and I appreciate the offer.

 

19 minutes ago, Smokey said:

Kevin will be following along with your build.  Been thinking of picking one of these up. Dan  

 

It's not perfect by any means, but certainly captures the spirit well. Well worth the money, in my opinion.

[LSP_K2]

57 minutes ago, LSP_Ron said:

I have a ton of pics of turret 1 as well as the break water if you need reference.

 

PM sent.

[The Madhatter]

Awesome project Kev! It's a shame Takom don't include more of the deck to go with the turret, like what Boarder did with their Kate and carrier deck. If your going to make a breakwater as well, this display will be pretty big at the end, but a real eye catcher. 

Speaking of eye-catching, I just bought the new Trumpeter 350th Montana, which should be fun and big (80cm in length). Just need to decide on the scheme now.

Really looking forward to seeing more of your turret. It's a very cool subject. Have you considered the Yamato main battery as well? They'd be a cool side by side size comparison 

[LSP_K2]

Barrels are offered with no rifling, but a rather prominent ejector pin mark instead. Tampions are at least provided, but will need to be checked for accuracy. There are six pairs of bloomers provided, three for elevated guns and three for horizontal mounting. Much to my happiness, no two pair are exactly the same.  

 

 

[LSP_K2]

Range finder hoods look pretty decent but will need some cast texture added. Also, the end covers depict raised bolt heads, when in fact they were countersunk flush with the surrounding area; again, something I do not intend to correct.

 

[LSP_K2]

The four balsa life rafts are going to be a real pain to cleanup.