1/350 US Coast Guard Island class 110' Cutter. TLAR Models #425

[Rhino]

Decals proceed on the 1/350 scale USCG Island class cutter and included Cape Islander lobster boat. The decals came out fair, but it is disclaimer time!

The bow profile of my 110-footer hull is just wrong. The sweep of the deadrise goes almost midships of the real cutter. My model looks rather like a clunky icebreaker.

My US Coast Guard chief contributor served on a Cutter like this one. Mr. Rivera's efforts would seem to be for naught if I sent him a grossly inaccurate vessel like this, nor would I sell one to YOU! "Well, just sand it until it looks almost pretty good." Yeah. Not my style.

Do-Over!! (a not unknown procedure at TLAR Models Nut Department) A shiny, new 100 grit "Wrecker" wet-sanding stick goes to work on one of the hull castings to fix this and other smaller flaws and inaccuracies. Stay tuned as more details of this enthralling story unfold!
@USCG @BollingerInnov

 

[Rhino]

The 1/350 Island class hull "Do-Over" is almost done-over. The bow profile is much improved, tiny flaws in the hull surface are filled smoothed, The crooked portside life raft canisters have been replaced. The box located at the back of the superstructure has been fitted, so as not to block the fresh air intake screen. Once I get her all framed up, I will add the 3d printed stern fairleads. They go on right before RTV, so I won't knock them off going to mold. I am satisfied with this hull Master. The LPP resin is much more malleable than the chunk of stuff I used on the first edition.

 

[moon puppy]

Continuing improvements. That's how great products are made.

 

[Rhino]

I fixed all the flaws that vexed me on the original 110 WPB hull. The end result will be a kit that appropriately honors US Coast Guardsmen, present and past. It took the most part of 2 days to properly atone for my model sins. The other cutter parts in the original mold continue to cast well, and parts for kits are coming along. She stopped fighting me, and the process went smoothly!

The initial box-art cutter model is getting a quick and dirty face-lift, so she won't go to waste. I don't like to lose. Likewise, the initial 1/350 decal sheet will be edited to fit the new hull and the Cape Islander. If a decal mistake is made, water removal is pretty easy.

 

[Sharkmouth]

I keep reminding myself of the scale and am continuously impressed... Even if the subject isn't in my wheelhouse, craftsmanship is to be admired and learned from!