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Francisco's 1/72 USCG Island Class WBP Scratch build.

Rhino

Rhino

Super Moderator
Francisco begins his project to honor is good friend Rafael Rivera, late of USCGC Chandeleur, WPB-1319.
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I have known Francisco and his skill and attention to detail for many moons. I am certain this will be GRAND!
The grid drawings need blown up to 1" squares for 1/72 scale.
Francisco tells me the ancient Egyptians used a similar technique for their painting hieroglyphs and stone body reliefs in their temples.
They have a small drawing and blow it up.

Contemporary TLARians start with a big picture and blow it down. (?!)
Drink up me Hearties, Yo-Ho!
 
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Plans progress! The hull will be carved and shaped. Francisco says he had to order the 20 X 5 inck block of Basswood. No one in Des Moines keeps such a chunk of lumber on hand. Carving may forestall my talented friend from detailing the interior of the hull, as he might be otherwise be inclined to do.
Reference pictures? I know a Guy................
 
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I get to provide the guns and 18-foot rescue Zodiac. This is the tubing to start the Zodiac build. The guns are on the way. Mk.38 25mm Chain Gun and .50 caliber M2 machine guns. I might have exceeded my mandate again. I hope Rafy won't mind if the .50's are twin mounts.

Now, to clarify a little. Francisco is NOT building this 1/72 110' Island class WPB. He is making up parts for a kit that Mr. Rivera will assemble and finish at his home in Colorado. I wonder if I can make the mk.38 platform too. :hmm:
Thanks for looking in!
 
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The deck is shaped and attached. I got a start on the hull contours. RHI boat rather than a zodiac. I decided this would be mastered and molded.
That same "Are ya gonna make just one?!" reared it's head again. Heaven alone knows who would want such a thing in 1/72 scale.
 
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For a guy that doesn't do bottoms.......
This bottom is almost done. Not very much round or fully-packed about the underside of this boat.
Francisco wishes for analog gauges in the helm. He doubts multi-function displays were much in use during Rafy's service.
PERFECT! I don't have to include any GPS antennas!
Thanks again for looking in!
 
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Listen up! This is model making right here!! Bear in mind, this is almost 20 inches long!

Francisco is working from the pictured line drawing, NOT a set of blueprints! He knows the deck is flat. He's building the 110' WPB's hull from the bottom up, like you might a balsa airplane model. The sheer of the foredeck and bow spray shield will come after the major hull profile is done. He has a lookout figure form a 1/72 US Navy Gato class boat that he uses to help with scale. "Henry The Submariner".
Francisco is only making ONE. This USCG model for Rafy is Francisco's first model ship. Let that sink in.

This was only 2 days of work! Holly Molly!!

I wondered about my friend. He has the capability to detail the dog-snot out of the interior of this cutter, Since the main deck is in place,
I doubt he will add all the compartments and mechanicals housed inside the Island class hull. Thank the Lord!
The superstructure is another matter entirely!
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For my part. the 3D guns are on the way, and rescue boat details are progressing. P/E wheels for the little helm are coming too!
These little speedsters had lifelines inside and out. A 200 hp Mercury outboard is being considered. This should mold well, so far.
I am NOT making just the one boat.
Thanks for looking in!
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:capsmiley:
:salute:
 
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The 1/72 rescue boat Master will go to mold like this! (Hoisting brackets?) A metal barrel for Rafy's 3D printed Mk.38 25mm Chaingun is coming.
What to do for an outboard? :hmm:
Thanks again for looking in!
 
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Hull progresses with mounting lugs for a fancy base. I wonder how far Francisco will go with this. Is it a kit or a presentation model after all?
Stay tuned as the story unfolds!
 
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Francisco is making fast work of the 110's hull assembly! Holly Molly!! It looks large and very Island Class-ish! Francisco is astounding me with his first ship model!!:notworthy
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For my part, the Mk.38 cannon came and it is a kit! It contains 2 3d printed barrels. A turned brass 25mm cannon barrel is on order. I think it is kinda cool the Mk.38 is a kit of it's own. You don't get that impression from the Shapeways website.
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I may have overdone the .50 caliber machine guns for the bridge deck. I ordered a quantity of 2. 2 sets of 4 1/72 modern twin .50 caliber guns.
Anyone who is interested in buying the other set of 4, PM me and we'll talk price.
Stay tuned, Men! I am near sure Francisco went to town again today on the hull and did some more amazing 1/72 cutter model stuff!!
 
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Superstructure going up! Francisco's build pace is brisk! I'd better get off my keester and mold the rescue boat before he finishes the Cutter!
I don't think the forward hatch on the starboard side is accurate, but it isn't my model.
The rescue boat's 1/87 350 HP. Mercury outboard is on the way. I hope it scales out all right in 1/72 scale. :hmm:
 
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